Tabi's 2nd Birthday Extravaganza

Okay, honestly, I'm not sure if this is an extravaganza or not.....what exactly would make it an extravaganza?  Because Tabi's birthday was on Monday, our two big activities (we don't do gifts exactly) had to occur at other times.  We began her birthday on Sunday.

 Showing off her "piggies" with barrettes for church.

 Thanks to Granma and Granpa Maanum, we were able to make a Minnie Pancake for our evening meal of brenner - yummy primal pancakes and sausage (plus one raspberry for a bow!).

Tabi was pretty excited to see a Minnie Pancake on her plate.

Our first activity was to go to City Park and enjoy the Kiddie Rides that cost between $0.25 and $0.50 each.  We've never gone before, so this was a huge deal to the kids.  After Disney we thought they might be a little disappointed, but they were excited and ran around with tickets to go on all the rides.  

This carousel is over 100 years old.  It's beautiful!  Tabi wanted me to ride with her, but Johanna and I sat this one out.  Ephraim loved it, though.

 Tabi was so proud that she got to hold her own ticket for the next ride.

 Each kid got to pick their own vehicle on this ride.  Tabi wanted purple . . . . none to be found so she wanted blue.  

So did Ephraim, so they both got blue boats on opposite sides of the track.

They loved this ride!

All smiles!

Next we were on to the cars . . . blue again.

Ephraim opted for a brown car this time.

No seatbelts in this one which made me a little nervous.

Jo hanging out on my back while the big kids went on rides.  No fair!

I wasn't sure they'd want to go on the Ferris Wheel, but they decided they wanted to.

Glad they put them together in the car . . . . I don't think Tabi would have liked it otherwise.

Little roller coaster....Ed said it was pretty rough, but Ephraim started off with his arms in the air and both kids laughed and shrieked their way through it.  Guess we've got some little roller coaster lovers on our hands. 

 Helicopter ride that goes up and down and around - kind of like Dumbo.....they loved it.

The girls who ran the ride, did switch the kids' places, so that Ephraim wouldn't squish Tabi.

Back on the Carousel - Mama's riding this time too!

 Daddy and Ephraim are a few horses behind us.

Thumbs up!

Jo's cheeks are getting awfully red, so it's time to get going.

Monday morning:  Tabi's actual birthday - Happy 2nd Birthday! 

Tabi was thrilled with her Minnie balloon. 

 She looks way to grown up here - rolling her eyes already?  Looking at her balloon actually!

Such a great smile!

Happy, laughing, birthday girl.

Look at my balloon!

During naptime, Ed and I got to work on Tabi's "cake"  She didn't want cake, but asked for fruit to celebrate her birthday, we made chocolate covered banana "Minnies" - dunking the bananas.

 Then we added blueberry ears and a dehydrated strawberry bow.

I think they turned out pretty good - into the freezer until dessert!

During our skype with Granma and Granpa - opening presents.  Tabi LOVES her new Minnie pillow - it went straight into her crib.

Ooooh!  A swimsuit! (and a dress on the back of the couch next to her)

Look in response to the encouragement to check the bag one more time . . .

 Alright!  Sunglasses!

 Purple paper - always a fun time!

 Two new Arch Books!!  Yay!  Thanks Auntie D!

Crying because dinner was momentarily delayed.

Enjoying her pulled pork, green beans and dip.

Awed by a tray of Minnies.

Blowing out her candles!

 Yummy - taking her first bite!

Here's how they turned out up close - the outer chocolate ended up too thin, so it never hardened properly.  Oh well!

Doesn't seem to bother the birthday girl one bit!

A Banana Minnie-head on Minnie's skirt.

Opening her present from Nana and Papa - what is it?  Who cares . . . it's purple!

Checking out the inside . . . 

It's Minnie with removable clothes - so cute!

Showing of her new purse!

Oops!  Showing the cupcake side now.

Had a great birthday!  Time for bed! 

 To complete our birthday celebrations, we headed to the Children's Museum in town on Tuesday. (It's not open on Mondays.)  Ephraim's birthday "gift" back in April was a season pass to the zoo.  Tabi's "gift" is a season pass to the Children's Museum.  They loved it - lots to do and very imaginative.  I forgot to take the camera with, so no pictures, but they loved it - this summer's theme is fairy tales - they have dress up clothes (Cinderella's closet) and a pumpkin to ride in, plus marionettes and lots, lots more!  It was a great day.  Tabi also got a set of actual metal silverware (from Rachel, Brandon and Finley - thanks!), which she got super-excited about.  As is her tendency, she sat and divided up the silverware with "his" and "hers", so that Ephraim could share with her.  What a sweet little darling!  Happy Birthday Sweetness!