Look who's two!

Sniff, sniff, my baby's two years old! I can't believe it. One thing for sure is Kate has never really acted like a baby. She is way beyond her years in size, wit, intelligence, and skills. She is probably the funniest little girl I know and makes us laugh every day with her remarks. If you ask her, "do you want this or not?" She'll say "not." If you say, "no you're too little." She'll say, "no I'm fine mommy." If you get mad at her, she'll lay her head on your leg and say, "I wuv you too mommy." What can I say but the kid melts my heart daily. The only made up word I can think of that she still uses is she calls the phone the "hello hi." She picked that up from me answering the phone, "hello...hi."

Last week she decided to potty train herself with no help at all. She goes to the potty by herself, takes care of business and then comes as screams with delight, "all by myself mommy." I owe her big time for taking care of one of mom's biggest chores.

Sean is Kate's hero and she copies everything he does (nice or naughty). If he's dancing, she's dancing, if he's singing so is Kate, if he's running all over a store, she's right behind him. She's learned all of his school songs and knows her colors, ABC's, and can count to 14 now.

Although she looks pretty darn cute all dolled up in these outfits, the real Kate doesn't wear clothes at all...ever...not even to bed. She is a nudest all the way. We're lucky if she decides to put on a swim suit for the day. I can't get her dressed until I'm ready to put her in the car because if I turn my back for one minute she'll be naked again. She'll even get up in the middle of the night and take off her jammies. So after fighting an uphill battle with clothes strewn from one end of the house to the other, I finally gave in and let her be a free bird. It takes a lot less time to get the laundry done now.

She is also a very good swimmer. She's been taking lessons for only 2 months now and has turned into a little fish. Those life saving skills may come in handy one day for someone afraid of nothing and ready for adventure.

I could go on for days about every little thing that makes her so special to me. I love her to death and I can't wait to see what a fun little girl she becomes.

I'm ready for my party! Kate usually rips her pigtails out minutes after I finish, but I told her she had to look cute for the whole party and not touch her hair. I was shocked that she listened. Her shirt says "fabulous" and Kate was ready to have a fabulous party.

Mama and Kate at the Little Gym waiting for the guests to arrive.

Bampa Lyle and his Katie.

Aunt Em, our official party helper. I don't know what I'd do without her. She takes all the pictures and cleans everything up behind us. Thank you so much Em!

Kate had her tongue out the entire party.

Kate and Jane.

Our one casualty of the afternoon. Poor Bennett was doing his running warm up and collided with Koen. Bennett took the brunt of the crash and now has a nice shiner for his Kindergarten pictures this week. So sorry buddy.

The Barnhisels relaxing on a mat.

My princess with her sweet princess cake!

The cake was delish!

Ava seems to be enjoying her cake.

I think Gabby needs a little more...someone...anyone?

Gifts galore! Thanks everybody.

Kate's real birthday was the day before. We spent the day shopping, seeing grandma and making cupcakes.

I gave Kate this awesome stroller that she was in love with at Pottery Barn. She was so excited it came with 2 new babies.

Of course I had to get Sean one too if I didn't want to hear screaming for the next year, so he got a blue Stroller that had a new Woody in it. He somehow lost his favorite toy he got for his birthday. I have searched the entire house many times and it is really gone. The little stinker probably threw it over the fence or something. Or maybe living with Sean is worse than Sid's house and Woody decided to hit the road. Weird how Woody is the only toy we have ever lost. Where'd you go Woody?!

I love this video of Kate singing herself the Happy Birthday song. Seriously cute!