A Party Fit for a Two Year Old

Yesterday, we celebrated Katy's first 2 years of life with family and friends at a park shelter with a nearby playground. I was debating between Elmo and Dora for a theme, but went with Dora, because I thought the decorations were cuter. One of the moms in my MOMS Club makes cakes professionally, so I had her make a Dora cake for us, and Katy loved it. We even had Dora tattoos for the kids (and adventurous adults).

I was nervous about 2 things: the weather and Katy's recent stranger anxiety. Both turned out fine. It was a little chilly and cloudy, but it didn't rain more than a sprinkle or two. And I practiced with Katy all week showing her pictures of everyone who would be at the party and talking about each of them so that she wouldn't be scared. She got a little quiet at some points when there was a lot of attention on her, but overall she had a really good time surrounded by people who love her.

David was an angel the whole time. He slept in the car seat for a good bit of the party, then he had a bottle (only his 2nd in his life) and fell back asleep in Grandpa's arms for the rest.

I think her favorite part was singing Happy Birthday. We've been practicing that part, too, and she just looked so excited while everyone sung, and clapped and said, "Yay!!!" when we were finished. She tried to blow out the candle, but to be honest, it was the wind that extinguished the flame.

To my surprise, I had trouble convincing her to open the presents. She opened a couple, then wanted to go back to the park and play. I tried a couple of times and then gave up. She was VERY interested in opening them at home later that night, and all day she's been playing with her new loot.

Katy has several "friends" who are very close to her in age. There were a total of 4 birthday parties this weekend, including Katy's, and we went to three of them. So Katy is now well versed in the ways of birthdays. When she woke up this morning, Brian could hear her singing "Happy Birthday" to herself over the monitor. I think she enjoyed herself, don't you?

Of course, tomorrow is the real birthday, so I'll post some sentiments about my baby girl turning 2 years old. I can't believe it. I really, really can't.