George and Clara's 2nd Birthday Carnival Party!

George and Clara's Carnival Invitations

 The birthday girl and birthday boy!!!

Come One Come All!

Our guests were greeted with personalized prize bags.

Top hats for the boys.

Crowns for the girls.

Guests could take their picture in this fun carnival photo board.

They passed the cupcake table before heading outside to play carnival games.

Yum!

Clara couldn't stay away from the cupcake table...

and neither could George!

 Fun things to climb on, climb through, and jump in!

Everyone enjoyed the concessions

Popcorn, caramel apples, and cotton candy!

The kiddie table.

Ring toss, football throw, can knock down, bean bag toss, and pin drop

were the fun games we played.

Once they finished the games then they could fill their prize bag with goodies.

 

 They could also make a chalk art masterpiece...

or get their face painted.

George and Clara were spoiled by their friends.

We are so grateful!

And now some shots of fun, family, and friends who came out to celebrate with us.  Our day was so special because of all of you!  Many thanks!

Aunt Sandra!

Sweet Claire playing games.

 

Daddy and Georgie!

Pop-pop!

Clara and Natalie

Playing with Grandpa

Mr. Clayton

Molly and Evyn

The Carter Family

Sayed, Christina, Elyse, and Sandra

Princess Addison!

Mommy and Clarabear

Grandma and Georgie

Happy Birthday To You!!

Clara look over there while I steal your cupcake!

Playing with our helpers Grace and Paige.

Happy birthday to my sweet monkeys!

George and Clara's Second Birthday

George and Clara's birthday weekend was awesome.  We had a great time with our family.  Especially since Aunt Sandra flew in from London to celebrate with us.  On the twins actual birthday we had a family dinner at my parents house.  John made his homemade spaghetti sauce so we had a great Italian dinner.  And of course there were cupcakes and presents.  What a wonderful night!

Grammy Quinn outdid herself with the gorgeous table

 

Enjoying some appetizers

Happy Birthday To You!

They blew them out all by themselves!

Opening presents

Grandma and Grandpa Hadjioannou got us four wheelers

Another great perk of this wonderful weekend was being able to spend so much time with George and Clara's cousin Elyse.  She is four months old now and getting so big!  

 

Sweet face!

We enjoyed every single minute spent with Aunt Sandra.  We felt so special that she made the long trip from London to celebrate with us.  She is definitely one of our favorite people!  

Cheers!

Aunt Sandra Love!

Lots of giggles too!

George and Clara loved all their gifts.  It is fun to see their excitement when they get a new toy.  

Clara and her twins :)

Loving his four wheeler!

This is the first photo of all the cousins together.  Loved the quality time!

Dear Clara,

My sweet girl, how did you turn two so quickly?  You have grown and changed so much in a year.  Last year at this time, you weren't walking.  You barely had any teeth.  You only said a few words.  Now you walk, run, jump, climb, skip, and dance.  You have a mouth full of chompers to eat all that wonderful food that you love (You've turned into quite the little foodie).  You talk constantly.  All of this growth has only shown Daddy and I more and more about your personality.

We love your fiesty nature.  You have opinions and you make them known.  We love that you are so very social.  You enjoy being around other people, adults and kids.  We love that you are such an amazing helper.  You like to help clean up and do chores.  We love that you are a nurturer.  You rub George's back when he is laying down and enjoy playing Mommy to your dolls.  We love that you are a great cuddle-bug.  You give the absolute best hugs.  I cherish them!  We love that you have a goofy nature.  You love to make people laugh.  You make silly faces, make silly noises, and do funny dance moves.   We love that you love your brother.  You often call out to him, "Gegi," so he will come play with you or sit with you. We love that your smiles still light up the room.  We love you, Clarabear.  To us, you are perfect.

You've had so many firsts this year.  The major one, of course was walking. You walked about 5 weeks after your first birthday.  Although you've mastered walking, running, jumping, climbing, and skipping,  you are the clumsy child in the household, always seeming to lose your balance or trip over nothing.  You also love to dance.  And when I say dance, I mean get down.  You have some fabulous moves like the shimmy shoulder and the booty shake.  You've got some awesome facial expressions to go along with your moves.  You constantly ask us to put on music so you can have your very own dance party.  Occasionally you instruct others to bust a move with you.  Clara, with all those moves, you generally have us laughing so hard we cry.

