We were so lucky to have Cora's family together for her party on Sunday! Grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins and Sarah's family all came together to celebrate her first year!
We had snack foods she enjoyed too--namely the fruit and rollups, that Amara helped me prepare, and were a big hit!! (Especially the pink fluff fruit dip).
Cora was quite the little hostess! She toddled around to greet all her guests, flashing her crooked smile and immediately demanding attention!
There were a total of 5 kids 4 and under, Jonathan, Amara, Gideon, Coulter, and Cora, and the 5 of them really enjoyed each other and played well. You don't think about there being that many cousins already but sure enough, we have a little play group!
(Her beautiful cake!)
Cora was dainty with her cake--I remember my mom saying I didn't like the cake on my hands and I don't think she did either--well, that, and she was still feeling pretty icky from her cold. She did take some swipes of icing though and shared the penguins and polar bears with her cousins and friends. Though she didn't tear into the cake, she snagged several bites from folks during the party.
Luckily, big sis Amara stepped in to help with presents. We played with a few of them, but she was more interested in the kids--and that was just fine.
After a few hours, she was wearing down. It was quite funny, as Amara was ushering folks out the door, she rushed upstairs to draw a bath for us (we heard the water going) and we got to break in Cora's new whale bath toy right away.
(Showing Coulter how the new plane works)
(SO much packaging!!--especially when I just want to play!)
(Sweet bib for the special occasion)
We had a great party with lots of fun and laughs and a sweet little one-year old birthday gal. Happy Bday little lala. We love you!
After 6 long weeks of rehearsals, the class was ready for the finale :) Grandpa Jahn came up and surprised Amara to see her final performance.
Eager parents Matt and Amanda watched with little sis Mikayla :) The room was packed and with the nice weather outside, we were antsy to get started.
Mrs. Tammy gives some final instruction on how to jump gracefully and use your long legs...then...
execution!
Practicing the dance--all the girls were ready to show off all they had learned.
I think this is a great example of when focus starts to drift--I don't think any of these two girls are doing the same thing at the same moment!
Coming back in all together for a song and dance at the end of class.
And receiving a neckace and her certificate at the end of class.
We started a tradition with Amara that Eric and I take her birthday off and we go to the zoo. We enjoy it so much that we decided to do the same thing with Cora--but since it's February, that COSI was a good option.
We headed up near opening time and it was already getting packed. This year, her birthday happened to fall on a Friday, so it's always packed on a Friday--but she enjoys people watching, so we were ok.
We headed upstairs to the kidspace area, a default for us--that Amara is probably close to outgrowing, but Cora was amazed with. She went down the slide with me and pushed wheelbarrows around, played in the water tables and put her mouth on just about every toy in the place.
After only an hour and a half or so, the girls were worn out. We headed out of there to grab a bite and get home for naps.
I don't know if or why no one really ever expresses why there aren't as many photos of the 2nd child as the first, but I've certainly figured it out--and it is true. With Amara, it seemed we always had the camera in hand, one of us at least--and we took so many photos of things we can't even recall...with Cora, not only does one of us have Amara "in hand," but I feel like we've refined what we capture now to an extent.
That said, these are some images that are engraved on my brain, and I hope will be forever...taking naps or sleeping together, nursing, and the closeness I feel with her night now.
I feel so very different about both my girls than I did a year ago, and I feel like even though I'm getting to know them now as siblings and sisters, that I'm still finding my way as a parent of two.
I enjoy my time with both girls so very much--but it is different with a baby for sure. The way they stare in your eyes to your soul, and you to theirs, there's no price tag for a second like that and no way to capture it. Thank you for all your grins and giggles, your stares and all the wonderful little moments you've given and continue to give me, baby doll.
After the plethora of classes we've tried with Amara, we wanted to take a stab and see if she was a natural grace. You know what? We were surprised! I wasn't sure really how it'd go, but she actually has so rhythm and follows Ms. Tammy when she feels like it.
Since Amanda's daughter Mallory had taken the Baby Ballerina's class before and loved it, I figured it was worth a try. There were a handful in the class, and Amara looked like a doll for sure--legwarmers and all. We'd gone shopping in the fall with Kristin, so she was all suited up to play the part.
Ms. Tammy taught them a lot of ballet lingo right off the bat. They all lined up to follow her across the room, perform jumps, do some circle activities, and at the end, practice a dance they would perform at the end of the season.
Sometimes the movements weren't quite as exaggerated as the teacher--but she was a taskmaster, and would encourage the girls to push forward. Though she tried, about 20 minutes into the 30 minute class each week, the girls would get distracted and fidgety, but Beanie really seemed to enjoy her time in there.
We 
I have NO idea where this face/ ear combo came from--never seen it before, or since--but it was pretty funny!
One shot, worth of our Valentine card this year--so typical. Bright blue eyes and sweet smile from Cora and Beanie's silly upstaging behind. Love these girls.
A lot of times, activities at Primrose fall on days when she isn't there. Of course--Amara doesn't even know she's missing something, but Eric and I feel kind of bad for her that she misses some of the big holidays (which tend to fall on Fridays for some reason this year...)
I was elated to find out that Valentine's Day fell on one of her days, and that she'd get to celebrate it with her pals. In fact, the school also did a little show and tell for the moms and dads (which we love) and we were all excited for it.
Valentine's look a LOT different than when we were kids--but the nice thing is that we turned in our Valentine's in early, and the teachers assembled little baggies for all the kiddos. The only downside is we didn't get to build the infamous Valentine's box, but I'm betting we will in a few years :)
These were Beanie's Valentines--she picked them out from Michaels and we all did them together--though she wrote the names on them :) She loves writing her name and is getting pretty good at it!.JPG)
