HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY LILLIAN!!

Since our girls' Birthday's are so close together (Alexa's on the 1st and Lillian's on the 4th) they've gotten used to the idea of having to share a party.

Saturday feel in the middle of the two, so we planned for their party on the 3rd. When I had sent out the invitations, it was at least 70 some degrees and sunny. Our plan was to have the party in the back yard and have people hang out on the lawn chairs, play some horseshoes, ect. Well, it turned out to be quite a different story on Saturday, as it was about 40 degrees and sprinkling. We still set up tables and chairs and decorated the garage in a princess/Hannah Montana theme. But, we had to change our games, last minute. We had the classic pin the tail on the donkey, pin the tiara on the princess, drop the clothes pins in a jar and whoever popped the balloon with the piece of paper in it was the winner of a prize. The kids had an absolute BLAST. The party was from 2 to 4 and we served cake and snacks (popcorn, chex mix, puppy chow, cheese nips, and Laurie and Joe so kindly brought chips and dip.

I counted and total there were about 20 of Alexa and Lillian's closest friends at the party + their parents. (Katelyn and Quinn, Kaitlyn and Jospeh, Mackenzie, Chase and Owen, Cecilia and Julia, Vienna, Madison, Cody, Tyler, Jordan, Hannah, Courtney, Tori, Ari, Paige, Also there was, Grandpa Tom, Grandma Diane, Grandma Linda, Unlce Ben, Uncle Benny, Uncle Tiny and Tiny's girlfriend, Courtney.

We had a big princess piñata hanging from the front tree filled with lots of candy. All the kids gave it a good couple strikes but it took Tyler and Jordan, the older neighbor boys to break it open.

The girls received some amazing gifts from their family and friends and will have many hours of fun playing with them all this winter. Lillian was thrilled to receive so many baby dolly's. You could not wipe the smile off her face.

We are so grateful for everyone who came and made the day extra special for Alexa and Lillian.

Yesterday (Lillian's actual Birthday) was spent at home, playing with all their new toys and spoiling Lillian like crazy. She loved us to sing the Happy Birthday song to her over and over. We went for a long walk and played about 5 minutes at the park before Lillian fell in a puddle of water at the end of the slide. She practiced saying "I'm two" and holding up 2 fingers. She played with her babies and ate cake. I held her and held her and held her some more not able to believe she was a whole year older already. My baby - 2 years old. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

The girls had their yearly check-ups with Dr. Joshi this morning. They both did fantastic. Alexa is in the 50th percentile for height and 20th for weight and Lillian is right under the 50th for height and 25th for weight. No concerns from Dr. Joshi about anything regarding both girls. Alexa took a screening test (similar to her kindergarten screening test only shorter) and answered each questions correctly. She did another vision and hearing test, too. Lillian was such a trooper. She let Dr. Joshi examine her with no hesitation. Alexa had to get a 5 year booster shot and had a little bit of a tough time accepting that idea. She screamed loud enough for the whole 3rd floor to hear her, but the tears dried up quickly afterwards. She cried more before the actual shot than actually getting it. Both girls got the flu vaccine sprayed up their nose. Alexa didn't like that idea, either, so Lillian went first and took it with no problem, not even a flinch. Then they both had to go to lab to get their fingers pricked to check their hemoglobin. Alexa panicked there, too, but it turned out to be not so bad, she said. Lillian sat there and sucked on her sucker, didn't even shudder. Tough little cookie. Then Alexa was asked to give a urine sample. Talk about awkward. For a five year old. Let's just say her and I had a time trying to get that figured out. She obviously couldn't do it herself, so I had to help her. Well, let's just say she didn't have to go and then when she did, I had to..well...you can about imagine.

Overall, they had a great check up and Dr. Joshi was very pleased. They did a great job and we are so proud of them. Unless they get sick, they won't have to be seen until they are 3 and 6 years old.