Y4 - 79/365: The Party

Ryan's actual birthday isn't until tomorrow, however, with today being part of the weekend, it was a lot easier to get people together to celebrate. It just happened that we volunteered to do Sunday dinner and then decided it would be really nice to invite my in-laws, Josie & David as well, to help celebrate.

We started our morning with pressies, smallest to largest, from Mommy & Daddy. First was George Pig and his dinosaur, which made Ryan squeal and grin from ear-to-ear. He cannot say 'George' or 'pig' yet, but he does squeal and point and say "THAT!"

Daddy was so kind to help with the present unwrapping as well. In addition to George, Ryan had a Peppa Pig DVD as well as some Christmas DVDs (Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Comin to Town, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...all favourites from Mommy's childhood), a nice set of jigsaw puzzles with a storage box, and a remote-control race car.



Not too shabby a haul for a second birthday!

Once everyone arrived the kids played in the front room while, in the kitchen, Matt worked on dinner and I made finishing touches to his very special, Raa Raa cake. Before dinner we decided to do presents from Em, Daz & Grandparents. From Auntie Emma, Uncle Daz, and Amy he had a Count 'n Crunch Cookie Monster (that we're still working on him not being too scared of) and the Elefun game (which I can't wait to play with him).

Nana and Grandad had Ryan AND Daddy in mind when they chose his gifts - two JCB toys, an electric Mega-Lift Crane and a Backhoe Loader. The boys will definitely have some fun with those! Funnily enough, Ryan was excited to finally have his own "seat" in the front room! Each time he'd unwrap a gift, he'd sit on it.

Yeah, I don't get it either.

Just before cake I was finally able to come in and enjoy a bit of the kids' playing together. Apparently Miss Amy was loving the slide! Just look at that gorgeous smile!

And Ryan was concentrating VERY hard...

...showing everyone how his car worked!

Then...it was time for cake! Look...it's Raa Raa!

Ryan was an excellent candle-blower-outer. In fact, he probably did it at least 3 times (since Matt kept lighting the candle for him after he'd shout, "Yay...a-gehhhh (again)!").

Look at him...clapping his success!




A little video of everyone singing 'Happy Birthday!'

It wasn't long after the cake that everyone said their goodbyes and it was back to just the three of us once again.

Matt and I watched as our (almost) 2-year-old  as he played with one of his balloons and stole cookies out of Cookie Monsters backpack to give to US to feed him. We can both honestly say this is one of the best "family" days together, BY FAR, and we're so happy and fortunate to have everyone share in his special day (even if it is technically tomorrow).

Thank you so much David, Josie, Emma, Daz and Amy!

Ryan says, "BEST. Birthday. EVER!"

Y4 - 78/365: Santa - FAIL?

This year we had the brilliant plan, rather I had the brilliant plan, to get a photo of both of the kids together visiting Santa and give it to my in-laws. In my mind, I had probably pictured something a little less like what we ended up with (above). Ryan just wasn't having it. He was okay with Santa last year, but this year, even with coaxing and having Daddy in the photo, he was not okay with this guy.

Amy on the other hand thought he was pretty comfy and probably would have stayed longer if he had a bit of Peppa Pig to offer.

We did finally manage a smile in the solo photo, but I wasn't impressed with Santa's initiative to interact a bit. I suggested to Matt maybe taking Santa's seat with Ryan in his lap and Santa could have sat on the stool.

Oh well. I guess we can look back and say this was the year that he wasn't quite friends with Santa...and laugh it off.

As soon as we returned home, Ryan jumped in to the Smyth's Toys catalogue to re-think his Christmas wishlist.

Our little nut.

Y4 - 77/365: With Love (& Glitter) From Ryan

Today was Ryan's last day with the childminder before schools resume in the new year. With his learning journey book tonight were a couple of Christmas cards, a birthday card for him, and a Christmas card he "made" with Julie. She told Matt how she did the cutting and let him do the glue and glitter.

We will treasure it always!

Y4 - 76/365: Charley Bear "On Tap?"

We have discovered episodes of Charley Bear on You Tube. He was a bit clingy this morning and asked to watch some "Teddy," but since we don't have it on series link, I did a search and found lots of episodes online.

The photo looks a bit melancholy...but he was quite pleased to be watching his "Teddy" from Mommy's lap on the computer!

Y4 - 75/365: Proper Little Man

Since Ryan was an itty bitty, I've wanted him to have a smart-looking pea-coat, but they're always some outrageous price. So, earlier this week I placed an order on my never-before-used Vertbaudet account. I had noticed they had some fantastic deals going and I quite like the sensible and sophisticated look of their clothing.

Some of the items arrived today, including this pea-coat I had ordered in a size 2 years. I was so excited to try it on him, however, was soon disappointed to see that a size 2 in Vertbaudet runs a bit small and although it fits him now, it wouldn't for long.

I have since phoned them back and placed a replacement order for all the same items in a size 3 instead.

Matt isn't keen on the coat, but it's my "guilty-Mommy-pleasure" to dress him up all smart-looking before he's old enough to tell me how much he hates shirts with buttons and collars and refuses to wear certain things...like SOMEone I know.

Just sayin.

Y4 - 74/365: Welcome Home, Ole Yeller

Since we have had this high chair, it has lived at Em & Daz's because we eat most Sunday dinners there. Here at home we would just rely on the Bumbo with the tray (which he can now escape) and Ryan would have his dinner and tea with us in the front room. However, it's now back home with us and a Godsend it is!

Finally I can get things done in the kitchen...like laundry and washing up...without having to worry that Ryan is out of my sight and getting into mischief. I just give him some crayons or markers and he's happy as a clam to sit and "Kuh-woh."

Granted, after today when I gave him marker pens, I have a bit more cleaning up even after my cleaning up is done...but at least I know he isn't standing on the computer desk or scaling the flatscreen telly!

Y4 - 73/365: Has Princess Been Naughty?

He's crushing the Princess of Happyland in the garage of his Fisher Price wheelies ramp...should I be concerned or book some therapy sessions now?