On March 16th, McKinney-Kins turned 2!

My friend and I were just talking about how little kids' birthdays are the best--all you need are some balloons, a cupcake, a few siblings, a present from the dollar store, and Wowee--you've got a party! McKinley has recently discovered the thrill of playing dress up, so with her purse & phone from Grandma and princess shoes from mom, she was one Happy Birthday girl!

This little girl is definitely a 'spirited' 2 yr old! She closely resembles Kennidy at this age with golden curls all over her head and big blue eyes. However, she has some personality traits similar to our Madi. She gives the best squeeze-hugs and when she gets a ride on the swing at the park or in our backyard, she immediately yells "UNDERDOG, UNDERDOG"! (meaning she wants to be pushed so high you can run under her swing...and believe me, she doesn't stop calling for it until you do it!) Every time we get in the Sequoia for carpool she yells "Tartar's chair, Tartar's chair!", which means she wants to sit in her big brother's booster seat--which of course she is NOT legally old enough, tall enough, or big enough for yet! You can see a picture posted below of how she likes to ride the Teeter-totter--standing dangerously in the middle of it! Her absolute favorite book is Olivia, which is the story of a precocious girl pig to whom her mother says "Olivia, you really wear me out...but I love you anyway." Perfect choice I think!


We kicked off McKinley's birthday with a visit to Chuck E. Cheese with our good friends the Sheldon's the night before. The whole night had a 'Baby Doll Theme' and McKinley and her closest friend, Maysen, LOVED it! Then on her birthday morning, we had our family's traditional surprise Birthday Breakfast! I then spent her entire birthday doing things just for her. We went to storytime at the library, then to the park with her 3 little friends, Lauren & Maysen and their moms, then to lunch with Dad where she and Carter could play in the fountain. Then I read her favorite book and snuggled her to sleep. What a treat to take a day just for her. Wish I did it more often...