Princesses

Last night my mom and I took Bella to the Nutcracker. We made it through the whole show, but she was awfully wiggly. What captured her attention the most were the scenes where it was just the prima ballerina dancing. After the first act someone asked her if she was liking it, and she said yes and that she also wanted to be a snow princess. 

Tonight I singing Deck the Halls as we were driving home from Taco Bueno, and the girls were chiming in with variations of "fa la la la la". And then Bella said she wanted to sing her princess's song. There were several verses of "Pink is my favorite." And the song ended with, "I'm still a princess even if I don't have my beautiful crown".  Todd and I both laughed until we cried. 

We try to keep Becca from taking ornaments off the tree and keeping the wrapping paper on the presents. So the other day when I was putting an ornament back on the tree Becca came running from the front of the house to tell me, "No, no, no!" while she was shaking her little finger at me. So cute. She really has been cute lately. So playful. She tries to turn everything into a game from getting changed to eating her breakfast. 

Christmas Cookies

We have recently engaged in a new Christmas tradition. Santa has sent us a Elf, who we named Polo, that reports to him whether Bella and Becca have been naughty or nice.  Of course Becca is too young to understand, but Bella has caught on, and her behavior is much improved since Polo came to visit us, all we need to do is remind Bella that Polo is watching. I just wish Polo would stick around all year long. However, Polo's magic does have its limits. Last night Bella was tired and not feeling well, a dreadful combination. Bella told me that she didn't want Polo to watch her and could I send him home. I decided to drop the conversation at that point. Clearly, she wasn't even capable of being a good girl. I can understand that. 

Thanksgiving Turkeys

We had Thanksgiving at my house this year. It was just the cousins and Popo and Grammy. I have to say the food this year was not all that tasty. I made the corn casserol and the mashed potatoes, and they weren't that great. Oh well, there's always next year.  This year Bella ate absolutely nothing. She has become REALLY picky. I'm afraid she is going to waste away to nothing. And unfortunately Becca was suffering from a stomach bug, so we tried to hold her back. I just hope she is still an eater next year, so that she can enjoy the food, and then hopefully next year the food will be better.

The girls made the head dresses at school.

Bella the Biker Chic, Spider and Princess

This was an interesting Halloween. Initially, Bella did not express a desire to be anything in particular for Halloween. I mean, I'd ask and she'd want to be everything from Dora to "The Map" to a spider to a bunny. So, since my mom's Halloween party this year had a 50's theme, I decided, after seeing a cute jacket, that Bella would go as a Biker Chic from the 50's. There - done. Only not done. As they started talking more and more about Halloween at school, Bella consistently and adamantly started saying she was going to be a spider. So, not wanting to spend too much on another costume but wanting to be the indulgent mother, I decided to make her a spider costume. Well, she loved it. She wanted to wear her spider shirt immediately. What a happy little spider she was. There. Done! Only not done. She was a spider for the two festivals we had on the Sunday before Halloween and for Friday at school. But as soon as she walked into her room, I suspected her spider days were over. She went dancing into school, so proud of her outfit. And then she walked into her classroom. Once she saw the other little girls dressed as fairies and princesses, her face drop. She even walked over to a little girl and petted her shinny cape. So, when I picked her up on Friday guess what - she was no longer wearing her spider outfit, and she did not want to talk about it.  So on Saturday when it was time to go to her school festival, she said she wanted to be a princess and refused to but the spider shirt on. Ok, so we put a tutu on her, one of my necklaces and a crown that she made at school earlier in the year. There. Done. She was a princess and loved it! (On Monday I sent Bella's teacher a note asking if something had happened with the spider outfit. She said that perhaps it was the fact that all the little boys were telling the girls how pretty they were in their princess dresses. And that one little boy wanted to hold one of the princess's hand. Ah well, and so it begins). 

Pumpkin Cuties

Well, the pumpkin patches this year were a no go. We had to have had the rainest October ever. But we did manage to go by a church that is on the way to Bella's school that had pumpkins for sale. We went last year. This year both girls go into the fun. They had a bounce house the night we went, and any place that has a bounce house is ok with me, although Becca has a hard time leaving them. 

