Annual Tradition

Long time readers may remember last year's infamous photo of me with a snake around my neck. Well it is that time again, Ally's friend Olive's birthday party. Every year her parents have a "critter guy" come and put on an animal show for the kids. Ally was so good and patient and she loved it! Before the show Ally of course found a place to climb and swing on, and yes Grandma Debbie, Ally wears her necklace everyday. For the party she also donned a silver and turquoise bracelet from cousin Jake. I was rummaging in my jewelry box for a necklace for myself and Ally was curious about what was else was in the box and we discovered she is finally big enough to wear it without it falling off. She loves it, frankly I am afraid she will want to wear it every day too now.

At the start of the show the host showed the kids how to hold their hands together when they hold an animal.

Ally holds the flying squirrel while Thora (to the right of Ally) and Max (on the left) look on.

Ally and Thora so excited to see what is next.

Its a snake! And Ally was so excited to touch it.

Then came the skunk.

But Ally wanted nothing to do with the skunk - she leaned way back and out of the way.

The lizard was neat, I even held that one.

Ohhh the chinchilla was so soft.

Then came a bigger snake, a rainbow boa. Ally was all about petting him too.

And she even wore the rainbow boa snake like a necklace!

It was so cool, and Becky and I were so super proud of her!

Here Ally is waiting for her turn to hold the tree frog. She was so patient and waited her turn with her hands in the proper position.

After the animal show it was time for cupcakes.

Ally and her friend River getting ready to eat their cupcakes. Of course all Ally really ate were the candy ears and could licks of frosting.

It was a fun party and great to catch up with parents we hadn't talked to in a long time.