Lea is 2!

Someone must've been dreaming of a white second birthday, because we woke up to about 4 inches of snow, somewhat unexpectedly. (They'd been calling for a dusting.) Lea was thrilled. "It's snowy outside! See? See? See it's snowy outside!"

It was freezing, so we didn't last long outside before coming in for Lea's first hot chocolate. Also a big hit.



Most of the rest of the day was spent preparing for her party. We'd gone back and forth about whether we felt like throwing a party; I was afraid that our unusual house layout would be a challenge for families with little kids, but in the end we decided to just go for and make it as simple as possible. This meant simple food-- pizza from Bella's and cupcakes made from the box-- but preparing the house was still complicated, because we had to move tons of stuff around just to make sure there was a place for people to sit. I really only got pictures of the kids' section (we used our gigantic coffee table for the little ones, with milk crates to sit on.)

We had 11 kids under 6 and 11 adults. Not too bad. It was noisy and messy and chaotic, but totally worth doing. We realize that we actually have a nice core group of similarly-minded parents, who don't expect a children's birthday party to necessarily involve favor bags and organized activities; it's perfectly fine (preferable, actually) to just socialize and let the kids run around and wear each other out. Not bad at all.

Fun with complete sentences

In addition to learning some real conversation-stoppers like "I don't want to!", Lea has come out with a few pretty interesting and/or impressive and/or entertaining full sentences lately.  A sampling:

"I have to wear a jacket 'cause it's cold outside."

"I go to the doctor and a-lookin' at my leg."  (Sadly, yes, she's got a MRSA abscess on her thigh.  Boo.)

"Daddy's work-en-ing in the little truck!"

"Miss Sharie read a story with a grandma's house."

"I have poop right there in my bum."  (Also, "I'm stinky, Daddy.  I need to be changed.")

"I saw Derek Jeter!" (OK, that's probably not what she was intending to convey.  I can't figure out what she's going for that's sounding to me like "Derek Jeter."  She's said it quite a few times.  Hmm.)

Upon stepping outside first thing in the morning:  "It's nice out here!" or "It's a nice morning!"

The other funny stuff has to do with her ability to answer questions.  Example:

Lea: I want my cup!

Me: Hmm, kiddo, I don't know, I can't remember where it is.

Lea: It's upstairs!  In the bed!

And it is.  Amazing.

Me: What did you do at school today?

Lea: I had a snack at school today!

Me: Ok... 

Lea: I had... goldfishies!

Me: What else did you do today?

Lea: I had... apple slices!

Me: Did you read any books?

Lea: I read a book with Cameron.  I read a book with Raynna!

Me: Was that fun?

Lea: I do!

So, the syntax is not 100% there, but it still catches me off guard how well she's able to express herself.  Of course, she's officially TWO tomorrow and it's showing in all the not-fun ways.  She throws tantrums and outright refuses to pay attention.  She tries to run away in parking lots and occasionally squirms away from me when I'm attempting to buckle her in her seatbelt.  Worst of all, she is being awful, awful, awful to the cats.  Pulling their tails, etc.  It's very hard to get her to understand that this is a BAD thing.  (I start to realize that she doesn't comprehend our anger.  This feels like a mixed blessing, you know?)

Still-- I realize that I'm more suited in my parenting to a chattering child, despite all the extra stress that brings, than to a tiny infant.  With every new skill she acquires, particularly the verbal/expressive ones, I can see a little bit of the light at the end of the tunnel of this most labor-intensive phase of being a mother.  

Ahhh, she's two.  Two years ago I was watching Studio 60 waiting for something, anything to happen.... filled halfway with delight and halfway with foreboding.  Tomorrow, we throw a party for 33 people in a very small space.  Similar emotional state.