Addy's 2nd Birthday

 My niece, Adelyn, turned 2 on July 17.

I couldn't make it to her Baby Shark Birthday Bash partly because I'm in lockdown, but also because she lives on Long Island in New York.

Addy's birthday turned into a global 2 day event.

First Mum, Eric and I started with a party. Conveniently, Addy's birthday coincided with our third weekly themed lockdown Saturday event. We pretended we were at the beach.

I also put together activity packs for everyone. We did a find-a-word race. I came first, Eric came second, and Mum came third... by quite a distance. 

Then we all did a little colouring in.

I couldn't tell if Addy was most excited to see Mum's colouring or her outfit.

We also made sharks out of plastic plates and coloured paper. 

As you can see, there were a few different artistic interpretations.

All of these activities were accompanied by a pretty banging playlist.

It was our Saturday night and Addy's Saturday morning. She opened the present we'd sent over. 

Each time she opened a card she exclaimed, "Wow!"

She was most excited about the cradle for Baby.

Then it was time for a little musical entertainment. Addy got her musical backpack out and started entertaining us. Then Mum tells me, "There's a recorder in that cupboard just over there." Of course I got it out and started jamming with my niece.

A little bit later Addy picked up her recorder again and said, "Do it." I started playing again. Then she declared, "All done." But I was kept playing because I wanted to see if I could play Happy Birthday. Addy then yelled, "All done!" I immediately stopped. 

My next morning was Addy's birthday evening.

Mum and I joined the party to sing Happy Birthday.

Addy really seemed to enjoy the icing on her cupcake.

She wore the outfit I chose for her, which featured her favourite colour.

Hi Addy!

I hope you had a wonderful birthday and had lots of fun celebrating at your party. I know you enjoy looking at photos of yourself, so here are a few of my favourite memories of us over the past few months.

Here's you sharing your pancake with me.

Then you eating some of my banana, and then getting Baby so she can have some.

Here we are showing each other our outfits.

This is that time you asked Mum to show Aunt Clary your headband.

Here's me reading to you and Baby, although I didn't get to read the last 3 pages because you decided Baby needed to go to sleep.

Then here you are reading to me.

This is just after you took me for a ride in your car, which was almost as fun as that time you put Gigig and I in Baby's stroller. 

And here's when you were trying to tell Gigig and I about Baby Mike. Maybe one day when you know more words you can explain to us who Baby Mike is.

I've also recently enjoyed hearing about how you were singing Row Your Boat at 3am. Thank you for joining me when I was singing it the other day even though your version had “but but dream” at the end.

That time you asked Minnie Mouse if she wanted some water, then said "Open your mouth" right before you were going to pour water in her mouth was pretty funny too. Thankfully you were promptly informed that Minnie didn't need any water. It’s very sweet that you like to share with everyone and include everyone.

Thank you for all the times you keep me company! Hopefully I can give you a real life hug one day soon. xoxo