Chuck E Cheese

Dear Maizy,

Thursday after work I got home, got you dressed all cute and then me, you and daddy headed out the door.  We were going to Grandpa Frank's to celebrate your birthday.  I was so super excited plus it was my Friday - I had the next day off. 

We got to Grandpa's and he was super excited to see you.  We hung out for a few then you and I picked some plums!  Yum! You called them apples but whatever.  You were a fantastic helper with the picking and putting the plums in a bag.  

Then we went inside and opened your gift from Grandpa.  Your gift was in a darling Disney Princess bag with a bag of coins for your piggy bank (someones going to college), lip gloss and a Cinderella purse that you decorate yourself.  Grandpa did a great job on your gift and it was all very thoughtful.

Then we headed to Chuck E. Cheese.  YAY!!  Grandpa bought us a meal deal - pizza, drinks and 35 tokens!!  You had 35 tokens all to yourself to ride the rides and play the games.  you were having a BLAST!!!!  You're favorite ride was the carousel and your fave games were Skeeball and another ball throwing game. 

You received tickets with most of the games.  You had 140 tickets!!  So before we left we redeemed your tickets for a box of Nerds and a mini crown.  CUTE!!

You didn't want to leave you were having so much fun!  I was so glad that we did this for your birthday but kind of sad that we hadn't done this sooner!!

After we pried your fingers off the door to leave we went back to Grandpa's to eat a piece of your birthday cake.  I took the leftover cake that Grandma Donker got for you.  Grandpa got a kick out of your cute picture on the cake.  

I had a great time! I always love hanging out with my dad and seeing you interact with your Grandpa.  He is a macho guy but he would do anything for you I just know it.

So that concluded your birthday celebrations!!  Here is to another awesome year!!  I am going to enjoy every moment of your two's!!

Thanks for being such a good, fun, awesome little girl!!

xoxoxoxoxo

Love,
mommy

Birthday Celebration Part:4

Dear Maizy,

You are definitely the most lucky kid I know.  After the celebration at Grandma Donker's house  you and Grandma Shelly went to pick up Grandpa Glen from work for your birthday dinner.  Daddy and I stayed behind to load up the car and help Grandma clean-up.

Daddy and I took the beautiful drive up Emigration Canyon to Ruth's Diner where we were meeting Grandma, Grandpa and you for dinner.  Daddy and I got seated at the most perfect table outside.  We waited a few minutes for you guys to arrive.  You squealed with excitement when you saw daddy and I.

We ordered dinner - you mac and cheese, me salad and daddy soup since we were still full from lunch.  You were great through dinner.  You wanted to get down from the table eventually so we let you down while you explored the flowers and bugs around us.

After Grandpa Glen paid for dinner - thanks Grandpa Glen!  You got in Grandma's car and we headed down to the zoo!!

Woo hoo!!  I just LOVE the zoo!  They had a new exhibit to check out AND it happened to be an evening that they allow members only to stay late at the zoo, it was awesome because it was not crowded at all.  We put you in your stroller and checked out the monkeys, the elephants, the rhinoceros, the bald eagle, the new seal and sea lion, then the new polar bear exhibit!  That was AWESOME!! The bear just swims and entertained everyone.  She was swimming so gracefully it was hard to believe that she weighed as much as she does.  

Then we walked up to see the tigers, then the Gorilla. I got some really cool pics of him.

Then you kept saying "around, around" for the Merry Go Round then you spotted it "there it is!!" So we headed to it.  You chose to ride the baby giraffe, I held you and Grandma got on the mama giraffe right next to you. You got a big kick out of that. The boys sat down and watched us go by. You didn't want to get off the ride when it was over but we coaxed you by letting you know the train ride was next.  we walked up to the train and it was awesome because the zoo was not crowded at all and no lines!  Woo hoo!!

The train ride was awesome.  Daddy and I sat in the very back, Grandpa Glen in front of us, then you and Grandma Shelly in front of him.  After the train ride daddy and I were going to take you to the gift shop to get you something special, but it was closed! Bummer!

I could have stayed and walked around the zoo some more, but everyone, you included was tired, so we headed home.  We stopped and got a drink for the ride home and you were getting anxious - you wanted to play with your toys!  We unloaded the car and you could not play with your Mr. Potatohead fast enough.  We sat and played that for a few then it was bed time.

Thank you for coming into our lives and making us constantly smile and laugh.  You are SO loved babe!!  I hope you enjoyed your birthday as much as we all did.  I love you!!

you after the zoo on our way home

Thanks for being so wonderful!

