T-W-O

I just love this, so I'm posting it...

Happy Birthday, Jake!!

I can't believe my baby is TWO! We had a lovely party with family and friends on Saturday. Jake got a soccer ball, which he loves, a lot of books, a puzzle, clay, a video of an orchestra (Lolly-Pops), and - his favorite thing of all time - a GUITAR! He carries it with him everywhere and it is not allowed out of sight for long (thanks again, Auntie Heather!). His birthday cake was a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake with Nemo on it, which was very exciting. His favorite ice cream flavor (pink) inside. Sadly, the cake topper was lost and I don't think there's much hope of "finding Nemo." Maybe we can replace it at B&R tonight.

On Sunday we had a pretty mellow day. He spent some time leaping onto his chair, playing guitar, and generally hanging out. Then Jake helped me bake mini-carrot-cakes in the shape of dinosaurs for him to take to class. He helped dump in the ingredients and he stirred! They were darling and yummy! Must get a picture before they're all gone...

Monday was, of course, the big day, but not a huge deal. He got a Nemo lunch box from Mommy's friend, Lori, which is way cool. He saw it and immediately announced "Birthday cake!" Great, now the Disney themed fish is associated with cake and ice cream as well as the movie. I'm sunk. Still, the video requested most often has been Lolli-Pops, so maybe the reign of the fish is waning. Pictures!

Busy weekend!

Well we had a fun weekend! Saturday Jake got his hair cut and pictures taken at JC Penney. The new photographer, Angela, did a great job. A little TOO great for my pocketbook, in fact. We had so many great shots to choose from I'm afraid I got a little carried away.
These are some of my favorites.

Sunday we had a playdate with Jake's BFF, Jack. The boys were hilarious together. One of them would start saying or doing something and the other had to join in. It was like living in an echo chamber. They spent the time after dinner playing ring-around-the-rosie and jumping down the stairs. I'm so excited that they're starting Jake's transition into the next room today so he and Jack can be together again every day! While Jake is not a model sharer, what two year old is, he and Jack did better than most, es evidenced by the picture below.

All in all, another fabulous weekend with the best and cutest boy on the planet. Lovin' life.

Happy Labor Day

Fun weekend. We went to a swim party Saturday and Jake had a great time. Mommy got a little dehydrated, but whatever. Sunday, after nap, we went to Gold Rush Days down in Old Sacramento. Jake got to pet a horse, see a band, rope a (fake) cow, and be scared by a real train. The train was LOUD (as it was about 10 feet away when the horn blew) and, as Jake will tell you, "hot." I think he got that from the smoke coming from the engine. If you want to see a crowd of 2 year old boys break instantly into hysterical tears, stand at the end of the platform in Old Sac when the train pulls in. Poor kids. Monday we had a BBQ at Lauren's house. Sucha busy schedule for a little guy!

Jake continues to be an amazing talker. I stopped counting words a while ago but you can actually have a conversation with him. This morning (after 2 nightmares last night) he retold the whole train incident (including him crying and Mommy holding him). His new facination, however, is music. Musical instruments of any kind fascinate him but he is especially fond of guitars and violins. Sunday he got to strum a real guitar (thanks to a very sweet guy passing by the park) and he got to see guitars, violins, and a cell0 at Gold Rush Days. Mommy bought him a stocker set of instruments too. I'm now looking for any (free or at least cheap) concerts we can go to because all I hear is "More Guitar!!"

Speaking of the spoilin's that occurred this weekend, Jake also got a new puppet. After an extensive conversation with Dippy's dog puppet (Mr. Barkey) I bought him a horse puppet (1/2 off at Kiddilywinks in Placerville). He loves Pony (the new puppet's name) and has been very attached. He's no Bink, but he made the "must have for nap" list. So cute: Jake did the sign for snake and hissed when we were talking to Pony this morning, so I made Pony "scared" of the snake. Jake told him "no 'nake"and related it to when he'd been scared by the train. What an amazing thing this kid's brain is!

I know, no new pictures for a while. And I'm really sorry I didn't have my camera when the cowboy was teaching Jake to throw a lasso (drat, drat, drat!). But we're doing 2 year pics at JCP this weekend so watch out!