On Wednesday this week, Jackson turned two! He loved opening his presents and even though this is something he only does twice a year (the last being Christmas 2016), he has a good method of finding the tiny opening and peeling. Not unlike us when we were little though, when Jackson unwraps a gift, there ends up being 55 tiny pieces of paper scattered about. With every gift, he also says, "Woah!" and wants to open it right away, getting out all of the pieces and in the case of a DVD, watching it that instant. At least he appreciates his toys and doesn't race through opening them and then forgetting what he was given.
Yesterday was his circus birthday party with his four little friends (inspired by one of his favourite movies of the moment: Dumbo). Thankfully, he woke up in perfect health this year and had a great time. It was sprinkling all day, so we didn't get a chance to play outside on the new deck, but all of the carnival-themed games translated well to the indoors. Jackson opened his presents from his friends right away. Now, I have not been to an English birthday party yet where any children have opened their presents, so I wasn't sure that this was okay; but, who is going to stop a child from discovering what gift lies beneath the pretty paper and risk crying, screaming, and fit-throwing? Not me. Plus, the new toys he received served as great toys for everyone to play with so it was a win-win situation. (In Ohio, I never went to a birthday party where the gift-opening didn't happen. It was usually a 15-minute affair where all of the party-goers sat in a circle and watched the birthday kid open their gifts and cards, saying, "Thank you," after each one. The unprepared birthday child would sometimes say, "I already have this!" And the civilized children in the group would exchange looks because we knew that this child was obviously not prepped on the appropriate response to receiving a duplicate toy.)
Today, we had the same party, but Lee's family came to visit and celebrate circus-style. It was a bit sunnier today so Jackson and his cousin could take full advantage of the Little Tikes climber that he got last year and could play on the new deck for a little bit. It was easier to set-up for the second day of partying since we already had the food menu sorted; we just needed to replenish everything and reset the tables.
Now after everything is said and done, I think I've had enough partying for another year. Although, Lee's birthday is in a week so it looks like these decorations will come in handy if he's up for a big-top birthday bash!
Our little boy is now two!
Opening gifts (round two)
Party treats and gifts for our guests
Welcome to the circus!
Our lovely friends
Jackson couldn't wait to open his gifts, but who can blame him?
Everyone transitioning to clowns with their party gifts
One of the carnival games for the kids (and parents!)
Jackson's rainbow layered cake
Just a little help from 'Mimi' to blow all of the candles out
Jackson and Ralph enjoying a slice of cake together
Post-party cupcake that Ralph baked for Jackson
Racing his new Hot Wheels cars from Uncle Scott and Aunt Kirsten
A view of the big top
Enjoying the new deck with Grandpa Neil
Jackson with his cousin, Connor
Loving the two-year-old life and all of his new toys!
Developmental updates: Jackson's continuing to be quite opinionated and instead of just saying 'no,' he says, "No way!" I am still appreciative of the fact that he knows what he wants and doesn't mix-up his yeses and nos. Jackson is perfecting his fake sleeping with sounds and a change of expression, but the funniest thing about this is he hasn't put that much importance on keeping his eyes closed. So, he will look right at us and 'sleep,' and we have to play along that he is taking a nap. (We'll get there.) His new words and phrases for the week are 'sticker,' 'me go,' 'thank you,' and 'hot.' He is also getting very good at repeating words and short phrases right after he hears us say them we as soon as he can attach the meanings to what he is repeating, then he should be able to add to his vocabulary quite quickly.
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
