You may have noticed that Alana has started returning to her roots. What does that mean, you ask? Well when she was a wee babe we called her Alana the Pirate Princess because she frequently had only one eye open.
Now two years later when we tell our Princess to smile, we get a one-eyed grimace that renders visions of stomach cramps, not pure birthday joy.
That's okay, we still think she's adorable.
I stressed and fretted, and maybe even sweated, over what to have her birthday cake be.
Cake and ice cream at a brunch? Seemed odd.
Coffee cake as a 2-year-old's birthday cake? Seemed inappropriate.
Just have muffins? Well she really likes muffins...but still not feeling it. I had envisioned something with frosting.
And finally, 1 1/2 days before the party, GG (Great Grandma) said, "Go with cinnamon rolls" and suddenly it was so simple! Of course! It was sweet, met the brunch theme criteria, had frosting, and everyone likes them! Winner winner!
And on a whim I sprinkled hers with M&Ms (or m's, as she calls them)...her cousins and uncles also followed suit.
We had to blow the candles out as a family, but that was okay, she pulled the wax stick out after and licked off the frosting so we're not completely inept as parents.
And then there were gifts and even a cousin to help open them!
And help play with them! Note the Grimace Grin that only family can truly love.
Then it's time to share our toys with our cousins! And yes, apparently the close-eyed 'smile' is hereditary. Please also note that this time she's holding on to her cousin's shoulders instead of his neck. Hey, we're a big 2-year old now, right?
The gift that keeps on giving: once Alana gets on her new trampoline she can't help but sing (shout!) loudly the song 'No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed' while she hop-hop-hops. Even after five minutes and she's panting from exhaustion, girlfriend doesn't give up! Someone's gonna have a 24" vertical by Kindergarten.
And one last gorgeous picture of our Pirate Princess. Happy Birthday!