Grocery Shopping

Yesterday the whole family went grocery shopping because Todd and I both had chili cook-offs we were competing in.  So, we go to Kroger because Todd had seen a little girl there pushing a miniature shopping cart, and he thought Bella would like that, so off to Kroger we go.  And wouldn't you know, she did like the shopping cart. If fact she got carried away and began shopping for herself. Unbeknownst to us, she put a can of Bushes Kidney Beans in (she loves beans - and especially the kidney beans out of Olive Garden's Pasta Figoli) and she put in a bag of yogurt covered raisins (also another favorite). Silly girl. Todd and I had a good laugh when we were unpacking the groceries. 

Becca the thief

Caught red handed. Becca has the bad habit of grabbing food and drinks off the table. I'm sure Bella did it too, but back then, there was no big sister's food to grab. A lot of time Becca is just reaching to see what's there and make a mess, but sometimes I truly think she is hungry and looking for food. This would be one of those times. Becca really seems to be digging Bella's pancakes with syrup. We don't put syrup on Becca's pancakes 1) because she's a baby and would make a mess, but 2) she doesn't usually like the really sweet stuff.  Becca's what you'd call a good eater.  Her report from school always says, "Your child ate EVERYTHING today." Like I said, she's her daddy all the way. 

Fall Festivals

Sunday we had two festivals to work and attend back to back. It was a bit hectic, but I think the girls had a good time. Although in between all the madness we didn't get around to feeding the girls until after 7:00. I think Becca ate her weight in Wendy's nuggets. Wendy's nugget. Not even the gold standard Chick-Fil-A nuggets. I made Bella's costume because I had already bought her one when she decided she wanted to be a spider. I had no idea she'd have a preference. I figured I'd have one more year before she started telling me what she wanted to be. Oh well. Even though Bella is very social, she was somewhat hesitant at the Mom's Club Festival. Meanwhile Becca was just going and exploring. She didn't care. I tell ya, these kids will surprise ya. Bella was thrilled to pieces with all the suckers she got, and when I told her that she couldn't have another one, she was ok with that. I was so proud of her. I dressed Becca in the ladybug costume Bella wore for her first Halloween. I tell you Bella was a big baby at first. But boy did she put the brakes on that once she turned about 15 months. 

State Fair of Texas

Todd and I took the girls to the fair on opening day. Before the kids, Todd and I had made it a tradition to take the afternoon off, grab our coke can for reduced entry fee, and head off to the fair on opening day. So this year, we were back - only with the girls.  They have some really neat stuff for the kids to do. They have a pretend farm and a big petting zoo. Pig races - which weren't a big hit. And of course the food. No one has to ask Bella twice if she'd like some funnel cake. Hum... maybe if I cover carrots in powdered sugar she'll eat them. 

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night

Last Saturday night, we weren't at the movies, we weren't at a nice restaurant (or even a not so nice restaurant for that matter), we weren't playing hockey, or watching TV. We were at the park. Todd decided it was a nice evening and we should go to the park. He packed us the picnic lunch (or diner in this case) and off we went. I felt bad for Todd once we got there, as he explained that he wanted to grill some hot dogs for us but every bag of hot dogs that he pulled out of the fridge had expired. Who knew hot dogs expired. I always figured the roaches and ants would feast on hot dogs and peanut butter in the next ice age. ANYWAY, it was a nice idea and a nice evening and both girls really enjoyed the park. Last time we were at the park, Becca was still a little hesitant about the swing. She loved it this time. And Bella enjoys the freedom she has to climb and slide where ever she likes. One of the nice things I've noticed about Bella is that she really enjoys watching other people have a good time. She likes to make her sister laugh, but I think she likes watching her sister laugh just as much. It's a lovely smile Bella has on her face when she's observing someone having a good time. 

Going on Holiday

This year we went on two extended family vacations: Memorial Day to Beaver's Bend and Labor Day to Austin. Bella really enjoys having the cousins around. It makes me sad that she doesn't have a big brother because she loves the attention the older boys give her. The picutre above is from the hotel play area in Austin. Becca was really enjoying herself. It was a challenge keeping the girs entertained and fed while the boys played golf and tennis. The picture below is from Beaver's Bend. At that time Bella's class was reading a book and sang a song about a bear hunt. So it was fun going on a hike and telling her that we were going on a bear hunt. She reported it all back to her teacher. Here she is roaring like a bear.

Summer Fun

This girls are as different as can be when it comes to their feelings about water. Becca loves the water. She does not fear it. She will try to drown herself at least once per visit, and the momentary fear I see in her eyes as she loses her balances and plunges into the water head first is never enough to stop her for one second. After just a few visits to the gym pool she learned to scoot into the pool, rather than crawl in. She could scoot a lot further than she could crawl. But once she started walking all she wanted to do was walk in and out of the pool and splash her sister. That is also a fun bath time trick. 

