More Celebrating...

Yesterday kicked off a week long celebration of Talia's 2nd birthday. I know, why a week? With my parents still occupied with my sister's wedding wrap up, and my schedule, we're doing a couple of different family parties. Plus, her actual birthday. So, it's her "Birthday Week", I guess. It makes it a bit easier on me. It's hard to see her turn 2. Last baby, and all that jazz.

So, to start, I made my first attempt at "real" cake decorating. I bought the princess castle cake pan, the Wilton icing colors, and made her birthday cake (with my mom's homemade chocolate cake recipe, yum yum!) Then came the decorating part...It took me awhile, but it wasn't too difficult. I was really pleased with the results...

From Talia's 2nd Birthday

The only thing was I couldn't get my icing to color quite as vividly as in the picture.

Cole's family came over for cake and Ice cream, and Talia got some Darling things...

From Talia's 2nd Birthday

She couldn't get past all the hair barrettes that her grandma had put on the ribbon...we had to take them from her to see what was inside the present!

From Talia's 2nd Birthday

She thought all the clothes were "cute", but she especially loved the box of 6 pairs of princess shoes, and the Dressy Daisy doll...

From Talia's 2nd Birthday

She didn't want to blow out the candles (she likes fire, unfortunately). So I helped her...

From Talia's 2nd Birthday

Then she enjoyed a piece of cake...

From Talia's 2nd Birthday

It was so fun, and again, like last year, it was easier for me because I know it's not yet her "real" birthday. It doesn't matter that for all intents and purposes, she's 2...I don't have to deal with it until Wednesday. :)