pre-party

The celebrating starting the moment she woke up.  Scott, the Grandma's and I worked for a couple hours decorating everything the night before.  When she walked out to the great room she yelled:

"Tessa's Birthday Party!"

The theme was peaches and cream, so off to the peach orchard!  We carried on our yearly tradition:

(see year 09 and 10)

and started a new one - swimming in the Grandma and Grandpa's pool!

Opening pre-party presents.

Getting a birthday greeting from the Coleman's.

Next up... party!

see dewper?

When you ask Tessa what she did today, she always replies "see dewper".  Ahhh yes, Dewper, a large beaver type creature with red eyes, is the center of Tessa's universe.  She gets to see him every Thursday when Nanny Taylor takes her to Kids Club at the mall.  Kids club is 1 hour of singing and dancing fun run by Persephone (or as T calls her persephoME) and her teammate Dewper.  And the week of your birthday you get to sit with Dewper and everyone sings Happy Birthday To You.  And because I work every Thursday somehow, I missed her birthday week.  Luckily Taylor snapped some photos.  And yes Tessa, tomorrow when you get up, and I ask guess who you get to see today?  SEE DEWPER will be the correct answer.

Did you think the giraffe pics were ending?

(1 year, 1.5 years, 2 years)

and as a reminder - 

And now she is TWO

FL 2011

A quick (or long) florida post before birthday pictures...

Hooray!  Our hotel was right by the pier on the beach.  Awesome location.

Tessa checking out the ocean

After a much needed good night's sleep, T was ready to go to the Ocean!

We did come down for a specific reason - To celebrate my cousin Meredith's high school graduation

The next day we headed to their house to celebrate poolside with Aunt Dana, Uncle Steve, Fawn, Jay and Meri-D 

I spotted some manatees behind the house in the canal, but much to our avail, these sea cows were content sleeping like logs.

We had to make a stop at Ron Jon's.  It's a must.  There's something nice about vacationing in a spot that you know so well.  Knowing this place well is an understatement for us.

By the third day, Tessa was a regular beacj bum.

That day we also had NASCAR on water.  

If you ask Tessa about our vacation, she will say - 

"Boats go fast"

"Cover your ears"

Well said, Tessa.

And just a few from our way back home - We rigged T up like a draft horse.  She thought it was fun.  I did get stopped by social services, letting me know this was child labor.  I call it helping.

FL 2011

Tessa, Honey and I went to Florida this weekend to celebrate my cousin Meredith's graduation.  It was fun.. but the 3 hour time difference left us all tired.  I think it is crazy how sleep depravation manifests itself as ADHD type symptoms in kids.  It was evident today for sure on our way back (a total of 11 hours of traveling today).  Hopefully we will have this bright smile back tomorrow.  More pictures to come (of course).

more photos that I love... but not so random

Tessa