Maksim's 2nd Birthday Party

We officially have a 2 year old!

Life is going to be more exciting.

<3

We had Maksim's birthday party on Sunday, December 8, 2013, 2 P.M. at Gumma & Gumpa's house - almost two weeks before his actual birth date. We did this so that his friends, Jaylee and Gabriel can attend. They're like family to us. Also an awesome surprise, Maksim's Babushka (Grandmother) visited all the way from Seattle. It was the perfect gift. Simply wonderful!

On the day of the party, it snowed hard. It was the slippery kind of continuous accumulation that made the roads challenging to drive on. In such condition, we didn't expect anyone to show up. Surprisingly everyone we invited came, all but a few people. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends who love our little boy. To everyone who made it, thank you.
<3

Maksim's birthday was a Sesame Street themed celebration.
It was most adorable. We decorated with Sesame Street
balloons, streamers, posters, cakes, and goody bags for the kids.
Party City is awesome. I got everything there. The cake was from
the local grocery store, Hy-Vee. They did a fantastic job.

Here is Maksim blowing two candles on his cake; Papa holding him up.
This happened towards the end of the evening. We started the celebration with
some lunch/dinner. A list of food included: salad, vegetarian meat loaf,
spaghetti, general's tofu, rice, stuffing, macaroni salad, cookies, chips & dip,
and other stuff I don't remember. Drinks: white grape juice with Sprite.
Soon after we played games, opened presents, and then ate some cake with ice cream.
The evening ended with fellowship, socializing, and singing Christmas songs around the piano.
Due to the heavy snow fall, the last visitor left at 6:30 P.M.

Papa and Maksim. Baby boy loved his accordion gift.

It took me forever to find a game for the kids to enjoy. I pinterested like crazy 
searching for something fun, but eventually ended up with my own game. 

Everyone loves balloons, especially toddlers and kids of every age. 
Andrey and I blew up 40+ balloons, gave each kid an over sized
shirt and told them to stuff as many balloons in their shirts for 30 seconds. The kid with
the most balloons in their shirt wins. It was fun! It was a riot full of laughter. We did this
game three times. In the end everyone got two medals around their necks for being such awesome players.
We also tried to play the laser yarn/streamer game. As we were setting it up, the little kids (including Maksim) were already on the course and knocked most of the "beams" out. It lasted for only 3 minutes. We'll do it again next time when they're older and can wait for the setup to finish. For crafts, the kids decorated their very own foam Christmas tree with foam stickers.

Maksim opening up his gifts.

Maksim needed help opening his gifts.

He ran away with this one.

He also loved this one. Confession, so do I.

Auntie Marina, Uncle Alex, and Cousin Alina gave Maksim a remote control
car for his birthday. Thank You! Here he is playing with the car.
Maybe next year, they can visit and attend his birthday too. ;-)

Uncle Izzy is showing Maksim how to play the accordion.
The first time Maksim saw this instrument was last month when his Uncle
Izzy had to practice for a performance. He would not let go of it.
When he got his own, his eyes lit up. He was so amused.

Showing Uncle Izzy his skills.

My son is a PRO! I really hope he grows up to love music.

Maksim bonding with Babushka as he decorates the wall with foam stickers.
<3

Maksim loves his Babushka.
<3

Abigail wearing the funny glasses with big nose.
This was one of the things each kid got inside their goody bags,
along with other fun knickknacks and candy bars.

Gabe, being silly.

Rallinda with a serious look.

Rysen reading a book.

The party was really loud and rowdy with six kids running around laughing. The little ones were racing with their ride on automobiles, while the older ones cheered them on, ran up and down the stairs to drop 40 balloons off the balcony, and had a jolly good time. The house was full of activity and I loved every second of it.

Kids make life so joyful. Being parents, we've experienced many things with abundant happiness. Perhaps in a couple of years, Maksim will be blessed with a brother or a sister. The idea no longer scares me. In fact, I can not wait. <3