Amy is Two

That's right, this girl knew it was HER day!
We started the day off by spending some time with Minnie and Eddie Aagard.  Amy adores little Eddie, too bad he didn't want to show off his "melt your heart" smile, but Amy did!
Here is the cake!  I got the idea from the back of the spring time M&M's bag.  It was pretty simple other than frosting the cake.  But very sweet!  It was a strawberry cake with cream cheese icing loaded with M&M's.  
Amy loved being the star of the show for the day, but especially as everyone sung "Happy Birthday" to her before blowing out her candle.
One of my favorite pictures of the day.  Thanks to Christina for being the photographer so that I could enjoy Amy a little bit more.  
Amy was spoiled by all her friends and family throughout the day.  Thank you to all of our friends that helped make her day so special with your thoughtful gifts, but especially your company (and of course, your beautiful voices)!

More pictures from Amy's birthday

Thursday, the day after Amy's birthday, Amy had her 2 year check up. Here are her stats:
Height 34 1/2 inches (50-75%)
Weight 28lbs 2 oz (50-75%)

Amy didn't have any vaccines, but she did have to have a lead test taken. She probably wouldn't have needed the lead test except that I had to answer "yes" to too many of the questions, due to the fact that Amy eats handfuls of dirt on a regular basis. But Amy didn't cry at all while getting her finger poked. She was just very curious, and then super excited to have a band aide on her finger-you would have thought it was her birthday all over again.

Amy is such a little fire cracker. Everything she does or says she does with her own little flare. She loves to copy everything Adelynne says or does, which means she wants to do everything herself. She has two favorite bedtime buddies, her hippo and elephant blanket. The hippo is called "bahpo," because that's how Amy has always said it. Thus the rest of us also call it "bahpo." She is quick to say sorry or thank you, as well as give hugs. Amy loves being around people, smiling at them, sometimes talking to them. She pretty much talks in sentences now, and I rarely don't know what she is saying. She also loves going to nursery on Sunday's. I generally just follow behind her to make sure she doesn't get distracted or bumped as she goes down the hallway.

Adelynne is a great big sister, but she really had a hard time letting Amy be such the focus of the day. Adelynne was a little pouty off and on the entire day. I don't think she has ever really shown so much jealousy before, not even when Amy was born. Although Adelynne struggled through the day with Amy getting so much attention from everyone, she was still singing the loudest during "Happy Birthday." (But maybe that was because she was hoping to grab the first cupcake)! It was wonderful to hear her sing so loudly on behalf of her sister.

Eclair Dessert recipe

Ingredients:

-1 large box (or 2 small boxes) of French Vanilla instant pudding (name brand or generic work just fine.  But make sure you get the FRENCH vanilla).

-1 regular size of cool whip (8oz)  

-graham crackers (I would recommend buying a name brand-don't get a generic brand.  You will use about 2/3 of the box)

-6 T of cocoa powder

-3 T butter (softened or melted)

-2 T vegetable oil

-3 Cups powdered sugar

-3+ Tablespoons very hot water (almost boiling or boiling water will work)

Directions:

In a 13x9 cake pan (I use a glass, but I'm not sure if it matters which kind you use), put one layer of graham crackers down.  Mix pudding as directed on box, then mix in the cool whip.  Then put half of the pudding mixture on top of the graham crackers that you put in the pan.  Put another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding mixture and then pour the remaining pudding mixture on top of the 2nd layer of graham crackers.  Set aside.  Put butter, oil, cocoa, and powdered sugar in a bowl and mix together.  Then spoon in very hot water starting with 3 Tablespoons first.  I usually add an additional 2 T to make the chocolate more thin.  You want to be able to spread the chocolate over the pudding.  So stir in the desired amount of hot water until its at the right consistency.  You shouldn't need more than 5 or 6 Tablespoons total.  Then spread your chocolate sauce over the pudding and graham crackers.  

This dessert should sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours, so its best to make it the night before.  My mother tells me you need to put saran wrap over the eclair as it sits in the fridge.  You have to be careful not to let the plastic touch the chocolate because it will pull it right off the pudding.  The last two times I have made this eclair, I skipped doing the saran wrap, and it didn't seem to make a difference.  But I let it sit on the top shelf of my fridge.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I hope I wasn't too wordy or confusing.

