I think it's safe to say that Millie Janalee enjoyed every bit of her birthday on Friday, but the party had just begun.  Once the whole family was together, we had even more planned for this special girl.  I planned a visit to Grant's Farm for the family.  Y'all know that we have a list of things to do while we are here, and Grant's Farm was on the list.  We had never been, so we relied solely on reviews we found online.  We read from nearly every review to arrive at opening to avoid standing in a ridiculous line.  Boy, how true that was!!  I couldn't make everyone wake up to leave before 8:30.  I just didn't have the heart.  Plus there was a bitty baby involved.  It was just gonna be too much for this crew.  So 8:30ish it was!  We left pretty close to that time.  An accomplishment.

And the crowd was coming in full speed.  Grant's Park is free, but you pay to park.  It was also a beautiful Saturday morning.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  We parked the car and stood in line for a little while to catch the tram (or "choo choo tchwain") through the park looking at the animals throughout and learning about the origin of Grant's Farm.  The tram took us to the heart of Grant's Farm.  Our first stop was the goats.

We paid the $2 per bottle to feed the goats.  We all just walked in the gates and the goats herded to the bottles.  It was very funny.  It took Millie Janalee some time to warm up to the idea, but Uncie Buck dove right in...feeding 4-5 at a time.  Haha!

I'm pretty much like a kid myself and begged Russ to buy some more bottles, because I just knew Millie Janalee would enjoy it more from outside the fence.  And I hate to say it, but [ahem.] I was right!  She needed a little help at first to angle the bottle, but she was pretty mesmerized.  Mouth open and all. 

It didn't take long til she was ready to feed all by herself.  And when she finished, this goat sneezed milk all over her feet.  That was pretty priceless and hilarious!  She looked down like "Uhhhh...that's gross."

We strolled or walked around the area to view the other animals.  I can't remember what all animals were there, but you could feed most of them along the way.  There were also some gigantic turtles walking around that were pretty interesting. 

And of course, the carousel.  Millie Janalee kept asking to ride the "howees", so I did what any wife would do.  Asked Russ for a couple dollars.  Because we wanted to ride!  Ha!  It was a touch and go start, but after a couple rounds of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" she was having A BALL!  She waved to everyone and screamed "Heeeyyy Kay Kaaayyy!" as we passed by.  I was so happy.  And so was she.

We enjoyed the walk through more of the park as we saw ducks, owls, elephants, and more.  Our favorite was by far the kangaroo I think.  I can't believe I don't have a picture of this.  Oh my!  It's worth the trip just to watch him.  I think my brother got video.  If you have never watched a kangaroo hop around and try to reach a leaf off a tree that is just out of reach...you must put it on your bucket list.  You will laugh some pounds off I promise.  Millie Janalee just cackled and giggled her little heart out too. 

Feeding the ducks

Pawpaw and Millie Janalee feeding the birds.  Birds like to attack Pawpaws apparently.  It was pretty funny!

One of our final stops before reaching the Bauernhof was the camels.  Russ and Millie Janalee decided to ride a camel together, and Susu and Uncie Buck admitted they really wanted to ride one too.  I regret not doing it myself.  Next time I will.  I was pretty sure Millie Janalee would not be a fan.  I don't know why I ever doubted her after her horse ride with Susu this spring.

She was just a-smiling away on that big camel!  And she pretty much talks about camels daily around the house now.  You'd be surprised how many camels are in children's books.  Ha!

Susu and Uncie Buck took their turn next and my mom challenged my brother to a race.  The camel leader man informed Dustin that his horse was actually the slowest one out of the lot.  Haha!  Which made it even funnier to watch how slowly he made his rounds.  Doopdeedoo. 

After our nice camel rides, we met Kristin, Lee, and Hughes at the Bauernhof where we were able to rest and grab a snack or drink if we wanted.  Hughes and Millie Janalee needed to eat.  The rest of us had plans for lunch on The Hill.  This was also where Pawpaw trained Hughes how to be at the top of stunts in his cheerleading training.  Kristin may or may not have been near a heart attack.  Ha!

It is only appropriate that St. Louis is celebrating a big birthday the same year as Millie Janalee is. Haha!  Everywhere we go, there are big cakes celebrating the 250th birthday of St. Louis.  So, of course, we posed with it at each stop!

