6/14 Ice cream and real screams - we had both on Sunday for Kimberly's 2 year old birthday. Her birthday is on flag day and also the same day as Dan Needham's and Jill Porter's birthday. Is there anybody else that I don't know about? The day started out quiet since she didn't know what was in store for her. She didn't have much for breakfast and nothing for a mid-morning snack since we were busy "preparing". That was our mistake. Around lunchtime Dan took her to my parent's house, while I swung over to DQ to pick up an ice cream cake. She met cousins Samantha and Rachel and played with everybody in the grass. Soon she opened presents and we all had some cake. Kimberly LOVES to open gifts. She figured that one out pretty quickly - rip, tear and throw. She got some clothes and toys - some to come home and some to stay at Papa & Grandma's house. Between Grandma Carol holding and Papa feeding, she ate a piece of ice cream cake. And then it was back to playtime and Emma's 5 year old birthday party. When it was time for hotdogs and hamburgers Kimberly was still interested in playing and not eating. She barely ate the food on her plate, but did nibble on Dawson's hamburger and potato chips when he wasn't looking. About 3:00, well past nap time, we headed home and put her down to sleep. Dan napped while I "prepared" some more. Around 5:00 I woke the sleeping bear - Kimberly (Dan was already awake). There were already a few people over for party #2. This is when the real screams started - off and on for 30 minutes. Dan tried to comfort her; I tried; he tried to feed her; I tried - nothing worked. Finally he went outside to entertain and I started shoveling the food in her mouth every time she opened it to scream. After a jello cup, a slice of cheese and half a bowl of cheerios, she realized that she could stop screaming and start eating. Kimberly turned from a cranky bear into a cute bug again. She came outside and was a happy baby for the rest of the night. Dan and Sue stopped by to see us, along with Dean & Michelle, Phil & Cheryl, Carol & Carrie and Randy & Laurie. We sat on the porch at the new table and enjoyed burgers, dogs and a few beers. The little one turned into quiet the ham. After I cleared the table she got to open a few more gifts from Aunt Michelle - rip, tear and throw - followed by more ice cream cake. At the end of the day, she went to bed a happy two year old.