~Mary's 2nd birthday party~

A very happy Monday to each of you! Isn't it wonderful that Jesus has promised NEW STRENGTH for each day? It helps me to know that I didn't use up all the strength yesterday, but I have a fresh supply for today!! =) Thanks for all your nice comments on Mary's 2 year old pictures. Jesus really helped me.
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~We had Mary's party last Friday evening.  We used Hello Kitty~

~Little Mary as the centerpiece. (I didn't have time to print off one of her new pics.)~

~We invited Pastor Jimmy, Sis. Farly, and 3 daughters (including Joanna), Bro. Jaime, Sis. Sofia, Nicolas [our next door neighbor who's Mother works in the evenings, so he's home alone most evenings =( ], and Pastor Jimmy's sister Judy and her 2 children.  (Her husband was out of town.)
Here's dear Sis. Farly with the birthday girl.~

~Little David and Elijah ...best buddies, Noah and Nicolas...Best Buddies, and Joanna wearing one of her new outfits from our church ladies in the USA.~

~Gaby, Sis. Judy, Nataly, Sis. Sofia, and Bro. Jaime.~

~Yours truly and her RIGHT HAND LADY...Kimberly in the kitchen serving the food. =) ~

~Little Mary the birthday girl!  Thanks Gramp and Gram for the ADORABLE jumper for her.  Her shoes we bought at Payless as part of her gifts.~

~Joanna, Mary, and Elijah.~

 ~Gaby and Sarah..."TWINS" who were somehow separated by birth. =) ~

~Adorable little Stephanie playing in Sarah's play house...which Mommy graciously allowed Sarah to put under the stairs. =) ~

~As an appetizer I served YUMMY Autumn chopped salad.  (I served it in smaller bowls, for some of the ingredients were new to them, and I didn't know if they would like it.)   It was a hit.  Several wanted and had seconds. Recipe coming soon.~

~"Uncle" Jimmy is crazy and always makes us laugh.  I had purchased little noise makers, and he taped his to his mouth, so he didn't have to hold it, yet could still blow and make noise.  =) =) ~

~Mommy, Mary, and Daddy.~

~Mary in her high chair.  We removed the balloons after the picture, for she couldn't sit up straight. =) ~

~All of us enjoying our salad.~

~Our menu was oven-fried chicken (A DELICIOUS YET SIMPLE RECIPE that I plan to share with y'all soon), mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans with bacon, and corn.  I also introduced them to homemade biscuits, which they LOVED!  I served tea in my "fish bowl punch bowl."   =D
(I made 5 gallons of red berry tea, which was nearly gone by the end of the evening. =) ~

~The children ate outside.~

~Our kids really wanted me to do a piñata, but I don't like the "unfairness" of a piñata.  Some kids are more aggressive than others and get more goodies, and I always feel sorry for the "underdog."  =(
So, I made a nice goodie bag filled with yummy candy and a small toy or key chain in each bag for the children/young people.  The adults got something fun too.~

~Kimberly helped me with Mary's Hello Kitty cake.  We were in such a hurry that we decided to just use the Hello Kitty candle and then Kimberly came up with the fun idea of wrapping the curly ribbon around the outside of the cake.  It turned out cute.~

~I added some berries that are similar to blue berries into the cake, and Jesus helped it to be yummy.  We served that cake with vanilla and caramel ice cream.~

~Our sweet Mary with her cake.~

~In this picture she got embarrassed and decided she didn't want to smile anymore.~

~Us after we had just sang Happy Birthday to Mary.~

~Mary enjoying her cake and ice cream.~

~Mary opening her gifts.  When Elijah walked up to join her in the picture, she turned and put her little right hand close to him to include him.  It was so cute.~

~Each family gave Mary a nice gift.    We gave her a small purse with goodies inside, sun glasses, and a fun "dress up" puzzle for her to open that night.~

~She cracked us up with her glasses.~

~The next day being her actual birthday, we let her open the rest of our gifts (mainly clothes that she needed =).  (Notice Elijah's "HAT" on your left.)
We loved this pic of her trying to open a "BIGGER THAN MARY" gift bag. =) ~

~Little Mary wearing the fun blouse from Pastor Jimmy, Sis. Farly, and family.~

~And here she is opening the gift from Nicolas and his Mom.  It was fun warm Snoopy Pajamas, some little chocolates, and hair things.~

Jesus gave Mary a very fun birthday!