Of course, two years old doesn’t anticipate and thus Bella was much more excited about the birthday than Sophie was. Still, we did our best to make it a special day.
On Wednesday I bought Sophie a balloon at the grocery store. A shiny mylar balloon covered with butterflies. We almost lost it when we got home. A crossbreeze swept it out of the minivan and into the waiting arms of our helpful peach tree. Had it not been for the tree, the balloon would have been gone. All afternoon and evening Bella was jealous and kept taking the balloon. Probably should have got two of them.
Thursday morning we made a cake. Bella helped collect the ingredients, read the instructions, measured, and greased and floured the pan with me.
Both girls helped to clean the beaters.
Sophie may not anticipate; but she shure knows how to live in the moment.
Midmorning a knock at the door. I had Sophie on my hip, which was perfect as it was a man delivering an edible fruit arrangement from Grandma B. It came with a teddy bear and a second mylar balloon. (Grandma, how did you know?)
Bella helped Sophie eat the fruit.
Yum, pineapple!
And strawberries on a stick!
Bella helped herself to grapes on a skewer.
I roasted a chicken for dinner as Sophie adores meat. I was so glad that she’s got her appetite back.
And then we had cake and ice cream. Sophie had to have help blowing out the candle. Thanks, Bella.
And she got frustrated eating her ice cream.
Bella also helped Sophie open the presents.
And so did mama.
Then every toy had to be played with. Every book had to be read.
It was a late evening.
When I finally got her into bed, Sophie was still clutching one last board book. She kept up her monologue after I turned off the light. I sat in the dark nursing Ben and trying to sing the girls to sleep; but Sophie would not stop chattering. Poor Bella lay in her bed whimpering. I finally hd to leave the room. No protest from my usually clinging Sophie, just a ‘Bye, Mama.’ I think she kept it up about ten minutes before she really noticed I was gone and started crying for me.
She slept all through the night for the first time in a long while. A nice birthday gift to poor tired Mama. (I was still up every two hours with Ben; but that’s a story for another blog post.)
I love the pictures of the two of them together. Very cute! I always feel sorry that Cherub doesn’t have a sibling the right age to be a real playmate, though she adores her big sisters and she them. Fortunately she has found her little friend N who comes often enough and for long enough to get some serious play time in. Lots of imaginative play – very funny to watch!
So sweet Melanie!
How precious!
I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel bad for Felicity too wondering if she gets as much attention as a 2 year old as Cecilia got when she was 2. But then there are times when Felicity is crying and she doesn’t want me but goes to Cecilia for comfort or refuses to come to me because she is having a “conversation” with “Beff” (she hasn’t quite worked up to Elizabeth yet). Precious, precious moments. Thanks for sharing a few of yours!
With that look on Ben’s face how could you resist kissing him.