Linus Victory Turns Two!

Last Saturday, August 29th, was Linus' second birthday. The night before, Duncan and I set up his gift from one set of grandparents and put his other gifts inside of the very cool space capsule tent.

Here are some videos of the big reveal on Linus' birthday morning.

I love listening to Amelie on the above video--such a great big sister! She guided Linus through the entire process of opening his gifts. Of course, she was excited to see what he got, but she genuinely tried to help him.


Linus is saying the word "party" over and over. Clearly, having no idea what a party was, he thought he was experiencing it!

The tool set, which was from us, was a big hit--

with everyone!

Here, Amelie showed Linus his blue tractor card.

And Linus showed off his mad drilling skills. He really liked the drill.

Linus attempted to drill the rest of his gifts.

We actually had to take away the drill so he could open the rest.

Blocks!

For breakfast, Linus ate two fried eggs and two waffles. The eggs, by themselves, are common, as are the waffles. But eating TWO eggs and TWO waffles was quite a feat for this new TWO year-old!

Remember that drill? Well he was so excited that he had to show it to the Rohals. (Their picture is on our fridge.)

Linus chose a blue tractor cake! (You can hear his saying his version, "blue dada" in the card/drill video above.) Thanks to this website, I now can draw tractors!

And Amelie drew a most-impressive tractor on our homemade table cloth!

In addition to being asked what he wanted on his birthday cake, Linus was asked with whom he would like to celebrate his birthday. He chose Rock, Adeline, Dewey, and Lulu. Of course some parents of the those guests were in attendance, as well as Rainbow and Bopbop (my parents.)

As far as the menu went, Linus LOVES hot dogs and most fruit. So those two things were at the center of our celebration meal.

Some of the party guests. I think this picture was taken right after I swatted at Linus' head to kill one of those pesky mosquitoes.

Linus with his gifts.

He finally got into the whole paper tearing thing.

Rock and Violet look on. It'll be your turn soon, Rock!

After dinner and presents, we went inside, away from the horrific bugs, to eat some cake and ice cream.

Linus didn't know about the whole blowing-out-the -candles thing, so his buddy, Dewey, helped him out.

Rock's mom doled out the ice cream, starting with the birthday boy.

Rock and Lulu dug in!

Adeline forgoes the fork and Violet contemplated the same.

The almost-Kindergarteners, Amelie and William (aka Dewey), waited patiently.

The Birthday Boy savored every bite and needed a glasses adjustment. (Taken care of already, for those that were worried.)

After everyone, save one party guest, had left the dining room, Linus exclaimed, "I love birthday cake!" and then began singing Happy Birthday to himself.
Cake drunk?
I'm thinking that's a big maybe.

We love you, Linus! And we're ever so thankful to have had for two years. We look forward to what this next year will bring! And the one after that, and the one after that, and...

Happy Father's Day: Game Three With Linus

Linus was so excited when he learned he was going to the "Play Ball" with Daddy. He could hardly contain himself! He got all dressed in his baseball outfit and baseball hat--ready for the game!





























































Linus was quite enthralled with the atmosphere at the stadium.
He loved seeing "Gooey" from afar.
Of course, he got some ice cream and a ride on the merry-go-round.
A bonus was to run into Rainbow and Bopbop! (What he's calling my parents these days.) He was so sleepy by that point, having spent the day at the zoo, he and Daddy headed home. He arrived very happy and ready for bed. He may just be a baseball fan in training.

He Couldn't Stay Away Forever!

Duncan's blogging again. Check him out!

