This post contains affiliate links and we earn small commission when you purchase through links with no additional cost to you. As Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

My daughter’s second birthday happened during COVID. No one I knew was gathering or having birthdays. Although a big birthday party was out of the question, celebrating with my daughter was not. COVID or not, I was not going to get this time back with my kid. Second birthdays are special. They only come once is a life time. This is the time children become aware of their surroundings–make it a good experience. This year my daughter was into Sesame Street. I planned a cake cutting lawn party for few (5 total).

Ambiance

Although we were not having an indoor party, I felt like it was more important to celebrate. My daughter was turning two, and she was coming into herself and very aware. We still decorated our house. As long as I was concerned, this was for my daughter, and I wanted her to feel like it was her birthday and a special day.

Although she was limited to speaking in phrases (2-3 words max), I was surprised at how much I understood. I would ask her specific questions and she would respond. “Do you want Mary Poppins or Sesame Street birthday?” Her response, “Elmo–Abby.” I got a huge sesame street backdrop. The hot air balloons from her first birthday came back hanging from the ceiling. This time, we placed small sesame street characters in the hot air balloon. Not remembering her first birthday, the sight of balloon with her sesame street friends excited her.

I ordered a large Sesame Street backdrop and we blew up balloons. Unlike, the first party, this party was for her.

Due to the COVID restrictions, my out of town family could not make it. They joined us on Zoom to watch my daughter open gifts and cut the cake. There was a tower high stack of presents in our living room. I know it is not about the gifts, but under the circumstance, it represented the effort they made to make sure she had a great birthday despite the circumstance. The gesture was appreciated.

Trying my hand at Cake Decorating

Although Central Market baked and frosted the cake, I decorated it myself. I had looked around for a Sesame Street cake, but the quotes I was getting was too high. It was not in the budget. I would have to do it myself. The cake was double layer round cake with light blue icing. One layer was chocolate and one was vanilla per my daughter’s direction. Thank you to central market for accommodating us.

First, I looked through the internet for ideas. I ended up picking elements from multiple pics. Instead of figures I decided to place and image topper. I ordered the image toppers from “A Birthday Place” (no affiliate relationship). They were very helpful. I sent them an image that I wanted on the image topper and placed my order. Soon after I got the image topper with instructions for placement. It was simple and inexpensive ($15 including shipping). I am not sure of the current price.

I also bought fondant–blue, yellow, red and green and Wilton Letter and Number Fondant Cutters. To make the Sesame Street Sign, I used yellow and green fondant, pizza cutter, rolling pin and the cutters. This was attached to the cake with icing I made at home. I also, cut out the “Happy Birthday” letters and circles. I made these ahead of time, but placed them on the cake after the topper.

The cake met my daughters expectation, and our guest and zoom family were impressed.

The guest did not stay long. We packed our guest lunch to go. Shredded chicken on croissant with chips and pickles in a sesame street character bag. For a shy 2 year old girl that did not care for big crowds, it worked out perfectly.

Lessons Learned

1. August birthdays outside. It is just too hot–the cake was melting. Unfortunately, it will be another two years before I learn my lesson.
2. The lunch to go and simple menu. This worked well under the circumstance. I actually had one of the guest call to tell me how much she enjoyed the sandwich and ask me for the recipe.
3. Zoom meetings. I am sure by this time a lot of us have experience with this. For us this did not work, it is not the same as in-person. We were happy that our family could attend although the view was limited. In managing the zoom meeting, we were not 100 percent present in the moment and did not get a chance to take pics.
4. Decorating the cake myself. This worked well. I enjoyed it and my daughter got to see how it came together.