Love you!

Love,
mommy

p.s.  There is more birthday fun to have.  We still have Grandpa Frank to celebrate with. 

Birthday Celebration Part: 3

Dear Maizy,

You really think that you are only going to have one birthday party?? Not in this family.  This is the way it was for me too growing up.  Just like kids not all adults get along so we have to break the groups up!  

Tuesday was your real birthday and I took the day off work to spend it with you.  Like before I couldn't sleep I was SO excited.  I woke up earlier than I do for work days but granted this day was going to be fun.  I woke up and got myself ready, then daddy and I woke you up at 9 a.m. You were smiling from ear to ear.  We took you downstairs and fed you breakfast.  you had eggs, toast and juice.  Then you and daddy went and showered.  We got you dressed and headed out the door.  You were going to the dentist!  YAY!!  I know this is not exciting for your birthday but the focus was that you are a big girl!!

We got to the dentist office and you were more into the play area than anything. 

Then it was our turn to go back.  They sat you in the chair to wait for the dentist and you did not know what to think. You didn't even find the t.v. in the ceiling exciting.

The very nice dentist came over to check out your teeth but you were not going to have it. At all!

You would not let Dr. Christensen even peak at your teeth, so you got a toothbrush, a Cinderella one, a goodie bag and he told me how to care for your teeth! He mentioned that you may have a cross bite - like I did.  I am praying this is not the case!

Then we headed across the parking lot to the photography place, FotoFly, to have your pictures taken.  We got there and had to hurry and change you into your outfit.  While we were changing you daddy asked if anyone there knew how to do hair.  The receptionist piped up and said she is going to cosmetology school, so she came over and tried to do your hair.  You wouldn't sit still so I gave you my lip gloss to distract you and the photographer started taking pictures of you.

See......

We were not happy at all with the way the girl "did" your hair - yeah we are pros are putting a barrette in your hair - pretty much what she did.  Anyway, you are super darling regardless.  We had a lot of fun taking pics and you were awesome. We really should explore modeling for you.  After your pictures we had to wait an hour for them to edit them and have us pic out the ones we want printed, so we headed next door to Wing Nutz.  We had a blast over there!

See............................

Since dad's eyes were closed int eh previous picture he did this!  ha ha ha!

Yep!  You dipped your baby doll's face in your ranch!

You find it quite funny too! We all did. 

Your dad was watching ESPN at the restaurant and saw that you and Tim Tebow share the same birth date. 

It had been an hour so it was time to go back and view your pictures. You came with me while dad paid the bill next door.  I warned the girl that I was most likely going to cry while we checked out your pics aaaaannnnnnnddddddd I did!  The pics were darling!  You are darling.  No one can get over your gorgeous eyes and smile - your mom included!  I so blessed to have such a beautiful, happy and healthy daughter.

See..................

After the pictures and trying to decide which ones to get printed we headed up to Grandma Donker's house for your birthday celebration. You fell asleep in the car so we took our sweet time getting there.

We got there and once Grandma Shelly and Aunt Laurie arrived we got to opening your presents.  holy cow did you get spoiled!!  

See...............

You got spoiled babe!  You got Minnie Mouse shoes, rain jacket and sweat suit, a nighttime Minnie Mouse doll, Bambi the movie, a stuffed Bambi that talks, 3 stuffed Dalmatian puppies, a really cute summer outfit with embroidered flowers, another summer outfit, a Mr. Potatohead - that's your fave, a Dora movie and a v-tech alphabet toy.  It was all SO darling!

Then it was time to eat cake and ice cream and I died over this cake Grandma Donker got made for you!!  Look how freakin' cute!!!!!  It was hard to cut it up and eat it. Grandma had Dora plates and napkins to go with it all, it couldn't haven't been more perfect for you.  You have so many people that love you and want you happy that they definitely go the extra mile to see that happens.  Wow!!!

That's not even all of it babe!!  There was more to come.

Grandma Shelly joked that it will be hard to top this year - ain't that the truth. 

I am glad you were having such a wonderful birthday. 

Love you!

Love,
mommy

Party Weekend Part:2

Dear Maizy,

I couldn't sleep Friday night very well.  I was SO super excited for your birthday party.  I finally got out of bed about 8:00am, drank coffee, got myself ready for the party and went through the checklist of everything we needed to do.  We woke you up at 9:00 am and you were in a terrific mood of course.  Then you and daddy headed out the door to go pick up your sno-cone machine!!  Yes, that's right we rented a sno-cone machine for your big day!  

