A little girl turned 2!

Gwendolyn turned two on March 23rd! Un.believ.able.

We decided not to have a birthday party for Gwendolyn's 2nd birthday. I loved planning and throwing her 1st birthday party, but I don't really want to get into the habit of big parties until she's a bit older. Tom and I planned some special family outings to do with her the month of March (Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe, Children's Museum) and I would honestly say that those were just as much fun. (So thankful for a hubby with 6 weeks of PTO who can take random days off here and there to do things as a family!)

Per usual, be sure to click on the collages so you can see the pictures larger...

First stop: DAYCARE BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Miss Kathy is so wonderful. She makes and decorates the cake for every birthday party (and they get to pick the theme) and gathers money from all the families to buy presents. Gwendolyn looooooved her new baby doll, diaper bag, dinner set, and stroller. She desperately wanted Daddy to "open please" and just couldn't wait until we got home. Her Elmo cake was adorable (and not to mention so yummy) and I never get sick of seeing her with her friends. We are so blessed to have found Kathy and her family and have her be such an important part of Gwendolyn's life.

Second stop: BIRTHDAY DAY!

This is her on Saturday (her actual birthday) looking at me quizzically as I walked into her room singing "Happy Birthday." (Yes, she slept with baby doll.)

Later in the afternoon, we had presents from Aunt Becca (see new blanket on her lap) and Mimi and Papa to open. One of the 103297493 things I love about her is her enthusiasm when she gets excited about something. She has been doing the hand wave since at least 6 months, and I love that it's a habit she's carried with her even now being 2 years old.

Look how thrilled she is to be getting another present to open and then trying on her new Minnie underoos! (Which at this point we just count and carry around and try on over our clothes.)

Third stop: McDonald's Playland with Aunt Trishy and Uncle John

My awesome friend Erin was so kind to stop over and bring a gift for Gwendolyn (green summer Gap shoes that I wish were my size) and John and Trisha stopped over shortly after with a Minnie the Mouse and Gwendolyn's very own chef hat, apron, and spoons that she could not have looked cuter in.

After more presents and chatting, we wanted to go somewhere for dinner to celebrate on her actual birthday, so what better place for a 2 year old than Don Don's! The girl loves a good Happy Meal (I don't blame her) and scarfed down every last piece of her nuggets, fries, and apples. It wouldn't be a birthday dinner without singing Happy Birthday again using her Elmo candle (I absolutely took it and a lighter with us) and then John and Trisha played with her in the play area, which was awesome b/c Tom is really tall and I'm really pregnant.

I love all of these pictures, but specifically her chef outfit, Elmo candle sitting on a chicken nugget, John and Trisha climbing in a tunnel, Gwendolyn and Trisha's faces as they came down the very fast slide the first time,  and then Tom catching her right before she may have flown off flat on her back. She loved it and had an absolute ball!

Fourth stop: Ice Cream Sundae Time!

As if that all weren't enough, we sang again at Easter with Greg, Natalie, Grant, Brooke and Lukey. Ya know, just to officially make it a birthday month.

That Elmo candle saw a lot of use.

And a few videos to share with you as well. The daycare one is great b/c Kathy ended up having to use a torch to light the candle. Fourth time's a charm! I love how patient Gwendolyn is and her effort in blowing out her candle.

We couldn't be more blessed to have Gwendolyn as our daughter. I hope to sit down and organize my thoughts and feelings a bit more, but for now I wanted to share these sweet pictures and videos that prove she had a fabulous 2nd birthday and is well loved!