Second birthday

Birthday-eve dinner

Birthday breakfast

Listening to her singing birthday card

Zarya is two years old! Astounding! We had a very pleasant, low-key birthday weekend. I think Zarya quite enjoyed it, and the fun is still going on this week, too, with a few extra play dates with friends.

Her actual birthday fell on a Sunday, and we had a friend from Tanzania passing through our town on Saturday evening/Sunday morning, so we did her birthday dinner the day before her birthday. Unfortunately, our friend's travel arrangements didn't work out quite as planned, so Zarya ended up eating her dinner by herself. She didn't seem to mind at all, and had two giant helpings of chicken and broccoli casserole and rice. She opened some presents and dug into a third bowlful of rice and casserole and had some strawberry ice cream while we were eating a bit later.

On Sunday morning she got two eggs to celebrate being two. What can I say, the kid loves her scrambled eggs! She's also a big fan of raisins, so I made Welsh Griddle Cakes (think stovetop scones) for her birthday breakfast. We stuck two candles in it, which she required a bit of help in blowing out. At least she wasn't scared of them this year, like she was when she turned one.

After some more presents, it was time for church. She got to go to the two-year-olds' class, which lasts for the entire service. That was our present for two years of parenting! No more wiggly, heavy child wanting to be held for thirty minutes of worship and announcements! We should have about six weeks of freedom until we have a new baby, and I plan to thoroughly enjoy every child-free Sunday.

Our little cutie is a happy, smart, sweet little (okay, she's big) toddler. We love our two-year-old! Thus far there is not a sign of anything terrible, but then again, we're only two days into being her being two.