Let's Get This Party Started! {Alex Turns 2!!]

Wowza! Alex is 2 already?! Where on EARTH did the time go?

We started off his birthday extravaganza on Friday afternoon when Jason got home. We opened up all the cards from grandparents, put the pizza in the oven, and got out his presents from Mommy, Daddy, and Andy.

{Friday}

 Opening cards from Grandma, Nana, and Ma! 

Awesome castles and knights!!! Ok, the gray castle - my brothers had one just like that when they were little! I was so excited when I found this whole lot on Craigslist!! These guys LOVED that they could shoot cannons at the other castle and capture people in their dungeons. So funny!

After our pizza party, I brought out his birthday cookie cake.

 Such a big kid! He blew out his candles and picked out his piece. Love him :)

After we got everyone all cleaned up, we played some more until it was time to get ready for tomorrow's adventures... Sleep well, birthday boy! You have a big day in the morning!

{Saturday}

One happy birthday boy ready to start off his day with a yummy breakfast at Cracker Barrel!! Complete with a "Birthday Boy" button, of course! 

We did not tell them where we were going - only that it was a cool place. Along the way, we handed out different items to help them guess. After breakfast, we gave them each a Thomas hat - it is going to be a sunny day! Half way there, we handed them each a wooden train whistle. We asked them, "Wow! You guys have a lot of Thomas stuff... I wonder where we are going..." Andy figured it out and the squeals began! "Thomas!!! Thomas!!!"

They are right! We are off to spend a day with Thomas the Tank Engine!!

 Here is that famous blue engine pulling into the station just as we are walking up to show our tickets.

 Can you feel the excitement?! He was giggling the WHOLE way from the car to this point...and beyond!

 We had a little time before getting in line to board our car, so we headed over to one of the areas to play with the endless options of Thomas toys. Stuff ranging from Mega Blocks for the younger crowd to the TrackMaster items for the "bigger" crowd. Lots of fun!

 Playing in the maze before heading over to Thomas

 Waiting in line for our ride! That's right. Mama got car #1 - right behind Thomas. Parents, this thing sells out FAST. I followed our rail road museum closer than a stalker to ensure I got these tickets the second they went on sale. I suggest you do the same, if you plan on doing this with your children. They say purchase tickets in advanced...they aren't joking. Do as they say or you aren't riding!

 Our car

 First ones in line and ready to ride the rails!

 Waiting rather patiently (but slightly annoyed) for the rest of the passengers to board the train

 Holding on tight while the Thomas takes us through the woods, over a bridge, and behind a golf course. 

Snacking on the train ride

 Tired and ready for lunch, Alex waits in the grass for Daddy to return

 Yum! Hot dogs!

 Putt-putt! We think Andy is going to be a lefty with the way he holds his club all the time. Alex needed a little help to get started. But had a ton of fun!

 Bye Thomas!! Thanks for helping us make some great memories for Alex!!

On our way home, we stopped for a snack at Krispy Kreme. You just can't pass one and not stop... If you do, then something is just wrong in the world. They loved watching the donut being made while they ate theirs.

What a super fun day!!

One happy birthday boy!!

We love you SO much, Alex!! You have such a wonderful laugh and one of the best smiles. You are a fantastic little brother. We just know that you are going to be an amazing big brother, too!! 

Hugs and kisses!!!

Thomas Tent

Earlier this week, it was pretty rough getting the two to take a nap in the same room. Monday there was no such thing as a nap. Not even a shut eye.. It was horrible. I was dreading the following days to come...luckily, all is great now and they both sleep soundly for a few hours. YAY!

Anyhoo, to make the madness stop, I brought the Thomas Tent out that Rachel gave him. YAY! Solved one meltdown :)

The Simple Things

Time again for The Simple Things! :D 

 

 Andrew just loves Thomas! Which is super because I (and my oldest little brother, James) grew up watching Shining Time Station on PBS. But, then, it evolved into Thomas the Tank Engine. And, today it is called Thomas and Friends. Sure does make me feel old... Anyone else remember it being called Shining Time Station? The conductor guy was so cool. He was really tiny and told the stories. Anyhoo! Andrew will grab his basket of tracks and engines and everything else he can to make a very cool place (with a bit of help). He plays for hours with this stuff. For real!! Though, as much as I thought he loved Thomas, he seems to really like James much more (which, yes, James gave to him lol). The funniest thing is hearing him "play" out different engines and people. Like, he will get Sir Topham Hat and make a deeper sounding voice and "talk" to the engines - I can only guess it is about those silly engines causing "confusion and delay" since that is usually the case... It's pretty cool to watch his imagination grow.

