she's two...

Happy Birthday Hazel Jayne!

Birthdays are my favorite thing. I love the excuse to be completely and ridiculously spoiled, to be with friends, eat countless cupcakes, open presents, play games, and just be deliriously happy because its the one day that you get to celebrate YOU. My mom made sure that my birthday parties were the best growing up; not that we went all out with expensive bounce houses or catered meals, but they were always creative. I remember games she invented, unique birthday cakes she created, and homemade wrapping paper with love notes on them. One of my parties was held at a huge park so in order to keep track of our group, my mom had all of us wear headbands with sparkly star antennae shooting out the top. I'm sure the boys loved it.

Needless to say, I have a lot to live up to. But luckily I LOVE every bit of it so Hazel's 2nd birthday party was a blast to plan and prepare for. We had a fish party with fun fish games and food. Don't worry, it was all well-documented, so here you go.

We had to wake Hazel up a little early from her nap for the party, thus the glazed over look in this picture. She's with our neighbor, "Grandma Norma." Hazel LOVES Norma. When I walked her outside, she instantly went to her and planted herself on her lap.

So I have amazing neighbors. My next door neighbor, Adry, is an artist and she painted this bean bag toss for me. Isn't it fabulous!! I also have to give credit to my husband who cut the holes out (thanks honey). I made little bean bag fish that I have yet to get a picture of.
Hazel with her cousin Carson.
I was so excited about this treat. If you can tell, they're little rice krispy fish! The twizzlers were supposed to be like seaweed coming out of the bowl. Well, it lasted in its glory for about ten minutes before the bowl collapsed from the heat and it became a huge mound of rice krispy mush. A little kid came up to me and asked quietly, "Um, how do I...I mean are we allowed to...what IS that?"

Little fishy cupcakes.
BIG fishy cake.


Happy Birthday song with the starring voice of our babysitter, Becca. Thanks Becca for filming!

Want some?
This was taken in the midst of all the present-opening. She looks so overwhelmed. Mission accomplished.

We were SO excited to give this kitty to Hazel. The poor thing had a very long day, but he paid us back with a very long night and little sleep.

So Hazel is now TWO. This past week she buried her feet in the cat litter box and kicked the kitty litter all over the floor; she poured her juice all over Charlotte, soaked her hair and face with her orange juice AFTER her bath, took off her diaper and pooped in her bed, and threw the kitten in the bath with her...twice ("kitty swimming!"). Yes folks, we are officially in the thick of the terrible two's.

Hazel bean WE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU.