Layla's First Birthday!

Dear Layla,

365 days have passed since you where born and I love you a little more each day. Happy birthday to my sweet angel!

Love,
Mommy

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Strawberry Cake

Dear Layla,

When I was little, G-Ma (or as you've started calling her, "Ya-Ya") used to make me homemade strawberry cake for my birthday. I can still remember the bright pink icing. So yummy!

Now it's my turn to make it for you. I decided to use the recipe as cupcakes for you to take to Mama Jane's house to share with your friends at daycare. Each cupcake was decorated with a white dot in honor of your first birthday.

Here's the recipe so that perhaps one day you'll make it for my granddaughter.

Strawberry Cake
1 box white cake mix

1 small box of strawberry jell-o
1/2 cup water
1 cup oil
4 egg whites
3 tbsp. cake flour
5 oz. frozen strawberries

Beat the egg whites until stiff. Combine the other ingredients then fold in the egg whites. Bake at 350 degrees until done.

Strawberry Icing
5 oz. of strained frozen strawberries (just buy a 10 oz. container and split it between the icing and batter)
1 stick butter
Confectioner's sugar

Combine all until icing thickens.

Enjoy the tradition!

Love,

Mommy

Will Walk For Food

Dear Layla, This afternoon you were having a snack while I sat on the couch. I was teasing you by putting one cookie on one cushion and another on a different cushion. At first, you would eat one, drop to the ground, and crawl to the other cookie. But then something amazing happened. You ate one cookie and then walked to the other cookie!! Yes, you were holding onto the couch, but it counts! I immediately got on Skype to show G-Ma and G-Pa. And when Daddy got home after bathtime, we showed him too. Here's the video:

Love, Mommy

Daddy Gymnastics

Dear Layla, Most people don't like to belly-flop, but you have no problem with that! In this video, you used Daddy as your personal gymnastic apparatus. It was funny to everyone! Love, Mommy

Easter Pictures

Dear Layla, Happy First Easter! Love, Mommy

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Slides and Swings

Dear Layla,

While your G-Parents were visiting we took you to the neighborhood park for a little fun. I've wanted to take you there for a few weeks, but it always seemed to rain when we had some free time. I just knew you would love the swings. I was SO wrong.

When we first got to the park, G-Pa put you on the slide because some other kids were swinging. You absolutely loved it. Here is the proof:

After a few trips down the slide, we put you in the swing. It was obvious that you missed the slide. You kept looking over at it with a look of longing. Don't believe me? Check this out:

So we put you back on the slide. You love slides! In this video, we pretend that we are leaving the park. Clearly you did NOT want to leave your precious slide!

Oh Layla, you are such a silly, little girl! Thanks for all the giggles!

Love,
Mommy

Work It Girl!

Dear Layla,

I think you are on your way to a modeling career. When a camera comes out, you pose and smile. It's cute and very diva-like.

It all started when you were just days old. I started taking "Daily Dose" pictures for G-Ma and the rest of the family. A "Daily Dose" is a picture or two that I email to G-Ma every morning. And believe me when I say this - she gets a little testy if I miss a Dose or two. I once got an email that simply said, "I NEED A FIX" in the subject line. Apparently pictures of you are like crack to her - she's gotta have it!

Here is one of my favorite Daily Dose pictures.

So after many months of Daily Doses, you know exactly what to do when the camera comes out. You always give a big smile. You always let your personality shine though. You occasionally blink at the flash - but who doesn't?