To good to be 2 !!!

We celebrated Lily's birthday yesterday with a day full of birthday activities.

We woke her up by singing Happy Birthday (her favorite song). We had a birthday requested breakfast of eggs and banana bread. We made a birthday crown which Lily got to decorate with flower stickers. She loved wearing it all day and hearing people tell her Happy Birthday. We listened to people call and sing her happy birthday all day, thanks everyone, she loved it! We had her favorite lunch of 'pasta' at the Olive Garden. She also liked the coloring, but not as much as the pasta. We watched an e-card birthday dancer, she loved that.

And best of all, we opened presents. Who knew $25 could buy so much fun! When she opened her pool she just stared and stared at the pictures with a huge grin as she began to realize that she would be able to swim in her own backyard anytime she wants. Lily absolutely loves to swim. "put my swimming suit on me" she said. Then we finished off the day with her fish cake (which she said she needed to have a birthday), ice cream, and neighbors for a real birthday party.

Thanks again everyone for the love and wishes. She had a great birthday!
BTW- today she said we should have her birthday again.

Now Your Two ...

A funny story
On your birthday, we were getting ready to go and you were getting fussy for attention. Dad stopped to play with you and tickle you on the bed. Mom came in and found you two playing around and asked
"Lily were you distracting Dad?"
to which you quickly and accurately replied
"No. Dad is distracting me."

Our favorite phrases
"oh dear"
"yes. I would like that"
"sank-you Mom!"
"that didn't work"
"tum on tiny" (come on tiny)
"her say no" (when Dad tells you to ask Mom if it is ok)

Songs I sing completely,
over and over and over again
Wheels, wipers, babies, mamas, driver, doors, and kids on the bus
Popcorn Popping on the apricot tree
Ring around the Rosie (every FHE since we started having it)
Twinkle Twinkle little Star
Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

Half your height
We've been told that your are half your adult height at age 2. You measure 35 inches and weigh 27 lbs. This puts in in the 90th percentile for both height and weight. You are comfortably wearing size 2T except most pants are too short for your long legs, good thing it's summer shorts season. 5'10" hear you come.

Favorites
TV show - "Elmo's World on Sesame Street", "Phineas and Ferb", and "Mythbusters"
Book - "Go Dog, Go!"
Story - "The Holy Ghost" (made up by mom, but the most requested by far)
Movie - "Your Baby Can Read" and "Green Eggs and Ham"
Food - Cheese, Asparagus, Candy, Quesadillas, Hot Dogs, Grapes preceded by "I want some ..."

In the past 6 months...
You've grown 4 new teeth for a total of 12. We're still waiting on that second set of molars. You are a full fledged talker with few grammar errors, and you do it non-stop. You're initially shy, especially around guys, but you warm up to people and love them. You like to watch people and what they are doing. You know basic shapes (heart, star, circle, triangle) and are getting really good at colors. You know pink, red, black, yellow, and sometimes purple. You can count to 10 or 11 by yourself, but you usually mess it up somewhere in the middle. You watch Elmo's world everyday after breakfast and learn so many new things that come out during your play time. It's funny to hear what you come up with and wonder where you learned it.

You still like to organize and clean things. You won't play with play dough. You just ask me to do it and say "wash my hands" when I make you do it. You like to help with chores and fixing meals. You have your own cleaning bucket with supplies and apron for cooking. You're dishes from Christmas and empty containers are your favorite toys, especially when combined with your babies and animals that you feed and take care of. You like to "do a project" with Mom like stringing beads or coloring a page or sticking on stickers. You get excited when we go shopping at Hobby Lobby.  Funny, all these things can be said about Mom also.

You love your sister Niki. We worry if she'll live through your loving. When you focus, you can be really soft and gentle. But usually you are too excited and playful to restrain from mauling her. You try to pick her up, change her diaper, feed her bottles and pacifiers, cover her with blankets, change her clothes, and give her toys all day long. She puts up with most of it and I think she actually likes all the attention. She surprisingly cries less when you are around, even if she can just hear you playing nearby.

You fall asleep eating lunch most days. Food is still your biggest comfort, next is your lovey. You won't go to sleep at night until everyone else is asleep, no mater how tired you are. Once the lights are off and we are in bed, you'll wander into your own bed and fall asleep. Lately you like to sleep on the floor.

From Mom
Lily I love you. You make messes and demand attention and it is so much work to take care of you, but I love it. I love playing with you. I love that you talk to me all day. I love hearing you explain things that you learn about the gospel. I love to tickle and play with you. Thank you for being my friend.

From Dad
Lily you are such an amazing daughter.  I love your little personality and being able to spend time playing with you.  We have so much fun together having tickle time, tossing you on the bed, reading, and playing games.  I can't get enough of your smile and enthusiasm for life...seeing you happy means the world to me and makes me happy.  You are so smart and you say things that amaze me every day.  I can't wait for all the fun time we will get to spend together as you continue to grow.


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but wait there's more... keep reading for more posts from today.