July 21, 2011 - Great Aunt Joanie visits

I told Riley we were going to make cupcakes for Daddy's birthday so she got started right away.

Helping Daddy unwrap his birthday gift enclosed in a Princess bag; this is what happens when you let a 2.5 year old girl choose the wrapping paper.

Great Aunt Joanie arrived with a castle-shaped ice cube maker, wow!

They got to reading right away

Riley and Mommy at the Restaurant at Wente Vineyard for a girls luncheon

We ate on the patio, which had access to the large lawn, perfect for running toddlers.

Cheers!

Riley wanted to do EVERYTHING like Great Aunt Joanie, even try on a sweater, just like her.

Making cookies

Riley wanted to pour in the M&Ms herself

Probably so she could snatch a sample before she could be stopped

One final stir, then the cookies are ready for baking. Joanie said her table is never this messy when she makes the cookies at home. No idea why!

Come on Aunt Joanie, try the toy bologna!

Big goodbye hugs

Yay for Great Aunt Joanie!!!

Our summer is flying by. We are so busy, we started celebrating Chad's birthday a week early since we will be away on his actual birthday. Riley gave him a framed picture of herself wrapped in a Princess bag. She is very opinionated on cards and wrapping, Hallmark is one of her favorite stores!

We were lucky to have a visitor this week, Aunt Joanie came from Kansas for a quick trip to the Bay area. After some initial hesitation (she even stuck out her tongue), Riley couldn't get enough of her Great Aunt Joanie. She wouldn't even let me push her stroller around the mall, she wanted Aunt Joanie to do it. We had a delicious all girls lunch at the Restaurant at Wente Vineyard, then of course we did a little shopping. Riley and Joanie made us M&M cookies with Joanie's special recipe, what a treat. Needless to say, Riley was very upset when her Great Aunt Joanie had to leave and is already asking when she will be back.