This is how 2 Year Olds Roll............

Last Thursday, while we were still in Tallahassee, my baby officially turned TWO!  I could go on and on and list all the reasons why this CAN'T be possible, but instead I'll just show you how this super cool, super popular two year old spent her birthday!  Her social schedule was quite full for the day, so we got up early and started her morning out with a bubble bath and her favorite breakfast.......

 

I don't know what it is about this picture, but she just looks SO grown up to me!!!

 

 

See this balloon?  She decided she wanted to take it with her everywhere that day.  It had been 5 days since her birthday party, yet this balloon was somehow still standing and she wasn't letting go of it. 

 

We loaded up and headed to Grammy's office so she could "show Kyndall off" like she does each time we come into town

 

Yes, the balloon came too..............

 

 

Our first visit at Grammy's office was to see "Aunt" Shanna.  She always has fun things in her office, like stickers and snacks...........

 

 

After we disturbed the entire left side of the building with loud squeals and giggles, it was time to head back to Grammy's office.  We're working really hard on using our "inside voices"!

 

Grammy had candy, which kept her quiet for a little while.......

 

 

Checking out some OLD pictures of Mommy

 

Another snack break

 

Back to destroying exploring Grammy's bookshelf

 

I saw this on my Mom's bulletin board and had to take a picture since it was posted exactly two years ago to the day.  Someone in my Mom's office made this on the day Kyndall was born and taped it to my Mom's office door while she was up here for Kyndall's birth.  She kept it all this time!

Next, it was time for a birthday lunch!

 



 

We were joined by "Aunt" Shanna.......

As well as Grammy, Mrs. Myra and Mrs. Martha

 



 

She loves her Aunt Shan!!!

 

Next, it was off to visit MeMe at Broadview Assisted Living.  Kyndall always loves to stop and greet the birds that live in the lobby downstairs...........

 

 Ok, now back to that balloon again.  Remember, the one that Kyndall didn't want to give up all day?  Well when we arrived at Broadview I told her we needed to leave it in the car.  She looked at me very confused and said "MeMe".  I again tried to explain that yes, we were going to see MeMe but we needed to leave the balloon in the car so it didn't fly away.  Over and over again she just kept saying "MeMe, MeMe".  So I finally asked "do you want to GIVE the balloon to MeMe??"  She shook her head yes and got a big smile on her face.  So, we took to balloon with us.  Once we got off the elevator on MeMe's floor, she went running wildly towards her door yelling "MeMe!  MeMe!"

 

 

Waiting outside of MeMe's door

 

As soon as we walked in, THIS is what she did!!! 

 

She ran straight to MeMe and handed her that beloved balloon that she had been holding onto all day!  It almost made me tear up to realize what a thoughtful, caring, giving little girl I have!  It's almost as if that was her plan all along---to take the balloon in the car so that she could eventually give it to MeMe.  What's even sweeter is that MeMe is 92 years old now and not doing very well lately.  She's confined to her bed due to some tears and breaks in her foot.  Though just a few months ago, she was able to take care of herself, she's now forced to just lay in the bed all day and she has to call a nurse when she needs to get up for any reason.  I feel so bad for her and I can tell she's feeling sad and lonely.  Kyndall of course doesn't realize any of this, yet that's what makes this story even sweeter to me.  She recognized MeMe's need for a little cheer and made it her mission to bring it to her---in the form of a partially deflated, hot pink balloon!

 

When we started to leave, I figured Kyndall would want the balloon back so I tried handing it to her and she got very frustrated with me.  She grabbed the balloon and went running back to MeMe's bed and handed it to her.  She had no problem giving it up! 

 

While we were in MeMe's room, I was showing Kyndall old pictures and asking her who various people were.  She couldn't really name any of them and mostly just babbled and pointed at the photos.  I held her up and let her see this portrait of me on the wall and asked her "Kyndall, who is that little girl?"  She quickly replied "MOMMY!!"  How in the world did she know that??

 

We told MeMe goodbye and then made our way downstairs towards the parking lot.  On our way out, several of the residents were sitting in rocking chairs on the front porch.  I always try and make an extra effort to stop and let them speak to Kyndall because you can literally see their faces light up anytime a child is around.  Thankfully, Kyndall is very friendly and she is always more than willing to visit with them.  On this particular day, she decided to put on a little show which included some dancing and lots of silly giggles.  It made my heart smile to see how much joy it brought to those residents! 

 

After such a busy day, it was time for the birthday girl to go home and take a nice long nap in preparation for her 2 year photo shoot with Kris Kimel that evening!  I was REALLY nervous about this photo shoot because last year it was a complete disaster!!  Kyndall cried through the entire thing, yet somehow Kris used her magical photographer powers to capture some beautiful shots of her!  Thankfully, this year Kyndall did GREAT and I couldn't have asked for anything more!  We met up with Kris out at Southwood at 6:00 and let her work her magic with Kyndall.  Last night, she posted one "teaser" picture and I am absolutely in love with it!!!!

 

And just for comparison's sake, here's my favorite image from last year's shoot with Kris.  What a difference a year makes!!

 



 

After our time with Kris, we met up with the rest of the family at Chick-Fil-A for a birthday dinner and some play time as a reward for doing so well at the photo shoot!  (You have no idea how much it meant that she actually cooperated this year---well, maybe you do since you know how important pictures are to me!)

 

When you ask Kyndall how old she is, she says "two" but holds up this many fingers.  We'll have to work on that......

 

Was Aunt Kelly the only one having fun??  Everyone else looks pretty ticked off!  Ha!

 



 

Kelly is officially the best Aunt ever----Cause when Mommy won't do crazy things like stuff herself into a small dark tube with a toddler, SHE WILL!!

 

When we got home, we skyped with Daddy (who was at home in SC) and also with Nonie and Poppie.  After such a busy day, it wasn't long before this little birthday princess crashed for the night!  I'd say she had a pretty good day, wouldn't you??