Patrick Love

In general, Amelie has always liked men...prefers grandpas over grandmas, uncles over aunts, dads over moms--you get the picture. And Patrick is the one she prefers over all others. Since he left today to head back to school, I thought it was a good time to share about him.
Patrick is the oldest boy cousin on my side of the family. He jokingly has been called The Cousin God over the years, in that many of the younger cousins look up to him. After our recent family vacation, Duncan and I had a discussion about how well all of the older cousins relate to the younger ones. Our theory is that it's because of how Patrick and his older sister, Erin, set the precedent. They have always been so good with those younger than them. (Ok, Megs, here is your chance to chime in with how so not good they've been with their little sister=).) We think because of their good example, and because the cousins down the line have been treated so well by the olders, the younger cousins, in turn, relate well with those littler than they are. They are patient and kind and will play with our kids until the cows come home. They'll color, cook, wrestle, play pretend, do a craft, play a game or read a book with our kids to the point that all Duncan and I needed to do during vacation was make sure Linus' poopy diapers were changed (none of them will do that!) and to make sure that they got to bed at a decent hour.
All this to say that our kiddos love all of their older cousins, on both sides of the family.

But Amelie and Patrick have something special going on.

Here is where Amelie and Patrick met back in 2004. He was 14 and she was 2 days.

last Spring in the Annapolis Mall food court

last November in Morgantown

Woodburn Circle

Gingerbread Houses 2008--he's such a good sport!

story telling in the fort earlier this summer

playing air hockey

waiting for paintball

mauling the computer

and some more

story time with "party hats" this past Tuesday

To watch Amelie run across our front lawn waving as Patrick drove out of sight while he waved back at her tugged at my heart a bit. I was immediately asked when we would be visiting Patrick "at his house" (also known as the apartment he's sharing with friends). Methinks we'd better get to planning.

Way Back Machine: The Wiggles Live!

One year ago, today, we went to see the Wiggles in concert with our dear freighbors. How do I remember the exact date, you wonder? Because for months leading up to the glorious event, we talked about the seeing the Wiggles on August 20th. Itty-bitty-not-quite-two-and-a-half Violet would spout off that date like she was an expert of the Julian calendar. We left Linus behind with Grandma and Grandpa and trotted off to the Patriot Center for some Wiggly fun. I never posted these a year ago. Please allow me to travel back in time for un momentito.

Amelie, just 36 hours after her diagnosis of pneumonia, was given Motrin so as not to miss the much-anticipated Wiggles. We had bagels for dinner at a Panera near the concert venue.

Here's our group, minus the photographer.

Amelie patiently awaits the beginning of the concert while Violet clings for dear life to Daddy.

Little Lulu

Amelie is getting excited! Violet is still nervous!

Amelie and Willie are REALLY ready!

So excited they can't even stand it!

Benny the Clown!

THE WIGGLES!!!!

Wags, Sam, and Henry

Murray and a banana

Dorothy the Music Box Dancer

We finished off the evening with a stop at Dairy Queen. Even though Violet spent most of the concert buried in her Daddy's neck, she still talks about it. We've watched hours of the Wiggles since then. Thank you, Lord, for the Netflix Watch Instantly feature that's also connected to Tivo. We're so technologically spoiled!

Happy Father's Day: Game Two With Violet

Last week, it was Violet's turn to celebrate Father's Day with her Daddy! No crazy mustaches this time, just Daddy and ViVi.

Linus isn't in the above picture because he was weeping and gnashing his teeth since it wasn't yet his turn for baseball fun.
Violet could hardly contain herself with excitement. Upon finding out that it was her night for the Baysox, she asked, after every bite of dinner, if it was time to go yet.

Yes, I know she needs a haircut. She's getting one tomorrow!

Italian ice not in a mini-helmet. (She was asked multiple times if she wanted it in a helmet, like Amelie had had, and she insisted that she didn't--funny kid!)

obligatory Sprite

a peanut=)

Cracker Jacks!

moon bounce

And her first-ever carousel ride!

And our sweet ViVi can always be counted upon to make it known when she wants to go to sleep. The game, which started at 7:05, was in its third inning at nearly 9:00! By that time, Violet had enough baseball fun for one night and declared she was sleepy. Not even sure she got to hear the age-old song, but no matter. For one glorious, up-past-bedtime evening, Violet lived Take Me Out To The Ballgame!