...we were marveling at all she had learned to do in a year's time. While this year, the change isn't quite as drastic as the leap from gurgling, sleeping blob to walking, talking toddler, it's still remarkable.
Our two-year-old speaks in full sentences that anyone can understand, counts to 20, knows all her letters and most of her sounds, and can even read about 15 words! She loves jumping (as you will soon see evident), sweets, robots, reading, singing, watching Pixar movies while eating homemade popcorn, answering the door for the "pizza man," visiting "Gia" and "Pap-Pap" after school, standing on her head at random, wrestling Maya, carryingEllie, playing outside, running into walls on purpose, dropping rocks into the creek, naming all her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, school friends and family friends in photos, singing BABY BELUGA at the top of her lungs, demanding to watch home videos of herself, and most recently, telling stories of her 2-year's worth of unique Lyla experiences and adventures. How amazing.
On her actual birthday, we had small celebration at home. I let her pick out a cake at the grocery store and Luke and I gave her a Wall-E robot toy made for much older children, but we knew she'd get a kick out of it, even if it was over-priced and over her head. We ordered pizza and had a carpet picnic in the living room (aka "home"). We sang "Happy Day-day" repeatedly because it was too much fun to blow out the candles just once! Lyla picked the red frosting off the cake and asked for more fire on the candles and more singing... It was a great day!
Her Sesame Street birthday party was scheduled for the next day, however, as Texas weather would have it, snow and icy-cold winds were imminent, so we postponed her bounce-house rental for the next day, upon which there was to be a complete turnaround in climate. However, as sure as Troy Dungan sports a dorky bow-tie to forecast the weather, Sunday proved to be even colder and windier. So, we moved it to the next weekend, much to our disappointment. But we still managed to make the most of it.
It was a good move, however. More friends and family could make it, and apart from the excessive wind, it was a beautiful day! Grandma and I spent the previous evening preparing (ie cupcake and cake duty), and even Uncle John pitched in once the cupcake characters started to wear me out. While we were up to our elbows in colored frosting, Lyla was rehearsing for her jumping debut.
The bounce house was a hit! The sack race was hilarious and adorable! Lyla was beside herself with joy all day long. As Mac put it, "I don't think she stopped smiling all day." With everyone she loved nearby, all the jumping and sliding she could handle, cake and sweets and presents... what more could our girl want? It turns out, she wished the bounce house could have stayed in Pap's yard permanently, but that wasn't really surprising.
Such a happy day for our happy girl made for some seriously happy parents! We are so thankful to have our Lyla in our lives, and grateful there are so many others that want to share in our love and be part of her life!
With that in mind, Luke and I are bracing ourselves for all the other "joys" that being two brings.
Happy birthday Lyla! I cannot believe it's been two years since you became a mom, Emily! I miss you a lot! hope all is well with you and hope you and Lyla continue to have a fantastic year!
So cute, so smart, so smiley - could she be any more perfect?!? Happy 2nd Birthday, big girl! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Lyla! I cannot believe it's been two years since you became a mom, Emily! I miss you a lot! hope all is well with you and hope you and Lyla continue to have a fantastic year!
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