2nd birthday...

2nd birthday party...MUCH different than the first birthday party.

 

Instead of a small family gathering at our house, we partied it UP at a nearby park in Surf City with lots of friends and wind.

 

Yes, lots of wind.  Brrrr.  The party was from 10am-12pm on Nov 3.  Hello, fall!

 

Yeah, I took a risk.  You never know how it's going to be around here.  Had the party been a little later in the day, we would've been fine, but the cold didn't seem to bother the kiddos.  Just the adults.

 

Go figure.

 

 

 

Anyway, we still had lots of sunshine in attendance so that did wonders to ward off the chill.  The kiddos played on the playground for the beginning of the party and then when they started getting hungry, they wandered over to our shelter to grab some party snacks.  We had:

 

chocolate chip pumpkin bread

cheeseballs

goldfish

white cheddar popcorn

cupcakes

(cute little) mini water bottles

 

I did make most of the decorations again this year (it was a train theme), but couldn't do as much as last year since we had to set up outside.  Most of them were on the food table, but I did make a banner than no one could read cuz it was so flippin' windy. 

 

Nice. 

 

It said, "Choo-Choo, Deacon's 2!"  I hung it in our house for a couple weeks after his party, just to get some more mileage out of it.  :)

 

After everyone ate their fill, we spread out a big mat on the ground and let Deacon open his presents.  He did pretty good.  He never wanted to stop opening presents, though he did like to look at each present after it was out of the wrap.  You know, instead of just tearing into the next one. 

 

He gets that from his mama.  ;)

 

 

 

Once again, we had our awesome photographer Larry there to take photos for us.  Best idea I ever had.  He gets all the credit for these fantastic shots of such an important day in the life of our family...

 

 

 

Happy birthday, doodle bug!  We can't believe you're already a happy little toddler!  You bring such joy and laughter to our lives -- we're so blessed that God gave you to us.  We can't wait to see what the next year holds for you.  Love you with as much love as our hearts can hold!

two.

My precious Deacon,

 

Wow, another whole year has flown by already.  That means you are two years old today!

 

I can hardly believe you are a happy little toddler, running around and bringing joy everywhere you go.  You still have a ready smile for anyone you see, but with that smile, you now offer a wave and a loud "hi!".  And no one can resist your sweet little voice.  :)

 

Speaking of that voice, you use it a lot.  You are constantly chattering about something, and we can usually understand most of it.  :)  You can sing a lot of the songs that mommy and daddy have taught you, including "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Jesus Loves Me" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider".  It is so precious to me to hear you sing.

 

I love to hear you talk, too, though.  And most of the time you're polite, saying "please", "thank you", "q me" (excuse me) and even "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.  You can tell me almost all your body parts and where they are.  You can tell me almost all the animals that Old MacDonald has on his farm, and what sound they make.  You can tell me what your first and last name is, who your favorite baseball team is (go Yankees!) and you can count to 15!  I am so amazed at how smart you are, buddy.  You make this mama's heart swell with such pride I can barely contain it.

 

One of my most favorite things about you is the fact that you are still my lover boy.  You still love to cuddle, and you love to give hugs and kisses.  When you run up to me with your arms open wide saying, "hug...hug", there is nothing that will stop me from scooping you up and basking in that moment with my sweet boy.

 

Your kisses are the best, too, though you don't save those just for mommy anymore.  You like to kiss all the girls or pretty much anyone that's the same size as you.  :)  I love that you are so kind and loving, doodle.  It's an answer to one of many prayers I pray for you.

 

It has been incredible to watch you change from a tiny, helpless little baby to this fun little guy who can already do so many things on your own.  That has sent me on a roller coaster of emotion, I'll tell ya, kid.  I've never felt such pride and sadness at exactly the same time -- pride at seeing you learn new things and excel at them, but sadness that you are just growing up so very fast, right before my eyes.

 

I still feel so blessed by God to call you my son, and I'm amazed at all the things you're learning and what God is teaching me in the process.  I am so proud of you, buddy, and I love you more than I can even explain in words.  You are my heart.

 

Happy 2nd birthday, sweet boy.

Love,
Mama