Happy 2nd Birthday Natalie!

Natalie Michelle is 2 years old today!  It's hard to believe 2 years has already gone by.  She has brought such joy to our lives the last two years.  She's such a sweetheart while still being little miss independent toddler. She makes us laugh all the time and gives the best hugs and kisses.  We had a great birthday weekend with her.  Yesterday we threw a joint birthday party with her birthday buddy, Liam, at Baileywick Park.  Although we were worried the weather was going to cause problems, it turned out to be a great party.  We had a wonderful time celebrating with our friends and family.  Natalie and Claire's Oma and Opa were able to come out for the big day.  My book club friend, Leona, made Natalie's birthday cake -- yellow cake with buttercream filling and fresh blueberries (Natalie's favorite fruit).  And of course, we had to have Disney Princesses on top -- her favorite characters right now.  Once we gave her the figurines from the top the cake, she walked around the party with them the rest of the time.  In typical Natalie style, she didn't want to try the cake at all but it was really good.  Natalie was a little overwhelmed by all the friends that came to hang out and thus, was a little shy and not so in to blowing out her candles (or having that much attention on her) but I think she still had a wonderful time playing on the playground and watching her friends.

Even though Claire didn't take much of a nap before the party, she managed to stay up for the whole thing and wasn't at all fussy.  She was such a trooper.  Lots of the little kids loved playing with her while she hung out in the exersaucer.

This morning, we gave her a little kitchen set for pretend play.  She was in heaven and has played with it most of today.  It took me four hours to put together the other night.  I think it's super cute and very functional.  All the doors open, knobs click when turned and facet turns "on" and "off".  It has a frig, freezer, microwave, oven, and laundry machine.  Plus, she can write on the chalk board.  I think she's really going to enjoy playing with it. 

We spent the day playing and enjoying the hot weather.  She even tried out her new water toys including the one Uncle Paul got her.  I plan to upload videos in the next few days of her playing with her water toys and from her birthday party.  Here are a few of her on the slip and slide.  Plus I finally have a photo of Claire in the "pool" for the first time (well, second time!).