Alma Turns Two . . . Take Two

This year the Shriners Circus happened to be the weekend after Alma's birthday. Since we LOVE the Shriners, we decided to go. We thought it would be a bit of a gamble, taking a two year old to the circus not knowing if she would sit and watch. We anticipated the possibility of leaving halfway through or even earlier. Because it is such a wonderful cause we decided to go anyway. We invited Dan's parents to join us and were so happy to be wrong about Alma! Not only did she watch the entire Circus, I think it was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to her! She loved the acrobats and the lady who had 50+hula hoops going at the same time. The animals made her laugh. And when the motorcycles came out and rode around in a cage, well, she got so excited she had to cover her eyes with Dan's coat.

 Dan's parent's came over for dinner before the circus so that Alma could open their gift to her. It was an awesome table and chair set with a singing tea pot. Alma and her Papa Beej had a lovely tea party together!

Alma Turns Two!

 In June Alma celebrated her second birthday! Her actual birthday wasn't the most exciting evening since Dan and I had to work but we did have a very private party for her in the evening. We invited our dear friends, the Jarolimek family, to our house for a pancake dinner. At the time pancakes was one of the only foods that our very picky eater would actually consume. So it was pancakes and eggs all around! At the ripe old age of two Alma is very interested in books. Her favorite activity is story time and she frequently comes scooting our way with a book in her hand. She loves to sit on your lap for a good story. In the spirit of this most of Alma's birthday presents were books. We also bought her her very own couch to sit on while she reads. This wasn't such a huge hit, as it turns out she is afraid of Lightning McQueen. Luckily, with time she has gotten over that!

 Here is Alma and her Auntie Gretta enjoying a good book!

 Harper thought he would help Alma open up her gifts, which was good, because she kept getting distracted by trying to eat the tissue paper.

 Hadrian looks on, longingly, waiting for his first birthday party.

 Alma, relaxing after the party with a good book on her new couch.

I baked red velvet cupcakes for Alma instead of a cake. I really do not think this was such a great idea. Turns out, red velvet cake and two years old children is somewhat of a recipe for disaster :) Happy two years to my little cupcake!

Alma and Oliver

Alma is really into Sesame Street right now. We have acquired several videos and one of her favorites is titled "The Best Pet In the World." Ever since she started watching this video we have been walking around singing the Best Pet song and telling Alma that her kitty, Oliver, is the best. Clearly, kitties don't come any cuter than this! She can bite him, pull his tail, or climb on top of him and all he does is purr.

Hadrian's First Solid Food . . .

Was a huge success! This was some boring rice cereal, but now he is eating bananas, strawberries, corn, carrots and even oatmeal. We make all of our own baby food with my handy-dandy Magic Bullet which will puree just about anything in seconds!