Time to be Two!

My little man is now two. Calista still tells people she he is her baby, but it's not really true anymore. He's a full-fledged toddler!

On Craig's actual birthday, Kyler left the house at 6:30 AM and didn't get home until after midnight... so we just did our normal Thursday routine: zoo, nap, playing at the park, dinner, bed.

At the zoo, I let Craig pick where we went. He loved it, since normally Calista is calling the shots. The first place we headed was to see the gorillas (his favorite animal), and then to the dinosaurs.

We spent easily half an hour digging in the rocks.

Craig was obsessed with the Iguanadon today, and kept coming back to it, though not usually sitting still for a picture.

He and Calista also went down the slide many times, including some times trying to hold hands. That was only moderately successful.

After nap, we headed to the park.

Even better, there were leaves at the park.

And so we have the best part of a September birthday: playing in the leaves to celebrate!
Even though we didn't actually "celebrate" his birthday, Craig still had a blast, and doesn't know the difference between his birthday or the next day.

Which is when we opened presents and sung "Happy Birthday" while trying not to let the little guy burn himself.

Craig was excited for the presents, though he handed them to Calista with the request to "open it."

Calista was happy to oblige.

He absolutely loved them all, especially the cars, but loved Daddy reading his new book, playing with his soccer ball, and "riding" his bike (tricycle).

Later in the day, after his nap, we took the tricycle for a real ride.

I know this post is about Craig, but I definitely need to give a shout-out to my little duck, Calista. She was so helpful, carrying the trike outside by herself and then helping Craig steer. Seriously, she was so good!

And Craig loved riding his tricycle (even if he doesn't look so thrilled in the picture...)

He held onto either an appleslice or a car the entire time, and he doesn't really pedal or steer, but he had fun.

Finally, what is a birthday without a cake? Since Craig is too young to care, Kyler requested I make chocolate chip cheesecake (the same one I made for Calista's first birthday). I was more than happy to oblige.

While the video doesn't show it, Craig blew out his candle all by himself, too. Way to go, 2-year-old!

Craig (and Calista and I) loved the cake as much as Kyler did.

Because who doesn't love cheesecake?

Happy birthday, my baby bear! I love you and am so happy you joined our family two years ago.