2 Years, 8 Months

Dear Etrain,

Our month started out pretty fun....and kept going. Our old neighbors from our old house were having a birthday party for their daughter, who was turning 19, and they invited us. There were lots of adults and older kids there, so you didn't really have anyone to play with, but you were a trooper and kept yourself entertained with the balloons....and cars of course.

You and I do lots of silly stuff during the week while Dada is at work. You love to get me in that tent with you. I have to tell you...it's hot and I can feel a tad claustrophobic when we close it up (the tent isn't very big), but it makes you happy so I do it. You love to crawl in and have us tip it backwards, so here we are tipped over and laying down in the tent.

Meet Hat Man. Sometimes when taking off shirt it'll gets stuck around your neck/head if it's a little tight. To prevent tears we turn things into games. So, we get the shirt over your face, but let it stay on your head and you think it's the funniest thing. Dada must have come up with the name Hat Man, and you love it. You've even made up songs for it, which is really cute.

You don't look sweaty yet and Ginger isn't panting, so this must have been pre-walk to the park. ;)

You love to "help" Dada clean his surfboards after he comes back from surfing.

I was telling Dada that I wanted to get out and do more different things because, while I like our usual adventures, you and I do them a lot. On the weekends we have longer mornings (because you don't have any school or classes to go to), so we talked about trying a few new spots. Below are photos of our adventure at the tide pools in Laguna Beach. The tide was high so we didn't really see much sea life, but we enjoyed playing in the water, throwing rocks with dad, and chasing the seagulls. We probably should have planned better and put you in a swimsuit, but you didn't care.

The next birthday party we went to was for Papa. He turned 70 years old this year so we all went out to dinner to celebrate. Nana's son, Chad, and his family were in town so they joined us for dinner, as well as Nana's daughter, Jenna. You liked helping Papa blow out his birthday candles, but probably loved eating the cake more.

You were really impressed with the "garage" castle I built for you, but didn't really feel like smiling for a photo.

We still go to the park by our house a bunch, and lately I've liked to take the "long way". It's a prettier walk, I get some exercise and sometimes you'll walk to (which is great because I like you to burn that energy). It's been fairly hot and sunny so you actually asked me for your sunglasses. You NEVER like to wear them, so I was impressed you kept them on for as long as you did.

You and this net. I'm not sure what to do about it. You just have no fear. I guess it's good it works as well as it does. I just wish it was only for emergencies if you or someone were to fall...not to be used as a play space. I looked down for one minute and you were walking the tractor up it like it was the concrete. And then there's you using it as a chair.

In my continuing quest to go to new places we tried out the "Fairy Trail". It's a beautiful trail that runs long top the side of a canyon with views of the ocean. They call it the Fairy Trail because all along the trail you can find little houses or hang-outs where the fairies seem to go. You weren't the least bit interested in the fairies, but you liked throwing rocks off the cliffs (which gave me minor heart attacks each time).

That afternoon we still wanted to be out so we went to the beach. The weather wasn't great, but it was still nice to play for a little while.

Lakers twinsies!

We've had a problem with you lately. I guess you've been doing it for a while, but it seems more regular lately. You love to bury or "hide" things...well, mostly people or pets. You've had your toys taken away a couple times now because you keep hiding Burger. The problem it Burger is 18 years old and too small and weak to fight you (and the clothes and pillows you put on her) off. I'm afraid you'll really hurt her one day. One time I found Burger with the neck of a shirt wrapped around her head/neck. Maybe you were trying to make her Hat Man? I don't know, but she couldn't get it off. I know you're only playing and not trying to be mean, but how to you explain to a 2.5 year old that Ginger can take it, but you could really hurt the cat. Ugh, we're working on it.

On the other hand, I don't want to kill your fun, playful spirit, so I let you "hide" me. This day it turned into a game of hide and smash. I'm glad there were pillows.

Then there was yet another birthday party. This time it was for Nixon, Dada's friend's son. Nixon turned one and had a backyard party, complete with inflatable inter-tubes you thought were tons of fun. You were a little upset that you didn't get to keep Nixon's birthday present (it was a big track with cars), but I think the birthday cake made up for it.

We actually went to one more birthday party later this month, but I didn't take any pictures. By now you are a birthday attendee professional and know exactly what to ask for...cake, or cupcakes, or cookies, or any sort of treat. The last birthday party was at a My Gym (different from the one we usually go to), so now you ask me when we can go to a party at My Gym and have cake. At least you have your priorities straight.

My cousin Zarah came into town for a few days. She and I went out several times, while you stayed with Dada, so you two didn't get to hang out a ton, but you really seemed to like her when she was around. They say that boys really like girls when they try to beat up on them, so I found it really funny that you were either a silly shy around her, or you were trying to smash into her and knock her over. We tried to take some photos before she left and we got the silly shy boy.

There's one thing people keep telling me...they say that you look tall. I mean, random people that only see you every once in a while, like the mom whose daughter has swim class the same time as you, or even strangers tell me you look tall for your age. We haven't measured you so I don't know if you've grown, but you must have. You definitely look more and more like a boy and less like a baby.

You've always liked books and love our story time before nap or bed, but lately I'll catch you reading on your own. Last month I mentioned when you took the book to hide behind the chair and started "reading" it to yourself. Well, you still do that, but you'll also just climb up on the chair or couch and read away. I love it.

This past month the questions have really been kicked up a notch. You used to ask questions, but not like now. Just today, I must have explained 20 different things to you. "What's that, Mama?" "What does it mean?" "Why does it say that?" "Where's the ___?" You name it, you ask about it. It can get a tad tiring at times...especially when you ask questions to things you know the answer to. For example, going up the stairs today, you stopped on the first step, pointed to the step and asked what it was. I told you it was a step with carpet on it. Then you climbed one step and asked the same thing, and then on the next step. Oh geez. I do like your curiosity though...and your memory. You're still learning more and more each day, and supersizing me with what you remember. We were in Target yesterday and you pointed out a no smoking sign. I didn't even know you knew what that was. So cool.

You still spend a lot of time with Nana and Papa. They love to have you over on Sundays. They'll dress you up and take you to church with them, then you guys have some fun after. You'll never nap for them, but always come home tired for us, which is great. It's also nice for Dada and I to have time together just the two of us. We always love you and love spending time with you, but it's nice to do adult stuff together too.

Oh, and I can't forget that Dada taught you how to do air guitar. You really just rub your hands over your belly really fast, but it's still super cute. In the video below you were more interested in doing your "exercises", but Dada rocked it for you.

So I got you up from nap, let you wake up a bit more, then asked you if you would sit in the chair to take some photos. You said yes, and climbed right up. But then I asked you to smile and I got this...