Happy 2nd Birthday, Holden!!

Lots of celebrations were in order for Holden's 2nd birthday. We kicked things off with a Green Eggs and Ham brunch at our house. It was a beautiful day and Holden was very lucky to have so many friends and family there to help celebrate. Here are some highlights from the party...

The end of a very fun day!Playing with his train table in the morning of his official birthday.

We repeated last years birthday adventure of a mommy & me day riding the train and carousel at the mall followed by lunch.He opened gifts from Uncle David, Aunt Christina, Molly & Lindsey after a good nap. Here is his new Sing-a-ma-gig, which he thinks is hilarious.

He also loved his Zhu Zhu pet.

And decided to take both of them out to dinner with us.Goofing around with Daddy at dinner.We wrapped things up with a cupcake at home.

Holden had his 2 year Dr. appt a few days later. He weighs 28.3 lbs and is 35.5 inches tall. This was the first appt where he got to hop up on the scale fully clothed and stand against the wall to get measured - no more baby stuff for this big boy. He got 2 shots and a clean bill of health. We've had several people recently ask how old he is, guessing that he is 3 and very surprised to find out he just turned 2. Another sign he's getting to be a big boy...our doorbell rang and 2 of his neighborhood friends were standing there without their parents asking if he could come out and play. So cute! Happy Birthday to our big boy - we love you!!!!!

First "First Day of School"

Holden started Mother's Day Out on Sept 14. He goes every Tuesday from 9:30-1pm. There are 14 2-year-olds in his class with 3 teachers. They are brave, brave women. The classroom was like a war zone on the first day and they just smiled and gently booted all of the parents out of the room while every child was screaming. It was brutal. Holden had a great time at the open house a few days earlier so he happily trotted down the hall and into the classroom on the first day. It quickly turned ugly once he realized Rob and I were leaving, but we followed the teacher's direction and quickly headed out the door. We had to get his EpiPen on file with the office after dropping him off and we could still hear him crying down the hall. Once all the parents were gone, his class headed off to the playground. We got a glimse of him while waiting at the office and the poor little guy was still crying as he was walking around. We got his papers and EpiPen all set then headed off feeling like I left my heart on that playground but also feeling comfortable that his teachers are very experienced and will take excellent care of him. Rob and I went to Starbucks then ran a few errands. I probably checked my cell phone a million times over the next 3.5 hours. When I went back to pick him up at 1pm, the teacher told me he was in the sandbox. What?? My child? In a sandbox? I tried to get him in a sandbox all summer with no luck. Guess I should believe his teacher when she said it's amazing what they'll do for them but not the parents. He got upset and started to cry when he saw me but quickly recovered as we walked out. The teachers said he did very well for his first day and only had one incident - a fall from his chair during lunch. He did a little coloring during art time and ate a fair amount of his lunch. He also did well during circle/story time and outside on the playground but wasn't too happy during the transitions. All things considered, it was a great day! We are very proud of our little man!!

In the car and ready for school!

Special escort by Daddy

Checking out a classroom along the way.

In you go....

Awwww

Pick up time. Through his tears he kept saying, "Hi Mommy" and patted my face as we walked out.

His very first artwork at school.

He was all smiles when we got home. Grammy came over and gave him a special first day of school gift - this train conductor hat and whistle to go along with his new train table.

Looking a lot like Daddy here as he plays with Grammy.

Our other fall adventure is a Tiny Tots class on Monday mornings at Farm School, the preschool on our local farm. It's a class for 2-year-olds and their parents and is similiar to a day of preschool, just shorter and with parent participation. Afterwards we take a walk to visit the animals or play on the playground. It's a perfect way to start our week!

Summer Send Off

We spent Labor Day at the river for some last minute summer fun.


All Aboard the tractor

Taking 'er for a spin

Don't forget the front yard

The boys hanging out on the pier

Beach ball fun

Perfect river weather

So much to exploreBack home...Arrrrrr Matey

Are you ready for some football?

The magic pinwheel

Holden and Ernie playing "choo choo" with his new train table (a birthday present we couldn't wait to give him) before the big Redskins/Cowboys season opener on Grandparents Day.