Birthday Swim Party

One of Kate's favorite things to do is go swimming and when you have a winter birthday, a swimming party seems out of the question but we found this great place to have a party indoors.  It was a blast!

 

One of the best parts of the party was when some of the "big kids" got to jump in the pool.  Great job Jack, Jeff, Tony and Mac!

Kate was not thrilled with the group picture since it meant the party was over :(

After we all got dried off, we were finally able to eat that Elmo cake :)

Thanks for all our friends and family who helped celebrate the big day!

After the great party we came home and let Kate open all the gifts from the family.  It was a great day!

Elmo- The Cake

I had big plans for a "3-D" birthday cake this year for Kate.  She wanted an Elmo cake but all I could find was a three dimensional teddy bear which kind of looked like Elmo with some slight rearranging.  Craig, Jeff and I started the process by making the batter.  Once we filled the mold, it didn't look like near enough batter.  It wasn't anywhere close to the top.  So, we made another cake mix and ummm, yeah, we shouldn't have added that last mix..

The three of us gathered around the little window on the oven and watched the batter just pour and pour out the top of the mold.  Finally it stopped and we ended up with quite a mess.

After chiseling the extra cake off the side we had a good shape to work with.

And operation turn teddy bear into Elmo began

 

After we all took turns decorating and shaping, we had a great finished product.  Or so we thought until after an hour, we found this....

 Jeff did some quick thinking and headed to the store to buy some new icing choices and saved Elmo!

Birthday Morning

Kate started the day with some birthday muffins

Then we opened some family gifts Grace had picked out at the store for her

 Jack took Grace to the store to pick out a present for Kate.  Jack picked up a Barbie doll and showed Grace.  Grace shook her head no and held up another toy.  And then said "She doesn't need another Barbie.  She needs to learn her shapes and colors.  I'm going to get her this game because it teaches her those things.  You can get that Barbie but I'm getting her something she really needs."  Ok then... :)

 Since it was her birthday, Kate brought a treat to school.  I didn't have a chance to make anything so I went and got some cookies at Publix since they are usually really good.  Even Grace came with to celebrate with her little sister.

I noticed the kids were just kind of sucking on the cookies.  Finally the other girl in Kate's class threw down her cookie and said "too hard!"  Next thing I knew, all the kids threw down their cookies "too hard!"  And sure enough, they were awful!  So hard!  I felt so bad.  Kate's teacher did some quick thinking and pulled out some goldfish before the riot got out of hand :)

Kate Birthday "Date"

 

In following with tradition, Jack and I took Kate out for her birthday "date."  We started by going out to breakfast.  She loved her birthday pancakes and fruit.

We then headed to the science museum for lots of playing.

 Digging for dinosaur "bones"

As usual, Kate was a blast to be with and we all had lots of fun!  We played all morning and even had lunch there.  It was a great date!

Happy Birthday Kate!

K-K!  You are 2!  You have added such light and fun to our house in your two years with us!  You are non-stop adventure, playing and fun from the minute you wake up at exactly 7am every morning until you hit the crib at night.  You still love your Grovers- you have named them Grover and Other Grover and are still attached to your pacifier at night (and sometimes you sneak it out during the day).  You really enjoy playing with baby dolls and you walk around with at least one at all times- feeding it and rocking it.  You have hundreds of words you can say and often talk in sentences.  You are constantly trying to add to all conversations and even add "what you say?" when you can't hear everything going on around you.  You love going to school and playing with "Ms. Kim."  Even though you are constantly busy you are good at playing "peoples" by yourself or even coloring for about 20 minutes at a time.  You have to do, say, eat, wear everything Grace does.  You "love my sister" and follow her around all the time.  I can't say you are good at sharing and honestly you are kind of rough with Grace when she has something you want- you just rip it out of her hand and say "I need it" and then flash your million dollar smile.  You are so smart!  We can already tell you are putting things together and applying them in that head of yours.  You are constantly laughing or smiling or doing something to make us laugh or smile.  We are so happy to have you in our family!

Estate Planning By Grace

Grace was entertaining herself with one of her favorite activities- walking around in my high heels- when she abruptly stopped and turned and said "Mom, I can't wait until you die so I can have your shoes and your earrings."  I couldn't answer before she followed that up with "And when I die, my daughter will be so excited to get them!  But, if I don't have a daughter, Kate will get them."  If she would have gone the final step and mentioned heirs at law she would have been totally banned from going with Jack to will signings...

Weekend at Grandma and Pop's House

 I had a conference in Denver so the girls got to have some fun at Grandma and Pop's house.  From the looks of the pictures they had lots of fun!

 Obviously looking at pictures of their parents whom they miss dearly

Finding lost treasure under G&P's bed!

A pillow fight with cousin Becky?

Sweet mommies feeding their babies

Lots of coloring!

Grace is getting really good at coloring! 

 

Sweet sisters!

I don't even know what to say about this kid....