Happy Birthday to Lily!

She's not two until Wednesday, but we had her birthday party today since her "favorite" Avery is out of town next weekend. A birthday party without Avery would have been a disaster.

Lily in her birthday dress which used to be mommy's dress several years ago.

We had her party at a local park with a big sand box--Lily's favorite. She loves digging in the sand and it can keep her occupied for a long time. So we brought some new sand toys for all the kids and just let them do what they wanted.

Lily requested mac & cheese and hot dogs for her birthday lunch so that's what we had. And and Elmo cake. She was very specific about that request. Her favorite characters right now are Elmo and Mickey Mouse. It was a tough choice for her but Elmo won out and an Elmo party is what she wanted.

The party set up.

Lily poking the sand before her friends arrived.

Singing Happy Birthday to Lily.

Lily's big present this year from us and from her Bauby & Papa was a playhouse. This is set up in the basement for rainy days and the winter. We seem to get at least one rainy day a week so even though it's warmer out now we still spend some days inside. She loves the playhouse of course. It has a doorbell that she rings each time she goes in or out the door. And it has a phone that she carries around everywhere she goes. She loves playing the basement and it's an excellent distraction if I need to fold laundry. She'll still get a couple more presents on her actual birthday and we're planning on taking a trip to the zoo on Wednesday for her actual birthday.

Lily's house.