When you're TWO, you go to the ZOO!

He's two!  He woke up to Stephen and I singing Happy Birthday to him.  If I get the nerve to post-it, you'll get a good laugh.  His ears might still be bleeding.  

We then loaded up in our bikes and headed to Bunkie's, our neighborhood donut shop.  He got to pick out his donut, a plain donut with vanilla icing and sprinkles.  I think the pictures will show you how  much he liked it!

He had to stop and "Cheers!" Daddy for his birthday.

Eating only the sprinkles...

Then a security guard came in to get some donuts.  When he left, he asked how old Knox was.  When we told him today was his birthday, he handed him his change.  There was a one dollar bill and a five.  Knox unfortunately grabbed the one, ha.  Slightly strange, but he loved it. 

We then went home and packed up to head to the zoo.  Our plan was to get there early, to avoid the crowds and the heat.  Neither was accomplished.  When we arrived, so did every school within a 50-mile radius.  Seriously, this picture does NOT do it justice.  I really don't think I've ever seen that many buses.  The day continued as you'd expect...20 screaming kids/per exhibit window, and all of the animals hiding out of sheer terror.  We did see some animals, and the ones we came to see were out and about so it wasn't a total fail.  

The whole drive to the zoo he chanted "I want to see eh-phants, wanna see eh-phants."  He was so excited to finally see them.  Unfortunately, the were eating really far away, so it was pretty anti-climatic.

He did get to see the African penguins swimming up close, and they didn't disappoint.

The highlight of the trip, though, were the giraffes.  I'm not sure if Knox or I enjoyed them more.  They were great.  For $5, you received a few leaves of lettuce to feed them.  I'm still in awe that you can hand-feed these sweet animals.  Really, really cool.  

He loved it and was completely terrified all at the same time.  So cute!

Then he was ready to go.  He quietly grabbed the stroller and tried to make an exit, so we took his cues and headed home.  Besides, it was now noon and 90+ degrees.  

We decided since we were in the area, and Aunt Kelly had the day off, we would meet for a patio lunch.  And besides, after all of those screaming kids, mommy and daddy needed a cold one.  After we ate, he was EXHAUSTED.  We got home around 2 and he slept until after 5. 

Once he woke up (or we woke him up), we headed over to the Obert's for a little kid-friendly happy hour.  I love our neighborhood friends, and love that we make an effort to have adult-friendly playgroups, too!  We had a great time, and sweet Kyla even made Knox a cake to celebrate his big day.  She even had Cars plates...he was in heaven.

Mike videoed the singing this time.  I'm thankful he did, since I hadn't videoed any of his candle-blowing skills this birthday.  Enjoy!

I'm pretty certain he had a great second birthday.  But the fun wasn't over.  His birthday party is up next!

He's TWO!!!

Knox is TWO.  And he really enjoyed his birthday donut this morning...can't you tell. 

He also enjoyed riding in the bike, getting a dollar from a security officer, playing with his trains, going to the zoo, feeding and petting the giraffes and having lunch on a patio with Aunt Kelly.  I'll post more details and pictures soon...after we enjoy our little man some more.

Until then, here's a little video of Knox from this morning.  He saw the camera and instantly said "Cheese," so I had to ask him the question again.  

Think I shove a camera in his face too often?  Ha!

Halfway there...

Last night marked the "halfway point" for birthday week.  As it stands now...we have 6 hours left of his "ones." I'm doing better than I was at the beginning of the week...sheesh.  He's going to be 2 tomorrow.  I really, honestly can't believe it!

Back to Knox.  Yesterday my sweet friend Mollie (Claire's mom) offered to watch Knox so I could get some work done around the house in preparation for his party.  I had a lot of work to do, not to mention housework, so it couldn't have come at a better time.  And he's infatuated with Claire, so that helps.  Libby came over to enjoy the day as well...and to say he enjoyed it is an understatement.  He slept for 3 hours when he got home!

 After Knox went down last night, I was able to finish his birthday door sign.  I think it turned out cute...

This morning, Stephen was on dad duty while I had a meeting for work.  He snapped this adorable picture of our little man eating some waffles!

Then this afternoon for lunch, we had a few friends over for a birthday playdate.  Highlight of his day was the cupcake...

Once he woke up from his nap, we headed outside to burn some energy...and water the plants.  He likes "helping."

And we can't go in the front yard without swinging.  Here he is swinging while holding his new favorite toy from Mason...a truck that makes a "beep beep" sound.

Seriously loves it.  Check out the tight grip. 

Tomorrow's post will be with a two-year-old.  You over me being sappy yet?

CC Crushers

Knox is having a great birthday weekend.  Last night, he got to stay up a little later than usual and watch Daddy play softball.  The Canyon Creek Crushers are a group of dads in the 'hood, and Stephen loves getting out and playing...and I love chatting with the wives.  Knox, on the other hand, loves to run wild and free.

He first attacks the game bag and throws all of the balls out. 

Then just before we have to get onto him, he runs off. 

If he starts getting bored, we pull out the bag of tricks (bubbles, cars, trains and milk).

This night, though, he had a great time with his friends, and Daddy's team WON! 

Hate that it's blurry, but Claire got in on the congratulatory hugs!

And then she started tackling Stephen.

Which led to all of the kids tackling him.

The night ended with a tired, sweaty and sticky boy.  That's what summers are all about, right?

"I wanna eat CAKE!"

Knox knew his Gigi and Papi were coming to have dinner with us, to celebrate his birthday with us while they were in town.  All he could think about was cake.  He mentioned it about 8 times before nap, and the first thing he said when I went to get him from his nap was, "I wanna eat CAKE."  He was so excited.

The minute they got here he ran out to see them, and didn't leave their sides until they left.  It was sweet.  We made his favorite meal, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese and gravy.  And Ketchup.  

But the real excitement came in the cake.  Can't deny this boy cake after he had been asking for it all day!

Who knew he could blow his own candles out?  He's a big kid.  Sad.

I had gone to Target last minute, and didn't want to spend a fortune on a huge cake.  So I grabbed the smallest one and asked if she could put anything "Cars" on it.  Well, she found these two toy cars, didn't charge me for them, and they were an instant hit.  Like go-to-bed-with-me-please kind of hit!  And he's still playing with them today.

But at least today he doesn't have blue icing all over his face.

After the meal and cake, he opened some of his presents from G & P.  Gracie decided this was the prime-time to get whatever was left on his placemat. 

He loved opening the presents, and really loved the surprise car in with all of his new clothes!

I'd say day one of birthday week went great!