Satine's Birthday - 4/3

Our friend Satine turned two recently and invited us to join her in celebration.The Party was held at the San Joaquin Regional Park, down a path deep into the woods.It was a too cold for spring day, but we dressed warmly and it was nice to be outside.There was a large open space for the kids to run and play in, Holly loves chasing the Soccer ball. She recently learned to actually play cooperatively and will sit across the room from you and roll the ball back and forth.She doesn't quite kick the ball yet but she runs into it making it look like a kick and then chases.There was also a playground, it was neat to have this little play structure in the middle of nowhere.Here is Daddy helping Holly learn to hang from the monkey bars.She recently held her own weight and hung lifting one leg and then another in the park near our house.Holly was excited to have Daddy to play with her at the park, climb up on the structure with her.And follow her around. He likes to hover, as only a daddy can.Here is Satine the Birthday GirlHanding out little gift bags to all of her friends.Holly really enjoyed playing with the Balloons as well, another of her favorites.Here is Chloe with her Daddy. It is always so fun when the Daddy's get to hang out with us.The girls all had so much fun playing with each other.There was great food to eat and we all at on the grass enjoying good company.Many of Satine's other friend's were french speaking like her Mama, it was fun to hear all the conversation.And for a treat after the cake there was a Pinata for everyone to take a turn with.There were several kids Holly's age so they had many turns and everyone was very patient with their swings.Holly quite enjoyed swinging the stick, like a large drum stick she gave it a whack.Chloe gave it a turn too though not with quite the same gusto as Holly.Probably a very good thing that she isn't so good and banging things.The park was beautiful, the trees were simply amazing and it was such a lovely dayBeing out of doors always inspires and recharges Daddy and Holly loves to run out in the open.I love her cheeky grin she is so excitable and happy.She adores the slides and living on the edge, such a dare devil, Mommy has to always keep a close eye.Daddy is so goofy, I love watching the two of them play together, here they are making faces back and forth.It was a pretty neat play structure with lots of platforms to climb and two slides.Here Chloe is taking a turn getting ready to go down the slide.Holly still likes it when we hold her hand, but she will go down sitting next to Chloe.She also enjoys the Sand, though on this day we didn't really have any sand toys to play with.She is at that age now that when she goes out to play she actually gets dirty and needs a bath by the end of the day.She still like to Climb up the slide, and sitting down at the bottom, a favorite past time.Here she is waiting for Mommy, I am trying to coax her to go down the slide on her own.First I offer but a finger out of her reach in hopes that the reach will bring her down,Then closer to allow her to almost touch it, hoping the confidence is enough.But in the end she grabs hold tight before she will go down, I think its really just because she wants my attention.Here the other slide, a large twisty one. Chloe goes down in her Daddy's lap.Holly later decides to go exploring around the park, stretch her legs and run around.Its nice to have a paved path but not to have to worry about cars, or gravel or rocks to slip on.Simply to let her run till her hearts content, and she s one who doesn't tire easily.I love this picture of Satine, she is such a beauty.All bundled up in her warm jacket she sits upon Daddy's shoulders surveying the party.Finally tired after all of that running Holly finds a bench to crawl up onto for a little rest.But it was more about the climbing then the resting and before you know it she is off again.Though it was April, it felt like winter still, she was wearing tights and a sweater and long sleeve shirt.This Spring dress only the final layer, we were longing for the warmth of spring, but now we have the heat of summer.Here she is on the slide again, this time I refused to give her a hand but was able to talk her into coming down to give me a kiss.She loves her Mama! Sometimes I feel like I can't hug her tight enough I love her so!On this Day the party was late and Holly had not a nap so she was tired and fading fast.Soon it was time to go, the light and warmth fading as well. Fun was had by all.It was a great day outside playing with Many of our friends, and wonderful to celebrate with Satine.Here CHlow is cuddled up tight in her stroller ready for the long walk back to the car.And by the tie Holly was strapped ina nd we pulled out she was fast asleep.