Halvorsen Tales: Birthday Fun! Brie is TWO!

It still boggles my mind that we've been blessed with our little Brielle for two years now. My how the time has flown! She is growing into such a fun, joyful, spirited, independent (no idea where she gets THAT from), loving little girl. She gives THE best hugs and hearing her little voice say "I love you Mama" is just about the best thing I hear all day :).

We were so happy to have nana, papa, aunt "do-do" and Gizmo join us for Brie's birthday celebrations. On her actual birthday we took her to the Austin zoo. It's a very small sanctuary zoo and all of the animals there are rescued or donated. They have peacocks (one of Brie's favorite phrases right now is, "Peacocks are LOUD!"), lions, tigers, bears, large tortoises, pigs, foxes, small monkeys, plus an area where you can feed greedy goats, deer and a llama :). Brie LOVES this place. We got a family membership so she and I can go every week or two to visit Mr. Lion and all his friends. I'm sure BH2 will come to love the zoo as well. Since it was her birthday we also tried the train ride for the first time. It was just the right length for a new little 2-year-old and she loved it. After the zoo we headed on over to Chick-fil-a where she once again refused to eat chicken nuggets or french fries. She did however devour her cinnamon applesauce and milk...I guess I should be happy she's so healthy? Later in the afternoon we gave her her gift from us, a new wagon. She has seen other kids' wagons and loved them, so I was really excited to give her her own. She immediately climbed in and wanted a ride. I see many wagon rides in our future :)! She enjoyed a few more presents from family and later in the evening we had her cake and ice cream. She took one tiny bite of the cake and took it back out of her mouth...but, she did enjoy her ice cream (that's my girl!). All in all I think she had a pretty fabulous day...but the fun was not over!

On Saturday we had a small family/close friend party. Thank goodness my mom and sister were there to help!! They (OK, and even my DAD too) helped make some pretty cute decorations, helped me clean, helped me get food prepped, and just helped me do whatever. It was such a blessing to have them here! Everyone arrived at 2 and we started off by viewing Brie's 2-year photo montage video. She LOVES watching it and everyone else enjoyed her reactions to it as well. Then we had some snacks before present time. This is the first time that she really understood presents and was SO excited to dive into them. She got some really fun things and is excited to play with all of her new toys and read her new books. Then, her and her cousins enjoyed some time outside in the water table and swimming pool. Luckily we had borrowed a canopy and there was pretty good cloud cover, so it wasn't toooo hot for a July afternoon in Texas :). We ended with cupcakes and ice cream. She decided she really enjoyed the "Happy Birthday" song that we all sang her and kept requesting we sing it again, and again, and again :). Pretty cute! She had a wonderful time and we were so glad to have everyone come and help her celebrate.

After all the celebrations were over we had to change focus and get her and me packed and ready for our trips. Early (like EARLY) Sunday morning, Brie left for NE with nana, papa, Re, and Gizmo while I flew up to St. Louis for the week. Brie is spending almost two weeks in NE while I help teach a class at Wash U and then attend an interpreting workshop back in Austin. I'm already looking forward to August 2nd when I go get her back :)! But, I know she is going to have a FABULOUS time being spoiled by nana, papa and auntie Re and I know she's in great hands. Lucky for me, I am keeping VERY busy and don't have much time to dwell on how much I miss my girl...and of course the technology of video chat is helpful as well :). Needless to say, the next 11 days can go ahead and fly by and I won't mind a bit!

Here are just a few of the MANY pictures we snapped during all the birthday fun (between me, nana and auntie Re we literally have hundreds and hundreds...it's hard not to when you have such a cute subject matter to photograph!).

The Big 2!

Little cake for her birthday--thanks Wal-Mart :)!

Ready to celebrate with nana and papa!

Love my little 2-year-old!

Sit 'n Spin Fun! I was amazed how quickly she figured this out. She had a blast!

Fun at the zoo!

Lawn mower bubble maker from Auntie Re was a big hit too!!

Our silly girl! You would have thought she had eaten the whole piece of cake and all the ice cream...not just a few bites of ice cream and no cake :)!!