And now all of a sudden, that tiny guy is a rowdy toddler who is way more interested in climbing that couch like a mountain goat than napping on it in a duckie onesie. All the cliches are true. They grow up so fast, and it fills you with unimaginable joy and breaks your heart a little at the same time. Parenthood is soul-stretching. (And belly-stretching too--just ask my circa-2005 hip tattoo.)
We decided the perfect present for our climbing, jumping, bouncing-off-the-walls boy this year would be a toddler trampoline--the kind made with a safety bar and a minimal amount of spring, so they can't literally bounce off a wall. It was assembled (thanks Dave!) and waiting when the birthday boy woke up this morning.
He wasn't totally sure what to do with it at first.
We decided the perfect present for our climbing, jumping, bouncing-off-the-walls boy this year would be a toddler trampoline--the kind made with a safety bar and a minimal amount of spring, so they can't literally bounce off a wall. It was assembled (thanks Dave!) and waiting when the birthday boy woke up this morning.
He wasn't totally sure what to do with it at first.
Then the wonderful realization began to dawn on him...
...that it was a magical bouncing machine!
After bouncing the early morning away, it was time to head to school, where his class threw him a little party--complete with a banner decorated by his friends.
It looks like he's dancing with Daddy here...he's actually trying to bouncebouncebounce. The trampoline has apparently ruined regular floors for him.
He absolutely loved having everyone sing to him. He loved it so much he even tolerated wearing the birthday crown...although please note that I'm holding his hands to try to keep him from immediately ripping it off his head.
Back home after Remy took a nap and Dave got home, we had a little dinner celebration just the three of us--Remy's family party is this weekend. (Last year his party theme was "Mama Goes a Little Overboard With the Handmade Everything." This year the theme is going to be, "Oh My God Have You Ever Tried to Go to Michael's With a Toddler?!")
The parents celebrated two successful years of keeping a small human alive with toffalo wings and a simple spinach & avocado salad. And then Mr. I-won't-eat-a-vegetarian-meal-without-plunking-a-chicken-breast-on-top-of-it not only ate them but casually mentioned he'd be taking all the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Um, no. Not unless you want to lose a finger.
After Remy serenaded us through the second half of dinner with the Band in a Box from his great aunt (thanks Aunt Jane!), it was time for more cupcakes and more singing.
And magical candles that little hands very much wanted to grab before they were blown out.
Last year Remy was completely unimpressed with cake and we could not for the life of us get him to try a single bite--in all of the photos he's poking at a cupcake with expressions ranging from mild disinterest to total disdain.
Clearly, the times have a-changed.
Happy birthday, wild one! Now please slow the hell down and quit growing so fast.
long days and short years
ReplyDeletecongratulations to the three of you
... it only gets better