Bella on the other hand, is apprehensive about the water. Most bath nights start with a loud and whiny protest. And she does not like splashing or getting water in her eyes or on her head. A shower (she's had two) is like a slow torturous death to her.  Once she is in the water, she mostly enjoys herself, but it is not a glorious good time for her, like it is for Becca. 

This picture is from a church outing. We went to a city pool that had a splash park for the babies. Becca loved it. 

This picture is from the city water park. Bella really didn't care for it. Instead of playing in the water, she preferred to eat every snack I brought. 

Bella and Daddy

This is a typical Bella picture, with her flashing her big, easy smile. I love that about her. 

But in this picture of Bella she looks so grown up.  I wanted to post it, too.

Bella loves, loves, loves Dora right now. In fact for most of last week she was home sick, and let me just tell you, in those few days I saw/heard all the Dora episodes I care to hear. But anyway, we still endorse the madness: we call Bella "Dora, we call Becca "Boots" (Dora's sidekick), we buy Dora books and anything Dora in the Dollar bins at Michaels and Target, and I'm sure we will buy the Dora swimming mermaid for her for Christmas (I mean, does it get any better than Dora being a MERMAID!).  So one of the new Dora books we bought is about Dora returning all the friendship bracelets that Swiper stole.  And the first time we read this story, Bella pipes up, "I have a friendship bracelet that you got for me in Hawaii." I cannot believe that she remembered 1) that she has a bracelet, 2) that we bought it for her and 3) that it came from Hawaii.  Note to self - the kid remembers everything! Anyway, she was wearing that bracelet in this picture, but that you can see it. 

Beautiful Becca

Poor Becca. She was drooling like crazy in this picture, but I still wanted to post it because I thought it was a good picture of her. 

First Day of Mother's Day Out

Tuesday was the first day that Becca went to Bella's school.  She is only going part-time and only a few days a week. But she is already adjusting very well. She enjoys playing with the new toys and seeing new people. I bought her some new shoes for her first day (the outfit is a hand-me-down). For some reason Becca has a real shoe fetish. She sees her shoes, and she will start calling for them, "Shoes Shoes shoes." And if you give them to her, she will try to put them on. And don't even think about taking them away. Once she sees them, you'd better be ready to put them on her. And then of course the game for her is trying to take them off, as she is trying to do in this picture. I remember Bella playing this game, but not being quite so persistent. There are definitely great similarities in their personalities to mine and Todd's.  

Becca enters toddlerhood

Here is a short clip of Becca walking.

Walking, crawling, climbing

Well Baby Becca has done it again. She has started walking with no real assistance from anyone. She started walking last Wed night. She just decided to put three and four steps together to come over to were Bella and I were sitting on the floor. Then she did it again when we were outside playing at the water table. And then again when she wanted to play the piano. I have tried to get footage of it, but she is so unpredictable. Actually the thing is, she doesn't really like walking yet. But she will walk if the terrain is too rough. Last night we were at the city pool and they had a splash area. And Becca was walking in and out of the water all evening long. We finally left when I was afraid her little legs were on the verge of getting bloody from all the falling and getting up again. But once we got home, it was back to mostly crawling. But she'll be chasing after Bella soon.

Tonight she figured out how to climb down the stairs. I'd tried to teach her the same day she learned to climb up them, but it was frustrating her when I'd pull her down the stairs after she'd worked so hard to get up them. So tonight she figured it out on her own. But she is not as precise with her steps as her sister was, so I'm a little more hesitant with her. Eventually Becca got bored with just going up and down the two steps and headed towards the flight of stairs; however, I was preoccupied with Bella in the bathroom, so I yelled at her as sternly as I could. Becca stopped, looked around for where I was, and kept on going. As I am running out of the bathroom to grab her, I can her Bella saying, almost to herself, Becca's in big trouble.

