Morning Play

Here are a few pictures I took of Olivia during her morning play today.

This is the face I received after asking her to smile and say "cheese."

Olivia's face of frustration. "Open, open!" she tells me as she tries to open a small bottle of lotion she grabbed out of my purse. Needless to say, it remained closed!

Photo Session

Here are a few of my favorites from Olivia's two-year-old photo shoot. The photos were taken by Kate Morrow Photography at Millenium Park.

Meeska, Mooska, MICKEY MOUSE!

"It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Come inside. It's fun iside." Last Saturday (August 21st), our house was transformed into the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in celebration of Olivia's second birthday! Olivia loves cartoons, and upon introduction to a new show, she quickly becomes "obsessed" with the new cartoon. Originally, I was planning on a My Friends Tigger & Pooh themed party, but Mickey Mouse Clubhouse quickly became a favorite. In preparation for the party, though, she was introduced to Dora the Explorer, and this is now her top choice. We stayed with the Mickey themed party, though, and it was a huge success! Olivia LOVED it...celebrating with her family, her Mickey cake, and all the decorations! Here are some photos from Olivia's party.

The Birthday Girl! She was all over the place during her party; it was difficult to get a good photo of her. I guess that meant she was having fun!!

The Birthday Cake. It was my first time using a molded cake pan and piping bags, but I think it turned out great.

The cake and punch table.

The menu for Olivia's party: Meeska Mooska Mickey Mouse Sandwiches (ham/turkey/roast beef sandwiches with special cheese spread); Pluto's Pizza Pie (veggie pizza); Daisy's Fruit & Dip tray; Goofy's Silly Slaw (cole slaw); Minnie Mouse's Cheese; Donald Duck's Quackers; Goofy's Blackbean Salsa; and Mickey's Hot Dogs, Hot Dogs, Hot Diggity Dogs.

Trying to hold down the birthday girl for a photo with me...she was on the move!

Playing with her cousins, Jenna & Oliver, under the food table.

Olivia had the BIGGEST smile on her face when everyone applauded her after blowing out the candles!

One of many attempts of getting a family photo.

Enjoying cake with Daddy. Olivia ate her entire piece of cake and ice cream!

After cake and ice cream, it was time for PRESENTS!!! Olivia received so many great gifts...clothes, a toddler laptop, matching game, bubbles, coloring supplies, a play-doh set, several puzzles, books, an "Olivia" DVD, a baby and baby changing station, a flintstone car, a year membership to the Children's Museum, bath fizzies, a tricycle and so much more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLIVIA!!!!

Delivery of Birthday Gifts

Today was my Mom's birthday, so we headed over to my parent's house this evening to give her her birthday presents. On a side note, Olivia calls my Mom "Etay" because she couldn't pronounce Abuela or Abuelita when she was starting to talk. "Etay" was her pronounciation of "Ita" from the end of Abuelita. We think it's fun that Olivia has given her such a unique name. Olivia loves going to visit Etay! Almost every time we get in the car, she asks from the backseat, "Etay's house?? Owl go to Etay's house?" It makes me grateful for the opportunity we had to move back to Michigan when I was pregnant with Olivia. It's nice to be so close to family!

Olivia's gift was a framed collage photo of when they went blueberry picking together.

After opening presents and waiting for my Dad to come home from work, we all went out to Olive Garden for a birthday dinner. It was a nice evening! Happy Birthday, Mom & Etay!!! We love you very much!