My little family celebrating our girl at Grant's Farm 2014

Just past the Bauernhof, there were stables where you could see some of the official Budweiser horses.  There were also lots of old carriages and wagons to see.  We spent some time petting the horses and talking about how huge they were!

But we didn't even know huge yet!  When you exit Grant's Farm (catching the tram back to the entrance and general store), you walk back across the parking lot if you want to see some of the retired Budweiser Clydesdales.  Those were some enormous animals!  I had never seen one up close.  Millie Janalee was a fan!

And she did not want to leave...

We jumped into the car and headed toward The Hill for lunch.  The babies napped.  And let's be honest...so did some of us adults.  Ha!  We enjoyed lunch at Zia's on The Hill before crashing back at home and preparing for the big party.

That's right.  We hadn't even had the actual party yet!

She pretty much manipulates her way into a lap so she can steal his paci.  She has worked the whole thing out.

It was a fantastic Saturday with family as we continued to celebrate the birthday girl!

"Minnie" Janalee's Birthday Kickoff!

I finally made it to the big day!  Friday, July 18, we celebrated TWO precious years with our darling Millie Janalee.  I cannot believe how fast time has flown!  Our all time favorite moments in Disney World was when Millie Janalee met Minnie Mouse.  She absolutely loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and "Nouse" and "Mick." So, naturally, I decided on a Minnie Mouse theme.  Everything was perfect for our small family birthday weekend!  Don't get me wrong.  We did it up BIG!  We just didn't have a large guest list this year. Ha!

Susu, Pawpaw, Kay Kay, and Hughes made the trip a day earlier than the rest of the crew to be here on Millie Janalee's actual birthday.  We had a big day planned including a day at Magic House, the children's museum in St. Louis.  Susu and Pawpaw also wanted to take her by the American Girl store.  So I woke my little sleepy head up early for her birthday donut.  As you can see, she is much like her Mama in the morning.  It takes a second to wake up good.  She immediately found the life-size "Nouse" balloon in the living room.  We sang "Happy Birthday" for the first of many times after I lit the candles on her donut.  She needed a little help blowing them out, and she actually preferred her cereal bar over the donut.  Haha!  So I ate the donut, of course!  Yum!

After breakfast, we were all gathering our last minute things before heading out for a fun-filled day when Millie Janalee came around the corner.  She had found her birthday stash and wanted the gift inside the Minnie Mouse bag.  Susu told her of course she could open it!

There was a gasp and a sweet "Oooooh!"  And then there was the moment she asked to wear them.  The sparkly red Minnie Mouse shoes.  So I let her.  She wore them proudly.  Along with the old lady purse.  Susu and Pawpaw sure know how to make this girl smile!

"Pwease!!"

One happy Minnie Janalee!

We loaded everyone up for our first stop at the American Girl store.  It just so happened that we walked up on the movie premier of Isabella!  Red carpet treatment for our birthday girl.  Just more reassurance that the world actually does revolve around her.  Haha!

[I kid.]

[Kinda.]

Celebrity status!

Inside the American Girl store, it was a full-size room with lots of little girls for Millie Janalee to talk with and wave to.  Flitting from one doll to the next and landing at the tea set exactly like the first time she visited.  She and Susu carefully chose a Bitty Baby for her birthday.  Susu and Pawpaw even stuck in the tea set and treats just for fun. Oh, and matching pajamas too!

Her Bitty Baby came with a special book too, and we all know how much Millie Janalee loves a book!  She was in heaven.  Until it was time to leave.

Thankfully her little fit didn't last too long since there was a full out block party outside the doors!  Radio Disney was there blaring music, hula hoops were everywhere, and there was dancing in the street.  Millie Janalee and Pawpaw did some hula hooping.  Susu gave it a try too.  Hughes pretty much tolerated the whole American Girl store dance party morning.  Which still makes me giggle actually.

It was the perfect way to start our birthday celebration!  It's like they knew it was her birthday.

We eventually made our way to Magic House just in time to grab some lunch at the little cafe there.  The food was tolerable, but Millie Janalee didn't care. She enjoyed her grilled cheese and lots of other snacks we brought from home. Then she was ready to run and play!

