"Get some cake!"

Proudly holding two fingers up with big smiles, C turned 2 this weekend. We did the best we could to make a big deal about her birthday without really knowing anyone in town. C didn't really seem to mind. She knew it was her special weekend. Anytime anyone said, "Happy birthday!" to her she replied: "Get some cake!"

Friday was the actual day and we went to the gymnasium and play place to celebrate with some new friends. Little John and Kate, both 2 years old and their older siblings Will and Meg joined us in the snack room for cupcakes and a birthday song. But really, the morning was all about the trampolines and slides for the kids. C had an absolute blast. She even got a little present from John and Will--a Noah's Ark with building blocks inside. Very fun, and a surprise since I wasn't expecting anyone to give gifts. It was such a lovely gesture. Thanks new friends!

Saturday we got some pictures taken at a portrait studio. C did amazingly well. I wasn't sure how she would do since she got school pictures taken only a few days earlier and didn't crack a smile at all. The studio photographer and I teamed up and got her to laugh and have a great time. We get the photos at the end of the week, so you'll have to wait to see them. They are too adorable for words...in a proud parent's opinion.

Later that afternoon, we were invited over to a neighbor's house for dinner. C had a great time checking out all the toys they had over there for her to play with. She especially loved the Xylophone, got the mallets out and knew exactly what to do. She even knew what it was called without any help from me.

Sunday M was home so we celebrated all over again and C finally got to open her presents. We Skyped with Grandma and Grandpa V. so they could join in on the celebration. They got to sing happy birthday to her, see her open her gifts and watch as she devoured a messy cupcake. It was like they were in the room with us. I love Skype.

After presents she proceeded to play with her new toys for at least an hour before it was almost time for a nap. When she awoke she had one more present to check out...a new tricycle from her other set of grandparents. She couldn't wait to take it for a spin around the neighborhood. So that is exactly what we did. She rode it all the way to the park and back, dinging the little bell the whole way.

I would say she thoroughly enjoyed her special day. Enjoy this little video...C sure did.

Harvest Festival

Last weekend C and I went to the town's Harvest Festival. It was basically the regular Saturday Farmers' Market with an added arts and craft section and some bouncy houses for the kids. They are also currently having a scarecrow contest in the square which added to the fall-like decorations. It was fun. The venders handed out tons of free samples of yummy food too. We had fun.

C ran around and looked at all the scarecrows asking: "What's that?" each time she found a new one. My answers sounded something like this: "It's a ballerina scarecrow." "It's a Superman scarecrow." "It's a fairy princess scarecrow." And so on and so forth.

She played on the kid train in the square for a while and also got to take a ride on a little train before we called it a day.

You've Been Booed!

Two nights ago someone rang our doorbell and left a little package for us. It said, "You've been booed!" It was a small gift bag with a ghost on it filled with sweets, a stuffed owl and rolled up paper. One paper was a ghost with BOO written on it and the other paper had some explanation and instructions on it.

The insert said: "You've been BOOED. By tomorrow, pick three friends and give them all a Halloween treat. You only have one day, so scurry."

It went on to say:

"1. Make copies of the ghost and direction.

2. Post the ghost on your door so everyone knows you've been booed.

3. Make treats to give to three friends and have fun!"

So we posted the ghost in our window...but that's as far as we got.

The real story here is what our little one said when mommy came upstairs to tell everyone what was left at our front door. We opened the package together, as a family. C immediately noticed that there were lollipops in the bag. She was all about the lollipops until I removed them from sight. Then she got excited about the stuffed owl--which was way more appropriate for a little girl who just brushed her teeth. I read the instructions aloud and must have said a bunch of times that we've been booed. Because that's what C picked up on the most.

Now, every time I ask her what's posted in our window, she says: "It's a booed," instead of saying it's a ghost. She references the owl the same way, saying: "Booed. It's a booed." It's too darn cute.