Normal Day With the Boys

Wanted to remember some of these simple, everyday moments. Mostly these boys have fun together, until things spiral into hitting/wrestling, but they are getting along a lot better, so that's all I can ask! 

 

 

After some time in Landon's new ball pit, we played an exciting game of hide-and-seek, where Landon followed me around and told Devin where I was and tried to hide in the laundry basket head first. 

 

 

Devin is much too giggly to be a very good hider yet, though the fridge was a good effort, I did have to set him straight about not hiding in there ever again. I'm so glad that I get to hang out with these boys all day, even on the days when I get frustrated much too easily! Love them and their smiling faces to the moon and back.

Landon Boy Turns 2

I don't even know what more I can say about Landon Boy that I haven't already documented. He just continues to be the sweetest, cutest kid around. He's so much fun to watch, what with his adorable facial expressions and joy for life. He such a busy little man it's hard to get a good picture of him, especially because he always wants to see the picture before I even take it!

He's talking even more, and uses grammatically correct, complete sentences most of the time. His favorite phrase continues to be, "Me do it!" He's very independent and does not like help; he thinks he can do anything his brother does. He is also his brother's echo. Anything Devin says is quickly repeated by Landon. 

He likes going to the "part" to play and is brave and will climb anything. He also likes going to Nursery at church and playing with friends and having treats. His favorite person is Papa and likes to always know where he and Grandma are. I'm unsure how having our own house will go for him! His favorite food is "roni cheese," though he'll eat mostly anything (but not much meat) and anytime. He eats his sandwiches from the inside out, but leaves the crusts.

He loves playing with Devin, his new trains, blocks, Toy Story toys, and puzzles, and likes to read books. He likes being outside and still eats all the dirt he can find. He likes pretending to be Buzz Lightyear and pushes his "buttons" before jumping off anywhere. He also enjoys stealing cereal from the pantry and always needs a snack, especially when I'm cooking dinner. 

He is an exploring machine and tries out all the boundaries. He loves his baths, but his favorite part is getting wrapped like a baby burrito with his towel.

He is a sweetheart and loves hugs and kisses. The nape of his neck is perfect for kissing on while snuggling before bed. He loves his stories and songs before rest times and likes to play with my hair or his when he's tired. His gushy cheeks are still baby-smooth, but he's getting to be quite the toddler. This little man is a joy in our family and we are lucky to have him.

At his doctor appointment he showed his tough side when he got his shot for just screaming once and then informing me that "it hurts!" He kept saying, "Hurt my leg! The boy hurt my leg!" (the nurse was a girl) over and over, but he got over the shot quickly. He kept telling everyone later that the "boy hurt my leg" but was equally proud of his new ducky, so he might say the shot was worth it.

2-year stats:

Weight: 31 lbs

Height: 34.5 in

A Few More March Devinisms

"We gophers like to stay warm. That's why I need to have some hot chocolate."--Driving home from the park.

"Mommy, could you imagine having green blood?"--while watching a show about dinosaurs.

Me: "Don't you think we should turn off the TV and go outside? It's so nice out there."
Him: "Hmm, no. I don't think so. I am going to be a scientist when I grow up. That's why I need to watch this show about dinosaurs."
Me: "I think going outside and exploring would be the best way to be a scientist now."
Him: "I don't really think that's how you become a scientist."

"Oh no, Landon drew on my beautiful picture!"--this could be any day.

Landon's Birthday Party

This birthday boy couldn't wait for his birthday to come! I don't think he would have had any idea what a birthday meant had he not had some warm-up birthday celebrations with the Millett extended family and then his daddy's birthday. But after those parties he knew that when we said it was his birthday, that meant more presents! I was kind of mean and wrapped one of his presents on Rich's birthday and then put it up high, so all week he just kept pointing to his present and saying, "I need it, my present!" On his special day he kept trying really hard to reach hit presents on the mantel.

When we woke him up that morning I came in singing "Happy Birthday," which brought on a huge grin from this little man. When I asked him how old he was he said, "Two!" but then quickly followed up with "Three! Five!" And those ages are the only ones he gives now. He's never admitted to being two again.

