Birthday Party!

We had family over for a little party for our two year old on Saturday.  He really seemed to enjoy it, he's a happy little boy :)

I was trying to think of a theme he would be excited about, and was mostly thinking about his favorite vehicles and animals, when suddenly it hit me - pinwheels! He loves pinwheels and I think it was perfect for his party. (The theme is always pretty subtle. Invitations, cake, maybe a decoration, and sometimes he gets a related gift.)

The party was in the evening and when he woke up from his nap I'd picked up the balloons, so that was fun.


Just before the party I set out some pinwheels and he loved playing with them too. I guess I didn't take any pictures of that, but they're these from Hobby Lobby.


I didn't take pics during dinner either. Hot cup grilled chicken wings and pork medallions, and the corn salsa that we love. Sooo good.  The birthday boy mainly ate grapes, strawberries, and the white bbq sauce his dad made.

(My big sister took pictures while he opened gifts, thanks sis!)  He was totally into opening gifts and did a great job. Though he must have gotten a little wary of the pattern of getting his new toys taken away and another unopened gift given to him, because when he opened the dinosaur on wheels, he got up and hid behind me to play with it. And he roared. I hadn't even realized he makes dinosaur noises.



You may sort of recognize the pinwheel the cake's intended to resemble from previous posts where he's playing with it. He loves our outdoor pinwheel the most! He loved the cake, and he loved eating it too. The next couple days when I would ask if he wanted cake he'd say "pinwheel! pinwheel! pinwheel!" Hot cup made yummy ice cream. Orange (because our birthday boy loves the color orange, and because yum), and Cinnamon Chocolate (because yum).



He had smiles for everyone all evening.


I love my little boy! Happy Birthday ♥

2 Years!

Our little guy had his second birthday yesterday! He ate two meals and dessert, and didn't complain about naptime, so it felt a little bit like it should be my birthday.

He loved his decorations. As soon as they were in view he smiled and said "balloon! balloon!" And then pointed out all the orange ones.

He had a pretty fun day, I think.

I brought my camera on our trip to the park, it was a sunny day! Here's some pictures ...

When it was time to go, the birthday boy held his hand out to his big brother - he wanted his big brother to help him out the door. So cute!


The silly birthday boy had me carry him the entire (half mile) walk to the park.


The pinwheel and the swings. Two of his favorite things!




I'm loving these pics of big brother too!



Sandbox
Searching for "rocks"


He walked some of the way home, but I carried him a lot too.



A little while after his nap he took my hand and led me to the door and tried to open it. It was sweet and I really wished I could delay dinner prep but couldn't. I told him maybe we could go out when his big brother came down from naptime. So I kept making dinner and he brought me his hat and shoes and once they were on he hopped on his big brother's outside bike and rode around by the front door. When big brother finally came down he was not happy his little brother was on his bike. He rarely shares it, and hasn't at all lately. But after a little breakdown we managed to work it out so he agreed to let his little brother ride it outside. The birthday boy was very determined to do so, so I'm glad that worked out.

Independence Day Weekend

We were super excited that my dad and baby sister joined us for Independence Day Weekend this year!  (My mom was out of town visiting family.)

We decided to go to a neighboring, less populated county to see the fireworks.  Fireworks were at 9:30 but we arrived at about 5.  My dad and sister joined us at about 7.  There were animals and games and of course food.


After a while we found our spot on the lawn and had fun waiting.  I came back from a trip to the restroom to find our toddler a couple feet away from a little girl with facepaint and a light hoop around her neck just staring at her, and I guess he'd been there a couple minutes.  So we got the boys their own light hoops.


Getting a family picture is not something our boys consider cooperating for. Thanks for trying sis ♥



Not long before the fireworks began our two little boys settled down in the arms of me and their dad and seemed to suddenly be quite aware of how tired they were.  They maintained that mood throughout the fireworks show.  Our older boy buried his head in his dad and didn't watch a single one.  Our younger boy stayed in his seat on my lap and seemed to drift in and out of sleep.  During the finale I turned him around to lay on my shoulder because he was just so sleepy.



The next morning we went to church, and I left our little guy in nursery for the first time (I usually stay) and I understand he did really well.

Not long after we got home he went down for nap and we did some poppers and sparklers with our preschooler, he seemed to have fun with them.



With Grandpa and his aunt there he requested an exception for quiet time and didn't have to go to his room.  Grandpa read him stories pretty much the entire time, it was quite the treat!

After dinner & dessert our guests had to head back home.