Happy Birthday Karis!

We threw a party to celebrate Karis' 2nd birthday. We debated whether we wanted to do a party since we could have easily gotten away with celebrating with just a little cake for the four us. But, Derek really wanted to get Karis a jumper because she LOVES them.

We created a guest list with mainly her friends and the adults that have watched her and cared for her. The theme was ladybugs with a Dora jumper (her favorite TV show as of late).

Leading up to the party, we showed her the party invitation and told her she was having a party with all her friends. She seemed to understand and she was excited. I don't know how many times we heard her saying, "happy" throughout the week.

Derek also began "training" her on how to blow out candles. With candles or with his fingers representing candles, he made her practice blowing out as hard as she could. I laughed every time they did this, but it paid off because she did a great job blowing out her candles!

Karis had been sick all week, but we knew she wouldn't be short of energy for her party. After sleeping in that morning (since she woke up at 5 am having trouble breathing with her congested nose), here is a video of her seeing the jumper for the first time in our frontyard.

Here are some photos my sister took during the party.

Daddy and Karis in the jumper (I told you she loves them!):

Mommy and Makena in the jumper:

The ladybug cake and cupcakes I made for the party:

As her birthday approached, we tried to get Karis to hold up two fingers when we asked her how old she is. The best her little fingers could do was hold up three fingers. When the cake came out, we asked her how old she is. In the excitement of it all, she held up six fingers... eh well, I guess we should have practiced that one a little more.

Karis reveled in all the attention as everyone sang her Happy Birthday:

Karis blowing out her two candles. She did it!

High-5s all around:

She loved blowing out her candles so much that she wanted to do it again. We re-lit the candles and then she made everyone sing to her again. Everyone was so great to indulge her and sing another round.

Our guests snacking and hanging out:

Karis and her buddy. She was a little "high" from all the m&m's he was letting her eat.

The girls were finished with lunch and ready to go back out for more jumping: