Party!!

On Sat, March 21 at 2pm, we celebrated Tripp's birthday with a toddler-ific party!

Tripp woke up from his nap ready to go!

He was curious about the streamers, excited about the mickey mouse tablecloth and delighted when a surprise balloon delivery came from cousin Faith!

Balloons!

That was a very cool surprise - thanks Faith! We miss you!

Waiting for his guests to arrive.
Chillin in his new Yo Gabba Gabba Chair - Brobee style

First things first, a couple of gifts for Tripp to give.

He was sick and missed Lukas's birthday party :-(

But now, they having matching Tie - Dye T-shirts! Stay posted for pics - the boys are wearing their matching T's to Daycare tomorrow - it's gonna be Too Cute!!

He also missed hanging with Penny during the holidays and had her Festivas gift to give.

...they also have matching Tie Dye Shirts / Onesies! We tried to get them to pose together...but, you know how it goes. Penelope's onesie matches the sun burst pattern on Tripp's birthday tie dye.

The Traditional "Kid shot"

Mary

Dom & Terri

Beth & Nora

Aubrey & Penelope

Matteo & Jenna

"Guys Corner"

Sean, Jimmy, John & Pops

Tripp's cool new camping chair - complete with drink holder!

We can't wait to go camping this summer! Thanks Grands!

Playing with his Mets Mr. Potato Head. Thanks Uncle Chris!

Bubbles!!




I guess bubbles are big this year - or with Toddlers in general. When ever someone asked me what to get Tripp for his birthday I'd say, whatever, or offer a couple of off the top of my head suggestions or categories (bath, outside, beach) and sometimes I'd say " I usually pick one of Tripp's favorite toys as my method of gift selection." Tripp loves bubbles and much to his delight he got quite the variety of bubble devices - so many in fact, that we have decided to have a Bubble BBQ this summer. Plenty of Bubble-rific fun for the wee ones and some fun in the sun & horse shoes for the grown ups!

Sean, Terri & Erin

Tripp, the little Casanova - he's already negotiating Penelope's curfew.

"So, like I said... I'm a good guy. I'll have her home by nap time"

Pinata!!

I'm a bit disappointed in myself. I wanted to make the Mickey Mouse pinata for Tripp's party. Instead I had to make a last minute phone call to ask Grands Capano house for help. Luckily, Uncle Brian was on the case! He has a talent for shopping and found us the perfect Pinata! It was the last one and a lady at the store actually tried to buy it off of him - but Brian stayed strong and got the Pinata for Tripp!!

A Pinata movie.

The kids did a great job taking turns. I will admit there were a couple of close calls with the bat swinging - but everyone came out of it okay and with yummy Animal Cracker and Teddy Graham snack packs!

High 5!

Happy Birthday Tripp!

He is such a ham - he definitely LOVED it when we sang Happy Birthday to him!





Yummy Cup Cakes!

Tripp's birthday is March 19th, St. Joseph's Day (click on link for more info)

"Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families." - Pope John Paul II

We're not religious people - but does Tripp having the same birthday as St. Joseph means he will have his traits..... that wouldn't be a bad thing, not at all....

St. Joseph's Day may be a holiday you've never heard of but it even has it's own special dessert. St. Joseph Pastry

Grands Capano brought us a special treat of fresh St. Joe's pastries for the party! They were a big hit!

He got lots of birthday kisses from Penny

MUAH!

Opening gifts with Uncle Brian

Tripp got a ton of great gifts - he loves them all - even the clothes!

Thank you everyone!

Nora helps Tripp open his gifts

Grandpa and Tripp were both excited to see this golf set from friends Mary & Jimmy

Tripp loves Snakes. Snake! Snake! So this Rattlesnake book form buddy Lukas was an instant hit!

Uncle Brian - the bargain shopper - hit the jackpot on deals when it came to finding pop-up and blow-up tents, forts and ball pits. Tripp is spoiled!

Tripp & Penny, chillin in the Fort


Goodie Bags

Each one personaly decorated by our little artist, Tripp

Inside: Play-Do; bouncy ball; pirate rubber duckie; homemade ribbon wand & a mix CD -Tripp's Toe Tapp'in Two's!!

It was a great day!

2!

Yesterday, on March 19th, Tripp turned 2!

I still can't believe 2 years have already come and gone - time really does fly!

So yesterday morning when Tripp woke up as a 2 year old....

he looked different.....his Southern side came out!

I would love to sit here and create a wonderful post about how much Tripp has grown over the past year - both in personality and physical traits...but I can't. No time to blog! I have a house to clean and last minute party favors to make. Tripp's birthday party is tomorrow at 2 and I'm gonna have a houseful of toddlers! 8 toddlers and their parents!! Where will I put them all?!?

We're gonna have a blast! Lots of music, fun, games and a pinata!!

...as for the bucktooth,

it's a nuni! I don't know where it came from or when we got it, but when I found it (in it's packaging) and felt it's weight, a light bulb went off!- this will do the trick!

I thought if he used this nuni he would get annoyed and toss it to the side forever.

But of course, he loves it! Foiled again!

Resourceful

Resourceful.....not a word I would typically use to describe our son. In fact, most of the time I am reminding him to speak and be a big boy! He has taken to the habit of grunting when he wants something. He will hold your finger and guide you to the area that houses his desire and grunt & point until he gets his way - this is usually referring to the refrigerator....my bottomless pit! So, I have started making him say what he wants.

After he leads me to the fridge:

"Are you looking for a drink?"

Nods yes and points.

"Can you say drink?"

"dink!"

"Drink, what?"

"ease!"

"Okay, mommy will get you a drink. Can you say thank you?"

He signs thank you.

"Good Job! High 5!"

We are getting pretty use to the routine and Tripp has started to say things when he needs / wants them...in his own, I'm learning to talk way. The only problem is now he says it over and over again and with increasing intensity and volume! Dink! Dink! Dink! Dink!

So the other day when Tripp was drawing in the kitchen while I was cooking I truly did not expect the following event to happen.

I had moved Tripp to a tall cabinet behind the side door so that I could prep food and load the dishwasher without my usual dance around him. Well, Tripp had filled up the cabinet with beautiful chalk drawings as high as he could reach - but he wanted more! He started whining. "What is it baby?"

grunt

"you have to tell mommy"

"up! Up!"

"Sorry baby, mommy is busy I can't stop and pick you up"

with tears, "Up!"

"Sorry, why don't you color on a different door?"

"Up!"

"Nope, why don't you get your stool?"

I didn't really expect him to get his stool. I figured I would find a good stopping point and go get it for him, but to my surprise I could hear his over-exaggerated grunts and knew he was doing it on his own! Around the corner he came with his potty stool, grunting and panting - what a drama queen! he then placed it at the foot of the cabinet and sat down for a rest. He then patted the stool and said "Up!"

"Good Job!"

Ahhhh!