Baby Becca

I've taught Becca to point to herself and say baby. I tried to capture that in this video. Of course they never do what they are supposed to once you get the camera. Becca has always been my baby. She's cuddly; she's whiny; she's dependent.  And she's growing up.  Yesterday when Bella woke up from her nap, I went upstairs to go get her. Instead of coming straight down, we had a meeting of all of Bella's bedtime buddies. We were deciding who to keep and who to send home (Bella's bed was being overrun with stuff animals).  We were laughing and having fun. Hearing the good times and realizing she wasn't apart of it, Becca decided to remedy that. So, she must have opened the gate, climbed the stairs, and crawled into Bella's room and over to her bed. I laughed at the site of seeing her just appear, but I assumed Todd had escorted her up. So when we come downstairs I asked Todd, "Did you bring Becca upstairs?" He says "No. I heard her up there. I assumed you came down to get her."  Mind you, she'd only climbed up the stairs earlier that day with me helping her.  Like I said, once she decides to do something, she just does it. And just this morning as I was getting everything ready for the morning, I put the bottles away. Becca officially takes her milk from the sippy. I felt like some kind of ceremony was in order. But there was no music ; no fanfare; no one to witness the last bottle going into a plastic Target bag (except me of course). Possibly the last bottle to grace the Dyer's countertops. What joy! What relief! And yes, what sadness. 

First Date

Bella went on her first date last night. She went to Dora LIVE with Popo. And because there was some confusion as to what "Pick her up at my house." meant, we did not have time to get any pictures. But they did make it to the show without a minute to spare. Bella had a great time, and even Popo was impressed with the production. When Popo walked Bella to the door, she yelled, "I'm home." Oh good. Did you have fun?  "YEA! I saw Big Dora and Big Boots. But Baby Jaguar was small." And when I asked Popo how she behaved he said, "She was perfect." Ok who believes that? But what do you expect to hear from a grandfather. 

Bella and Becca Bits

When we get in the car, Bella often has to have a menagerie of stuffed animals with her. So we were all in the car discussing what sound each animal made, and she got to dinosaur and was a little stumped. So I asked again, what sound does a dinosaur make. And Becca goes, "RRRRR". And Bella yells at her, "No Becca. Only bears go RRRR." 

Becca wasn't born with much hair, and by and large I have neglected her head and hair since she was born. Remember now, Bella was and still to this day, rarely seen without a bow in her hair. I blame my neglect of Becca's hair accessories on the fact that she didn't have much hair. Well, it seems the day has come. Becca has enough hair to put a clip in, as we found this out when Becca's babysitter decided to put one in. When we all got home in the evening it was funny to see Becca with the barrette in her hair. Bella noticed it right away and said, "Beccetice looks pretty." (sidenote: we had started to call Becca - Beccita for "little Becca". Bella isn't able to say this, so it comes out Beccetice.)

Last night we were coming home from our soccer game (yes, both Todd and I our playing coed soccer in 104 weather), and I was just singing whatever popped into my head.  So at one point I said/sang "Who do you love." And from the back Bella yells "DADDY." 

Happy 4th!

Here are a couple of fun pics taken recently. Becca got a new towel for her birthday, so now we have 2 lion cubs when it's bath time.


This morning, we got up early and did a 5k run with the girls. They were great passengers as I pushed them around the course in the double wide stroller.

The second picture was taken a few minutes ago as the lovely ladies show off their red, white, and blue :)

Happy Birthday Becca!

Happy Birthday sweet girl! This was taken the morning of her birthday. As you can see, she wasn't interested in the icing as much as she was about the cake. Exact opposite of her sister. Becca was not walking by her birthday, but yesterday she did take two unsupported steps for the first time.  It would be a stretch to call it walking, but she's getting there.  And she will try to mimic anything. I said "dude" the other day and she repeated it back to me.  So I kept saying it trying to get her to repeat. And Bella comes by and says, "That not Dude. That Becca."  And when we were watching the Backyardigans, Becca hummed the little tune that came on. It was pretty impressive.  

Yo! Christmas in July

This was actually taken several months ago. I was so excited that I got this little vest for $4 at Gymboree. Bella was excited about it, too. I couldn't get her to take it off. Let's just hope it fits someone come Christmas. 

Like Spotting Sasquatch

Hawaiian Vacation

Here is a compilation video of our recent trip to Maui Hawaii. We were there for a week and enjoyed the hikes, the snorkeling, and the food! We enjoyed the beach also - Cat a little moreso than me. It was a nice break, and we had a great time, but we missed the kiddos and will probably not spent a whole week away from them any time soon. The sites in order of appearance are:

1) Haleakala Crator
2) Our Hotel Room View
3) The Dunes Golf Course
4) Road to Hana
5) Iao Valley

I apologize in advance for the shakey camera hand in the first couple of minutes. It was about 50 degrees on the top of Haleakala with 30mph winds. I think my camera hand nearly froze off...

Becca Walking... sort of

Here is a little clip of Becca walking with the aid of her little walking toy thingy.

