Emma's Second Birthday Party

This is the MOTHER of all birthday posts!  So, grab a cold beverage and stay awhile.  ; D

Yesterday we celebrated Emma's second birthday.  It is so difficult to believe that she is two.  I think part of the reason why that is so difficult to believe is because for seven months of her two years we were not with her.  So, in some ways, maybe I think of her as being younger than she is.  We are so grateful that she is with us and we adore spending each day with her!

Emma had sooooo much fun at her Backyardigans birthday bash!  It was a crazy whirlwind for her and a bit overwhelming at times too I think, but she seemed to thoroughly enjoy each and every moment of her party!

When she woke up from her nap, I took her birthday tutu out and when she saw it, she said, "OoooooOOOhhhh!!"  She was so excited to put it on!  In this photo, she is waiting by the door for the guests to arrive.

Dancing to her favorite Lori Berkner CDs before the party.

The party cupcake tower.  A baker, I am NOT.  But, cupcakes are pretty easy!

Presents!

Emma trying to figure out how to blow into the party horns.

Emma's cousin Grace had no trouble at all with said party horns.

Black.mail.  Hey dad, I know that you read my blog.  Have I got the goods on you or what???

Party Menu:

Rocky Rococos pizza

Caesar salad

Apples with caramel dipping sauce

Chocolate cupcakes

Icecream cone cupcakes

CAKE and icecream

This is the face that Emma made when we were singing to her...LOL.  I'm not sure if she knew quite what to think.  She was fascinated by the cake.  : )

Mmmmm...

When we purchased this piñata for the party, we did not consider the fact that Emma would be witnessing one of her most beloved Backyardigans characters being clubbed and beaten until candy fell out of her.  : / 

"Oh precious, Ooneekah...I LOVE YOU!!"

We were a bit worried about Emma's reaction...  But, for a Guatemalan girl, what would a proper birthday party be without a piñata?  ; )

*sigh*  Oh dear...  So sorry, "Ooneekah"

After I took that pic, we almost decided NOT to go through with the clubbing of "Ooneekah"...  But then we decided to go through with it.  (Edited to say:  Please say you'll still be my blog friend!)

Izzy gave it a whack (several whacks, actually)

And, Grace gave it several good slugs.

Much to our amazement, Emma thought that piñata clubbing was the coolest thing EVER!  She was begging for a turn.  So, we gave her the baton and...

THWAP!!!!!!

SMACK!!!!!

WHACK!!!!!!! 

Emma LOVED the piñata!  I do not anticipate that any future therapy sessions will be necessary.  ; )

And, in the end, like last year's piñata, this year's piñata would NOT break!  So, we resorted to the "civilized" method and we pulled the strings until the goodies fell out.

Emma received many cool gifts!  (Thank you, everyone!)

Emma likes to look into the camera after you take a picture of her.  : )

Sweet cousins.  : D

This is one of the last pics taken of her last night.  I think that you can see her smile progressively getting larger as the party went on.  She had a WONDERFUL time!

It was able to sleep in just a bit this morning (thanks, Jason) and this is the face that greeted me when I woke up.  "MAMA!!  Get UP!  I have been waiting to show you my NEW stroller and all of the rest of my new toys!"

So...  Today Emma has been doing this.

And a little bit of this.

Oh, and this too.  : D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my sweet baby girl.  You are SO PRECIOUS to us!!

God bless,

Tera