ENJOY!

2 things

1. I bought an Earth Day t-shirt last night for three dollars.  I showed it to Dustin and he said, "No one will know you're a red-neck conservative if you wear that."

2.  Dustin said that while I was sleeping last night, I rolled over and said, "You're funny, Ezra."  I don't remember what I was dreaming about.  (Ezra is Adelynne and Amy's friend next door, just the sweetest little boy you'll ever meet).  I wish I knew what I dreamt about.

Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!!

Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!!

Happy Birthday Amy!

We let Adelynne give Amy the presents she picked out for her this morning. The day can't go wrong if you start it out with presents, right?  Amy opened up the boat first:
Thanks Adelynne!
This one was her favorite!  Adelynne did a great job picking out toys for her sister.

Happy Birthday, Amy!
Don't worry, there will be more.

Spring Fest 2009

Today was the annual Purdue University Spring Fest, and for the first time of the three years we have attended, the weather was beautiful.  It was a perfect day for a walk around campus and enjoying all of the many activities.  Our favorite activity to start with is the Veterinary School to see the baby animals.  This baby lamb was only one day old.  We also saw baby pigs, a calf, chicks, goats, and an alpaca and a llama.  


This horse was pretty fun to look at.  He must be a very patient horse!

And the girls of course enjoyed a pony ride-the hit of the day!  Totally worth the $3/child ride.  The smiles on their faces were priceless.  It was Amy's first pony ride ever-and she was giggling through it all.  And Adelynne was all smiles.  

Then of course we had to go and see the bugs at the bug "petting zoo."  Amy was not afraid to take this giant cockroach from the lady, but it startled her and she dropped it, and I of course screamed and jumped back as it came my direction.  Luckily it was not hurt, though Dustin reminds me how bad it would have been had I stepped on it.  But to show the girls how "brave" I am, I took a turn and let it sit in my hand.  
Amy enjoyed petting all the "bugs" she could.  This is a tobacco worm.  We of course saw many friends throughout the day, and we ended up hanging out with our good friend Sarah and her son Dylan for part of the day.  We went through the bug petting zoo together, so that's why he is a part of our pictures.  
The millipede:
Love this picture:
More cockroaches.  Amy, "Wow."
The tarantula.  The obvious disdain on Adelynne's face.  I don't think she touched any thing.


It was a great activity to spend half of our day doing.  When we were outside later in the day, Adelynne and Amy were fascinated with ants and ladybugs, or any other bugs they saw while we were outdoors.  The days earlier events must have had an impact on them.  Adelynne tells us that her favorite part of the day was the pony ride- what else?

Art

My awesome neighbor, Sarah, and I were feeling creative with the new sidewalk chalk that my girls got for Easter. We wanted to fill in an entire cement square, so we did. I think it looks awesome!

Pictures with all the updates

Oh, the happy little egg-hunters: Aubree, Ezra, Adelynne, and... Amy.
I'm not sure.

Yes, she is crying.  Result of not getting a nap.  She spilled her eggs and has a melt down.
A happy moment, but oh so close to yet another melt down. 

Funny story: after church on Sunday, Dustin buckled the girls up in the car, and Amy demanded a snack.  We have church at 1pm-right at Amy's nap time, so Sunday she goes without a nap.  (It makes for a very rough day).  Anyway, on the drive home Amy was so hungry AND tired.  You can see in the picture that her eyes are shut-she is falling asleep-but at the same time putting crackers in her mouth.  She got two crackers in her mouth, and before the third cracker made it she had completely fallen asleep.  I guess she can't prioritize between food and sleep.  All in good time baby, all in good time.                                            (Adelynne is just being silly).
When we made it home, Amy was startled awake for a split second and she lifted her head up in a sleepy haze.  There was drool running down her chin, and Dustin caught a glimpse of an entire cracker in Amy's mouth, not chewed.  Oh, funny girl.  
These were the pictures I could get of the girls before church on Easter Sunday.  Needless to say, I was a very frustrated mommy.  The girls were still beautiful in their dresses made by my mom.  We got the dresses on Thursday and every morning after that Adelynne asked, "Is it Sunday?" because she knew she would get to wear it to church. 
Amy, running from the camera.  Grrrr.  