When good cubs go bad

So Bella has a facination with bears lately. When we went to Beaver's Bend State Park a couple of weeks ago, we didn't go hiking, we went on a bear hunting expedition. She even has some songs about bears. Here she is playing a bear and attacking mommy. Becca even gets in on some of the action...

Canon Rebel xsi Commercial Song

Wow, Cat has really foo-foo-ed up our blog. nice...

At any rate, here is a little video clip of the song that inspired me to want to learn how to play the piano. It's a 30sec commercial that aired back in the fall of 2008, and it has recently been put back into the rotation. I tried to watch utube videos to learn how to play it, but it was not working for me, so I emailed the composer Michael Montes asking if I could purchase the sheet music. He said Canon owned it, so he couldn't sell it to me, but there was nothing in his contract with Canon that said he couldn't give it away for free, so he emailed me the sheet music and an MP3 file of the song. Woo hoo I was in business. It took me several months to get to where I could do the jumps in the last half of the song. The correct tempo of 100 is still a little too fast for me. This recording is about 65ish. Perhaps I will get there someday.

You saw a what?

Within the last two weeks Bella has started to see things in her room. At first it was a doggie in her bed, and after being startled awake by her screaming at the top of her lungs, I found her clawing at the bed railing, ready to do a kamikaze dive off the bed. There was of course no doggie, but I did wind up sleeping with her to prove the point. I got no sleep the rest of the night because she kept flailing her arms. On the way to church the following morning, I was yawning and she said, "You tired mommy?" I said, "Yes baby. Someone woke me up in the middle of the night and kept slapping me around." She looks at me seriously, "Daddy slap you?"

And then there was a dinosaur. When I ran up to her room, I forgot my glasses, so when I looked in the direction that she was pointing, I thought to myself, my goodness, that does look like a dinosaur in the middle of the night without my glasses on. And on several occasions, there have been ladybugs (she has always been frightened by ladybugs). One night she refused to get back under the poka-dotted sheets until Todd put some socks on her.

So I've taken the toys off her playtable so they won't cast shadows, I've put solid colored sheets on her bed, what else can I do. Hum, don't ask a question you don't want an answer to. She woke up yesterday morning, stating so sure of herself, "There's no ladybugs in my bed." That's right. "There's an alligator in the sky." Ok, but at least she didn't scream about it in the middle of the night. However, last night she did scream that there was a dolphin in her bed. Go figure.

Piano Prodigy

Here is a little tune Becca composed this afternoon in her free time inbetween her late afternoon bottle and her jars of winter squash and beef medly.

Bella Bits

I've started playing soccer again, and my first game was pretty rough. As Todd put it, "It looked painful." So, I had scraps and bruises all up and down my legs, literally. Bella saw my leg and said, "Oh! Mommy needs a band-aide. Mommy, you ok?" Me, "Yea, baby. I'm ok. But my leg hurts." Bella, "Come on Mommy. I tuck you in." 

One evening Bella and I went over to Popo and Grammy's to pick up Becca. As we were leaving Becca was munching on a graham cracker.  She has a ferocious appetite for graham crackers. We were loading into the car, when Bella notices that Becca has a cracker.  She yells at Becca, "NO BECCA! Don't eat it all!  I want to taste it."  No response. "Becca!" No Response. "Becca, throw it over here." No response. Much later all I hear is a little sigh from Bella as she realizes Becca ate it all. 

Going through the drive thru at Taco Bueno has become an after church ritual. This past Sunday I noticed that Strawberry Smoothies are on the menu, so of course I had to get one. And of course, it would not go unnoticed by Bella. So immediately I hear from the back of the car, "I want to taste it." Begrudgingly I pass the cup back to Bella. And to my no surprise, she is gulping it down. In an attempt to reclaim my drink, I reach back to Bella and say, "Come on Bella. Give it back to mommy." Bella, "Keep your hands to yourself Mommy." Alrighty then. 

Becca Crib Munching

Can I See Your Licence and Registration Please?

Here is a little clip of Bella & her little next door neighbor friend Morgan taking Morgan's new barbie car for a spin.

Oh they look like experts now, but later Baby Doll falls out the back and they run her over. OH no! Just another speed bump.

