Two Years-old!

Our baby boy is two! We had fun celebrating, although Alex was quite concerned that the balls on his cake were covered in chocolate frosting.
(Katie and Abby had done a fabulous job of decorating the cake the night before!)
Saturday's festivities included visiting Eckert's Fun Farm, with rides, an underground slide, pig races, and a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch. This picture could probably win an "awkward family photos" contest (everyone was a little tired and hungry), but at least it proves that Mom was there too!


Back at home, Alex loved opening his gifts, especially his basketball set from Grandma Linscott. He's insisted on sleeping with his basketball ever since! He's still warming up to his "Strider"-type bike with no pedals. I think he feels like he's going to tip over on it. He'll get the hang of it soon though.

A few of the things I love about this crazy little two-year-old are:

- when he says "jump, Mama!" and jumps into my arms for a tight snuggle

- his sheer delight over simple things: any ball, the garbage truck, pushing the garage-door button, hearing trains go by, getting a lollipop at the bank drive-thru (last time he must have said "uh-uh, Mama, lollipop" in gratitude at least 5 times!), feeding seeds to the gerbil, watching the bunny that hides under our back porch

- his love for his hand-me-down pink and purple Barbie tricycle

- his obsession with the "big no-no turkey book" (Blue Hat, Green Hat)

- the way he hums and sings to himself

- his absolute distress when he notices that someone is sad or hurt; he comes right over and gently lays his head on the person's shoulder

I'm not quite as enchanted with the toothpaste on the carpet and the crayon drawings on the walls, but I'm sure getting some great patience-building opportunities (occasionally through clenched teeth!).

I wonder if the Magic Eraser company will stay in business once Alex has grown up?