Rachel's Birthday Festivities (Part 1)

In opposition to her shirt Rachel greeted people by saying, "happy birthday to you," in the most adorable sing song voice. 

We celebrated Rachel's birthday on two different days.  April 21st, the day of her actual birth, was all about Rachel and our little family unit.  On Saturday, April 23rd, we invited extended family and friends to a party at Doug's parents house.  This first post is about the day she actually turned 2.

We made sure that Rachel's birthday was all about her.  She chose all the food, she chose activities, and her parents were impervious to button pushing.  

She chose oatmeal and applesauce for breakfast.

She got a special party day hairdo.

Rachel is in love with cookies.  Anything that is referred to as a cookie is alright in her book.  So, we tried a new chocolate chip cookie recipe.  The cookies were only so-so but the preparation was fun. 

Rachel will stack anything she gets her hands on.

Snack time?  How about chocolate milk and banana slices.

Before our gourmet dinner of macaroni and cheese we made a quick trip to Ikea.  We kept Joseph under wraps and quickly bought a pint sized table and chairs.  

We skyped with family.  

Then came the main event.

Cake.

 

Cake.

More cake.

Cake.

And yes, more cake.

Then we announced to our sugar intoxicated daughter that she was being cut off.  She had reached her cake limit.

You needn't worry.  Rachel's party goers had more up their sleeves.

 

It was time for PRESENTS!

Cake was quickly erased from Rachel's mind as visions of new toys danced in her head.

 

She got play-doh, elefun and...

wait for it...

 

A LeapFrog ABC game!

"Oh, WOW!" (Yes, she really did say that.)

Earlier in the week I had taken Rachel to Wal-Mart.  I picked up the game and allowed her to play with it as I went about the business of shopping.  It was so fun when she would periodically call out, "I did it!" to random strangers.  But, now...now it was in her home.  She was never going to part with this game again.

That is until we announced the last activity of the evening.  We watched her favorite movie. "spicle me."  (Despicable Me.)

 

Happy Birthday to the most amazing 2 year old!  We love you more than you can possibly know.