Daddy and Devin brought home balloons from a shopping trip to help decorate for our little party with the Britton and Millett grandparents, and Devin was overjoyed. 

We had dinner first; I chose the menu since Landon is pretty agreeable to everything I ask him about, but I knew in his heart of hearts he would want "'roni cheese!" So, we had homemade macaroni and cheese, ham (which Landon could really care less about, he really doesn't like meat), green beans, Jell-o, and garlic bread. Both Devin and Landon knew it was a special day because they got to eat their Jell-o first!

After dinner was present time. Oh how Landon was ready for this. Devin graciously offered to help, which was okay with Landon most of the time, but when Devin got too over-excited and stole away his gift he let him know this was unacceptable. He was a lucky boy and got a train book from SuSu and Val, a movie and a Duplo block train set from Grandma and Grandpa Britton, and inflatable ball pit from Grandma and Grandpa Millett and Devin, and a wooden Thomas the Train from Grandma and Grandpa Downing that went with the wooden train tracks he got from Mommy and Daddy. It was a good birthday! 

 

Daddy had set up the train tracks before the party because he figured Landon wouldn't care about a box full of tracks, and his creation was pretty amazing and got Landon's and Devin's attentions really fast. Landon has been loving a book with Gordon in it, so that was the train he attached to the most and carried around all the blue trains, lining them up and informing Devin that they were "Mine!" 

After getting in some play time, we moved right into cake! Landon was jumping up and down for cake throughout the day, and he graciously helped clean up the cooling racks and the extra cake I'd cut while making his special creation. 

When the moment came for cake, his face was glowing with joy when we all sang to him, and did a pretty good job blowing out the candles, though I helped in the end to minimize the spit on the cake. Then he and Devin assured that they both wanted cake very much. Lots of fun with these two boys.

 

 

I think Landon Boy had a pretty good birthday and was happy to see him so happy all day! This little man is one adorable two year old, though it's shocking to me that he's two! What a fun day he had. Happy Birthday Landon!

Tracy Aviary

We headed to Tracy Aviary on a Winter $1 Wednesday and met up with Jo and Kate. I was impressed with the aviary and thought it was pretty cool. I haven't been there since I was in elementary school, but all the improvements were great. Kate and the boys were interested off and on, but they all studied different birds at different times. Devin, especially, was watching the pelicans and ducks for quite awhile, just observing. Landon was mostly interested in chasing the geese and getting them to hiss--I was slightly terrified it was going to attack--and trying to get the birds to say "hi" back to him. By the owl exhibit my boys were done being interested in birds, and we quickly hurried through the wetlands exhibit because I thought Landon was going to jump in any second. I thought this adventure was a success. Thanks to Kate and Jo for joining us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rich's Birthday

Rich's birthday was a pretty wonderful one this year. Grandma and Grandpa were out of town, and we celebrated with Rich's family on Sunday night, so it was just our family on his big day. He got his requested dinner, but I forgot the "You Are Special" plate :( I was pretty mad at myself for forgetting this! Anyway, Devin thought all of dinner was too hot and needed to blow on all of it, even the milk.

Before we could get to the presents the boys needed some play time with Daddy. He's always so much fun. Landon talked him into flying them like Uncle Troy does. Devin was brave enough to go up this time and both boys were giggling and in full-on Buzz Lightyear mode.

Finally, present time! Rich's main present were some wireless headphones and a case to go with them. He was pretty excited for his boys to help him unwrap his new toys. Devin saved his present till last. He created two cards and four pictures for Daddy and was so excited to give them to him and explain what he drew. He even branched out a little and drew a different picture outside of his regular "me on a beach" routine. That's because Daddy is super special.

This birthday boy has the cutest boys in the world. He's such a good daddy and we were more than happy to celebrate the birth of this guy!

After presents we moved onto cake. The children were dancing with delight and chanting for cake. The cake was a special creation from Rich's imagination. We combined an Oreo truffle brownie recipe with some Oreo ice cream cake. Just as delicious as it sounds, though quite difficult to get out of the pan! Happy Birthday Rich!