Happy birftay, Emma!

Emma had a great birthday! On her actual day, Grandma Karen was here to help us celebrate. It was a warm day, so we spent the evening at the Y, whose outdoor pool was still open (One of Emma's favorite activities is "simmeen" (swimming)!) Then, with a free balloon and crown from Toys R Us and an ice cream cup with a candle on top, we had a very simple celebration. But Emma grinned through it all and kept saying "Happy birftay Emma!"
Two days later, on the 29th, we celebrated with friends and family in our backyard. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. Emma's favorite show (well, actually one of the few shows we ever LET her watch), "Little Einsteins," was our theme this year. Rocket, her favorite character, was featured on a cake made, appropriately, by the substitute teacher who filled in for me on my maternity leave. As you can see, she did a fabulous job! Emma enjoyed a few swipes of frosting before we sang happy birthday! Also, Emma doesn't quite have present-opening etiquette down! When she opened clothes, she threw them on the ground; when she opened toys, she quit opening presents and tried to play with the toy.
Most parents will probably admit that the 2nd birthday is not as monumental as the first. At the party store, there was an entire wall devoted to first birthday decorations; a sales clerk had to dig out a dusty bag from the back wall when I asked her if they had any 2nd birthday balloons! But to Emma, her birthday was significant because she seemed to be so much more aware of what was going on and (I don't know if this is good or not), seemed to realize that it was all for her!