Paint & Celebrate

After planning and preparing for the big day, it was finally time for Jude's birthday party.

It was a beautiful fall morning to celebrate our big 2 year old, and he was ready. We were thrilled to have friends and family come out to paint and play with Jude.  Even Pap Pap and Lil surprised us by driving up for the big day. What a treat!

Everyone seemed to enjoy the painting and the spin art (via our almost-never-used salad spinner....awesome!)

The snacks and decorations were perfect touches to the beautiful day.

The playground got a lot of use when the kids were not creating.

My attempt at a rainbow cake was a success! It turned out just as I had hoped.

Jude loved his party....and only had two melt downs. Hey....it's his party....he can cry if he wants to. Thankfully, there was plenty of juice for him to double fist and get back in the party groove.

What a big day for a boy who is ready to take on the world. No matter what.

He's been sassier than ever. Ever since he turned 2.

Are those pesky 2 year molars to blame? 

Or his crazy big brother? 

Either way, his is still as cute as can be and no matter how sassy he may get, I am still a puddle of mush as soon as he flashes me one of his many smiles.

We all love you, Jude! And once again, Happy Birthday to YOU!

Hall of Fame

Congratulations, Pap Pap! Congratulations on your induction into the Florida State League Hall of Fame! 

What an honor!

So happy that Matt was able to take off from work to drive down to be there for the ceremony.  What a special evening.

You go, Pap Pap!

A Camping They Did Go

Over Veteran's Day weekend, Daddy took Eli on his very first camping trip....just the two of them. They headed west to a State Park for a one night adventure. Eli was beyond excited and did very well.  Daddy sent me pictures throughout which is exactly what this Mama wanted. I felt as if I could see the pure joy on Eli's face in each picture. I could tell he was having a ball! From setting up the tent (serious business, ya know?), finding new plants on the "hike", getting to use Daddy's pocket knife (...but not the actual knife!) to "carve" some wood, cooking hot dogs and s'mores over the fire, sleeping in the tent, and waking up for some yummy waffles and hot chocolate at Waffle House.

First campout = a success! I have a feeling there will be more as Eli (...and Daddy!) is already planning them. But this time, he wants Mommy to come too. 

Jude's 2!

All week long, I have found myself looking at Jude and wondering, "How in the world he can be 2 already?" I can hardly believe it is true.

Monday was his big day, and it was a fun one. Jude woke up to lots of singing from his brother and Daddy. He donned his birthday crown with pride, and we were quickly out the door to meet up for a Veteran's Day breakfast and parade with friends. 

A parade, just for the birthday boy, right? He was enamored by all of the bands, fire trucks, and armed vehicles. The birthday boy waved his flag with gusto!

From there it was on to lunch with Daddy and later a Chik-fil-a birthday dinner complete with presents, cupcakes and family. Jude was adorable in every sense of the word celebrating his day. He was excited to blow out his candles and tell those he wasn't too shy to talk to that he was "two." 

He had no clue what presents were, but I think he knows now. He honestly loved each thing and was not too overwhelmed. Eli was a super helper when it came to opening each gift. The water table from Mommy and Daddy was a big hit. We let him play inside with a blanket underneath with an inch or two of water. He managed to get soaked, but had a ball. 

One very happy, and wiped out 2 year old. Once the birthday boy ate some icing off of his cupcake, he was done. This Saturday, he will get to celebrate with some more friends and family at his party. He's still a little clueless, but that is ok. It is bound to be another fun day for our sweet and silly two year old.

Some two year old fun facts and stats:

• At his 2 year old appointment....just like his brother....he is still a little on the short but stocky side. 30th percentile for height (almost 34 in.), 70th for weight (almost 30 lbs), and 95th for head. He is rocking and rolling with his language and development. Cried for 45 seconds after his shots, but his "Elmo shoes" (a.k.a. slippers he got for his bday that he won't take off for much...) quickly got his mind off of them. Our little rock star.
• Loves to play with: cars, construction trucks, airplanes, trains, and any and all balls. He loves to be outside running, climbing, throwing, kicking, digging, etc. He really likes to read books, do puzzles, and has recently become and iPod Touch pro. 
• Favorite shows...when he will sit still to watch: Bubble Guppies and Blue's Clues....and every once in a while Micky Mouse or Elmo.
• Talks a lot, and quite clearly. Knows his shapes, counts into the teens and loves to sing his ABCs. He is starting to ID letters and is close to spelling his name....he's got the J-U so far. He has several favorite phrases: "I like __(fill in the blank)__.", "That's cool!", "Did you see/hear that?", "Oh my goodness!", "I fine/My OK.", "I do it!" I love the fact that he will still use signs a little as he talks, but has dropped most of his sign language. 
• Impressive coordination and fine motor skills. Writes well with a great pencil grip, loves to color and paint, can stack 14 blocks, lines up his cars, kicks, throws, and bats with great accuracy. He is working on catching now.
• He adores music and sings along to his favorites as we drive around in the car.
• Prays the blessing with us each night very sweetly.
• Has some pretty good manners so far. He will say thank you and 'cuse me consistently. He picks up toys well and likes to sing the clean up song while he does it. 
• Has recently picked up some serious pouting and fit throwing skills. Despite being able to communicate well, he forgets all of that when he is frustrated and isn't getting his way. He has also learned some "big boy" bad habits from his brother such saying "No fair," "Go away," etc. He is learning that there are consequences when he does not choose to listen to Mommy. He knows what time out is, will often go on his own when he needs a break, and says sorry to get out.
• An adventurous eater....for the most part. Loves fruit, meat, snacks, and sweets. Is a bit pickier when it comes to veggies and breads. Still has a bit of a sensitive stomach. He drinks chocolate almond milk due to a possibly dairy issue and that he dislikes plain milk. 
• Is so close to being ready to potty train and is successful without pants on, but as soon as we put underwear on, he wets them every time. I think it will be soon though....maybe? Finger's crossed!
• Hates nap time and will play play play in that crib until I go up and lay him back down again. Bed time is a piece of cake because he is usually so tired from the lack of a good nap.
• Super cuddly and loves his stuffed animals...he calls them his friends.  

