Hi everybody!  I’m having all kinds of fun being 2 years old.  Most of that fun comes from doing exactly what I want to do 95% of the time, but I can attribute some of that fun to all of these cool birthday gifts!

Here’s cousin Emma and me, playing with all the neat kitchen stuff I got from Grandma and Grandpa.  I like to cut up the fruits and vegetables, and Emma likes to fry them up in the skillet.

Here I am sitting and reading in my big girl toddler bed.  I don’t know why they just now started calling me a toddler, because I’ve been toddling professionally for over a year now.

This is what birthdays make me feel like — a queen on my throne.  We went to trade in my big girl bed for a better one, and wouldn’t you know… The toy store gave me a crown and a balloon.  Score!

And Mommy and Daddy’s favorite way for me to use up some of my endless energy is by jumping on my new trampoline from Nana and Papa.  It even fits in the living room, so I can go bouncing, rain or shine!

Thanks again to everyone for all the cool birthday gifts.  Now, I just can’t wait until Christmas!!  Just 3 more months until Santa comes!

Here’s the happy birthday girl (a couple of weeks ago).  What can we say, ever since Ella found the Sesame Street games online, Mom and Dad have trouble getting enough computer time to accomplish the things we like to do — like update her website.  Oh well, she’ll be doing this herself in a matter of … months.

Here’s the “fam” on the big party day, and Ella loved the happy birthday sign and bee decorations.

“Ella Bee” even had a bee birthday cake, with enough for every kid in attendance to have a bee slice of cake (and wouldn’t you know it, they all asked for one).

Here’s a great photo of Nana and her three grandkids.  Believe it or not, this was the longest that the three little ones sat still together all afternoon.  Oh wait…I mean except for when the cake was served, of course.

And it just wouldn’t be a party without this little dude.  Ella’s cousin Bennett even made the trip.  Wow, not even two months old, and he’s already hit at least 3 states!  Too bad he’ll have to wait until next year to try some cake.

Ella says thanks to everybody for coming to the party, and for all the cool presents.  Check back in a few days and we’ll have some of Ella’s favorites on display here.  See ya!

There’s nothing quite like making a complete mess of yourself in front of a crowd to celebrate one whole year on the planet.  Ella had a practice cupcake on her actual birthday (Friday), so she knew how to make the best of it on the day of the party.

This occasion deserved the ever-popular “flip-book” approach for the web posting.  If you’d like the full effect, just print out all the photos, cut them out, and staple together.  Then you can see just how quickly Ella became a complete mess for her big day!

#1: Hmmm…what have we here?

#2: Chocolate!  My favorite!!

#3: This doesn’t seem to fit in my little mouth!

#4: Ughhhh.  I need a break.

#5: Can’t have cake without milk!

(and it’s my first taste of REAL milk!)

#6: I’m not finished, so don’t even think about it.

#7: I hope this washes off — no wait, I don’t.

#8:  Bath time for the messy girl.