birthday wishes, mommy wishes and sisters

My daughter turned two last week and, if she could communicate better, I think she would say I threw her a great party!  We painted canvases, ate pizza, enjoyed cupcakes, rode bikes around the cal-de-sac and celebrated with our closest friends.

The kids paintings were brillant!!  While each one finished and headed for a slice of pizza my daughter continued to paint and paint..... and paint.  Three canvases later I decided I better clean it up or she would be there all day.  She was in the zone.  She focused on all the colors and filling all the white space of the canvas to insure a beautiful final product.  The last canvas was a half paint brush half finger painting masterpiece.  I was thrilled to see how much she enjoyed my idea of having a painting party.

Turning two also brought on a gift of a new bike from me and Chris.  It's not the normal "pink" that I tend to pick for everything but a brilliant purple.  The surprise and excitement in her voice as she peeked inside the torn wrapping paper and said "a biiiikee!!" was enough to know we made another good choice.  She rode her new bike along with all her friends of the neighborhood.  She was looking more and more like a big kid.  One day I know she won't want to be "pushed" on the bike anymore and will ride off without me or Chris.  When that day comes..... I will buy a bike for me so I can ride along side her.  ;)

Now that her birthday is over and there is nothing else to plan for, I'm feeling a bit empty.  Not sure what to look forward to now.  My sister is here which has been great.  Keeping busy with her has left me humble and laughing constantly.  There is nothing like a sister.  There is nothing like having that best friend your whole life.  While she is not a "kid person" she sure does a good job at being an aunt.  She will play it off like it's nothing but deep down, Izzy will be the only kid she will ever love as if she was her own.  The way Izzy says "Emi" just about melts my heart every time.  And you know Emily has made it into the club when Izzy screams "EMI HELP!!" as she twist her little body on the carpet to get out of a diaper change.

So I'm not sure what Izzy wished for when she blew out her birthday candle but I wished a million wishes for her in that single second.  I'm looking forward to another year of more smiles, more days of getting dirty, more little laughs, more learning, more exploring, more hugs and kisses, more milestones and new experiences for both of us.

 A little help from her best friend, Ella. 


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So it has taken me two weeks to write this post.  While I am all caught up in my head with my writing, my fingers are falling way behind.  Right now I'm enjoying the last few days I have with my sister and that is way more important.