Penelope Elise is 2!

Penny's birthday was yesterday, Friday, October 10. We narrowed down Penelope's birthday celebration to 2 things that she adores...

1) A hike to a waterfall in the hiking backpack

2) Swimming at the rec center pool

Swimming won! (due to darkness/rain) My parents and Jessica's family joined us. First we met at my house for cupcakes/presents and then we headed to the Herriman Rec Center pool. We will be hiking to a waterfall soon! 

Penelope is very into swimming and the water. In fact, when we talk about our day at the dinner table, she often says she went swimming, even though she didn't. All week she has been saying, "I'm turning 2 on Friday!" Sadly, as part of my recovery, I am unable to swim. I watched and took pictures at the pool which is not quite how I wanted to be celebrating my big girl's special day. I could hardly keep up with the big kids who are comfortable in the water. Isabelle is finally old enough to go down the slide and she went at least 10 times! The joy on her face was adorable. She also followed James and went off the high dive endlessly. 

Living her best life. Just look at her smile.

At daycare they celebrate birthdays. Penelope wasn't at daycare on her birthday, but we sent her her "birthday treat" the day before. Penelope brought chips. Give her all the chips and she's one happy girl. I let her have 3 bags of chips that day... Oops. She wanted another bag. Doritos seem to be here favorite, but Pringles are up there. She'll take any kid of chip. (She had Doritos, bbq chips, and Cheetos that day.)

Presents: We got Penelope a stroller for her dolls. She is very interested in babies and carries them around. She likes to sing "Rock-a-bye baby" and pretend to put the babies to sleep. She got 2 new babies/dolls and one of them is Ms. Rachel which she is thrilled about. Ms. Rachel sings. Penelope also got a Stitch stuffy, another stuffed animal, a princess dress, a book, and a scooter.

BIO

One of the birthday texts I got about Penelope said this: "Happy birthday to cute Penelope!! She is a burst of sunshine! Love her so much!" This sums up Penny perfectly.

Penelope is the best talker! She talks in full sentences and people are astounded by her vocabulary, especially at daycare. Andrew works from home and when he comes up to join us for lunch she usually says, "Dad, how is work going?" She often says these phrases to me: "Mom, are you making cookies?" "Mom, you're making dinner." "Mom, can I sit on the counter?" "Will you turn on a show mom?" "Isabelle is sad." "James is at volleyball practice."

Penelope knows a lot of her colors! Pink seems to be one she's sure of. She can sing "I Am A Child of God" and knows her ABCs and can count to 10. Though she sometimes skips a number.

She has lots of opinions and makes them known! Some have said she is the most opinionated 2 year old they have ever seen and I agree. She is a spitfire! She prefers Andrew to me and is sorely disappointed on the daily when she wakes up and gets me instead of Andrew (who is usually at the gym). 

Penelope knows what she likes, "Let's go to the library." "I want to go to Jessica's house." "Let's go swimming at the pool." "I want to go to nursery!" Penelope wanders around during church and sits with random people sometimes during sacrament meeting. She is well loved. She is very independent and wants to do everything herself including getting dressed, putting on her shoes/socks, etc. After we go somewhere, she has to close the garage even though she can't reach it. I hold her up to push the garage button. If I close the garage, the fit that results can last indefinitely. Penelope also has to close the door to the garage! Not anyone else.

Penelope is ready to be potty trained! She had a babysitter last week and apparently pulled out her little potty and made the babysitter help her use the potty multiple times. She also went on the potty while I was at the ER and my dad was babysitting her. Hoping to potty train later this month but it's complicated with daycare and travel plans.

Penelope is cuddly and I adore it. She asks to give me snuggles and gives the biggest hugs and kisses. She is a social butterfly and would like to be at school at every second. As soon as we leave daycare, she asks if she can go back.

She sometimes asks to go to timeout and gets a naughty look on her face. Pulling Isabelle's hair will surely get her there and she knows that. If you want to see the cutest thing in the world, turn on the song "Hop Little Bunny." Penelope can jump and it's precious how into it she is.

Penelope's 2 year old appointment stats!

Appointment date: October 20, 2025

Weight: 25 pounds (32%) Her weight has gone up! Must be all those chips!

Height: 32.4 (16%)

Head: 93% (Typical for all our children)

2 is such a fun, but busy age! Penelope can open our fridge! None of our other kids attempted this. She pulls a stool into the pantry to get snacks she wants that are out of reach. And eating dirt still isn't a thing of a past. Watch out world! Penelope for president! I could not love this girl or her spunky personality more!!