Birthday Party, Part Deux

Today was Maelie's second, and last party, for her birthday. My side of the family all gathered together at my mom's house. My niece Samantha made a beautiful cake, and drove 4 hours to bring it and celebrate with us. We call her, and my niece Tara, 'Aunties', since they just seem too old to be considered merely cousins. Samantha graduated from Le Cordon Bleu as a Pastry Chef, and made an awesomely cute, and seriously delicious, castle cake. Thank you again, Sammers!! Her significant other Matt came, too, and it was great to see them both. My brother and his wife, my sister and her husband, and my niece Tara all came. We were only missing 'Uncle' William, who was in D.C. on Spring Break. It means so much to have family willing to drive from near and far to celebrate our Maelie princess.

We had a very nice day, even though, ONCE AGAIN, we started out shaky. I swear, I don't know what it is with this child and holidays! It makes no difference if we're rushing, taking our time, stressed, or totally relaxed, she makes a HUGE fuss before any holiday!! She has not let us down in this department yet. Go figure.

Maelie got a ton of wonderful gifts from everyone at both parties. Grandma Bonnie gave her, in addition to her other gifts in the photos, a Radio Flyer wagon. She got, from Grandma and Grandpa Z, a very cute block sorter type toy that plays music and has all kinds of bells and whistles. She received some books, some pajamas, a very cute Train Engineer Teddy Bear that Uncle Alan picked out, a driving steering wheel toy that Uncle Bill picked out (the Uncles did very well!!!), a tiara from Auntie Sam, a stroller walker from Auntie Kim and Uncle Dave, a little stuffed Piglet from Auntie Therese, money, a gift card, toys, and a summer outfit. Mommy and Daddy gave her a Climb and Slide, a personalized fairy book, a fairy jewelry box, more books, a silver bracelet from Vietnam, a little doll and a fairy book from Vietnam, too. Her Auntie Ang sent her a package full of cute things, too...a little princess teddy bear, an adorable plush make-up kit, a wonderful photo frame, and more. I was so incredibly touched.

This child is so loved and so spoiled!!!!! But really, can you blame us????? :) Thank you again to EVERYONE, who helped to make Maelie's first birthday so very special. I cannot thank you all enough. Trust me, it will not be soon forgotten.