Fridays are the Best

Unless you have a glucose test in the morning...lame. But, enough of that!! That is the last time I will ever do it! YAY! But let me just tell you... I was STARVING after my doc appt. The "eating rule" before a glucose test is so mean to pregnant people. SO MEAN! So, after, I went straight to McDonald's (Bad I know. I don't care!!). A bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit never tasted so gooooood!!!!!!!!

Anyway, this morning did have a very cute start. Andrew was just starting to wake up when I went to get him out of bed this morning and ready to go. I said, "Andreeeeewwww, wanna go play with Zach and Grace?" He popped out of bed so fast, eyes still closed a bit a shook his head "yes." What a funny little guy! He loves going over to play with all of Zach's trains and Grace must be awesome. He said her name a few times, I was told! So cute! Zach (with the help of his Mom, of course - thanks!) gave him some train tracks, too! Look how big our "Island of Sofa" is now! I know, it is the Island of Sodor...but he plays behind the sofa...so Island of Sofa.

And that phone below...also a Thomas and Friends gift from Zach. :D He's been "talking" all day to someone and would not stay still for a second to let me take a picture. Probably my fault. See, I walk around the house while I'm on the phone. I also talk with my hands. And, I burst out laughing. Andrew now does all of those things when he is on the phone. Awesome. It's funny to see yourself in another person. Cute, but strange...

Anyhoo! Happy Friday everyone!

The Man

Since we just had Thanksgiving/Christmas in Georgia this year, Jason got Andrew an early Christmas present. We thought it would be fun for the great-grands and the grands to see Andrew open some presents. First, can I just say that it took Jason quite a while to pick out the perfect gift for his little boy. Scratch that...the perfect basketball hoop. It had to be the right color. Did it come with a basketball? Does the height adjust? Will he grown into it? Will he play with Daddy? The list of specifics goes on for quite a while. It was insanity... And, all I could think (other than, OMG he is so cute with this picking out a present thing!) was wow...is this what men go through when us girls are shopping?! It was crazy. We had about 6 or so tabs opened up for each toddler basketball set, 3 or 4 tabs for stores to compare prices, and some website up for parent reviews. Very intense stuff for a basketball hoop. But, it's ok. His little boy has the best basketball hoop and they BOTH love it!

Can you believe it is December? I was freezing last night at the parade and today Andrew and I had t-shirts under our hoodies. Wacky weather, huh? Anyhoo! Look at this sporty little guy! I hope he is going to be tall like Jason! He can keep on with those slam dunks! And, yes, he is totally sporting Thomas the Tank Engine. That jacket with match t-shirt (which is definitely underneath) are his favorite things to wear. Seriously. He gets mad if it is in the hamper and he can't wear it... I've now moved that all into the laundry room. LOL

As for the rest of the evening, I was excited to watch the Polar Express with Andrew for the first time. He really liked it! Well, there is a train...of course he liked it! And where did he sit? The best seat in the house! His Anywhere Chair!! I've been dying for this (thanks again Nana & Grandpa!) since I found out I was pregnant with him! So, yes, best seat with all his elephants, his drink, his toy box, and even a bell. You know he had to have a Christmas bell to watch the Polar Express. Hello!

Just before we hear the train a coming...

This was the part when they got to the Elves. He was pointing to them - LOL!

Not sure what the rest of the weekend has in store for us, but we will let you know about whatever it is!

Friday Night

Yesterday, Andrew helped me pick out some fabric for some things that I wanted to make. He liked holding on to the bolts of fabric and those fat quarter bundles. He looked so funny with all of those things. But, he wanted to help. He even picked out a fabric that I didn't see. He found Thomas the Tank Engine, of course! Well, I had to get it and make something from it... Luckily, I have been wanting to make a crayon roll. I am not good at putting crayons back in the box. I never was. I'd shove 'em in and they would break. So, this should help us both out! He gets to see this surprise when we get to Nana's and Grandpa's house (Jason's mom and dad).

I think he will like it. He like to try coloring and he loves Thomas :) YAY!

A Busy Day with Thomas

Andrew got his very first Thomas the Tank Engine play set on his bithday and I have been trying to get a video of him with all of it. Well, finally! He always takes everything out of the basket and puts it all on the table. Then, he comes get me to help him put it all together. I figured this would be my chance to take the video. Ok, grandparents, here you go!

If you have trouble viewing this, please click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsFYXM638rw

Boys Are Such Stinkers

Watch VERY closely...

Did you see the train move?

Did you see Max?

Did you see what Andy did?

Stinkerpants!

If you missed...watch it again! You will laugh!