Another first...which Mommy loves...is that you seem to enjoy crafts.  You love to color with markers and crayons.  You love to stick stickers on paper.  You love to paint and use sidewalk chalk.  It is wonderful to watch you create your own little masterpiece. The biggest first this year for Mommy was you heading off to Mother's Day Out (aka school) twice a week.  Mommy was incredibly nervous leaving you under the care of strangers.  You had been with me since the day your were born.  The only people that had watched you were very good friends and of course your grandparents.  Well, Mommy was nervous for nothing!  You did so well!  You love being with the other kids.  You enjoy all of the activities you do throughout the day.  You  are so well behaved.  The teachers think you are a sweetheart and I never stop hearing how adorable you are.  The best part is when I get to pick you up from school.  You come running with the biggest best smile on your face shouting, "Mommy!!!"  You never cease to amaze me my little love.  I am so proud of your independence!

Two years old.  You are such a big girl now.  Gone are all the baby days.  Sometimes I miss those early days of my little bitty Clara, but most days I just enjoy watching you explore the world.  You are so smart.  You are so sweet.  You are so beautiful.  I am blessed by you every single day Clarabear.  Thank you for bringing joy into my life.  Thank you for putting smiles on my face.  Thank you for being you.  The very perfect you.  I love you sweet girl.  Happy Birthday.

Mommy

Dear George,

Mommy's little man is two years old.  My sweet little baby has grown into a perfectly rambunctious little boy.  You are everything I dreamed of and expected out of a son.  You are sweet, smart, and silly.  You have more energy in your big toe then I have in my whole body.   You are a rough and tumble kind of guy, who still loves a good cuddle with his Mommy.  I cherish those moments.

You love to climb, jump, run, dive, wrestle, throw, tackle, and roll.  You have quite the arm and will throw just about anything.  You also love to play "soccer," kicking balls back and forth with either Mommy or Daddy.  You love cars, diggers, trains, and airplanes.  You are the ultimate bath splasher.  Life with you is never boring.  My reflexes have only gotten better since you entered my life.  You also love music and are very interested in the guitar.  When you play on Grandpa Hadjioannou's guitar, you seem transfixed by the sounds you make as you strum.  You call it a "tar" and often ask for your play version while at home. I love these things about you!

You've grown so much this year.  You've had lots of new experiences and I love being right there to witness it all.  One of the big ones was going to "school."  This was the first time you were left in the hands of strangers.  It was very nerve-wracking for Mommy.  The first week of the school you were great.  The second week not so much.  There was one day where you had to be pried off my leg so I could leave.  Absolutely heartbreaking.  That was short lived though.  The next week you were so excited about your new friend Jake and going to "cool.'  You adore your teachers and they adore you.   You are always well behaved and love participating in all the activities.  You make Mommy so proud!

You still adore both of your grandfathers and often ask for Pop-pop.  Yet another thing Mommy loves about you.  You are such a sweet and handsome little boy.  Your hugs and kisses make my heart soar.  I have enjoyed just about every single moment of the second year of your sweet little life.  I can't wait to see what adventures your third year will bring us!  I love you Georgie.  My life is blessed because you are in it! Happy birthday buddy.

Mommy

Happy Halloween!

We spent our Halloween night trick or treating with The Lively Family.  George and Clara quickly caught on that at each door someone was going to give them candy.  It was hilarious that Clara had to show us each and every piece of candy she was given.  George often had to check out his loot.  I love watching these two grow and experience new things.  Such fun!

Little Red Riding Hood getting the Big Bad Wolf!

Giggling excited kiddos!

George "the big bad wolf"

Clara "little red riding hood"

Eating pizza at The Lively's House before trick or treating.

George and Clara, twins Graham and Julia, Brian, and Noah.

Goofball Clara and George ready to go!

Trick or Treat!

Me and Catherine

Loving the decorations in the neighborhood.

We ended the night raiding the candy at Grammy and Pop-pop's house!