Violet's Birthday Bash!

Saturday, September 13th was the date we set for Violet's birthday party. A little late, but we decided that having all the grandparents there was more important that celebrating on the day itself (and it gave Ben and I time to settle back into the school routine before being hosts!).

Unfortunately, the weather was the only thing that decided not to cooperate! But, despite the rain that lasted all day, we still had a fantastic time celebrating Violet's 2nd birthday (and her grandpa Fynaardt's 53rd!)

Recently, Violet has gotten into pretend play, and really loves to pretend to cook things. There were a couple of kitchen sets at the various doctor's offices that we visit from time to time, and Violet always has a blast 'cooking' in them, so Ben and I bought her a little toy kitchen, and she also received play food and pots and pans from her various grandparents and friends.






She also received a child-sized rocking chair,



a collection of British stories and poems from her grandparents across the ocean, tinkertoys (the real wood ones) from her Uncle Nick, and a alpha/number recorder-boom box from her friend Andy that she can sing into and it records her voice! So, the last 24 hours, Ben and I have been enjoying gourmet dining thanks to our new chef Violet, and her dolly Snuggle (another present she opened on her birth day) has enjoyed many a story in the new rocker. It really is so much fun to watch her play--sometime I'm going to have to sneak a video of it!

This year has also seen an infatuation with all things Curious George (the books, not the new cartoon). So, her 'theme' this year was Curious George, and in keeping with that infatuation, Auntie Chandra bought her a plastic George that blows bubbles in the bathtub! We haven't tried it out yet, but I think it's going to be hilarious and tons of fun (and probably a big mess)! For you Star Wars fans out there, when you squeeze George to get him to blow bubbles, he sounds very similar to Darth Vader, which makes the toy that much more fun!

Well, I am being served a piece of toast, on a leftover George plate with some lemonade and water, so I will close with some pictures. Turning 2 isn't quite the hoopla as turning 1, but it was still tons of fun. Ben and I really enjoyed celebrating Vi's birthday with all who came! I can't believe she's 2 already.......

Violet was very thirsty after opening all the presents. The George on the right is the bubble-blowing George.

She wasn't quite sure what to do with all the attention--and she tried to put the candles out by grabbing them.

Sunday morning we finally got her to wear her hat for more that 30 seconds--the rest of us

including Bu!
got to wear those hats while she opened presents!