Ashton Christopher's 2nd Birthday

My sweet little gremlin/midget/monster/dinosaur turned 2!

Breakfast included some delicious chocolate chip pancakes.  Then we ran to the store for some ingredients (ice cream among them.) While out, we delivered Aunt Brooke's special Calendar and amused the post office patrons.  Then, because it was a birthday request from the birthday boy himself, we went to look at Puppies at the pet store. This was a let down as they were big puppies and mostly asleep.  But we enjoyed petting them and watching all the fishies swim.  Lunch and down for a nice birthday nap!  Then our fun friends came to visit for a little while and play. The bigger boys were having a few dominance issues, but Ashton didn't make a peep...he was having a great time playing along side all the big boys and with the big toys!

Meanwhile, Momma was putting the finishing touches on the Nemo cake.  I had more in mind, but Holly wisely advised that it was great - and to take a break on it.  So I did, but next time, there will be bubbles and some more coral-y type sea stuff...

Daddy came home and we dove right into dinner - another birthday boy favorite: chicken fried rice.  He ate spoonful after huge spoonful of rice and peas and chicken and eggs with vigorous urgency.  After dinner we joyfully hit the cake and ice cream and followed that up with presents!  His happy little face was lit! ALL NIGHT. (To date, he's had that little car and helicopter with him everywhere he goes.) To finish the night we had a family dance party down stairs. We pulled out all our favorite family tricks to loud music and sweaty little guys giving their all! Twirling, jumping, shaking a leg, spinning and hand pumps in the air were among the best moves.  Can't ask for a better day than that!

His current stats: 30 lbs.  And he is 35.75 inches tall.  I give it another 2 months before he's a flat 3'. 

We have all sorts of verbalization from Ashton now days.  Some of my favorites:  "Dada!! Get back here! Where are you?! Mmmm... Delicious. Thank you, you're welcome. Go on car ride. Go outside. Throw Rocks"
Often times he likes to comment on the softness or coldness of items we're playing with, "wow, soft pillow" And when he's feeling his 2 year old power he likes to tell me "No, nap. No rest. No food. No change bum. Just play." And when it's time to go to bed, he's conveniently hungry for a "snack."  He loves the book Good Night Moon, and enjoys the rhymes and voicing the sounds of the kittens and clocks, and the cow who jumps over the moon. He's got a great gremlin voice he uses while speaking 'elfish.' Though last week Holly and I were sure that he called someone 'fluffy face' in gremlin. Then, the other evening, the whole family was in bed reading scriptures, when my stomach growled.  Ashton looked at me with wide eyes and said "Dinosaur! ROAR! Bites!" Then proceeded to become a dinosaur, with vicious teeth, to battle me. It was hilarious. Happy Birthday you cute little sprite! We love having you in our family!