Happy Birthday To Our Terrific Two-Year-Old!

Just like last year, we had Simone's birthday party before her actual birthday while everyone was still in town. Daddy went all out with his homemade banner and #2 Rice Krispy squares! 

The gorgeous black and white print you see on the table was his Christmas present to me - bring on the waterworks! (Thanks again to Karen for taking the beautiful shot while she and Uncle Scott were visiting this summer!)

There was a photo slideshow of Simone's second year playing on the TV. She was quite excited to see herself in EVERY picture!

We are so lucky to have our dear friends, Brenna and Sebastian, share in the festivities!

Uncle and Mimi having fun!

 Sitting on Mommy's "lap" is getting harder and harder!

Thank you for the awesome rug, Mimi! It will match my new bedding perfectly! And thank you for the super cool firetruck book, Sebbie! I am getting so good at making the siren sound!

Can't wait to play in the awesome castle from Vincent! Bekah is ready to open it right now!

Neat princess blocks, Baka! Merci beaucoup! I can't wait to build a tower!

Auntie Shilo (no Auntie, just Shilo) spoiled me with a super fun pink VW bug Barbie car! I am the coolest kid on the block!

Jenny, Bailey and Koby were so generous and shared this amazing kitchen set with me! (Not to mention this adorable baker's outfit!) Now I have somewhere to cook all that food Santa brought!!! 

 Cupcake time!

 After an afternoon of partying, I took my sparkly tights off and slipped into something a little more comfortable: my new sheep "slippees" from Auntie Leigh, Keri, Chris, Jack and Cate! And we can't forget a big THANK YOU to GAGA and Uncle Ronnie for my pretty party dress!!!

The next morning, after I cooked up some coffee and waffles for Mommy and Daddy and took Barbie for a drive around the living room, I HAD to get into that castle! Here I am reading my firetruck book in it!

SURPRISE!!!

Hours of fun (well, minutes, with her short attention span!) and SUPER easy to set up and take down - even Simone can do it! Thanks again to MC, Nate and Vincent!

Simone got all dressed up in her fancy dress (thank you, Aunty Michele and Uncle Brent!) to go to Auntie Tess' restaurant for dinner (http://www.bistrofandango.com/). Delish!

Whose idea was it to give a two-year-old chocolate cake and whipped cream at 7pm??? :)

Thank you to everyone who celebrated Simone's second year with us! We love you!

In other BIG news, I am now in a BIG girl bed! Unfortunately Mommy broke the frame, so it's now just the mattress on the floor, but it's still a BIG mattress! (Thank you again to Colleen for the side rail!)

It won't be long now until my car seat gets turned around and I am on the potty! Lots of BIG changes ahead!