Happy 4th Birthday Natalia!

Natalia's birthday is just two days after Anna's, but we had a family reunion in Rigby on Natalia's birthday, so she got her presents a day early.  Among other treasures, Madeline gave her a picture of herself with Santa and a glow in the dark star.

The big pink ball was a hit as well.

Natalia received a "partner" gift to Anna's giant container of bubbles--the bubble blowing machine!

The amount of bubbles that come out of this baby is really quite impressive.  It almost needs a "high" and "low" speed so it doesn't go through them quite so quickly--it's a bit overwhelming, and yet very fun as well!

A sea of bubbles!

 Natalia wanted a Hello Kitty cake (again--she had one last year), but this year she wanted to decorate it herself.  I drew the outline and let her go to town with the frosting colors of her choice--pink and green.

Here is the beautiful end result--enough frosting piled on that baby to make any kid happy!

Natalia woke up on her "pretend" birthday (Friday) and was disappointed that although she had presents, her door was not decorated.  She was especially bummed about not having starbursts like Anna had.  However, on Saturday, her real birthday, we pulled through with the decorated door; balloons, poster, starbursts, and all. She was thrilled.  Such simple pleasures!

By the way:

• Natalia still loves her blanket from when she was a baby.  She snuggles it and sucks her middle fingers on her left hand.  She doesn't like to have her nails painted because she doesn't like the taste of it.  Since blanket and fingers help her sleep sooooooooo well and soooooooooooo quickly every night, we really don't care if she does it until she's 16.
• She requested strawberry oatmeal for her birthday breakfast, chicken noodle soup and macaroni and cheese for lunch, and hot dogs for dinner.
• Whenever she sees Kevin and I hugging, she likes to run in and join the hug as well.  She is a very affectionate girl!
• She loves to string beads on a necklace.  She has the patience to see it through to the end usually as well!
• I pulled a cooked chicken out of the oven for our Sunday dinner and she asked "What dead thing is that?"
• We love our Tali-Pop!