The Big Birthday Party

Violet and her friend Ania, who turned 3 two days after Violet turned 2, shared a birthday party this year. We rented out a gym at a local community center.

 

The had tons of kids toys and stuff to use for the party, plus a trampoline and a lunch room to do cake and food in.

 

 

 

Caspar.

 

Ania & Violet with their cake!

 

Claire, Stacey, and Tyler (Violet's best friend).

 

Brian, Henry & Susan.

 

 

Violet & Tyler on a see-saw boat.

 

Lorenzo & Alex.

Violet's Birthday Photos

 

Opening presents.

 

Going out to dinner with her new flashlight and Zoey doll.

 

Birthday ice cream after dinner!

 

 

At Ben and Jerry's.

Getting Our Xmas Tree

On December 3rd we all drive out to Bill's farm (our CSA) to pick out and cut down our Christmas Tree for this year.

 

I was a tough choice... there were, literally, 1000's of trees to choose from.

 

We finally found it and Wind and Violet marked the spot while I walked around looking making sure it really was the right tree... :)

 

Farm kitty.

 

When we got home we decorated it. It was a little harder, and more fun, this year, due to a 2-year-old--helper.

 

This is when she first laid her eyes on what she calls "baby Santa". She talks about him all the time and has even slept with him a few times since then.

Singing instead of sleeping

Last night, after her birthday party, she did not want to go to bed even though she hadn't taken a nap that day. She cried and then would stop crying and stall by singing the ABC song, then she would cry again.
Wind got a video (although you can't see anything because it was too dark) of her singing the song. It is SOOOOO cute.

Happy Birthday Violet!

Today Violet turns 2 years old. I cannot believe it has been 2 years already.
She is an amazing little person. She says over 500 words, 5-6 word sentences, runs, laughs all the time, has friends of her own and tells me "Mama, I love you" all the time. She is really a sweet, caring little person.
Wind made her this video to commemorate the event...

violet is 2 by gardamin

Thanksgiving in CJ

This year we went to CJ for Thanksgiving. I neglected to take almost any pics... but here are the few I took.

Violet's new toddler bed at Nana & Papa's house with Elmo sheets and comforter.

Riding the rocking horse...

Sleeping. :)

Oops - back one month - September 2011 - Seatlle

In September Violet and I took Violet's first train ride to Seattle to stay with Nana and Papa in a hotel. Nana was going to a conference and had to work during the day, but V & Paper & I bought a Seattle Pass and went EVERYWHERE. We went to the Zoo, the Space Needle, Underground Tour, Experience Music Project, the Aquarium, and a boat cruise!
I, unfortunately, lost my photos of the trip, so don't have many to show... but here are some my Dad took.

October 2011 - Halloween

This is the first year we took Violet trick-or-treating. She has been practicing (see earlier video).

ZigZag is ready to hand out candy with Oscar &Nana & Papa.

I really didn't think V would actually say anything when the doors opened because she is usually really shy at first, but she said "Trick-or_tweat" at every door. She also said "thank you" after getting the candy. I was really proud of her!

Libby, Jason, & Caspar (dressed as Dumbo) came along.

She VERY much enjoyed her spoils.

October 2011 - Pumpkin Patch Trip #2

We went to a different pumpkin patch the weekend of Halloween with the Dolatas, Freddis, Ashbury/Galvins, and Kane/Slossers. We dressed up all the kids and drank apple cider, looked at animals, picked out pumpkins and ate food.

Lorenzo, Ania, Henry, & Violet

Violet and her Nana,

Looking for the perfect pumpkin.

Nick and Nora.

October 2011 - Halloween Music Class & After

Every year Violet's music class has a dress up party the week before Halloween.
As you can see from previous posts, V had two costumes this year. A lion and Elmo. She wore Elmo to this class.
It was a good choice because she was a kid rock-star. When she walked in several kids yelled "ELMO!!!" and ran over. I am pretty sre one little boy actually though she was Elmo.

After class we always hang out with Stacey and Violet's best friend, She wanted to continue wearing her Elmo costume. They decided on the way back from lunch that they would roll around in someone's yard.

October 2011 - Practicing Trick-or-Treating

"Trick or tweat. Give me candy."

October 2011 - Bucket Hats

October 2011 - Beach Trip

We went on a little weekend trip to the beach in the middle of October.

 

We went to Seaside on day...

 

There was a cool swingset ON THE BEACH.

 

At Cannon Beach we went down to the tide pools...

 

V loved how crazy Zig gets on the beach!

And we had lots of fun playing in the sand.