There were so many different directions to go and lots to see and do.  We followed the map and hit up the areas I thought Millie Janalee would enjoy most.  The special exhibit of Sid the Science Kid was one of her favorites though.  Also, she may or may not have had her first date in the car by herself in that exhibit too (see the yellow car).  They look very serious. Ha!

Another favorite area was the area specifically for ages 0-6.  There weren't older wild kids running over her or knocking the little ones down.  Everything was age appropriate, and she had a ball!  The water table was too fun.  Just look at her face!  Pawpaw and I stared as she showed us that she actually knew what to do when she cooked.  She put all the tops on the pots and pans and poured condiments on her foods before taking a bite.  It was the cutest thing!  She and Susu went shopping in the market.  She bought all the plants that were on sale.  Ha!

We came across a baby weigh station, and I couldn't wait to see how much she weighed.  25 pounds!  My 6 pound 13 ounce baby girl is now 25 pounds y'all!

We made our way through the various rooms and exhibits.  Susu and Millie Janalee enjoyed their first proper tea party with Raggedy Ann.  She's pretty much been obsessed with tea parties since.

The day was long for some of our crew.  When Susu and I brought Millie Janalee downstairs, this is the view we came up on...

Worn out.

It was a long day, but it was just beginning!  Just the beginning of a wonderful celebration!  I am so glad Pawpaw, Susu, Kay Kay, and Hughes were able to spend the day with us loving on our two year old sweetie!

Since Russ had to work all day, we saved her big gift from us til he got home.  It worked out well since she was napping.  Russ got home and set up her new fancy little kitchen.  I placed Minnie Mouse close by to greet her, and we anxiously waited on her to wake up from her nap!

Surprise!

Wakey wakey!

It honestly could not have gone any better in my head.  She was so happy and surprised with every little noise and accessory.  There were lots of "Ohhh!" and "Whoa!" and giggles.  She found the phone and had a very serious conversation with someone very important.  It went something like this:

"Heeyyyy! Huh?  Okay.  Huh? Byyyyeee!"

Chit chat

Cooking Daddy a strawberry

We spent the next few minutes pulling out all her goodies from the American Girl store.  We served tea to Minnie Mouse, her new Bitty Baby, and even to Hughes!

She tried on her cute dress from Susu and Pawpaw before continuing her work in the kitchen.  Lots of frying the strawberries and microwaving the grilled cheese.

It wasn't long before Uncie Buck and "Bwee" arrived with even more gifts!  Aunt Nana sent Millie Janalee her very own slide!  It was all over after that.  She slid and slid and slid.  She's a pro now in case you were wondering.

Since it was her birthday and we had guests, Millie Janalee stayed up way past bedtime.  Not that we even pretend to actually have one of those these days.  She dressed in her matching pajamas and Susu put her to bed with her Bitty Baby.

Sweet dreams, birthday girl!  The celebration has only begun!

Sunday Funday

After our Fourth of July weekend, we were happy to spend a Sunday Funday at home.  Russ worked that Sunday morning, so after lunch we were able to all just hang out together at home.  We spent some time at the playground in our townhome complex.  It was HOT!  Millie Janalee never seems to mind the heat like we do.  Ha!  Her favorite thing to do is swing.  She could literally swing for hours.

Russ was able to talk her into checking out the big slide on the "big kids side" of the playground.  She is quite the cautious one.  Believe it or not!  Big personality...cautious to act.  With a little encouragement and a sliding partner, she did it!

At this point, I was dying from the heat and suggested we walk home.  Ummm...well...you can tell by her face how she felt about it.  But you can also tell by this face just how hot it was.  The girl was soaked!

The best way to end a sweet summer evening after a hot day outside is to sit outside and eat watermelon.  Millie Janalee tried her first bit of watermelon.  I kinda had a feeling it wouldn't fly.  She is such a texture person, and watermelon does have a different texture.  It looked promising at first...

But it was soon clear that she wasn't a fan.  Haha!

I got her to give it one more try so we could take a bite together...

But she much preferred sitting in her chair with a juice pack instead while her daddy and I enjoyed the fresh watermelon.  Sweet summertime!

Have I mentioned lately how big she's getting?!  Look at those sweet little legs and that big grin!  I'm obsessed, to be honest.

Sunday Fundays are the best!