Happy Birthday Archie!

Archie had his 2nd birthday a couple of weeks ago.  We were lucky enough to be joined by Campbell's parents who are visiting from New Zealand.  It was the first week of their visit and a great way to start it off.

I hosted a Mom's n Tot's playdate at our house (which occurs every week at a volunteer's house).  You never know how many people can make it.  To my surprise, we had 21 children under the age of 4 and 15 adults......we have a tiny house.  Amazingly, everyone fit and the kids played well.  I think we were at FULL capacity though.  It was a really nice way to celebrate Archie's birthday with new friends and buddies to play with.

I had great plans on making a cake for Archie.....but then the reality of living here thwarted plans A, B, and maybe C.  And then I learned some valuable lessons about baking in a gas oven which I knew none of the settings for.  The first cake I baked was inedible.  I baked it a couple days ahead to have time to frost it.  I tried a new recipe for the second (after I read the owner's manual IN DUTCH on how to work the oven, plus I did a search on the internet on tips for baking in a gas oven).  The second recipe called for whipped egg whites to be folded into the batter.  Well, I don't have a mixer and I discovered that an imersion hand mixer will definitely NOT make whipped egg whites.  So we took turns whipping by hand with a whisk.  NEVER AGAIN will I whip egg whites by hand.  I will just skip the recipes calling for it!

Then, I had grand ideas for making a cake with a road, little hot wheel cars and diggers making the road, and piles of dirt, ect.  But, no cars were to be found here, nothing close to cars or little construction trucks that I could put on the cake anywhere.  So I found gummy cars, made a road, some grass, and called it good.  The cake was great and we all enjoyed it.

 Luckily, Nana was there to take care of a very shy little man.  We were singing to him and it was all a little too much for him to handle.  Fortunately, there wasn't a meltdown!

The next day, we opened gifts and had some playtime. 

 Log Truck!!

 Trash Truck!!

Special Pillow made by Nana and there is a really nice wall hanging to go with it.  Archie has it in his tent where he cuddles up with his blanket.

 Sylvie was so tired she was falling asleep in Jim-Bob's arms and we were having some good laughs as she was so darn cute.

 Music time with Jim Bob (Archie calls him Jay-Boo)

 Who know the bucket was so entertaining.  He wanted to walk around with it on his head.....that ended quickly  before we had tears!

 Archie would only put Sylvie's glasses on upside down.  They were both enjoying this little game.  For some reason, Sylvie had to have her mouth wide open with the glasses on!

 And, we are now bringing out all the fun dresses to wear as well!

 Some random cuddles...notice the fingers in Archie's nose!

 He got her back with some kisses to the ear.