Our baby girl is officially a big bad two year old! Cue all of the mama tears. For some reason two hit me harder than one did, I was so excited to hit the one year milestone and sigh a deep breath of relief to have made it with only a few bumps and bruises to a walking and talking toddler. But two, oh no, that seems too big, TOO FAST! I wasn’t ready.
Everyone asks me if I’m scared for two when I tell them her age now while we’re out running errands, but truth is I’m so excited for this age! When I was a preschool teacher, I mainly worked with two and three year olds, so I’m in my element now! Toddler meltdowns don’t scare me (mostly), this is when the fun really starts.
We celebrated Iris’ birthday weekend in Wichita, KS this year with my family and the party started from the moment we arrived. We were also able to see our friends and make our first visit to Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, KS so I’d say she had an amazing birthday weekend. We went to Tanganyika on Saturday, had her Peter Rabbit party on Sunday, and then her actual birthday was on Monday (Labor Day) this year.
Tanganyika was even better than we expected and we can’t wait to go back! Iris got to feed giraffe and lemurs, pet kangaroos and a giant turtle, and watch penguins eat their fish. I couldn’t believe and was so proud of Iris for petting the kangaroos, that was one thing I didn’t think she’d be ready for, but she was! You never know with toddlers, one thing you think they’ll love they don’t want anything to do with and then something you think will freak them out they are allll about.
We really enjoyed seeing lots of animals we don’t have at our normal zoo and a few that we do in more open habitats. Iris had so much fun exploring with her friend Mason!
For her Peter Rabbit party, we made signs and cupcake toppers to fit the theme, a cheese ball shaped like a carrot, and chocolate covered strawberries with orange chocolate. These turned out a bit of a mess, because the chocolate was so thick, but they still tasted good!
We started a tradition last year with her Iris in ONEderland party of getting an antique or vintage looking version of the book and letting guests giver her wishes and sign it as a party guestbook. I love that she’ll have something from each of her parties to keep and remember everyone who came to help celebrate her.
I also do her birthday meals and cake on our “special” plate, just like my mom always did for us. The plate she got to use this year is the one I used growing up and my mom found one just like it for us to use at home. ♥️
Iris received so many thoughtful gifts that she couldn’t wait to get home and play with including a water baby, lots of new books to read, a bigger trampoline, and her first little car. So much fun!
For her actual birthday we went to the park and rode a train and did the slides roughly one billion times, ate more cake and ice cream, and went for pizza with family. Perfect day for our sweet big girl.
We decorated our bedroom doorway with streamers and balloons so she would see them as soon as she woke up. I love starting traditions that we’ll continue and expand on as Iris grows up. What are your birthday traditions? I want to know, thoughtful family traditions are my favorite thing!
We’re finally back to a good routine since getting home last week. We were in a bit of a post-birthday week fun hangover! It doesn’t help it’s been hotter than it’s been all summer since we got home. Iris just wants to be out jumping and driving, we can’t wait for fall weather!
Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.
♡ MALLORIE