When you and daddy got back home we were all ready to go to Grandma Shelly's to get our party on!!  Woo hoo!! Oh but we had to stop at Wal-Mart first.  I wasn't very happy about this but Grandma ordered cupcakes for your party from the Wal-Mart "bakery".  I wasn't happy until I saw how dang cute they were!!  Grandma ordered you Dora the Explorer cupcakes.  There was vanilla and chocolate with lots of frosting, sprinkles and topped with a ring of either Dora, Boots or just a purple gem.  

Anyway, we got to Grandma's and her and Grandpa had blown up your pool and filled it with water so that it wasn't super cold, it took no time to get warm.  Then we also brought our giant beach ball that spurts out water, then Grandma also had a little water table thingy of sorts that is way cute to play with too. Oh and the big blow up ball that kids can get in and roll around - that was your fave.  We got to Grandma's a little after 10 a.m. and the guests were expected to arrive at 11:30 a.m.  The first ones to arrive was my friend Darci and her two kids, then my friend Kristy and her son showed up then everyone else trickled in.  

I couldn't believe the turn out considering no one RSVP's these days so I didn't know what to expect.  The sno-cones were a huge hit, we bbq'd hamburgers, hot dogs and had all the fixin's, Grandma Annette brought her yummy shrimp macaroni salad,  there was fruit with fruit dip, chips and dip.  

You were running around from person to person, kid to kid and was just trying to take it all in.  I wished I could have followed you around all day, but I was talking to everyone and so was daddy.  You wore your darling pink and black suit Grandma bought for you.  Every kid was smiling and having a BLAST!!  Christian even said to me "this is the best water party I have ever been too!!"  I loved hearing that and seeing everyone smile.  Especially my little birthday girl.  All the adults kept commenting on how much you've grown, how dang cute you are and how long your hair is.  

I am trying to recall every attendee.  Here is who I can remember in addition to me, your dad, Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Glen - Shalese, Aby, Brittany, Carmyne, Brindy, Kristy, Gavin, Darci, Braden, Ellie, Grandma Annette, Sienna, Grandma Hatch, Grandpa Hatch, Aunt JoLynne, Uncle Kookie, September, Todd, Sara, Christian and Colton.  Right before we opened gifts we handed out the cupcakes and then put two candles in one for you and sang Happy Birthday!  It was such an awesome day babe!  You received so many cute clothes, a baby doll and a crib - that was your fave, a talking picnic basket, Dora movie, Minnie Mouse books and coloring stuff.  

You were definitely overwhelmed and trying to take it all but you were awesome.  All the kids got along pretty well.  It was one of those moments that I wish I could pause to really take it all in.  We have such amazing friends and family.  Sometimes I wonder because we all get so busy and rarely see each other, but it's days like that, that remind me that we are surrounded by truly awesome people! You did come up to me and say "I'm happy! I'm happy!"  I love hearing those words out of your mouth.  

Everyone stayed and mingled then started clearing out about 3 p.m.  Before every kid left we gave them a box of goodies - candy, bouncy balls, parachute guy, press on tattoos and lip gloss and barrettes. We have a Minnie Mouse theme for the most part but since the store didn't make Minnie Mouse cupcakes we got Dora.  

The party was a success!!

Your dad and I were celebrating too that we have kept you alive for two years!  Ha ha ha!  Being a parent can be a frightening and tricky job at times.

Thank you for being so amazing, happy and well behaved!  Your party was awesome - just like you!

Love you!

Love,
mommy

Party Weekend

Dear Maizy,

This weekend was crazy fun!  Friday morning on my way to work I couldn't help but start crying when it really hit me that you are turning two.  Two years old!!
24 months old 
731 days old. 
17,570 hours old. 
105,420 minutes old.

Can you believe that all those months, days, hours and minutes, even seconds have been awesome!?!

That's no lie my dear.

Not to say that some days weren't harder than others, but there has always been something remarkable in each of those days.  I remember the day you were born perfectly.  When I think about it and close my eyes I can put my self back in those very brief moments, it all went by so fast.  

I have loved and cherished every first and stage of your life - your first breathes in this crazy world. Your first cries, coos and giggles. The look in your father's eyes when he saw you for the first time. The first time I fed you from my body. The first time your grandparents laid eyes on you. Your first smile. The first time you grabbed my finger and wouldn't let go.  The first time you rolled over by yourself.  Your first words. Your first bath. The first bath I got to give you. The first time you said "mama".  I could go on and on. I love that I still get to witness your firsts.  I am truly blessed.

