sweet 2 year old

alaythia grace turns 2 today. my sweet girl, how can she be 2 already? she was so thrilled to have a mickey mouse party yesterday. she danced and sang and laughed (pictures to come).

the big news about the day was that we got her hair into ponytails. that's right people, not just on the top, not pseudo ponytails, but the whole thing. yes, it only took us 2 years to grow hair long enough! (pictures to come).

things i love about alaythia and things she loves:

-her sweet, sweet, sweet smile. she crinkles her nose and makes her eyes real small. priceless.
-her singing. twinkle, twinkle. Jesus love me. rocket needs a home. happy birthday. she sings and gently sways with her arms in the air.
-i absolutely love her ability and desire to scare. kids, adults. you name it, she scares them!
-that when she leaves someone she says, 'bye, i love you!' (today when she was walking in the house and the neighbor kids were outside our door playing she called them each by name and then said, 'bye, i love you'.)
-you can't think alaythia without thinking cheese. she starts asking for cheese when she wakes up and she goes to bed asking for it. a staple in her world.
-her admiration of isaiah. yesterday they were watching the basketball players practice and she would watch them play, then look at isaiah and copy exactly where his hands were, his legs were, what he was doing.
-her mothering. she changes her babies poopy diapers and puts them to sleep. she cuddles and kisses them, i even catch her singing to them.
-accessories. fake lipstick, purses, sun glasses and high heeled shoes. she is all girl.
i didn't know what i was missing alaythia, before i had you. your sweetness, your care, your girly-ness. i have loved watching you grow and watching you explore the world. i pray that you will always have a soft heart toward God and what he has for you. it certainly will be my priviledge to stand beside you and witness it.