Happy Early Second Birthday!

This little girl had her birthday party (a week early)!


(Pictured doing the Hokie Pokie)

The theme was circles (a shape she became obsessed with throughout this second year of her life).







The little guests all made a craft- they decorated paper circle balloon boquets with glitter.



Most of the treats were circles, but that's a tough one. We also had some non-circular items on the table.



The birthday cake- circles. She was so excited to blow out her candles. She loves the song, "Happy Birthday," and sings it regularly- normally inserting a cousin's name into the song. On the day of her party, we tried to put her down for a nap. It didn't happen because she was too excited. She kept singing, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY TO YOU!" at the top of her lungs. So when everyone started singing the song to HER...oh boy, was she excited.



When she opened her presents, all her guests crowded around her, trying to shove their present into her lap (or, more accurately, trying to OPEN their present in her lap). This little birthday girl quickly figured out what to do.

If you want to read some stellar local news (and who doesn't), go to http://www.mysugarhousejournal.com/. Why am I telling you this? Hint: Read the name of the writer who wrote the articles on the front page!

Little Kitty Liddie

We went to a festival at the library where there was face painting. Lydia waited in line so very patiently while child after child and parent after parent cut in front of us (Ok, maybe it was only one child and one parent with a child- but still...).

She was very excited to be painted like a kitty.

An Introduction to Cinderella

While I have many Disney princess movies, Lydia hasn't really been exposed to them yet.

My wonderful nieces definitely come from a "Princess House." So when I babysat them the other day, I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce Lydia to Cinderella.

As soon as I mentioned that princess' name, Lydia's cousins began jumping up and down with excitement. Lydia followed suit, jumping and shouting, "Cin-rella Cin-rella."

We all clambered downstairs to the TV room while Abby sweetly held Lydia's hand, asking all the way, "Lydia, who is your favorite princess?"

Little Cameron started asking the question too. They both gave her ideas. "Is it Jasmine? Or Cinderella? Or Belle?"

Lydia had no clue what they were talking about and the questions kept coming, so I had to explain, "Lydia doesn't really know about princesses."

Abby and Cameron looked at me with very confused eyes.

The introduction to Cinderella ended up lasting only about 10 minutes into the movie. By that time, Lydia and Cameron were wandering around, finding toys to play with.

But for those 10 minutes, I had three sweet and very attentive girls to cuddle with.

Halloween

Our Little Red Riding Hood had a great Halloween. We attended so many different Halloween events that she was an old pro at this whole Halloween thing by the end of the week. Her costume became a second skin. And it has the stains and tears to prove it.

Trick-or-treating was a blast for Lydia. She started out a little wary, but caught on to the whole idea VERY fast. She had no problem with knocking on doors, looking cute, and getting a fistful of candy.

On Halloween morning, we started the day off by eating gourmet donuts at a cute new donut shop.

Here, too, she caught on very quickly.

We also attended a trick-or-treat at our church.

Ryan and I got into the spirit too. We dressed up as each other. Can't even tell, huh? Our costumes were THAT good.

Stickers

My mom sent Lydia some stickers. In less than 5 minutes, this is what happened. All Lydia's doing.

Thanks, Grandma! She loved them!