Sleeping girls

Checking on the girls before I go to bed is one of my favorite times. They are so precious. And I get some of my greatest pictures. Here are a couple of recent ones.

This one Daddy took. The panda sleeping mask she got at her birthday. 

Allyson and her sweet dog, Lucy. Oh. And the bird, Jewel,  from the movie, Rio. 

Mallory's 2nd Birthday

Nicole and Allyson helped me wake up Mallory with a birthday song. (She didn't totally appreciate me turning on the light.)

Last week when I was sick Britt must have let Mallory watch some Sesame Street because she suddenly noticed Elmo everywhere. I knew that would need to be the theme for her birthday party. Britt (and Pinterest) helped me with the decorations.

We tried to save a little money by doing a homemade cake. I was so nervous! But we think it turned out pretty cute. Totally didn't save much as we have completely lost (or possibly broken) the flat-bottom part of my bundt pan so we ended up buying two cake pans plus the Elmo and the cake ingredients. Oh well. I guess we can save money on the next cake. If we don't misplace the new pans...

Since I was sick the week before and Easter was the day before Mallory's birthday, I decided to keep this party simple. Just cake and ice cream. And cookies. Because I found Elmo cookies on Pinterest that I had to try. And candy. Because that added color and was cute. And punch. Because you have to have drinks and I have a punch bowl. Anyway... it didn't turn out so simple. But I tried.

Perfection was never the goal. :)

I was so excited to find this little outfit in Wal Mart's clearance section! It was a 3T but fit her just fine. She loved her Elmo dress!

Our friends, Doug & Sarah, let us use their bounce house again. It literally fills our entire driveway. It looks like another house on the block! But the kids ... especially my kids ... love it!

After Britt had it all set up, he sent me this picture with the caption, "Welcome to crazy Britt's fun house!"

My mom's cousin, Becky, and her sweet twin granddaughters, Allie and Reese.

After bouncing we went inside for cake and punch. Nicole was making balloon animals for the kids. That sound you hear is a balloon popping. 

Allie and Reese

Darcy and Allyson

Blake!

Holland and Nicole

Our neighbor, Jill, came over. Mallory doesn't enjoy the camera much.

Time for presents!

Our neighbor, Barbara (her son is Blake who went to preschool with Allyson) loves Snoopy. We went to Target together the other night and picked this out for Mallory. She loved it. (The doll was from Holland and Darcy.)

And now presents from Aunt Becky, Allie & Reese

Allie and Reese filled shoeboxes with little goodies and "wrapped" them all by themselves. Oh, and Nicole got a balloon kit from the Easter bunny the day before so she was making balloon animals for the kids. There was a lot of "popping" during the present-opening time.

Train from Aunt Becky.

Mallory loves choo-choos!

And now... the grand finale! A present from the grandparents!!

Mallory's new helmet for her new ATV.

After the party was over, Dad got in the bounce house with the girls before bedtime. Here's how that went. (It's dark and blurry but just listening to it is hilarious.)

We had a couple of gifts from Mom & Dad that didn't arrive till the next day. One was a sand & water table and a little chair to replace one that we've had for a long, long time. The box was a big hit!

Trying on outfits from Miss Barb and Aunt Becky.

Happy Birthday sweet Mallory! Mommy cannot believe you are already two years old. You have complete this family in every wonderful way. We love you SO, SO SOOOO much!!!