Jude, thank you for blessing our family for the past two years. We love you very much! Terrible Twos and Trying Threes, here we come. Go easy on us, please!

Odds and Ends

I have had a week. Feeling a bit down in the dumps for many reasons...maybe I can just chalk it up to hormones...but amid all of the turmoil and my tears, we have still found time for fun and busyness. I realize that I often stop to snap a quick pic of something with the camera or phone, but it doesn't always make its way from the camera to the computer. Figured I would try to wrap up all of the odds and ends from the past month or so into one big post. So, in the words of {my almost 2 year old!!!} Jude: On mark, et set, GO!

• We celebrate Friday Fundays around here. They take us all over town to fun places for fun treats. Sometimes it is just a crafty afternoon at home. And more often than not, they end with dinner and a movie. Whatever we do, it is always FUN!

• A little toddler in our house has taken to lining his toys up...especially his cars. And he learned quickly from cousin Asher this summer, that they all need to be facing the same direction too.

• Last month, Eli and Mommy had an ice cream and movie date. We don't do this enough. Despite the movie being a dud, we still managed to have fun and make memories.

• Every Wednesday evening, Eli has gymnastics. The plan was to schedule it at a time when Daddy was home so that Jude could stay home with Mommy or Daddy, but that has NOT been working. So Jude comes with. And just like at karate, he finds ways to keep busy and entertained. 

•  Can you believe this booger is almost 2??? We are talking a mere 3 days away!  Ahhhh! Ok, that is enough talk about that....

• I think it was in honor of Columbus Day, but the kindergartners homework one week was to make a boat that floats to race on Friday. Eli was super proud of the boat he built with Dad. So neat to see all of the designs the kids and families created. 

• When we can, Jude and I meet up with Eli for Lunch Bunch at school. Eli is always excited to see us, and it is always fun to be a part of Eli's school day.

• Soccer season ended quickly. Eli had a fun time, but so did Jude! He loved walking (not riding in the stroller that Mommy pushed each time) to the park and playing with his buddy, Campbell, on the sidelines. If he was lucky, Eli would dress him up in last year's jersey. Who cares if it was 4 sizes too big? Fun times.

• Did I mention that Jude has a birthday coming up? He was thrilled to be able to paint the envelopes for his invitations...hence the reason we are throwing him an arts n' crafts party. The boy loves to color and paint.

• We did make it back to the pumpkin patch last month, but the boys were not feeling any pictures. Outakes from those days are always fun.

• Eli got to feel the baby kick for the first time. The look on his face was priceless. I will never forget it.

•  School pictures happened....This boy is getting so big and so grown up! 

• Fall weather is sneaking in here and there. We are actually just wrapping up another little cold spell. It is always a good excuse for fires and pumpkin treats. 

 

 

• Jude is not sure what to think of the cold weather. It takes him a while to warm up after our walks to school in the morning. 

• Some sweet brotherly love goes on from time to time. Jude has been insisting on walking to and from the car more often, and I'm trying to let him....as Baby Blueberry will be the one in my arms in just a few months time. In the meantime, we are working on the importance of holding hands while crossing the street.

• Some days, it takes everything I've got to get Eli to pitch in and help around the house....but out of the blue, he insisted on doing the dishes. And he did. He did them well too. Time to add this to the chore chart....PRONTO! Mama could get used to this.

•  Baby Blueberry is just growing, growing, growing! The belly has officially caught up to (and just about surpassed) the boobs. 

• There was more fall fun to be had last weekend at our neighborhood's Fall Festival in the park. Matt was working, but the boys and I strolled on up there. Eli had a ball, but poor Jude spent most of the morning in tears due to being scared of the loud fire truck horn. The kids were allowed to honk it....and there were a lot of kids there. Jude would startle each time and then tremble as he cried. Poor thing! We almost had to leave, but eventually we got far enough away, and Jude settled down. 

• Jude helped me at the polls on Tuesday. Lucky for us, our polling location is on our walk home from school, so we got to stroll to school, stroll to the polls, and then stroll on home. Voting always makes me feel proud to be an American.

• Eli had Farm Day at school this week, and my boy never misses an opportunity to dress up. Farmer Eli was ready for fun and learning!

• Eli continues to improve his reading and frequently offers to read books for Jude. Bedtime books are always sweeter when Brother reads them. 

• And one last picture....of my sweet little 1 year old. I can't believe how fast the year has flown. Jude will celebrate his 2nd birthday on Monday! 

I hope this doesn't mean I have to stop calling him my baby. Love this cutie pie (....and his big brother too, of course!)