Spring Fever

Brynley & I are both ready for Spring! It has become very cold in Virginia again this week, but a few weeks ago, it was nice enough to play outside without a coat on so we took advantage.

"See ya, Mommy"

Just chillin'

Watching "Melmo"...just chillin'...

Bounce house

In February, Rob & I took Brynley to a bounce house. She had a ton of fun, but didn't last very long on the actual "bounce" toys...they seemed to scare her a bit. She played on the smaller toys and chased other kids around. Here's a few pictures from our day:

Bryn kept watching a little boy who was going down one of the big bouncey slides. Here she is at the bottom of the slide, waiting for the boy to appear at the top:

And then her reaction after he slid down:

Daddy put her in a moon bounce and she was unsure of her footing:

How I eat an Oreo...by Brynley

1) Ask for the Oreo by putting on your cutest face ever and repeating over and over, "Cookie, Cookie".

2) Mom breaks down and gives you a cookie.

3) Hand cookie back to Mommy and say "Opy, opy" which she understands means 'open'.

4) Mommy twists the cookie open and hands it back to you in two pieces.

5) Lick frosting.

6) Eat chocolate cookies.

7) Try to get more on your face than in your tummy.

8) Repeat (although you may only get through step 1 on the second try)


Disclaimer: This process will often require a good hand-washing, face-washing and sometimes even a change of clothes.

Turning two

Although Brynley's party was on Saturday, her actual birthday was Sunday. We spent the day together at home and I made sure to take some pictures.

Brynley helping Daddy take down her birthday decorations:

Daddy wrapped her up in the streamers and she loved it:

Playing with her new "iPod":

B even decided to smile for some of the photos.

Although she smiles often, it is rarely caught on film:

Reading one of her new books:

This picture melts my heart:

Mommy & Bryn played outside for awhile:

And (totally out of character for Mommy), I let Brynley splash in mud puddles.

She had a blast!

Happy birthday, my sweet Brynley! I can't believe you are two years old. We are trying to teach you to answer the question, "How old are you?" by holding up two fingers and saying "two", but you keep holding up four fingers. :)

Also, at some point in the past few months, apparantly when I wasn't paying attention, you stopped rubbing my fingers when you are tired. This was always a signature Brynley move...you have rubbed someone's fingers when you are sleepy since you were a tiny little baby. I miss it so much that my heart literally aches for it! Also, it reminds me that you are growing up way too quickly. I love seeing you learn new things and say new words, but for the sake of my sanity, please take it slowly!

I love you, boo bear!

Brynley's birthday party

Brynley's barnyard theme birthday party was held on 2/12/11 at our home. While the birthday guests arrived, B tried unsuccessfully to take a nap...I think she knew something was brewing and she wanted to be a part of it.

Party guests were Nana, Pawpaw, Aunt Tina, the Franklin family, and Lisa. We decorated with red and white crepe paper, bandana printed tablecloths and paper plates, dasies, and various decorative farm animals that I have around my house.

We had a lunch of cowboy chili, corn muffins, pigs in a blanket, chicken little eggs (deviled eggs), chicken feed (trail mix), lemonade, cow tales, milk duds, veggies from "Brynley's Garden Patch", haystack cookies, and cookies in the shape of a "2". After lunch, Bryn couldn't wait a second longer to get to the gifts. In typical two-year old fashion, she would open a gift, check it out for 20 seconds and then cast it aside for the next unopened package!

Next was the cake...a barnyard theme marble cake. I also got a small cake for party guest Lisa and she got serenaded with "Happy Birthday" a few minutes after Brynley (2/12 is Lisa's bday!). Last year during the singing, B just sat and stared, but this year she smiled from ear to ear.

My sweetheart had so much fun on her birthday!! The only thing I could wish for is that she stop growing up so fast! Here are some pics from the party:

Arriving at the party from her "nap":

A birthday hug from Kirsten:

Playing legos with Tyler:

The sweets:

Lunch:

Drinking from a cow cup:

Enjoying lunch. She loved the center of the deviled eggs:

Gift time:

Love her expression when she opened the doll house:

Cake and ice cream:

After the party guests left, Brynley went to bed very, very early and slept through the night. I guess the combo of a skipped nap and a birthday party did her in!

Happy birthday, Brynley, my precious little lady!