My "baby" goes from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds...
See?
Then ...

Now ...

I was pregnant - then I blinked - and now my sweet princess is two. MUST. stop. blinking.
When JGif turned 2 he had quite a few little baby friends - which facilitated the need for a big 'ol baby party! Perhaps you remember the
construction themed birthday party?? How could you not? It was EPIC! Kate requested something a little more low key for her big 2 year celebration. She understood that her mama was traveling for work the entire week prior to her birthday and was all "let's not do a big *thing* - how about just pizza with the family?" and I was all "RIGHT ON!". So her celebration was smaller but every bit as EPIC if you ask me. The only thing missing - and it was a BIG thing - was our Jersey contingent - Kookle, Aunt Steph, Evie and Noah. But 4 hours is a bit far to drive for pizza and cupcakes. Especially when there are two and a half kiddos involved! We've decided to do a joint baby bday celebration in the near future (Kate and Noah were born one month apart).
So regardless of size a party ain't a party unless there is a theme and decorations! I know that sounds like a quote from some profound thinker of days past - but that was all me. Feel free to quote me going forward. I wanted it to be a princess party, Kate wanted it to be an Elmo party. Guess who won?


Here is the birthday brother with his birthday present. How cute is his note?

Birthday girl and her Granny ...

And with Mima and Popo. I just love Kate's face in this one. She's all "Seriously? Another picture?"

And I just love Mima's face in this one. She looks like she's taking a very happy nap!

Kate and her handsome assistant opening KGif's present from Granny and Gramps.

It's an awesome water table for the patio! Kate decided to use it as a stage.

Then Mike started putting it together and Kate decided to use it as a bathtub.

They finally got it all set up and I don't think Kate has stopped playing with is since. It's the last thing she plays with before going to bed and the first thing she asks for when she wakes up in the morning. Just wait until she finds out you can fill it with water. She's going to want to us to move her crib out back to the patio.

Opening her present from Aunt Sue and Uncle Paul.

It's a piano shaped like a cat - it has all kinds of cool sound effects and you can make it meow with each press of the keys! Kate loves the microphone and she walks around carrying it singing happy birthday to herself. Also she likes to play it with her feet.

Opening her present from Mima and Popo.

It's Caillou!

Caillou (rhymes with bayou) is a show on a kids television network. Kate loves it. Me, not so much. Calliou is whiney and constantly upset about something. Plus the show has a
theme song that gets in your head, sets up camp and stays longer then the Occupy Wall Street protesters.
After presents it was time for pizza! What, doesn't everyone eat topless on their birthday?

Caillou had some too. And probably whined about it after.

Bring on the cupcakes!

Kate wanted nothing to do with the cake. I have two kids who don't like cake. How that happened I'll never know.
And after cake it was time for some coloring.

Coloring is serious business.

Those eyes! Those lips! That dad looking over her shoulder! I have a feeling that dad is going to be doing the looking over her shoulder thing until she's about 50. Maybe longer.
And that wrapped up Kate's not-so-big 2nd birthday celebration. Here is the look she went with to end the night. Such a fashonista this kid!

"Tanks for coming, bye bye!" says Kate! (That is actually exactly what she said to everyone the second she was done opening presents. She gave them all a big wave and said it twice. We decided to let them all stick around for pizza tho - b/c we're nice like that).
I swear we're going to do it up big time for her third birthday. I'm talking moon bounces ... pony rides .. perhaps even celebrities if the Jolie-Pitts are free. Mark your calendars now!
(By the way - I have NO clue how Gramps managed to escape the prying eye of my camera during this soiree - but he did. Well played, Gramps. I'll get you next time!)