It's hard to believe, but our sweet Ali Bear is a big two-year old! The old cliché of "how time flies" is so very (often painfully) true when it comes to the days of childhood. I have loved every single second of watching this girl grow and develop her own little personality. She has a spirit that just seems to sparkle to me. We celebrated her special day at her favorite place...the Anthem Train Park!
We started the morning by giving her our gifts!
Her own Pooh Bear backpack! (She loves to carry her sister's at school drop-off)
Tigger needs to hitch a ride.
OK wait...I am not comfortable with this image. She looks too old! sniff sniff.
Pooh Bear socks...these girls love their accessories.
Grand finale...her own pink scooter! She's been practicing on Peyla's for months!
I love my girl!
Family photo op at the park.
Grandpa Gary jumped right in for play time!
These two girls had a blast just running in the grass.
Ali and Ava join forces!
A cute daddy-daughter moment with Nate and Adeline.
Train ride! Choo-choooo!
The Pooh Bear cake...which she talked about for months before...
ready for the big moment...
I wonder if she wished to meet Pooh??
Happy birthday Ali!
My sweet
Ali,
Happy
birthday to my darling girl! I can't believe it, but you will wake up tomorrow
and be two years old. I've felt nostalgic for the last few weeks as I know your
babyhood is coming to an end and each day you appear more like a little girl.
Your beautiful face is maturing, and your confidence continues to grow as you
gain new knowledge and achievements. Just the other day, I saw you jump for the
first time. Sure, you've been "jumping" for about a year now but this
time both feet actually came off the ground! It's the little things that remind
how deeply blessed I am to be your mother. There is something special about
you, my dear Ali. I like to say that you are my heart. Everything about you
fills me up and my world is infinitely brighter, because I get to be your
"mommy".
You have
such a way about you, it's almost hard to find the words. You smile so bright
and bring joy to pretty much anyone who crosses your path. You have a beautiful smile that always seems to reach your eyes and they twinkle
with equal parts innocence and mischief. You love your sister fiercely and do
anything you can to make her happy if she's upset...bringing her a favorite
doll, patting her back or saying "wat wong sis-ee". You adore your
Pooh Bear, it's crazy how much Pooh paraphernalia we have in our home...Pooh
blankets, "Big" Pooh, "Little" Pooh, Pooh the movie. You
always request your Little Pooh and blanket (the one that Mimi had made for you
as a baby, that says "Ali"). You always want/welcome a cuddle from
mommy. In fact, you say "I yuve mommy aaaaand Pooh bear". You light
up when daddy gets home and love to ride on his back. You sure are particular
about your food- buttered noodles, pretzels, fruit snacks and apple slices make
the cut. If I'm lucky, I can sneak in a few green beans! You want to do
anything and everything your sister does. You try to ride her scooter (and do
so well that we bought you your own for your birthday...shhhh!), you love to
take her to pre-school and always ask if you can stay, you want to climb where
she climbs, run, jump...you name it. Nothing holds you back. In fact, your classic mantra is "I do it...I doooooo it". There is a bravery within your soul, I've seen it several times. That's going to serve you well in
this life my darling! I hope you always embrace that part of yourself! Always
be ready to speak your mind, help others if they need you, be true to yourself
and your own dreams. Never, ever compromise the core of who you are for anyone
else. I love you more than you could ever know, it's a bond that can never be
described, captured or duplicated. Happy 2nd birthday baby!
Love
Mommy