Becca is on the move

Last Friday Becca officially started crawling. She had been doing the wounded solider body drag for a while or the throw the body forward and hope it gets me in the right direction. But on Friday she was actually on knees and hands and moved forward (I believe that makes it official). Yeah Becca! I'll post pictures later. She's only recently been interested in moving around, so I think she made progress quickly. She's so much like her father! Once they put their minds to something, considered that challenge conquered. Maybe not right away but they are persistent enough to get the job done. I think it might be nice to raise a little Todd.

Luck of the Irish

I followed the rainbow, and I didn't find a pot of gold but there were these three leprechauns waiting for me.   

Elmo LIVE!

So instead of throwing Bella a birthday party with friends this year we decided we'd buy tickets to the Elmo show. Well, it was a big hit. In fact after she woke up from her nap (she fell asleep n the way home), she told me, "that was fun!" and then covered her mouth as she laughed. I don't know who does that. Must be from school, but made me laugh even harder so the rest of the day she was covering her mouth when she would laugh or smile.  Also, when asked about what Elmo did at the show, she would start kicking her legs, like she was kicking a soccer ball, and I thought ok, well I guess he might have done that. Hum, looks like that's what he was doing to me. Way to go Bella! That is some memory. And speaking of way to go - Bella got a "Happy Gram" from school the other day. Here is what it said: "Today during Stretch-n-Grow, the teacher asked What is this muscle (she was pointing to her tibealus) and Bella responded Tibealus. Way to go Bella! Way to know your muscles!" Ok, anyone know where that muscle is?

Somebody's been sleeping in my bed

I was trying to change Bella, so I put Becca in her crib to keep her occupied while I dealt with Bella. When I was done, I turned around and Becca had pulled up on the railing of her crib and was gnawing on it.  Bella and I thought this was funny, and we started laughing, and then Bella wanted into the crib so she could join in on the gnawing. At one point they were both along the railing with their mouths on it. I didn't get the camera in time to take that picture, but I snapped a few anyway. (sidenote: I just asked Todd how to spell "gnaw" and he said, "like I gnaw your bones". me, "uh...yea, like that")

Thank heaven for little girls

Anthony, one of Todd's co-workers, came over yesterday to take some pictures of the girls. He took one of Becca at the holiday party. I like both of these pictures because it captures them both so perfectly. Becca is sweet and still. Bella is smiles and silliness, my little payaso. Who knew there were so many different reasons to love. 

Becca Bob

Becca has started this head bobbing thing. Bella thinks it's funny. She says Becca's dancing. And perhaps she is. She seems to do the head bob when Todd plays the piano or when she's bored or when she wants down or well, we don't really know what it means. But it is funny. 

Hats and mittens

The girls got a late Christmas present from their Great Aunt Fran. They loved trying on the new loot.  Although Bella kept wanting to pull Becca's hat off by the tab on top. Thank you Aunt Frannie! The girls looked adorable. And we will make use of them when we go for a walk today.

Little Gym Graduation Part Deux

Today Bella graduated from the Little Gym Beasts class. She has had so much fun in these classes, and it has been a great time for her to share with her daddy.  This time, Grammy came to the graduation, and Bella loved the extra attention. She kept going over to her and saying, "Come on Grammy." She wanted Grammy to hop, skip and run. Now that really would have been a sight. Note that both the barrette and socks didn't make it until the end of class. 

Happy Birthday Bella

Yesterday was Bella's birthday and what a difference a year makes! This year she could understand that her birthday was coming. She knows that the days of the week have a name and that her birthday was on Friday and that for her birthday she would get CAKE!  She loves cake. She also knows that birthday cakes have candles. She found a stray candle once and put it on top of her head and began singing the Happy Birthday song.  And when we would ask her how old she was going to be, she'd proudly yell, "TWO!" 

Todd spent the last few days figuring out how to make a cake. As you can see he baked and decorated a beautiful Elmo cake for Bella. She got soooo excited when she saw it.  I'm sure if you asked Todd, he would tell you it was well worth all the effort. We also went to her school to help her celebrate with her friends. They had cake and ice cream, and then we left school early and went to the library.  Her cousins and Grammy and Popo were supposed to come over for dinner, but the cousins didn't make it.  But we had a nice celebration anyway.  We told Bella she couldn't eat her Elmo cake until Popo and Grammy showed up.  Well, wouldn't you know the second they walked in the door, she ran into the dining room where the cake was waiting and started yelling cake, cake.  She talked to Mema and Aunt Launa after dinner through the webcam, and she finished her day staying up well past bedtime playing with daddy and her new little people toys. What two year old could ask for more! Thank you Bella for two awesome years. We love you!