Bestie Summer Fun

 

 the "train" at the mall

 

 We spent a day at Park City with Sheena, H, Lindsey and her parents. We ate pizza and perused the strip, and then the girls explored the Olympics museum--their favorite thing was sitting in the bobsleds--while Sheena and the others rode the luge. Sheena watched the girls while I joined the others in the zip-line! I felt exhilarated!

Riverwoods splash pad, of course. (Alex went here about once a week this summer.) Alex and her bestie also hit the playground, Farm Country, and the mall playground, and more. They talk about each other often and I believe they'll stay friends, just as Sheena and I will.

2-Year Photos

I am determined to master my camera (Nikon D3100), so I decided to shoot Alexandra's 2-year photos myself.

Fail.

Except these gems:

Love those cheeks.

Alexandra's First Trike

For her birthday, Alexandra got a tricycle! I am upset that it is pink and not classic red, but it was on sale. Matthieu and I assembled it while she was taking a nap and so she woke up to a surprise. She has always admired bikes and she likes to sit on them even if they're not moving. She doesn't like to pedal on her own yet, even though she can.

Alexandra's Birthday (continued)

Matthieu's parents celebrated with Alexandra from afar. Thank goodness for Skype!

 

Auntie Jenna Came to Visit!

Jenna came for a long weekend for Alexandra's birthday. We marched for babies, partied with 2-year-olds, hung out at my parents', and visited the Clark Planetarium! Alex told everyone we talked to that Jenna came from Minnesota. The visit went by much too quickly, but soon enough we'll live right in Jenna's neighborhood!

Alexandra's Birthday Party

Alexandra's birthday party was the same day as the March for Babies, and Benjamin's state track meet (he placed 8th for shotput!) because I knew my parents, Benjamin, and Mia would be in town. And Aunt Jenna came from Minnesota for a long weekend visit that just went by way too quickly, because Jenna is delightful. Alexandra had a fun birthday party, and a fun actual birthday, and seems to be into being two. At first, when we asked her, "How old are you? Are you two?" she would say, "No, I'm one!" Sorry, kid, but you're two.

I am obsessive about birthday parties. Well, at least the two she's had so far. I insisted that the food be on theme with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and that it have holes poked in it just like I saw on Pinterest. I think Jenna was secretly rolling her eyes every time I said "on theme". But she and my mom and Mia helped a lot, and everything turned out cute, and more importantly, everyone had fun running around the park and on the playground, and eating cupcakes (store-bought, because who was I kidding trying to have two major events on the same day...did I learn nothing from last year?). Many of Alexandra's besties (and mine :)) made it on a busy Saturday afternoon.

More party pictures on my picture book blog.

27 Birthdays

I was not terribly excited for my birthday this year, since I hadn't accomplished ANY of the goals I set for myself this year. I wanted to verify that, just in case I did meet one, but I lost the document in which they were recorded, apparently. But then, I realized I had made new friends in this past year, which is very difficult for me. New friends are certainly worth celebrating!

Benjamin was in town for a track meet the Friday/Saturday before my birthday. Alexandra and I watched him throw shotput, and then we went to Provo Beach Resort to do the ropes course. It was my second time, and Matthieu's and Benjamin's first times. 

Then, Benjamin watched Beauty and the Beast with Alexandra while Matthieu and I had a romantic dinner at La Jolla. I asked the server if there were any desserts which could be set on fire. There weren't, but he brought my chocolate cake out with five candles (four more than usual)! 

On Saturday, my parents came to see Benjamin compete, and so we joined them at the meet, and then they watched Alexandra while Matthieu and I went to see The Avengers, new in theaters. Afterward, we all had a quick dinner at my favorite bakery, Kneader's. 

On Sunday, sweet S baked me a Finnish berry-whipped cream cake (from scratch!) and brought it over as a surprise, with N and H. They sang and I blew out a match. I loved it, and wish I had photographic evidence. They told me that night they're expecting #2, and I am so excited for them.

(My birthday was dampened only by a horrible outbreak of hives. Why!? I still don't know, though I believe I am allergic to something in this apartment.)

And now, to copy my study-abroad-"friend"-whose-blog-I-read-for-no-real-reason, 

27 Things to Do While 27:

1. Yell less.

2. Feel more comfortable in the temple.

3. Drink a glass of water every day. The more, the better, obviously.

4. Get a domain for my blog.

5. Monetize my blog.

6. Get a job, or more work, and hack away at debt.

7. Learn Swedish. Three phrases will count.

8. Give Alexandra mini-lessons, like 15-minute home school, a few times each week.

9. Send birthday, Christmas, Easter, and one unexpected package to my nieces.

10. Send relatives in Finland pictures or a postcard at least 9 times.

11. Purge a little more before moving.

12. Move to Minnesota. Buy a "happy lamp" for the winter.

13. Consider getting a dog, but decide against it. Consider it again at Alexandra's birthday.

14. Continue this blog.

15. Read some books. 5? At least 5.

16. Play tennis.

17. Go swimming every week of the summer.

18. Go for family bike rides.

19. Get ride of some of that belly fat.

20. Try making another baby.

21. Try to not freak out and over-research everything about pregnancy, childbirth, siblings, name meanings, maternity clothes, baby gear, nurseries, etc., (starting now.

22. Take more videos of Alexandra.

23. Organize and edit videos of Alexandra.

24. Make a 2-year movie of video clips.

25. Keep the house cleaner, or clean more often, so that one time when someone drops by it will not be embarrassing. Paying a housekeeper counts, though that may not be in the budget.

26. Back up blogs and pictures periodically.

27. Book trips to Finland, Europe, and Virginia.