Emily’s Second Birthday – Part 1

Emily turned two last Thursday. It was an exciting and simple and normal day.  We had quesadillas and raspberries for dinner – two of Emily’s favorite things.  She tried gum for the first time and quickly swallowed it despite our best coaching efforts.  We had our usual Thursday grocery shopping trip and we picked up a kids shampoo and conditioner for her hair and she was excited to try it during her bath that night.  We talked about her being two years old – and after two days of coaching she now says, “two” when we ask her how old she is.

My attempt to recreate the picture we took when she turned one.

Emily on her raspberry buying adventure with Dad.

Post bath bedtime reading.  She sleeps on her bed sometimes, but sometimes on the floor too.  This picture shows the entire collection of things that must be accounted for at every nap and bedtime.

The door bell rang a couple of times during the week bringing packages, which Emily quickly learned to exclaim, “Emily’s presents” when the doorbell rang and when we checked the mail.  The stack of gifts and cards from loving friends and family grew throughout the week and Emily was so patient, knowing she would open them when Grandma and Grandpa Moose and Aunt Christine came to visit during the weekend.

They made it around eleven Friday night while all of us were sleeping. When Andrew and I went into her room in the morning she heard someone else walk into the bathroom.  She was listening intently to the action and then quietly whispered, “Grandma Moose” with a huge grin spreading across her face.  It was a fantastic surprise for her to discover our visitors.  She LOOOOOOOOOOVED spending time with “Tine” – sitting on the floor in the office one Christine’s bed and feeling like a million bucks because Christine let her hold her mp3 player.

After we had all gotten ready for the day and packed a lunch, we headed north to Fair Oaks Farm for Cowtoberfest.  It was a fun little adventure and way more fun viewed through the eyes of Emily.  She got a little bag when we first entered the complex that she called her purse. We checked out the ponies. Andrew helped her trick or treat through the craft vendors and by the end of the row she had gotten the hang of it.

We made a stop at the craft tent and she filled up her pumpkin with foam stickers.  Her artwork has been added to our dining room wall for us to enjoy all season.

One of our favorite parts with the little hay maze. I went through with Emily the first time and she knew exactly what to do.  We quickly came to a dead and and she turned right around and said, “this way!” and we continued on.

When we made it out she asked “dad, grandma moose, aunt tine, and grandpa moose” to go through with her again. The whole entourage happily followed my grown up girl with a shoulder bag as she navigated through hay and bigger children.

We stopped at the pumpkin carving tent a few times to see a face take shape.

Emily checking the contents of her purse with some assistance.  This was a common sight.

The giant pumpkins were really giant! Emily loved touching each one with my mom and feeling the different textures.

At this particular moment she was opening her purse to see if the pumpkin would fit inside, and then she shook her head with a grin and said, “nooooooo.”

We hopped on a wagon ride that took us around the farm.  Were were all pretty tired, and had no idea that a picture was being taken.

We got out partway through and looked at lots and lots and lots of chickens.

Our day ended with a little picnic at the farm. Emily sat between Grandma Moose and Aunt Christine, ate her sandwich like the rest of us and got her own chips and carrots out of the bags without any help.  She is growing up so fast! When she was done eating she did hop down to explore, spin, and collect some rocks.

We made a quick stop at the gift shop/cafe before driving home.  Emily thought this spring toy hanging from the ceiling was super fun to play with.

The farm is in the central time zone by like 4 miles, so we completely railroaded over Emily’s nap for this outing.  We all hopped in the car pretty exhausted and took naps. Emily held out for a few minutes, but moments later was completely asleep (thanks Mom for snapping these!).