We have a 2 year old!!!

Yesterday was Evelyn's 2nd birthday. She had been anticipating the day much more than I thought she would or thought she could understand. For at least a week prior she would announce to whoever was around, "My birday tomin' up!!!" (She says some of her "c"s as "t"s right now :)) For at least a full week before she would also randomly remind us that "Aunt Katie tomin' soon!!!" Last year we celebrated with quite a large party (like 40+ friends and family) so this year we decided to go much more low key and just had Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Katie over on Saturday evening.
When Evie woke up Saturday morning she was very pleased to find the streamers and balloons in the kitchen. It's hard to eat breakfast when there are exciting balloons you could be playing with. :) 
When she woke up from her nap and the table was all set, she got even more excited!
Aunt Katie of course helped make it quite exciting. ;) 
"It's a lot of responsibility to be 2..."
There were a lot of cards in the mail for Evelyn that day too. She loves getting mail so this just added to the specialness of the day. :)
Aunt Nancy, Uncle Chris and Kevin sent a card that came with penguin stickers! Evie decided that everyone at the party need one and took her responsibility of choosing a sticker for each person very seriously. :p Nathan was a little offended that I got a flower, Aunt Katie, Gracie and Grandma and Grandpa all got cute penguins, seals or sea gulls and he got a crustacean, but that's what Evelyn picked for him... ;)

The first present Evie opened was an Abby Cadabby doll from Grandma and Grandpa. In case you're not a huge Sesame Street fan :), Abby Cadabby is a newer SS character. We don't actually ever get to watch Sesame Street, but Busch Gardens has a whole Sesame Street area and Abby Cadabby is Evie's favorite character there. :) She was was thrilled when she opened her own doll. :p All she could do was whisper "Dabby! Dabby!" at first. :)

Abby is a fairy and so of course then Evie needed her fairy wings and wand as well. ;)
Evie was a huge fan of the party hats... as you can tell... ;) Even Abby got one!
Dinner was of course pasta and broccoli (Evelyn's favs) followed up by cake. Now, you may not know, but back in middle school I was very into cake decorating - took classes, made friends' cakes, etc. However, apparently cake decorating IS a skill that you lose if you don't use. ;) So, no judging the cake. ;) Plus, all my tools are still back in Ohio. ;)

(Yes, I did help her blow it out - she was a little perturbed that she couldn't get them out despite all her blowing, so I subtly helped. ;)) And apparently it as good because soon the fork wasn't fast enough. ;)

Yesterday, Evie's actual birthday, was gorgeous - sunny and 70s! We enjoyed as much of it as we could outside, mostly including swinging and going to the Second Sundays art festival down town.
Evelyn needed a break half way through our CW walk so she plopped down on the curb. ;)
We ran into a lot of friends down there, including neighbor girl, Lily, and her mom. The kids craft stand had indian head bands for the kids to make and Lily made one for Evelyn that said "happy birthday" on it. Evelyn opted to wear it around her waist though instead of around her head. ;) Here she is with Lily dancing to the live music.

We had such a great weekend and we are so so thankful for our little Evelyn Ruth and the 2 wonderful years we've had with her!! We love you, Ev!