Ummm birthday?

Yes... I know... Ivy's birthday was more than a month ago! But in that time we were busy doing the following... Quick trip to and from Kentucky to visit family, started teething 2 year molars, went through a growth spurt, and fell into a monstrously ruinous sleep habit of waking up many times each night!

So here's the late update! My wonderfully talented friend and neighbor did a photo shoot for Ivy's birthday, and these are some of my favorites from the shoot!




We had a very nice backyard "do" for Ivy that included many wonderful friends, balloons, pie and cake! We were thrilled that the Patterson family made the long trip from Anaheim to visit us! Ivy loves her bf Camden!


My parents treated her to balloons and a new playhouse!


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It was so cute- Ivy took the time to circulate among her guests and socialized!


Ivy and some very special aunties!


Nothing says birthday like a hamburger!


She asked for both pie and cake, so there were rainbow cupcakes and miniature apple tartlets.


She enjoyed the cake- but couldn't wait to wash her hands!








The day after her party was Easter- it was windy, cold and threatening rain, but we did a mini egg hunt for Ivy and Camden.





We had a great time! We were o fortunate to have so many of our favorite friends to help us celebrate!

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Mountains

Ivy & I drove with my parents up to the cabin for the day last week- just for fun!





Playing kick the pine cone with grandpa!











Looking for fishies...








Ivy loved the sled last time she saw it, but wouldn't ride it this time- even though grandpa did!


On the way back, we stopped for dinner in Folsom, and Ivy took a spin around a laundry mat.

Finally it's spring

So it seems like time is whizzing by. Ivy is turning two in 2 weeks, and I simply can't believe it! She likes talking about her birthday- knows she will be two- knows that there will be cake! We plan on a very casual backyard party- where we will unveil her new playhouse! The good news is that she will LOVE it! The bad news is that she won't want to come inside the house anymore....


So the other day at work, Ivy put this bucket on her head and came over to my desk and said, "cheese!". Hmmmmmm I think she's a ham!


The sun came out finally- and as the new Mosquitos were hatching... We all wore tank tops! Ivy and I met Eryn and Kaila at Fairytale town for a visit.





My parents saved some of my fisher price toys...and Ivy's enjoying them now!


Ivy and I took a road trip to San Francisco on Saturday just to hang out. We had lunch in Japantown and met Hello Kitty!


Here's Ivy with Robert Burns- perfect for poetry month!


It tickled me to watch Ivy "take pictures" at the Japanese Tea Garden with her toy camera!


The blossoms were stunning.














She also enjoyed the fountains in front of the De Young.





We visited the fountains shopping center where Ivy played, rode the train and ate ice cream...

Happy Girl's Day!

So today is Japanese Girl's day... So after reading a book with the cat, it's picture time! I have some fun photo apps on my phone-- this one simulates a polaroid-- zinnia has taken to spending a lot of her time in Ivy's room, often sleeping in this chair.




This was Ivy on Girl's day last year...



And this is Ivy today!


The same Kimono fit from last year... It was way too big last year, and today it fit great, if a bit long.




















Ivy had a great time running around in the back yard, and was really tolerant of the 86 pictures I took in about 30 minutes!


Goofy girl!

Ivy is cutting her 4 eye teeth.... It's rough for her. Her fingers are in her mouth a lot- poor tot! She is talking all the time- loves to talk on the phone- real or imagined- makes no difference. Anything can be a phone- a banana, tv remote, or hair clip! She is very into her babies. Mostly she likes to put them down for naps, and then shhhh everyone because the babies are sleeping! I guess she understands the value of a nap! She is chiming in to conversations now... Talking about our plans for Disneyland in June, she starts saying, "ride ride!!!!!". Driving down the road on the way to lunch- Ivy figures out where we are going and says, "Domo!!!!" for Teriyaki Domo... Our favorite place! She is just so fun to watch! She goes to school at Teacher Pam's every Monday- doing Art, reading, playing... So fun!

We are so ready for spring.... Ready to play outside!