Meadow's 2nd Birthday!

When I sent out invitations for Meadow's birthday party I also sent them to family members even though I didn't think they would come. I was surprised when my sister Chelsea texted me asking if there would be room at our house for them to stay. 

My parents even initially said they might come. Chelsea and Brittany got first dibs, so they got to be here for Meadow's rad 2nd birthday.

The three cousins got to play again for the first time since Christmas.

They arrived Saturday night. The next morning I finished making Meadow's birthday cake.

I watched the kids being kids.

Having just gone strawberry picking I chose strawberry shortcake for her birthday.

We were worried that this would be mush by the time we got to the park.

I didn't really think about whipped cream on a hot day.

I decided on North Mississippi Regional Park for Meadow's party. The weather said there was a chance of rain, but it kept getting pushed back. Her party was scheduled from 1-3 and a storm was coming at 4. We chanced it anyway and it ended up being the perfect day.

This place is the perfect hidden gem. I don't think most of the city realizes it exists. I guess that's one of the benefits of living on the rough side of town.

A lot of our guests who live nearby didn't even know about it.

So many of our friends and their kiddos came. Doralyce and Davin in the house...or I guess in the park.

Meadow wore her birthday crown for a short while since it was so hot in the sun.

The Fialas were the first ones in the wading pool.

Meadow loves her some grapes.

We only made a few things homemade: the guac and the basil, tomato and mozz bites. We picked up some sausages from Costco. I know I'm a sellout, but the brats were from Milwaukee's famous Usinger's Sausage.

I was worried about the whipped cream melting in the heat so we had her blow out her candles pretty quick.

She didn't really get the notion. I helped the little one out.

She was still confused after the birthday song.

She seemed confused by the whole event.

I loved that this park had picnic tables for kids.

Meadow has been afraid of the water lately. I was hoping that she would be more brave if she saw all her friends go in.

Near the end she got about waist deep. I was proud of my little nervous nelly.

Dark clouds started looming in so we decided it was piñata time.

At first they were being polite.

Each kid got a turn starting with the Meadow, then youngest to oldest.

Nolan gave it a little more oomph.

It was Roman who really got things started.

He was the only little one with the right idea.

June not so much.

I thought Olive would have gotten it, but I guess this thing was stronger than we thought.

I decided to help Olive and Meadow out.

Meadow went flying. Poor girl.

Even Mr. Haag couldn't do it.

After the first fail I tried it one more time with Meadow.

We got it! Though Meadow looks a little scared.

The kids were excited to get their rubber ducks and bubbles and smoothie packs.

Brooke bought only enough for each kid. I had to explain that there are winners and losers in life.

We didn't have time to open presents. Instead we all quickly packed things up and headed home. 

Good thing we left because it started to pour just after we left.

I made some chococlate-choclate chip raspberry cookies for the ladies and the boy.

Marina is too precious. So photogenic!

Meadow passed out as soon as we got home. I had to wake her up from her nap or she would have slept all night.

"Present time. Present time. Open it up and see what's inside!"

It's always fun watching other people open gifts...

She got a lot of awesome gifts this year.

The little tike got two backpacks!

We are going to save the kitty one for when she goes to school.

One will work better now and the other when she gets older.

Yeah awesome 90's paper.

Play silks from aunt Brittany.

I was totally confused by these, but clearly they are fun.

So many presents.

Her gift from us. A balance bike!

Marina's always hamming it up for the camera.

We all played outside while Scott made cookies and nachos.

Good stuff.

Nacho, Nacho Man. Nolan wants to be a Nacho Man.

I think the kids were pretty worn out from all the fun.

On Meadow's actual birthday, after my sisters left we got to go on our first family bike ride of the year. My arm has finally healed enough to get to go.

P.S. This is how Brooke pumps bikes.

We went on a little bike ride via With Park.

I suggested we bike to the Sculpture Garden. I thought Meadow would enjoy running around there.

When we got there it started to rain.

I thought if the rain turned worse we could hide in the museum. I guess it's closed on Mondays, oops.

We hid between trees to block from the rain.

Meadow: Cherry!

Brooke: What's it sitting on?

Meadow: Sitting on!

It's fun how your kids help you rediscover places in a new light.

It was way less crowded thanks to the weather and the closed museum.

We crossed the bridge over to Loring Park.

I wish we had gardens like this.

Always a basketball game in Loring.

The major storms seemed to be staying to the north of Minneapolis.

Then we went home and got poured on biking through the Northside.