Tutu and Ties.

Due to Natallie's infatuation with tutus, I decided to do a "tutu's & ties" birthday party for Natallie this year. I found pink tutus for the girls and pink ties for the boys on Ebay (love Ebay! what can't you find on there?!)
 The tutu's came in a week before the party and I let Natallie try it on, she was so excited. I had to hide them in the closet until her very pink tutu & ties party.

Simon helped me mow the lawn, clean the house and scrub the BBQ while I worked on preparing all the food, which was all mostly pink, pink pink! I wasted time on things like driving to 4 different grocery stores until I found pink wafer cookies and meticulously icing a million tiny cupcakes and adorning it with a raspberry. I had my heart set on finding hot pink gerber daisies but after going to 3 different markets I gave up and settled on these other pink flowers (anyone know what these are called?)

So I guess while Simon did the hardwork, we worked well as a team getting things all ready and everything looked so pretty!!!

my little helper who made sure the icing tasted alright

Then we had to make sure Natallie knew that it was her birthday and that she was turning 2. This photo is of Natallie answering, "how old are you?"



And then it's party time. My favourite part was seeing all of Natallie's friends in their pink tutu's and ties. Last year a lot of Natallie's little friends couldn't walk yet (or weren't even born yet!).  Too bad we didn't have Natallie's besties, Nala & Alexa sitting in the same order as her birthday last year but look at the difference a year makes!


Love seeing all of Natallie's little friends grow up...



Last year Natallie had no clue what to do when everyone started singing Happy Birthday to her, but this year we had been talking and practicing pretend to blow a pretend candle she was pro at it. AND unlike last years cake smash, her face was covered in much less icing than last year.

1st birthday vs. 2nd birthday cake

And the birthday HUGS from all her friends....so precious.

And even a kiss for Toby

Then there were presents, thank you everyone who were kind enough to not only bring presents for Natallie but were considerate enough to not buy her anything that requires multiple batteries or makes loud obnoxious noises. I think her favourite right now is a pink guitar from Miranda/Darrell & Tyler/Amanda. Someone will have to teach her how to play it because unfortunately neither Simon and I can even keep clap in rhythm.

 Simon also got her a Home Depot toy tool kit. Natallie also loves running around the house with her hammer and saw "fixing" everything. Natallie's love for tools makes Simon very proud.

Thank you to all of you who came to celebrate Natallie's birthday with us and we pray that we continue to have you all in our lives as we all figure out this thing called parenthood together!