Some of my most cherished moments is when you would wake up in the middle of the night when you were first born.  I would get out of bed, lean over you in your bassinet, pick up your tiny body and pull you close to mine, it would be dark except for the streetlight shining through the window.  We'd sit in the rocking chair and rock. I would feed you and caress your cute little face, hands and toes. It was so quiet that it felt like you and I were the only ones awake for miles. I loved these nights so much.  I was never bothered when you woke up.  I'm still not.  If you wake up now, it means I get to see you and don't have to wait until morning or after work the next day, it means I get to hold you and share a quiet moment with you, it means you know that I am there for you and can take of your needs - these are moments I will never pass up or complain about.  

You are such an amazing little girl that I want to return the favor and be an amazing mother.  

I just can't believe all that you have learned or just seem to know.  You have an extensive vocabulary and can count, say your animal sounds and identify all colors like nobodies business.  Everyday you blow me away with something.

I love, love, love, love, love how happy you are all the time.  You have no idea how much I cherish and admire this about you.  Life is too short to be any different, some and even most adults don't understand this and just refuse to be happy.  Don't ever change!  

Well here we are two years later after your birth.  We are given no choice but to celebrate your awesome little self and the fact that your father and I have kept you alive and well! That's our little joke.  

So we decided to celebrate with a party on Saturday August 11th.  In preparation I went to go get my hair done on Friday after work at a new salon that just opened about 2 minutes walking distance from our house.  I got my hair cut and styled and then I decided to get my eyebrows wax, so I was there longer than expected and just then I heard your dad's voice as he came into the salon.  You and daddy walked over to check on me. I was SO excited to see you too and the  stylist was excited to meet the both of you two.  She was well aware of your birthday party taking place, so she asked if she could paint your nails for your birthday party.  We happily obliged!!  It was the cutest thing ever.

See..................................

I asked you to say "cheese" and look at me but this is what I got.  ha ha ha! 

You did SO good!  You were totally cooperative and cute about it all. 

After the salon we went home for a few minutes then went up to Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Glen's to get ready for your party the next day.  We had pizza and salad for dinner up there, talked about your party a little while the boys watched the Olympics, then Grandma and I gave you a bath then changed you into some new Elmo pajamas grandma bought for you. 

We got home and went right to bed.  I could hardly sleep - I was so excited for your birthday party.  Not very many people RSVP'd so I wasn't sure what to expect.  But Oh.My.Gosh. Were we in for a surprise!

I can't believe you are going to be two!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!

I love you!

Love,
mommy

To share or not to share

Daer Maizy,

You are a terrible sharer - most of the time.  You will share your meals with others but that is because you have an ulterior motive - the sooner your dinner is finished the sooner you can play. 

You do not like to share your toys or even other's own toys for that matter.  For example,  we were outside playing with the neighbor girls.  Liberty brought out her electric Tinkerbell 4 wheeler.  The three of you were to take turns going up and down the sidewalk on the 4 wheeler.  It was your turn to ride it and you were loving it and were quite a pro since you have your own up at Grandma Shelly's, anyway, when it was your turn to get off the 4 wheeler and let another girl ride it you refused.  I had to pick you up as you were crying and kicking.  Awesome.  not embarrassing at all.  I decided that it was best if we just went inside.  I thanked them for letting us play then we went in the house.  Once we were in the house you were fine.  I couldn't stop thinking of ways to make you share and wondered where you picked up this behavior and just then daddy reached over and grabbed something right out of your hands.  Now I am not going to blame dad for all of this but grabbing from one another is not a good idea, it makes you possessive of pretty much everything you can get your hands on and obviously it makes you upset, as anyone else who gets things ripped out of their hands.  My homework just doubled -  I have to teach you and daddy. 

After we had dinner we were playing. I noticed you were really in to a necklace that you had.on. I asked you to share and let mommy wear it.  You looked at the necklace and then at me.  You were giving it lots of thought.  I asked you again to "share and let mommy wear it."  You took the necklace off your neck and put it on me.  I thanked you and told you how proud I am of you.  We played and then about 20 minutes later I gave it back to you.  That was a small step in the right direction - I think.

We are still working on this.  You also say "mine" when you either want something or while holding a toy of yours.  I am not quite sure where you learned this because your father and I don't walk around the house claiming what is ours.  I must admit though and it's a secret from you, but it's quite cute when you say "mine" and fold your arms. 

