Another birthday celebration

I can't even begin to express how hard it was for me to have a "small" birthday party for Ainsley this year.  Our house just isn't big enough to hold a lot of people, and because we were in the basement for most of it, some of my grandparents wouldn't have been able to go up and down the stairs, so her party was just our parents, siblings, and friends.  It's always nice to see everyone, and everyone enjoys seeing Ainsley, but it's just not feasible any more. 

Bill Cosby said, "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."  I need to be reminded of this quote day in and day out.  I can't please everyone, and when I try, I fail.  We ended up having my Dad's sisters over on Sunday for a little party so they could see Ainsley and all get together for a few hours.  It doesn't happen as much as it used to since Dad's parents are no longer here. 

Ainsley had a great time at both her party two weekends ago and on Sunday.  I think having the smaller parties really let Ainsley be herself.  She wasn't too shy, or intimidated, and most people got to see the true Ainsley, attitude and all!

Saturday night, I baked cupcakes for our little party on Sunday.  Ainsley loved being able to "help" Mommy in the kitchen.  I gave her a bowl with flour and sugar, a spoon, measuring cup, and whisk and let her go to town.  She started out on her step stool, but could barely reach over the top of the bowls.

I sat her up on the counter and she had a great time!

While Ainsley was busy making a mess, Mommy got the cupcakes baked for her party the next day.

Since when is "Got cha" on conversation hearts?!? What happened to "You're cute"?

She had such a good time that she didn't want to get down.  I finally got her on video telling me "No-no" while shaking her finger at me (and giving me her "evil look").  Here's the video.  Joel really needs to quit shaking his finger at Ainsley, which is where she gets it from!  He says it's the "Bulldog" (his Grandpa Brown) coming out in him.

Birthday girl

Abby had to work, so Aunt Sudi and Aunt Doris brought J.D. up with them on Sunday.  He couldn't wait for Ainsley to open her presents.  I'm pretty sure he thought they were his too, which is okay, because it led to a good few "fights" between them!  Ainsley's really caught on to the whole present idea.  After we ate lunch, she walked into the living room and saw the gift bags on the floor and immediately started ripping the tissue paper out of them.  She went from one bag to another pulling stuff out.  It was cute!

JD helping Ainsley

 Aunt Doris took J.D. to Walmart Saturday night to find something for Ainsley.  J.D. thought she needed something pink.  As soon as he saw the little girl bras (and a pink one), he decided that's what he wanted to get for Ainsley!!! 

Check out those fancy bras!

She got lots of cool toys, including some stacking blocks.  She liked stacking them, while J.D. wanted to push them all down. 

Grandpa Bill got in on the action, too.  He had to help Ainsley put the top block on the tower.  She's not quite tall enough!

Ainsley's hoping it doesn't fall down!!!

Standing on her tippy toes to get it up there

And they all come crashing down

J.D. didn't understand why he couldn't open the presents and really liked the tractor Grandpa Bill brought for Ainsley.  He told us it was his first and Ainsley's second!

J.D.'s anxiously awaiting Joel to open the tractor

Grandpa and Ainsley playing with her new tractor

We sang Happy Birthday and ate some cupcakes and ice cream.  Ainsley didn't want anything to do with blowing out her candles this time, and refused to even try.  She did enjoy the cupcake, or I should probably say icing.

Before everyone left, we all got to watch a little fight between J.D. and Ainsley.  They both wanted the ipad, and Ainsley was getting right in there and trying to push J.D. out of the way.  Of course, J.D. didn't "fight" back, so he's the one that ended up crying.  I'm sure it will probably be the opposite way the next time, where Ainsley ends up crying.  It was pretty funny to watch, and of course, I wasn't fast enough to get it on video.

Ainsley was exhausted that night, and fell asleep during supper.  I'll consider that a good day!