Miss Zyra Turns 2 - Off to Montana

We are off to Montana for weekend number 2 of birthday celebrations.  This time the honor goes to Miss Zyra who is turning 3.  We are staying at Rhiana's home this trip and are here to help her finish getting ready for Miss Malea's arrival in a couple of weeks.  First up -- time with Miss Elena.  She takes us on a tour of the house and her room and is such a delight to be with.  She crawls into Grandpa's lap for a quick picture while they watch television together.

We brought her a few new dresses/skirts and so she went about trying them all on - of course pink was the predominant color.  She already loves clothes and is only getting ready to turn 4.  Such a little lady.

Rhiana at work in her pretty kitchen making a meal for everyone.  Doesn't she look great for being only two weeks from delivery?  Oh my -- I was never like this and am jealous.  I always looked like a tank when I was pregnant.

Our main task for today is to get the nursery finished.  It has already been painted, but things are just in a big pile everywhere.  You know what they say:  Many hands make light work.  The result is serene and Rhiana looks ready for baby.
We do get the walls finished too, but didn't manage to get another picture.  Drat.

The next day is all about Zyra and so Matt's home is our destination.  Oh my goodness!  I just stand back in awe when we walk in.  Becca has outdone herself and I bow down to her while wondering if my son has any air left in his body.  It is like being in a giant version of the Candyland game.  We are led down the path through the rooms by a very excited little girl.  I wonder why.  Ha ha.



Becca is still working to put the finishing touches on all the food before people start to arrive.  We take over with the kids so that she can finish up without interruptions.  Besides, we haven't been with them for a couple of months and want to play.  Knowing Becca, the house will be absolutely filled with people soon.  She should give lessons in entertaining.

As we go downstairs we find the balloon pit that Matt has made for the kids.  This is so cool and once again I realize that he has been blowing up balloons for days.  Hyrum, Elena, and Zyra jump in and I sit on the stairs watching the play.  What an absolutely great idea.





The party gets underway and people start arriving.  Soon the Portuguese is flowing madly and Mister and I move into picture taking and people watching mode.  We catch a quiet moment with Rhiana and Kyle on the sofa and visit for awhile.

Of course, the star of the show gives us many great opportunities.  Mister says she is the most photogenic person he has ever been able to shoot. She never disappoints.

Grabbing moments with the kids and making memories is what it is all about to us these days.  I am not sure if Hyrum is angry I am tickling him or starting to laugh.  He was definitely in a mood and I know I was trying to change it.  From the looks of it, I may be losing the battle.







One of my favorite things that take place during these times is the interaction between cousins.  I absolutely love to watch them together no matter the event.  I did not have a lot of cousins when I was growing up, but I do remember having good times with them.  I so want these kids to always be close.  At this point, the girls are sharing tastes of lollipops.


It's cake time.  Check out those lips and then search for the flame in the pic.  I LOVE it.

We have given Zyra a new little red Strider bike and she is anxious to get on and go for a ride.  Since Hyrum already has one, she knows what she is doing.  It only takes a few minutes and Hyrum has brought his out too to show what he can do.













The party ends with a song by Zyra.  She has taken a toy and turned it into a microphone.  Oh how I wish we had made a video of this.  She really gets into her music and with closed eyes sang us a lovely tune which delighted everyone.  What a little personality.

























Mister and I wanted to treat everyone to dinner and so after suggestions by all, we went to Ciao Mambo's for dinner.  Elena was happy on Daddy's lap and as the dinner progressed, the girls patience at sitting ran out.  Mister made a little barricaded area so that they could get down and they played in front of the windows for quite awhile.

We went back over to Matt's and I adore watching my children interact with their children.  It is so heartwarming to me to see them teach with patience and love.  They are all amazing parents and are doing such a great job with my grands.  That is why the grands are such a joy to have come and stay with us.  The great parenting in addition to each child's own wonderful little personalities reminds me always that I am such a lucky old woman.