Birthday party pt. 2 (backyard fun)

Spring has been late coming to Atlanta this year, but we had beautiful weather for Juniper's party. We ate on the back porch, and the kids had a blast running around the yard. We're looking forward to warmer weather and more good times outside!

Birthday party pt. 1 (presents & cake)

Here are some photos from Juniper's 2nd birthday party - thanks to all who came and celebrated with us!




Juniper hasn't yet learned to anticipate the next gift. She sloooowly and carefully opened each gift, trying to rip the paper as little as possible. As Mike (AKA Dzadzi) joked, "she's really living in the present."




This card from Cheryl & Jason was obviously decorated by people who know her well: a turtle, a strawberry, a balloon... Cheryl and Jason also get props for giving Juniper a really amazing and thoughtful gift: a version of Barbara Kingsolver's poem Baby Blues adapted just for Juniper. Juniper is lucky to have such fun, smart, creative, and loving people in her life!




Knowing how much Juniper loves to make in the little kitchen, several people got her kitchen-themed gifts, including this apron and chef's hat.




Katie made Juniper this very cool turtle cake (another person who knows her well).




Hmm...hard to tell whether or not Juniper liked the cake.




Baby Elena was a big hit - who can resist a cute baby in a cone hat?

Happy Birthday, Buniper!

She's so much bigger than she was in the first photo of us lying in bed together! This is actually a photo from yesterday morning. Today we had a Special Birthday Breakfast of croissants and strawberries.

Juniper insisted that today is Buniper's birthday, not Juniper's.

On the go

From the archives: toothless smile

Weightlifting

Juniper carries one of Aaron's 15 lb. sandbags. (That's half her weight!)

Backyard Explorer

Going fishing?

Spring is coming!

A: What do they smell like?
J: They smell like tasty pasta.
A: What kind of pasta?
J: Good pasta. (pause) Real pasta.
A: Pasta with red sauce, or pasta with cheese sauce.
(pause)
J: Pasta with red sauce.

Baby Godzilla

We're used to seeing Juniper as the small one, in comparison to Violet (who is 6-months older than she is). Last weekend, our friend Ariela and her 4-month old baby Elena came over for brunch. Next to Elena, Juniper looks like a little giant--a little giant with very big feet.

Concentration

Juniper attempts to figure out a puzzle that her uncle Mark built.

Toddler Tautology

J: I need it.
V: You can't always have everything you want.

[pause]

J: I want everything I want.

Heavy Sleeper

Hard to believe this is the same girl who now requires an elaborate evening ritual in order to have a peaceful bedtime: bath, milk, tooth brushing, putting on footie pajamas, a few books in the big bed with Mom and Dad, one book in her bed, singing "Jingle Bells," and singing "The bear went over the mountain" (said bear to see giraffes, tiny mice, and zebras over the mountain, in exactly that order).

Lunchtime at our house

Nap's over, sleepyhead.

Big yawn!





Really? You want me to go straight from my nice, comfy bed to the changing table. You've got to be kidding.