Minnie Mouse 2nd Birthday Celebration Extravaganza!

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Since Katy shares her birth date (February 18) with her younger cousin, Joel, we decided to celebrate her second birthday with a joint Minnie and Mickey Mouse birthday celebration extravaganza in FL with the Tinkey side of the family. This was the first time in almost seven years that my brother and his whole family, my sister and her whole family and Ted, Katy and I have been to my parents' house at the same time. Coordinating that many schedules is quite a challenge!

Since children under two fly for free, Katy and I flew one-way to FL on Tuesday, Valentine's Day. Let's just say that it was a good thing that this was Katy's last time as "infant in arms." She was quite wiggly and active in my lap during the flight. The flight was compounded by the fact that we ended up with a grumpy and unhelpful flight attendant. In any case, we made it to Orlando safe and sound with little drama (just the way I like to fly).

While Dad had to go back to work after taking time to pick us up from the airport, Katy and I enjoyed the beautiful blue skies and sunny weather. We took a walk, dipped our feet in the pool and enjoyed the reprieve from the recent cold spell in NC.

After Mom and Dad got back from work that night, we all went out to dinner for Thai. Katy was a little charmer as she talked and observed the other restaurant patrons and wait staff. It took some coaxing to get her to sit in the high chair (aka, "Katy's special big girl chair") but somehow Grandmas can get kiddies to do what parents cannot (why is that?!?).

Late Tuesday night, Hope, Eric and Molly arrived in town. Other than a long line at the car rental place, their flight in also went smoothly.

Wednesday dawned and we took the girls to Monkey Joe's. The Monkey Joe's by my parents' house is so much nicer than the one by us- much cleaner and bigger and brighter. Since we got to the place early enough, the girls pretty much had the run of the place without too many other kids to get in their way. It was Molly's first time bouncing and Katy was more than willing to show her the ropes.

We visited Jeremiah's Italian Water Ice Wednesday night after dinner for gelatis. Yum, yum, YUM! I love that place! Peanut Butter is my favorite and Katy ordered her standard strawberry flavor.

Ted drove in late, late, late Wednesday night (technically Thursday morning). We got a little shut-eye and then woke early to enjoy a day at Disney World (Crazy, I know!). Dad joined us as we met our good friends, the Pates, at Magic Kingdom. We walked around the park, rode some rides and had a chance to catch up. Since we visited the park on a Thursday, it was busy but not too crowded that you couldn't breathe. The weather was perfect- not too hot and not too humid. We had the opportunity to ride half a dozen rides- Pooh's Corner, Mickey's Philharmagic, Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World, Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride, Swiss Family Tree house. Whenever anybody would ask her later, Katy would reply that "Uppy down" was her favorite ride (Aladdin). She loved to control going up and down in the magic carpet and she was very distraught when the ride came to a too-quick end. The other thing that Katy kept telling others was that "Donald 'care me" referring to Mickey's Philharmagic show. While the show wasn't necessarily "scary" it was loud and since it was 3-D, things kept coming toward you and that scared Katy. She was clinging to me the whole show.

We got to see several characters from afar. I was unwilling to waste too much time waiting in line to meet them in person, though. The line to meet Rapunzel was really long all day long. After riding the rides and eating some lunch, we decided it was time to leave in the hopes that Katy would fall asleep in the car on the ride home. This was not the case, however, as Katy stayed up the ENTIRE trip home and didn't manage to catch a nap at all! She did, however, fall asleep very early that night at slept for 12 hours straight- she was worn out from her Disney adventure!!

Friday was a low-key kind of day. We helped get some things ready for the party on Saturday and I had a chance to get together with my friend David Smith for lunch.

Josh, Delinda, Kayla and Joel arrived in town Friday afternoon. It was officially considered madness at the Tinkey house with four kiddies ages three and under! That being said, Grandma and Pop-Pop decided that they'd watch the kids for a couple of hours while all of the parents went out after dinner. So, Josh, Delinda, Hope, Eric, Ted and I enjoyed a couple hours of "adult time" on Park Ave. while my parents were home with Kayla, Katy, Molly and Joel. When we walked in the door from going to the Wine Room and Kilwin's, my Mom greeted us with such an enthusiastic and proud, "The kids were so great AND nobody cried!" that I know it must be true (and not just a grandparent white lie).

It's so fun to see how the kids interact with one another. Of course, they have all gotten bigger since I saw them at Thanksgiving- each getting quicker and faster and smarter. I noticed that Katy likes to follow Kayla around and see what "big girl" things she can do with her. Katy fights with Molly the most, though- wanting whatever Molly has and being told umpteen many times to "share" with her cousin. I guess we told Katy this one too many times because while reviewing pictures of our trip this morning, Katy pointed to one of Katy, Molly and Eric playing in the living room and she announced, "Katy, share!" Katy is very concerned and caring toward Joel. Anytime he would cry, Katy would be quick to find his pacifier or try to find a bottle for him. She loved giving Joel hugs and kisses.

On Saturday morning, we all trekked out to Cocoa Beach for a family portrait- complete with white shorts and jeans. It was quite an adventure to get 12 people- four of them kids- to smile, look at the camera and not blink all at the same time. Kudos to our cousin, Christa Petruzzi for joining the madness to be our photographer for the day!

The Minnie and Mickey Birthday Party took place in the afternoon. There was cake! There were balloons! There were Mickey ears and Mickey-shaped chicken nuggets (that even Katy could eat)! There were cookies and ice cream and food, food, food! Friends and family joined us as we jointly wished Katy and Joel happy 2nd and happy 1st birthday, respectively.

When it came time for the cake, Katy was a pro! She blew out her candle like a champ and then starting chowing down on her very own, special Mickey-shaped cake. She couldn't believe that Mommy was letting her eat a whole cake all by herself with no silverware! She got as far as the ears and then had to stop in order to eat some ice cream. Yummy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Katy and Joel!!