For my daughter's second birthday I chose a ladybug in the garden theme. I began, of course, with the invites.  I hand made invitations I cut a black pc of paper into an oval shape with a half circle for the head.  I used small brads to attach two red wings over the oval shape and used a permanent marker to mark dime size dots on the ladybug's back. I attached two wiggly eyes and pipe cleaners taped on to add life to them.  I used a white pen to write on the inside of the invites. Lady bug (name)is turning two buzz by our flower to celebrate!"  I drew little ladybugs on the outside of the envelopes in the bottom corners just using a red and black pen. We held the party outdoors. For the decorations I purchased red table cloths. I bought black felt sticky paper from Michaels and cut out approx 5" circles and stuck them on the table cloths.  I found some small glasses with ladybugs on them at the dollar store and used them as vases. I bought red and yellow gerber daisies as centerpieces. I also purchased some yellow ribbon with ladybug ribbon I found at Michaels and tied a bow around each glass. These centerpieces were parting gifts for grandmothers and aunts.  I also used the ribbon to tie at the entrance to the gate of my back yard.  As guest arrived I lined the driveway with little pinwheels of different colors (I found them at the dollar store (3 for $1).  These two were parting gifts for all of our guests on their way out. (I still see these around our family and friends homes!)  I bought special ladybug plates cups napkins I found online.  We also had plain red dinnerware. Each guest also recieved a set of antennea. I bought headbands from the dollar store and used black pipe cleaner.  I made them in different swirly shapes and even attached a few puff balls to a few.  These were a hit even for the adults! Each little one recieved a streamer. I bought some round rods at the craft store and hot glued red ribbon to it.  This is a great gift for toddlers. I found a ladybug windchime which also added to the scenery. I bought red and white balloons. I used a large tip permanant black marker to dot the red balloons.  For a game I used white yellow and green posterboard paper.  I drew for each child a gerber daisy about 12" wide and taped a yellow center on each one with a long green stem.  I taped these all along our fence (which made for a cute decoration as well) Before the party began I wrote on the back of two of the yellow circles "winner".  On arrival each child was given a precut ladybug to decorate and put their name on and then tape it to a flower. We then later went through and the child with a "winner" flower recieved a door prize. I also had a "guess how many" jar with black and red licorice. I had two one for adults and one for children. The guest who guessed the closest without going over won the jar. We also had bubbles. I had family bring over small childrens tents or play tubes to keep our littlest guests entertained. We also had a ladybug pinata which I found on buycostumes.com.  I dressed my daughter in a ladybug costume I found there also.  For the cake I made it myself. I did a white cake with green grass and I found little ladybugs at the cake store. For ice-cream I made ladybugs. You have to do this the night before and let them sit in the freezer. I used cupcake papers and put one scoop of ice cream.  I then used a melon baller to put another small scoop for the head.  I cut black pcs of licorice and stuck them in for antennea and used the tiny chocolate chips for dots. You could also put a thin line of chocolate syrup down the middle. They turned out adorable and everyone loved the idea. It took a while to do but it was well worth it.  For party favors the children recieved a small red bag. There are some great little things for good deals on orientaltradingco.com. I chose a windup ladybug and a little stuffed ladybug. I also made chocolates myself.  Ladybugs and flowers for the adults.  It was a great party!       "