Kansas

I had to give each state its fair post. I can't be giving all the attention to the Missouri cousins. No, that wouldn't be fair to miss Lucy.

Isn't she the sweetest?

It was her birthday after all. And not just any old birthday. It was her very first birthday. She was the most darling little guest of honor.

Opening her present from her Mama: the dolly that was hers as a little girl

Noella had a bit of hard time understanding that not all of the toys/attention/everything were hers and hers alone. It was definitely a challenge for her to come from being the youngest with all eyes and ears on her, doting on her every motion, obliging her every request. On this side of the family, there's a newer kid in town --- and it was her birthday. Which meant presents. That were not Noella's. That she could not open up. Oh my, these lessons are hard to learn. But I'm getting ahead of myself.....

Prior to the big birthday event, the cousins, Aunt Maggie, Nana Carol, Aunt Amy and I all had a field trip to Deanna Rose's Farm in KC.  Even the rainy cold weather couldn't keep us away!

We saw all kinds of animals: pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, cows, owls, peacocks, bobcats, horses......

Discussing the pigs and their dirty feet with Nana

Noella spoke to the turkeys (and they spoke back). 

She fed the goats (wasn't so sure about this).

 

After this fun-filled day, they definitely needed a bath, which meant we definitely needed the "kids in the bath tub" photo.

Kids in the bath

And onto the birthday festivities. 

Trying desperately to open one of these gifts

Nana Carol thought ahead: Noella received one present after Lucy had opened up all of her gifts. It was for both of them - different colored tutus. Of course, Noella's is pink and purple. 

We tried hard to get her to sing Happy Birthday to Lucy. She wanted to sing it to herself, and everyone else.... but sure enough, when no one was listening, she snuck Lucy's name in there. In fact, she did it today out of nowhere. She's thinking of you Lucy! We miss you guys!