Birthdays

Miriam turned two yesterday (which, incidentally, also marks two years exactly since my brother, Kenneth, entered the MTC and began his mission--only one and a half weeks until he comes home!). It was a pretty low-key day. We did presents first thing in the morning. No waiting and getting dressed for us. Surprisingly, Miriam's favorite present of the day was the dollar store gift of baby doll accessories from Adriana. Of course, she loves her new tricycle that Grandma and Grandpa gave her a few weeks early.

Here's the birthday girl herself wearing a paper crown Adriana made for her. She's also wearing one of her new baby toys as a hat.
Later in the day Miriam went on her first daddy-daughter date (playing at the park and getting ice cream), and then that night we had cake ("yellow!') and ice cream ("cookies!"). Like I said, low-key. Despite Adriana's assertions that Miriam "really, really wants a dinosaur party! And we need to make her an oviraptor cake!" (where would I buy that cake pan?), I don't feel obligated to throw a big birthday party for a two-year-old.

Turning four was a different story, however. I never did blog about Adriana's birthday last month. Adriana is old enough now to know to ask for a party (you might remember some of the grandiose ideas she had that I blogged about previously). We settled on a having a pajama birthday party, my compromise on refusing to let her have a slumber party. Having a houseful of ten three and four-year-old boys and girls led to some chaotic moments, but it was a fun time.


We started with decorating party bags as the children arrived.

Each child was asked to wear pajamas and bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal and a pillow. Here they are having a teddy bear picnic in the backyard.

We also played "Pin the Bow Tie on the Teddy Bear." Yes, please notice my amazing artistic abilities.
Everyone's favorite game at the party was when we built a huge mountain of pillows in our living room. The kids spent some time burying one another in the pile, but they really loved when they got to take turns jumping off the couch and diving in to the pillows. Even Kenny took a few turns.

We were sure glad to have Grandma and Grandpa here. Not only did Grandma make Adriana's beautiful cake (Are you up to making an oviraptor cake for next year?) but Grandpa definitely came in handy for keeping the troops entertained.
It was a fun birthday party. Some of Adriana's favorite presents this year were her bug habitats and then a scooter (which is why Miriam got her tricycle early).
Now we just need to start planning Kenny's birthday festivities for next month. It is the big 3-0, so we should definitely do something. Any ideas?