This past weekend we had a birthday bonanza for Lily's 2nd birthday.  Family came from far and wide to spend a few days filled with trips to the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Children's Museum, and a Mickey-themed party.  It was as much fun as it was exhausting. Jake's sisters and parents came to town, and they brought Lily's cousin, Carter, in tow.  Lily loved having a fellow toddler to help her trash the playroom and to share meals with!

We went to the zoo on Saturday and the weather was as perfect as October 13th could possibly be.  It wasn't too cold for the kids to enjoy their time there, and it wasn't too hot for the animals to play outside.  I'm not sure if the kids or adults had more fun, but the kids got to ride in a sweet Jeep safari wagon, so that might give them the edge.

Saturday evening we had our family over for a pizza and every-other-food-under-the-sun party.  We had a cheese plate, chips and homemade onion dip, veggies and homemade buttermilk ranch, cookies, cupcakes with Oreo Mickey tops, spinach artichoke dip, apples with slow cooker dulce de leche, and Katie's famous stuffed mushrooms.  Don't worry; recipes are coming!

The party was Mickey Mouse themed, so naturally Lily was in love with the Minnie clothes and purse that my dad got her.  And she was also in love with the cupcakes and cookies.  Today, she walked up to me and said that she wants more cupcakes because they "taste good."  For better or worse, this girl has a sweet tooth just like her mama.

The bottom pictures on the bottom are Aubrey and Josh (our cousins) and Lily's Grandma Gwen.  They will all be back for Thanksgiving!

How cool is it that Nonnie and Grandpa could Skype with Lily at the party?  They were there with us when we sang Happy Birthday!  Which also means they were there with us when Lily stick her hand in the flame and screamed bloody murder.  But, hey, at least we were together.  Technology is an amazing thing.

Sunday was a trip to the Children's Museum.  That place is AWESOME.  Lily and Carter were obsessed with a life-sized Lite Brite wall and a whole room filled with trains and cars.  As you can see below, Carrie was right in line with the kids at the sand tables. If there weren't screaming children around, I'm sure those tables could be quite meditative.  What's not meditative?  The huge rainbow bounce tunnel.  Lily was (literally) bouncing off the walls.

The best part about the zoo and the museum?  We are members, so we can go back anytime we want!  Woohoo!  It will be a year-round celebration of the wonders of childhood.  Happy 2nd birthday, sweet girl!