Alex Turned ONE!

I'm a BIG boy now!

As cute as it can be to have little curls at the base of little boys' necks, I was thinking that without much curl to it, Alex was starting to have a true mullet. I didn't want people thinking he was girl either. So, on his first birthday, I gave him his first haircut. Here it was before:

Here it is after:


We kept his party small - just us. He got a shirt with bugs on it from Andrew, and a shirt with a spaceship on it from Ethan. Then he opened his BIG present from Grandma and Grandpa Larsen, and Mom and Dad.

This Radio Flyer turtle scooter has wheels that turn 360*, for super gliding fun! Alex likes it, even though he has a couple inches to grow before he can ride it well himself. He mostly likes to open and close the storage compartment, or let me push him around on it. (Andrew loves it the most - too bad he's one pound too heavy for it! We let him ride it for a little while, though.)

Then it was time for cake! It's become a tradition to have an Elmo cake on your first birthday.

Rather than letting him have the whole thing to himself, Mike cut off just the eyes and nose, and let him go at it.

As you can see, he had lots of fun tearing it to pieces - and dropping those pieces on the floor!


Here are some other fun shots from today:

Naptime! He can be tough to get down, but he's soo adorable when he's asleep! He likes to have something soft right against his head &/or face.

Alex LOVES to "help" with unloading the dishwasher! He likes the tinkling sound the silverware makes when it gets thrown on the marble tiles.

Alex has adored having Daddy home these past few days! He has been a Daddy's Boy all the way! Grabbing Daddy's tongue is a favorite game. I'm afraid he's going to have a very tough time once he realizes Daddy's gone again tomorrow!

Ethan is 3!

Ethan asked for an Ernie cake, which was super easy
since we still have the Elmo cake pan (I did not try to talk him into it, but was grateful that was his choice!). I was happy with the way it turned out. We celebrated Ethan's birthday at the Lahey Family Fun Park this year, (Made possible by contribution from Grandma and Grandpa Slade - Thank you!)Most of Ethan's best friends came: Gracie, Lexy, Dallas, Russell, and Andrew. The playground was awesome! It had lots of different passageways, a long twisty slide, and a hanging trolley ride. As soon as I realized adults could go on it too, I was all over it! It was so great to be in with the kids and watch them enjoy running into each other as they made their way through! So cute!

Ethan started potty training that day too. We'd been preparing him for it by telling him that when he's 3 he puts "it" in the potty. We've had a few failed attempts at helping him learn how to go already, so he was somewhat familiar with how it was supposed to happen. He chose to use the little potty chair, instead of the big toilet. He did a fantastic job!! He only had one accident that whole day (if you don't count using the pull-up we put on him for the way to the party, since he didn't take a nap and was sure to fall asleep!). We even brought the potty chair there and he used it during the party. I am amazed at how self-motivated he is to remember to go. Mike and I barely have to do anything. By today he's already stopped asking for a potty treat each time! He just expects himself to be able to do it now that he's three! I hope it keeps up, and I think I've found the method I plan to use with every child from now on!