Birthday Week...

You guys, 5 days.  Five. Days.  I can't believe my sweet baby is going to be two.  Insane.  

Today marks the start of birthday week.  I'm already teary.  He's our absolute pride and joy, our little man.  How am I going to make it when he goes to Kindergarten?  College?  I'm already choked up.  

Do any of you feel this way, or is it just me?  I'm kind of an emotional basket case.  

I love this age, though.  Nothing is sweeter than having conversations with Knox.  His little voice, the inflections he puts on the words and things he loves.  Bliss.  

So, to start the week, I thought we'd put a few pictures up of how it all began.  Get ready to have a week filled with picture overload.  You know you love it!

It wasn't my intention to be in the pictures, but he was super fussy.  I promise I wouldn't have put my hair in a ponytail if I thought I was going to be behind the camera.

And yes, this happened.  Among other things, ahem.

Love this little nugget!

Recently, via Instagram

Knox is almost two.  In fact, we only have 10 days left in his "ones." I have mixed emotions, some days I'm happy he's growing up and others I get teary thinking he's growing too quickly.  I never waver in how much I love this kid...he's so fun to be around.  He is a chatterbox, and will not stop talking and asking questions from the minute he wakes up to the minute he goes to sleep (remind you of someone?).  Lately, he's learned a lot of fun tricks, too.

1. He found the storage bag of wipes...and learned the are all connected like toilet paper, and loved pulling them out to make a string of wipes.  Clean up was fun.

2.  He loves going to the park.  Everything there can and will be used as a bar to hang off of.  This is especially tricky when there's a slide underneath.  If he falls, he falls for a long time!

3.  He learned that Gracie does NOT want to kiss T-Rex.

4.  He also learned that smelling highlighters and Sharpies WILL make a mark.  Clean up wasn't fun.

5.  He loves acting like a big boy at his new art table.  We've only had one misuse, and that was climbing on top to see if he could touch a lizard on the window.  After my reaction, I don't think he'll do it again any time soon.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather.  Think we'll go to the park now!

Easter 2012: Part 2

Saturday of Easter weekend was non-stop as well.  We started the day with a birthday party at Owen's Farm, not far from our house.  The kids could feed the animals, take a trip around the grounds on a hayride, and then participate in an Easter Egg Hunt.  Knox loved the goats, taking time to say "Hi!" to each one.  

Carter's momma also provided baskets for them to decorate before the hunt commenced, but unfortunately Knox wasn't terribly interested this go-round...until he found out there were jelly beans inside.  Game changer, folks.  He was so amped up on sugar he wouldn't go down for his nap right away.  

Rare photo of Knox and I-I'm usually on the other side of the camera:

While waiting on birthday cupcakes, Knox and Claire did a little "ring around the rosey." Knox loved watching Claire "all fall down." 

After his nap, we headed out to Frisco to play with my brother, sister-in-law and nieces and nephews at their neighborhood Easter Eggstravaganza.  Knox had a great time, seeing as there were firetrucks, ambulances and trains.  He was in heaven. Stephen was game to ride in the train with the kiddos, thankfully. We ended the evening playing with the cousins back at their house, and then had an early bedtime at home!

Sunday morning, Knox woke up to his first Easter basket.  All non-candy items, and he loved it all!

This kid can't see a squeezie and not eat it!

We then packed up for church and had a family lunch. 

We were exhausted by Sunday afternoon from all of the festivities, but I wouldn't have changed a thing!  Can't wait until the next holiday...cinco de mayo!  Margaritas, anyone?

Oh...and in case you wondered how the Easter Bunny photo-op went, wait no further:

Easter 2012: Part 1

Easter this year has been so much fun.  He gets bunnies, eggs and hunts.  I think I've enjoyed this holiday more than I ever have, just by watching it from his perspective.  We have had a whirlwind of events, and are loving all of the fun activities we've been able to do.

What holiday would be complete without some kitchen art, though?  We made a little "Hoppy Easter" sign for our art frame.  He loved using the paintbrush and was really sad I didn't paint his feet more.  Isn't that a change from the past?  We had to do an entirely new painting of just footprints to keep from a serious meltdown. 

I was supposed to go to Phoenix for a work trip, but if you've seen the news lately, we had some "exciting" weather here in Dallas.  With 14+ tornadoes in the area the day before I was to leave, my flight was cancelled.  Mimi and Papa came in town to watch Knox, so they stayed anyway and we enjoyed some family time.  We headed out to meet Dad at our favorite lunch spot, Watters Creek.  We got a sweet surprise this time, though.  Instead of just chasing ducks, we got to marvel at their babies.  So cute and fluffy!

He enjoyed running around and playing, and had a nice long nap afterwards.

That evening we headed to our Mom's Club Egg Hunt.  I was anxious to see how he would do.  He did great at first, then dumped his eggs and went to play at the playground (and steal a cupcake!).  Either way, it was fun watching all the kiddos figure it all out.

It was a busy day, but the festivities were not over yet!

Stephen's 30th Birthday Shenanigans...

Knox and I came back from Austin on Stephen's birthday (he was also out of town for a work trip, so we didn't leave him hanging).  Stephen's office has moved to Allen, so we met at the shops at Watters Creek.  Knox loved playing with the ducks...

That is until he caught sight of Daddy:

Be still my heart.  It was adorable.  We came home afterwards and hung out together for his birthday, which apparently means doing yard work once you're 30.  Aunt Kelly came and watched Knox for us so we could have dinner with Brian and Amanda.  Then on Saturday morning, we headed to Ft. Worth to celebrate with the Wrights.

We started out in the Ft. Worth Stockyards.  We had the best burger we've had in a while (at LoveShack) and then wandered around the area.  It was a great time, and we felt like it was a blast from the past.

We left and got gussied up to head to dinner with our faves.  We had yummy seafood at Eddie V's, and an enormous (and delicious) dessert before rolling back to our hotel.  We ended the night in the Executive Suite playing board games.  Love the Wrights!

We had brunch Sunday morning and then headed back home.  Stephen thought the party was over, but I had a little cookout up my sleeve.  We had friends over to have burgers and hot dogs (and chilly bevs) and enjoyed the great weather.  I think it's safe to say we both entered our 30's in style!  We're ready for a new decade!