Nora's Birthday Celebration

What an awesome day and way to celebrate Nora's second birthday! We invited the family over for brunch where Trav and I made a ham and cheese strata (very similar to a quiche - it was a good way to make the night before and pop in the oven). And then party time with pressies and cake!

Nora had a great time with her cousins, Maya, Michelle, Angelina and Megan. So much fun to see her in her element and keeping herself occupied with them. Of course, the attention from the grandparents, aunties and uncles don't hurt either! She did really well and kept in good spirits the whole time.

(Nora's Chocolate Spider Blackout Cake)

(Accompanied by some spider cupcakes)

For a while now, Nora's really been into her 'Spider Book'. It's really called '1000 Things to Spot' but at some point she got into finding the spiders, and a few months ago I had asked her about her birthday cake and what kind of cake she wanted, initially she'd respond, 'Chocolate', and then when I kept asking her, she'd say a spider cake! So, I was up for the task and thank goodness she didn't change her mind to any other animal, and so today... she got what she asked for... her chocolate spider cake! It was fun to make and especially fun seeing her face when she saw it, she was pretty pleased with the outcome. Yay! It's a chocolate blackout cake, perfect type of cake for a 'fuzzy spider'... made by crumbling a layer and sticking it around all sides.

For the past few months, Nora has been singing Happy Birthday and at the end, practices blowing out her candles. I thought she'd get a bit shy in front of all the family and just stare at the cake, but was pleasantly surprised today as Trav brought over the cake while we sang... and she ended with blowing out the candle and clapping. So proud! It was especially cute seeing her leave her hand on Megan's shoulder the whole time.

The rest of the afternoon was just awesome family time and Nora bonding. She's made us so proud and has really changed our lives these past two years. What a treat watching her grow... and having an amazing extended family to share it all with. Thanks Everyone!