I am pretty sure this behavior is normal of a super, smart two year old!

I love you!  Thank you for being "mine"!!!

Love,
Brooke

I do it, I do it!

Dear Maizy,

We had a great weekend together and I am SO sad that it's over.  Mondays come way too fast.  Friday night I got from from work early, so you and I played while daddy got ready to go fishing with Grandpa Frank.  Dad was finally ready for his overnight fishing trip.  When daddy was finally all packed we drove down to Grandpa's.  Grandpa was super excited to see you.  We hung out for about an hour just visiting and waiting for Grandpa's friend to get there.  In the meantime, you were getting a kick out of going in and out of the doggy door.  Yuck!  And getting the dog their food and throwing it towards them!

After we hugged and kissed daddy goodbye we went over to my friend Brindy's house.  You were getting hungry so Brindy cooked us some some ramen noodles, we ate outside and played with Brindy's puppy, Elvis.  Then Brindy brought out some toys for you to play with.  Travis, Brindy's boyfriend, was getting a big kick out of you.  We didn't stay there too long since it was getting late, so we headed home.  We got home changed you into your jammies, I read you a story and put you to bed.  We both were super tired.  I went to bed too!! 

I woke up about 9:30 on Saturday morning and you woke up about 11:00!!  I LOVE that you sleep in.  You are always in the best mood when you wake up, have this big smile with tired eyes, bed head and it just melts my heart.  Once you were out of your crib we just started playing immediately. 

See.................

you took this darling picture all by yourself

You also wanted your Dora dress and hat on too. You are getting into dressing up, wearing hats, sunglasses and jewelery, it's really adorable!  I read an article that it's really awesome for the development of your imagination and creativity to be doing such things.

After dress up our tummies were growling, so I loaded you up in your Dora dress and my awesome bed head and we headed to McDonald's for oatmeal and coffee.  Then we came back home to eat breakfast, you fed me mine while I fed you yours, then we watched cartoons.  I was loving  every minute of it.  You blow my mind at how much you know, can say and the information you retain.  Still when you see your Easter basket in the top of the closet you say "eggs, eggs!" And that was about four months ago that you used that basket for one day.  When we read stories I mimic what they are doing in the book  to you - touching their toes, nose and wiggling their fingers - the next time we read that same story - which could be a week later you remember it all. You are so dang smart!

It also blows my mind when you know something is funny.  You will laugh and say "that's funny!"  You already have an amazing sense of humor. I guess I'm not too surprised.  I mean look at who your parents are!?!?

Dad called us about 2:00 pm to go pick him up at Grandma's.  I was sad to see our girls day come to an end but we both missed daddy, so we drove back to Grandpa's, talked to the boys for a few and headed home.

We got home and we were all pretty tired.  You went down for a nap then daddy and I watched a movie. We were getting pretty hungry and decided to do takeout for dinner.  I went and picked us up some personal pizzas from a new place and they were quite delish!  Just as your father and I were finishing our dinner you woke up.  You were in a fantastic mood like always and you were starvin'.  You were glad to see your cute little pizza for dinner.  I handed you a piece of pizza and you were so proud of yourself to be eating it like a big girl since we usually cut up your dinner into smaller pieces. 

We turned on the Olympics after the movie was over.  We just played, read stories, colored and played chase the rest of the evening.

Sunday morning the three of us met Grandma Shelly and her friend Paige at Little America for breakfast.  Grandma was super excited to see you.  We had a great breakfast and a wonderful visit with Paige.  After breakfast you went home with Grandma while daddy and I went home and cleaned!!!  Yes cleaned!!

We cleaned for 5 hours.  I did the upstairs while daddy cleaned the downstairs.  We got SOOOOO much done it was awesome.  Um, it is the absolute most difficult thing to clean, really clean, while you are around. "I do it. I do it!" you say as you try to grab the toilet scrubber out of my hand, or try to help me as you  knock over all the folded clothes and towels I just folded, you want to spray Windex or whatever I am using all over everything, so it was really nice to get that done and then when you got home from Grandma's our house was sparkling clean.  We even rearranged a few rooms, you definitely noticed first thing, so you went around and checked it all out!

I was sad to see our weekend come to an end, but what a great one it was!  We got lots done and now we can just focus on your birthday party!!  Woo hoo!!

Your birthday party is taking place at Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Glen's next Saturday!!  It's going to be wonderful.  I am in shock that you will be turning 2!

Thanks for being such a wonderful daughter!

I love you to the moon and back.

Love,
mommy