Dump Trucks, Excavators, and Bulldozers: Ethan's 2nd Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Ethan's second birthday.  How did this get here so fast?!?!

Foreman Ethan

Mom and Dad with the birthday boy

Ethan started his big birthday party day out by running errands with Dad while Lindsay, Carissa, and I got everything set up.  In case you weren't aware, the boy LOVES all things trucks.  So that is the theme we went with.

Our little foreman had a great time jumping into the pool fully clothed, playing in the sandbox, opening the never ending pile of gifts, and eating cuties and oranges, seriously, like, 6 cuties.  I even offered to give him a donut to get him away from them.

I am not sure that he understands that it is his birthday.  But, he loved opening the presents.  And he enjoyed his birthday song.  Even though he did get a little bashful at that time put his head into my shoulder.

  

Our crew included Emma, Abigail, Brayden, Blake, Hayden, and baby Ava.  I hope that all of the little ones had a great time and I wish I had gotten a few more pictures of them playing.  And each of them received a traffic cone sippy cup, a personalized Home Depot Apron filled with stickers and temporary tattoos, and a hard hat.

Favors ready for everyone

Thank you favors

Toolbelt onesies for the two really little ones

Miss Abigail sporting her new work uniform

Ethan and Abigail playing with his new kitchen

Guests were welcomed with traffic cones filled with balloons as they approached the house.  When they came to the door they were greeted inside by this wreath wrapped in an extension cord (which of course I didn't get a photo of).  The mantle, wall, and food table were adorned (some still are) with caution tape, construction vehicles, and Ethan's two year pictures.  

We had boulders, tires, wrecking balls, nut and bolts, beams, cement mix, and yellow paint on the menu

And we attempted to get everyone to take their picture in the dump truck but I think a few slipped out without it.  

Foreman Ethan definitely made it out with lots of new stuff, including a new kitchen, workbench, a basketball hoop (which Dad and Uncle Mike quickly took over), a Batman cozy coupe, and lots and lots of trucks and blocks.  He was one happy boy.  

Hanging in the new Batman Cozy Coupe that Aunt Carissa painted for him

Thanks so much for everyone that came out.  I know it is a trek for most and we truly appreciate it.  

I hope you enjoyed your party baby boy!

And a little post party fun

Sneaking cupcakes

When he saw me looking he said "Mmm, Good"

A new bed?

After I put Ethan down for his nap today I came downstairs to change clothes to hop on the treadmill (it has been too long).  I decided to upload some pictures first.  A few minutes later I hear "Mama" coming from the upstairs hallway.  Standing there was 3 feet of cuteness at the top of the stairway.  Sigh!!  I pick him up and put him back in and step away.  A few minutes later, the same thing.  So, we tried out the big bed.  That was a no go.  He just wanted to play with Turk and throw himself down on it, yelling "one more" between each time.  I finally put him back in his crib.  I think he may be too tired to climb back out.  I peeked through the crack I left in the door and saw him attempting to scale the corner of the crib.  He seems to have lost energy.  I see him laying down fighting sleep through the monitor as I type.

So, I guess it may be time for the big boy bed transfer.  I hope this goes better than our first attempt at potty training.  Its a good thing I finished getting that bed ready.

And...he sleeps. 

A Batman Memorial Sunday

Today was a great look into what Ethan's ideal day would be like.  He pretty much ran that show today.  He got to start the morning with a little one on one dad time, to be followed by lunch and time at the park.  However, when we got to the park there were plenty of puddles to play in.  The swings were not good enough when puddles were so close and calling his name.  I had to drive home to get his Batman rain boots so that his only pair of sneakers were not ruined.  Luckily, we were at the neighborhood park and it was just around the corner.

This boy would be content with a stick or an acorn.  Why do we buy toys again?

After naptime we were informed there were some ducks just walking around the neighborhood.  We aren't sure where they came from but, they were fun to chase around. 

We ended our day with playing in the playroom with some construction trucks.  

