Happy Birthday!

Aydin's birthday was an epic day of fun, laughter, food, and TOYS! Nana, Baba, and Mama stayed up late the night before getting the room all ready for a morning surprise. It's no Picasso, but our birthday poster reminded me of when I was kid. It sure felt good to do some serious coloring with our new Crayola markers...


Good thing Ozan has such hearty lungs. He blew up almost every balloon for the big day!


Think she'll be surprised?


What's this? A party at 7am? Why not?!?!? (I think we have the kindest downstairs neighbors in the universe.)


Ooooh! What are those round things hanging on the walls?!?!


They keep telling me this is a "telephone" but I've never seen a phone that looks like this!


Breakfast, anyone? (Aren't we terrible — we put folks to work when they stay at our place!)


This is what pretending that "French toast is good for you because it's made with whole wheat challah" looks like.


With these awesome new instruments Mimi and Skip gave me we'll be making music everyday! I LOOOVE the maracas. That's us dancing to "Hooray, Hooray, It's a Holi-Holiday" by Boney M.


I got a bracelet with butterflies on it and a tugboat with lots of fish and Sailor Pete (with the stinky feet)!


Thank you, Nana, for this handmade doll from Turkey. It's got blonde hair and blue eyes, just like me!


ARGH! I just pulled her arm off!


"Birthday" pleases me very much!


These blocks have a somewhat pleasant vanilla smell. Shame they don't taste like candy:


Dad, you know I'm not too fond of hats. But this time I'll make an exception if it means I get more TOYS!

The feathers make this "baby blue" hat girly enough for our delicate flower, Miss Aydin!


Spoiler alert: there's no "cake in the face moment." She wouldn't touch her dairy-free cupcake. Hmmm. Wonder why not?




What amazing and thoughtful gifts Aydin received. Thank you Mimi and Skip for the incredible "Little People" Learning Village. We don't have any pictures yet, but she is wholly absorbed in the "counting apples" that get sorted, "Connect Four"-like, into the apple tree. That thing is going to keep her busy for many months to come. And of course, the musical instruments are just great!

Thank you, Nana and Dede, for the wonderful things from Turkey! I can't wait to watch Sesame Street in Turkish! Ve... benim yeni kitaplarim cok seviorum! I'm learning new words every day. I love my new marionette -- it's so lifelike! I'm a little scared of it right now but I won't be for too long. I love my cozy knit slippers and all the wonderful pajamas you picked out for me! The bracelet is pretty -- you know I like butterflies. The hats are great, too, especially the ones with chili peppers on it. (To go with my fiery personality, of course). Ulgen-yenge, thank you so much for all the beautiful hand-knit sweater and hat. I will be so warm this winter. Bergen-yenge, you are the most talented knitter! The sweaters you made for me are so great... and the blue jumper is adorable! I will be the envy of all the girls at Carroll Park this winter!

Nana, thank you so much for baking me cupcakes and making French toast, and for dancing with me and helping keep me clean and tidy and for being with me on my birthday! Can't wait to see you on Saturday.

Thank you, Nadia, for the adorable dress! She is going to look so cute in it. Osman and Susan, it was so nice of you to call! We hope you're holding down the fort in Texas. My dad says you STILL haven't picked out a grill yet. Let Mommy and Baba know soon, ok? :)

And thank you, Baba and Mama, for teaching me about this amazing new thing called "Birthday." I really like it and hope we can do it again EVERY week!