Kate's Birthday, Part 2

So this morning was Kate's birthday! Kate came down the stairs and was greeted with Cinderella balloons and a mound of presents. She unwrapped her gifts in style, wearing her new sunglasses and princess crown. At the first glance of a toy, she'd yell, "That's Kate's!" Then, when unwrapping the American Eagle boxes (filled with Kate's new clothes), she'd say, "That's Daddy's!" Apparently, receiving clothes as gifts are not so cool to a two-year old.

After presents, Kate received a phone call from a very special friend, Mickey Mouse, wishing her a happy birthday. Dave found a website that would set up a phone call from the Disney character of your choice. Mickey certainly wasn't our first choice, but we knew he would be Kate's. When she first heard Mickey, she said, "It's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!"

So at church this afternoon, we discovered that having a 2 year old has its pros and cons:
Pro--Kate suddenly decided that being 2 means she's grown up enough to go to nursery without the mom and dad (she's done this two weeks in a row now).
Con--Kate's new independence in nursery means Dave and I have to attend all three hours of church meetings...sigh. ---No, it's actually been really relaxing and easy to get into the lessons, which is nice. But I do miss her. Anytime the Relief Society doors open, I am constantly checking to see if maybe it's my baby needing me.

After church, we went to my parents' for hamburgers and rootbeer floats. Kate got a handmade blankie from Aunt Kelly and her family. I was really impressed by Kelly's sewing abilities. Why on earth did I not retain any sewing abilities from Home-Ec? Am I the only lame one out there who has zero craft abilities? I'll have to vent about that one later.

Grandma Sherrie and Grandpa Lyle got Kate a new play puppy whose health either deteriorates or improves based on the care you give it. Rather than use it as a training tool for a future, real dog...we'll go ahead and use it as a permanent substitute for the real thing. I'm quite the cat lady, and happen to be the only one in the household who hearts cats. I plan to continue my persuasion efforts to someday convince Dave and Kate into getting a kitty. I think I'm getting close.

Anyway, after my parents' house, we held Kate's other birthday party with Dave's family at our house. Kate picked out her very own Cinderella cake, which by the way, was adorable. Even more adorable, however, was the little girl blowing out the candles on the cake. Everyone gathered around the table and sang to her, and she just sang right along with them. When it came time to blow the candles, she just looked so edible with the candle light glowing on her face. She knew just what to do and blew out the candles after a few tries.

I think Kate scored with all of her new gifts. They should give her a good start to an enjoyable summer.