Why wouldn't we sit ON the train table to play?!

And getting ready for bed....with the trucks.

He is definitely busy these days.  

We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.

23 Months!

Just one month shy of two and the terrible twos are upon us.  They have been slowly creeping up on us for the past month or so.  What do I do with this bear?  Emotions are HIGH in this house at times.

Naptime over the weekend is a prime example.  As usual we went to his room, turned on his humidifier and lamp, and turned off the light.  I proceeded to sit down in the rocker for some reading before our nap.  Usually he picks his book and comes to sit down.  Today, he sat in front of the door and wailed!  I patiently waited for him to stop.  He then proceeded to hide himself at the side of his bookshelf where he couldn't be seen.  He finally calmed down and came to read with me.  However, once I went to put him in bed the wailing continued.  I eventually had to just leave him in there.  It only took him a few minutes to lay down and go to sleep.  What happened to the little boy that enjoyed rocking with me until he was tired enough to lay down?  Luckily, the tantrums have usually stayed to times when he is overtired or hungry.

A day at the mall with Grandma

Saying "Cheese" for the camera

Lucky for him, he is a funny little guy that 90% of the time entertains us or runs around the house like a mad man.  His days lately are spent, literally, running circles around the kitchen, wanting us to chase him, climbing the stairs, or playing outside.

Investigating the sprinkler, very unsure but, loves Lightening McQueen

The results of chocolate rice cakes on a warm, Texas day.   He even had it in his eye.

Fun times at his sleepover with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Mike at Grapevine Main Street Days

Other changes:

His vocabulary has increased from 25 to around 50 or so words in the past couple of weeks.  He still prefers to use signs for a lot of things but, he will at least give me some works here and there now.  Stubborn, stubborn boy.  He has almost mastered the spoon.  The mess with applesauce and yogurt is minimal.  He asks where Dada is All.Day.Long!  It sometimes even turns into a song running through the house singing "Da---Da!"  He loves to sing too, Lalalalalalala!

The cranky part of the day is usually right after his nap.  He wakes up around 5-5:30, right about the time I am starting dinner.  He is fine if I am sitting on the couch but, as soon as I start to cook he feels he needs to be held the entire time.  And only by Mom.  Dad, just simply won't do, even though he asks for him all day.

He also has a new love for painting and play-doh.

Just a few weeks until we have a two year old.  EEEK!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.  Most of our weekend was spent outside enjoying this great weather we have had.  Friday we went to a special Mother's Day playdate at the Grapevine Recreational Center.  They had a gymnasium set up with a bounce house and plenty of toys for toddlers and preschoolers.  They also had a few craft tables set up.  We danced, we jumped, we crafted, and most of all we went down the slide over and over and over again.  We continued our playdate with lunch at a nearby park. Someone may have found some leftover rain puddles from the night before.

 

Ethan and his buddy, Camden, playing in the puddles (this is one is my favorite)

Abigail getting in on the action

And before we left it was absolutely necessary to go see the construction trucks.

Checking out the construction trucks.  He is going to love his birthday party!

On Saturday we got to spend the entire day with Dad!  This is a rare event lately.  Before our nap we decided to work on some Mother's Day presents for Gram and Grandma Flynn, which I just now realized I forgot to take a picture of.  Oops.  We painted the bottom of his feet and made little butterflies on the side of a plant pot.  He really enjoyed himself with the paint. I am so glad because he hasn't really shown much interest in it in the past.

Sunday we enjoyed a morning with just the three of us.  We followed it up with lunch at Chris and Diana's house with Grandma and Grandpa Flynn, Uncle Mike and Emma.  After lunch we came home for a nap, Ethan and Mom.  After our naps we went to meet Gram, Papaw, Aunt Carissa, and Uncle Jason at Campisi's for dinner.  Delicious!

I really enjoyed the weekend.  And thank you to Robert for giving me a reason to celebrate this day.  I can't get enough of this face.

Enjoying a post painting snack

I hope all the other mom's out there enjoyed their day too!