Happy Day!

We celebrated big for your birthday this year, as we aren't sure when we will get to celebrate again in France.  We began talking about your birthday on the first of the month to hype things up for you, and as the day got closer and closer you would wake up saying, "Happy day Zayzee!"  Although you won't remember this birthday except through stories and pictures, it was important to me to make it special for you my girl.  Growing up, birthdays were never about presents in our family but rather an evening out at our favorite restaurant making memories.  We did always get one good present, but the big event was always the celebration with family including a chocolate frosted angle food cake.  Dad and I would much rather do something special with one another than exchange gifts, and we hope you and your brother feel the same as we plan to find fun ways to celebrate you each year!

We started the weekend off with an evening downtown.  The pollution has been high the past two weeks with all the warm weather and no rain, and in hopes to cut down on car travel the public transportation system was free for the weekend.  We took full advantage and rode the tram around the city making you a very happy little girl!  In France, (and Italy, possibly all of Europe for that matter) you can always count on there being a carousel in the center of town no matter what month of the  year it is!  You my Zaylee girl love a good carousel ride, and without fail every time we park downtown you immediately yell out, "Horsie!  Fries!"  We usually oblige your demand for fries, but for your birthday we decided to indulge in some delicious pizza which is an equal favorite of yours!  It was a fun night watching you strut around town turning heads as you walked past the crowds on the street with your hands tucked into your pockets talking to all the passersby.  You never go unnoticed with your joyful personality shining light where ever we go.  I pray you always use that for good and for our Good Lord's glory!

The end of a good night.

After a good nights rest, we woke up singing Happy Birthday as you jumped on the bed proclaiming, "Horsie.  Happy!" It was finally YOUR day, and we were so thankful to be celebrating two wonderful years with our sweet Zaylee Jean.  I made Grandpa D's pancakes and loaded them up with peanut butter and nutella for a special birthday morning treat.  We slowly made our way upstairs to see Mamie, and you were beyond excited to see her and all the special decorations she had put up for you.  You snuggled on the couch as you opened up your first present from Mamie, and were thrilled to read your new book with her by your side.  We wanted your day to be special, and what better way to make it special than to share it with your good buddy Theo!  (I have a whole post about the two of  you coming!)  It was a nice low key day with our closest friends here in France, and it couldn't have been better (well maybe longer naps would have been nice! ha).  We ate outside and sat around the table for hours which is always one of my favorite things to do.  It was wonderful!  After nap time, you opened up your present from Theo and were immediately beside yourself with excitement.  You love playing with your babies, and to have your own stroller was the very best present indeed!  In traditional French fashion, we headed out for a walk and made our way to our beloved horses at the ranch, but this time for a special treat! 

For at least two weeks before your birthday, we had been talking about you riding a pony and you were very excited that the day was finally here.  When we got to the ranch, the ladies prepared the pony while you got fitted for a helmet.  As soon as they put it on your little head Dad said, "I think we should buy one of these for her.  She looks so cute!"  It was almost too much to take in watching you prance out of the saddle room with your riding helmet and nervous smile.  You ran right over to the ponies but hesitated when we tried to put you on our little guy, Cappi.  Theo took a seat on the saddle next, and both of you quickly decided you needed a little time to get to know the pony before you would actually get on the saddle again.  After a few minutes of walking him, we put you up on the saddle, held your hands, and watched as you smiled with such pride that you were RIDING a pony!  "FUN!"  You were so excited and looked like such a big girl up there holding on all by yourself as we walked along side of you.  Chloe decided to run back to get a pony for Theo to ride, and off we went on our 30 minute adventure which was more than enough time for you both.  Sweet Theo preferred walking and feeding the pony, leaving an empty saddle for Uncle Lukey and Chloe to take full advantage of (against Papa and Aurelian's better judgemenet!).  Hilarious! You, my daring, rough house loving girl, preferred going as fast as possible while Papa and Uncle Lukey would run beside the little pony.  You would throw your head back while being bounced around forcefully demanding, "aden! aden!"  

Giving your Marcel some love.

I'm so glad we decided to do this for your special day, and look forward to doing it again a few times before we leave this beautiful home in the valley. We had many good laughs that day, and were so happy to be with the Lang's celebrating you my dear girl!

The celebration didn't end there!  On Sunday, Papi came home from his trip to Israel and we continued on with loving on you our sweet two year old.  We had a nice lunch with Mamie Suzanne and the Boulloud boys as our special guests, and later had a Sanchez family party.  It was loud, chaotic, and a lot of fun as it always is when we are all together.  The weather was perfect allowing us to all come in and out of the house as we pleased.  You were given not one, not two, but FIVE different birthday cakes over the course of the weekend extravaganza, including a raspberry tart, a tropezienne, Mamie's yogurt cake, a specialty ice cream cake from Elie and Paul, and Grandma D's Oreo ice cream dessert.  You my girl know how to party! 

We missed the Mckendrick side of the family, but were so thankful for the gift they found for you and sent across the ocean.

Two years have gone by far too quickly, but we have loved and cherished every second of our life with you and can't wait for this next year ahead of us!  You bring us so much joy, laughter, and meaning to life.  We adore you precious two year old!  Happy day to you my love.