Hey there, Mamas! This past week we celebrated L’s second birthday. (Man, time flies, doesn’t it?) I cannot believe she’s already two… but I’m sure that’s how everyone feels about their own children.
L’s cousin’s birthday is one day after hers (she turned 1 this year), so we had a joint party. I thought it would be difficult planning a winter birthday party, but I think it turned out really great! We rented out a big hall and brought in a slide, tumbling mats and foam shapes, a kiddie basketball hoop, and a bowling set. (No pics of that stuff, since I didn’t think to take any before the kids were on it, ya know, privacy stuff.) 
The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves and I loved that they were able to be active and having fun in December. (Although, it was 70 degrees outside that day, so we may as well have just had the party at a park… That’s another story.) Which brings me to the question: Just what would a birthday party be without dessert, or namely, cake?
At another party, I had a friend muse that she bet L didn’t even know what a cupcake was. And I am here to tell you that that statement is definitely false! I’m sure you’ve all heard about my sweet tooth, but if not, I am here to tell you that it is HUGE! I am for sure the one wanting to order dessert if we go out to eat (while my husband, of course, would rather order an appetizer… typical).
Dessert-type items aren’t typically something we have at home. But when we are at a function with desserts (a birthday party, shower, holiday celebration), you can bet that I indulge a bit, and I let L do so, as well.
I want her to grow up knowing that she can eat foods that taste good (many healthy, but some with little nutritional value) and not burst into flames. I want her to know that no food is off limits and that there are no such things as “bad” foods. I also want her to appreciate her body and nourish it with nutritious foods.
In other words, I want her to have a healthy relationship with all kinds of foods. Food is meant to be enjoyed. It’s one of my favorite parts of life, and I want her to relish every meal as well.
After her first experience trick-or-treating this Halloween, she learned the difference between “treats” (like “red, green, blues” – how she asks for M&M’s) and snacks. She is aware that candy (or cake) is a sometimes food. And she is okay with that. Mostly.