an end of summer get together and a birthday party for Lydia

Yesterday afternoon we had a great time with some friends - ten adults and six kids gathered for a little end of summer get together and to celebrate Lydia's birthday. Lydia was actually a bit of a grouch, and when it came time for her to eat her cupcake, she put her hand in the icing and immediately burst into tears! Maybe she isn't going to be a big cupcake fan? Nah, I think she was just having a hard day. Hopefully her real birthday will be a bigger success!

Erin Ashley bought a blow-up swimming pool and the kids had fun playing before we went inside for dinner...


I have more cute pictures from yesterday, but no time now. It's a busy day and I've got lots to do before we leave for Beijing tomorrow. Lydia has a huge pile of presents to open in the morning, and then we are going to a local park to play and have lunch together as a family. Again this morning Julianna volunteered to help Lydia open her presents, claiming that Lydia was "just going to eat the paper, and she's not supposed to do that because if she swallows it then the paper will go down into her tummy".