birthday? i know they really dont remember it. she is an only child. on a very tight budget.

any ideas?? 

My daughters 2nd bday we rented a bounce house and had the neighborhood kids and our friends come over for a BBQ. It wasn't that expensive and everyone had fun!!
or
Chuckie cheese is in Palm Desert, just take her there! 

Cut the cost on making your own cake, and if you rent the bounce house on base on a Friday you can have it the whole weekend for the price of one day. Get decorations at the dollar tree, I think she will have fun regardless of what you do and that's all that matters :) 

When my kiddo turned two, we had some friends over and played at the playground near our house. I made her cake, made the food for her party, and got the decorations as well as some party favors for the other kids (bubbles, sunglasses, etc.) at the dollar store. We all had a really good time, and it didn't cost much at all!