Lana's Dora Birthday Party

Saturday June 25, 2011:

   With Gigi and Grandpa in town we threw Lana a Dora Birthday Party.  It was a small get together with Lana's friend Dillon, his parents Melissa and Jim, Gigi, Grandpa, Mom, and Dad.  The first hour we let the kids play at the sand and water table.  Then Alex grilled some hamburgers and hotdogs and we had a great lunch. I made Dora cupcakes and they were a hit.

The spread (I even made a cheese ball).

MMmmmm  Dora and Boots cupcakes

Ice cream

ooohhhh

Big bite!

We ended the party with presents, Lana did a great job opening them this year.  Dillon enjoyed watching Lana open her gifts.

I love how Gigi and Grandpa are modeling Lana's new PJ's in the background.

 We tried to get some family shots, Lana was being silly and these were the best we got.

Sarah

Gigi and Grandpa come to the Denver Zoo

Friday June 24, 2011:

   Friday morning we had to pick up some visitors!  Gigi and Grandpa came to visit and we decided to start our weekend off with our first trip to the Denver Zoo. 

We got there when it opened at 9 and left just before noon.  We had a great time seeing some animals, but we barely saw 1/4 of the zoo.  It was heating up fast and we all had been up before dawn and decided we'll just have to come back another time.  Here are some of the animals we saw.

Lion "Rooaarr"

Tiger

Giraffes

Peacock

Lana didn't want to get too close.

Just beautiful!

Alligator Turtle (found in Eastern US)

small turtles and fish

   Lana loved seeing all the animals, but she loves her big stuffed monkey even more.  Grandpa got it for her at the gift shop before we went in and she held on to him every time she was in her stroller.  When walking around monkey sat in the stroller to save her spot and Lana even fell asleep with her monkey, too cute.

  
   We all felt this tired after a busy morning and headed for home to take naps.  Everyone took a nap except for me, I was busy trying new cupcake recipes.  Two chocolate recipes failed, finally one vanilla recipe worked.  Baking in high altitude is really challenging.

    Sarah

Father's Day

Sunday June 19, 2011:

   This Father's Day Lana wore a new Dora shirt and was a helper for Daddy.

Unlucky for us we got a nail in one of our wheels so early on Father's Day Alex had to put the spare on, but Lana wanted to help. 

That afternoon we took Dad out for a Father's Day lunch at Taste of Philly for some authentic Philly Cheesesteaks, yum!  That evening I made Dad some special dark chocolate chunk and pecan cookies.  Lana grabbed one of the counter, she even got one before Daddy.  She loved every bite though.

Fun at Belleview Park

Thursday June 16, 2011:

   Today Lana and I met with another Mom from the Littleton Playdate Exchange at Belleview Park.  This is a beautiful park in Englewood with a stream, large playground, train, and petting zoo.  First we took the kids to the petting zoo.  Lana loved petting all the animals and telling us what animals they are and what sounds they make.

   Lana loves animals and wasn't even afraid of this baby calf walking around the yard.  Next we went on the train.  Everytime we hear a train at our house Lana says, "train, choo, choo!"  with the matching arm movement as well.

Lana's 2nd Birthday

June 15, 2011:  Lana's turning 2!

   What a fun day Lana has had on her 2nd birthday!  Since family is so far away this year and Alex has to work all day and has class this evening Lana and I have been doing fun activities all week.  We will throw her a birthday party Saturday June 25th while her Gigi and Grandpa are in town.  We hope some more extended family in Colorado can join us to celebrate, and of course Lana's friend Dillon. 

    Monday Lana went over to Dillon's house to play while Mom and Dad went to check on their new little girl via ultrasound.  Baby girl looks great, but she didn't want to stay still this time, and that's what the ultrasound technician wanted, go figure.  We do not have a name yet, but we're working on it. 

    On Tuesday Lana had her second gymnastics class.  She loves playing on all the equipment and on the mats.  She enjoys singing songs and playing instruments, but doesn't want to sit still for long, there is too much to explore.  We are walking across a low and high balance beam, bouncing on a trampoline, hanging on the rings, and uneven bars, playing in the ball pit, and even trying some forward rolls.  All in all it is a great time.  Afterwards we went to play at Northridge Park right next to the rec center.

 
     On Wednesday, Lana's actual birthday we had a playdate with Dillon.  Alex has the car, so we took the carseat and put it in Melissa's truck and we all went to Civic Green Park.  There are fountains and a stream for the kids to play in and a large playground.  Lana loved walking in the water and playing catch with Dillon.  Then she played on the playground before we headed back to our house for a hot dog lunch.

the fountains

rock climbing in the stream

cheese!

throw

2 friends on a rock

weeee

holding hands, too cute!

almost lunch time

   After lunch we had a big surprise waiting to Lana in the backyard.  A brand new sand a water table was waiting for her on the patio.  Lana and Dillon loved playing with the boats and digging in the sand.

New toy!

/

Playing with boats on the water side.

   Tonight I am making Lana Shrimp Francesca, she loves shrimp.  I'll make cupcakes for Lana's party later.  Tomorrow we are going with the Littleton Playdate Exchange to Belleview Park.  We are going to pet the farm animals and ride the train.  Looking forward to another fun day tomorrow.

   Sarah