Our first at home, family Easter egg dying event. That's right, I have always left it up to community activities or other family and friends to give my children the experience of dying Easter eggs. But I think we'll do this at home every year from now on. The girls had so much fun, we just didn't have enough eggs! Amy didn't like taking the eggs out of the dye, and Adelynne couldn't wait to get them out.

The finished product, our beautiful eggs.  
Amy woke up one morning and wanted to put on the Tigger costume.  She was so happy and cute... until I got out the camera.  I had to snap some pictures because I think she'll be too big for this costume very soon.  
Amy loves to read books, and I had to capture this moment of Daddy reading to her.  


I sketched the dragon body and Adelynne filled in all of the details. I think she did a pretty AWESOME job. Look closely at all the details.  Those are little people (with mohawks-that's how Adelynne draws the hair on her people) burning in the fire of the dragon.  Heehee.
Adelynne went to play at Aubree's house and came home with her own pair of fairy wings, which she LOVED and protected carefully.  She also got this cute new dress from Once Upon a Child.  (It's a great store that Adelynne affectionately calls, "The toy store.")
A close up of my adorable little fairy princess.
I also found an adorable vest for Amy at "The toy store" (and it was brand new)!  
Amy thinks she is such a big girl.  She constantly says, "I do it, I self! Self! Self!"

Adelynne's new interest is ballet. We checked out this "ballet class" movie from the library, and Adelynne likes to put on her leotard and tutu and dance like the little girls on the movie. It is SO cute. She also likes to dance along with other movies when there is music playing. She constantly reminds me that she does not have ballerina shoes yet. Yet.
I had to capture these pictures of Amy running around naked, minus the hat, and carrying a foam sword.  This girl just likes to toot her own horn.  I hope that I can laugh at all of the adventures she is going to send me on as she grows up!
This is a another funny, naked pose.  Heehee.
Dancing and dressing up with friends. These girls love to dress up and DANCE!
Here are Aubree and Adelynne in their "wedding dresses."  (The veils and tiaras).  Heehee.  

I've been needing to post some pictures, so here they are, finally.

Aladdin causes distress

First, some history: growing up I loved to watch a good "chick flick."  I loved the happy endings with the girl getting the amazing guy.  And my favorite part of the movie was the magical kiss to give it that perfect and necessary ending.  My mother will be my witness to this account, but the first time I ever watched Sleepless in Seattle, I was completely captivated until the very end, when the movie fades away into the night sky BEFORE you see Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan kiss.  I started yelling about how stupid the movie was because they didn't kiss.  My mom was in the other room and was quite startled by my shouts of disappointment and rage.  

Well, tonight I witnessed Adelynne do practically the same thing as I did those many years ago. We borrowed the movie Aladdin from our friends, and Adelynne was enjoying the movie      immensely.... until the end when Jasmine and Aladdin sing their reprise of "A Whole New World" as they fly off into the sky.  And then the credits begin and Adelynne began yelling, "They didn't get married!  Why didn't they get married?  I didn't see them get married, they're not married yet!  Why didn't they get married?"  Adelynne has quite recently become interested in the getting married process.  She notices wedding pictures at other people's homes and when the princess and prince get married at the end of a movie.  A while ago she had just finished watching "Ella Enchanted," and she went to her dress-up box and sat down and started pouting.  When I asked her what was wrong she told me that she didn't have a "married dress" to wear.  Ah, the troubles of a three-year-old going on 25 (that's how old she'll be when she gets married, right)?  

some old man

I was at Sam's club with the girls this morning, and some old man pulled off his hat and looked at Amy and said, (in a joking tone), "hey boy, do you want to share some hair with me?"  Amy smiled at him, as did I.  Amy was wearing a PINK coat.  It really didn't bother me that much because it happens frequently.  Actually, this is the first time she has been mistaken for a boy since I shaved her head.  What annoyed me the most was when I kindly pointed out that Amy was a girl to the old man, he grumbled under his breath, "Well, its hard to tell with that hair cut."  

Grrrr.  That's right, I'm growling.  He would have said the same thing if I had never shaved Amy's head.