"Half-y Birthday to You"

Did you know that there is a song for a "half-birthday"? I didn't either until this morning and a few teacher friends filled me in. We sang it to Taylor at dinner tonight, and she thought it was great. :)

Taylor's actual half-birthday was last Friday - cruising towards three!!! I had Taylor step on the scale last week, and she was 28.5 pounds, which means she has only gained about 2 pounds in the past 6 months - but she is getting taller - so she's just leaning out (and looking older in the process!)

I can't help but to write about Taylor as a 2 1/2 year old...because she is just such a delight... and challenge all in one. :o)

Just a few of the delightful parts...
** Counting - getting closer to 20, and she even will spout off numbers in the 20's sometimes, too

** Shapes - recognizes square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, diamond, star, heart

** ABC's - says them like a champ

** Sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", certain verses of "Let's Go Fly a Kite", songs from her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse album and Toddlerville CD

** Loves identifying letters and numbers - two examples... when we are out running, or driving in the car, she will notice the letters on street signs and the other day at a stop sign she spelled out the letters ... s-t-o-p... and went through and said what sound each letter made, too! And when we are out walking, she will want to stop at each house and tell us what the house number is - love it!!

** Can spell her name "T-a-y-l-o-r....TAYLOR!"

** Repeats words a lot now... we gotta be careful what we say!!

** Starting referring to Ryan as "friend dada" after an afternoon of playing on the beach

** Has many moments of wanting to be independent - like buckling her own seat belt in the car

** Wants to help with Camryn when she can - getting her diapers, throwing away her dirty ones, fetching her blankets or stuffed animal, turning on her music while she is on her play mat, and giving infinite kisses and hugs

** Gets up in the morning, or from her nap, and says "You stop sleeping" along with a big "Morning, mama, Morning, dada!"

** Will sit and read and read and read and read (especially at bedtime - she is also becoming quite skilled at procrastinating :))

** Has the books "Brown Bear, Brown Bear", "Baby Bear, Baby Bear",  "Very Hungry Caterpillar", and, "Goodnight, Moon" practically memorized - so fun to read these with her!!

You are such a joy, Taylor Leigh!

(Oh, and want to see something that might make you laugh? Check out my attempt at a "half birthday" cake - idea from pinterest...no, your computer screen isn't playing tricks on you, the cake is tilted and leaning (and a bit messy) - but it tasted really good, so Ryan is hoping that I give it another try for Camryn's half birthday in a few months. :))