The countdown to 2!!

So I anticipate ocoee's birthdays almost as much as I did her very first-arriving into the world a week late! I still remember that day with more clarity than any day in my life, up until holding her in my arms. Then Everything went blurry and I was just with her. 

Last year I planned for months an elaborate girly camp out party. I test baked several cake practicing my recipes and decorating. I am very happy with the results. Grandma came to help us celebrate and worked hard with me to throw a great party. The night ended with Ocoee crashed and us launching wish lanterns at the park with friends. It was wonderful.

This year I am keeping it easy. I found a great cake at our rustic bakery, Fire Island that is simply decorated and taste amazing. Not too sweet and very moist. I will top it with a real beeswax candle I found shaped like a 2. 

We have 3 nights at hotel alyeska reserved for a weekend of swimming in their awesome warm salt water pool. Girdwood has a great playground, fun hiking and our favorite restaurant Jack Spratts. Fun and easy. 

My absolute favorite though is shopping for her presents. We don't spend much on toys but do have tons of books. Even with the abundance I am over reading them and ready for some new ones. Birthday is a great time to stock up and she always picks books over toys. I try to follow the adage, one thing I can read, one I need and one I want. Except one becomes several. 

A nice cart on amazon of good books was a joy to pick out. A new Patagonia jacket and new bogs fit the things I need category. She really gets excited about boots and jackets (genetic!!) so these will be a big hit. 

Ten today was the fun part. The want. Ocoee wants nothing. More like I want for her. I found the best wooden tea set with little wooden tea bags at my favorite toy store, classic toys in anchorage. I also grabbed new art supplies, Melissa and Doug stamps, faber-castell veggie markers and bees wax crayons. The quality and colors make me want to make art! Ocoee often says "make art" and I encourage this type of play any way I can. 

Also got a few sticker books and place mats with the USA, abc, and fishing one! 

Also simple easy thugs that will entertain her for hours. 

One special gift we do for Ocoee is a charm bracelet. The bracelet was purchased for her birth. The first charm was a lady bug from grandma for her 2nd Christmas. We call her bug a lot and the charm was perfect. This year I added a snow flake for her 2nd birthday. It is symbolic since she was born on the first snow of the  winter with the most snow on record in anchorage and last year lived her through the record breaking longest snow season ever for anchorage. She is my little snowflake for sure! Grandma and I both look forward go adding charms and presenting the bracelet to her later. Maybe at 13?? 

So now I must wait. Celebrating ocoee's 

Birthday is truly a joy for our family. 

Cheers

J