1 + 1 = 2!!!

Although this was Daisy's 2nd birthday, it seemed like a big First: first time blowing out the candles, first time building the anticipation - and sustaining the excitement - for the big day, first birthday party with friends. Thanks to all for your cards, gifts, and emails - they boosted the day out of the ordinary and into a celebration, full of reminders of love. We miss you!!!

Here is a "storyboard" of the birthday (Thurs, 2/25) and our breakfast party (Sat, 2/27).

Daisy achieved this graceful pose by trying to climb up onto the piano bench. I love the way it shows off the ruffles on her new dress from Mama and Dada! She likes it because we call it a "tutu dress."

Prepping the chocolate chip teddy bear pancakes. This yellow chair is her home in the kitchen.

Present time!

We had fun at Spielgruppe. More 1-year-olds have joined, and this upcoming month will be our last before graduating to "Maxigruppe," which will be at a different location and with a different teacher. We've been with Silke for about 9 months now, and it will be sad to say goodbye. We sang German birthday songs, they lit a birthday candle for Daisy, and they had brought gifts and balloons for her. Very sweet.

With relatively mild weather, we were able to go to the park after her nap.

Back home to play and make tacos for dinner. It was a "Daddy-Daisy" night since Mama had German class.

Silliness. She's actually been doing this tongue thing quite a bit.

PARTYPARTYPARTY

A cake in the shape of a "2" that I ordered from a bakery in the city center. I think that I mentally rehearsed a cutting procedure about 7 times throughout the morning. The little animals who were driving cars on top were edible, much to the delight of the children. Daisy could hardly wait to dig in!

The adults at the party, eating breakfast. Trixi is in green (Konstantin's mom), Megan in yellow (wife of Neil from lab), and Heather and Dave, Bryanna's parents, are sitting across from them. We got to know them through an English church in Dusseldorf, and now I regularly see Heather and Bryanna during the week for "Mums Group."

One of the few shots of the kids together: the oldest is Lily, my piano student. Closest to her is her brother, Konstantin. Bryanna is leaning over the table, and Daisy is about to go sprint down the hallway. Lily was so delightfully playful and helpful with the toddlers that Chris suggested that we also have our kids 9 years apart.

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet Daisy Charlotte!