Earth is 2!

Happy Birthday, Earth!  Our unexpected, and unexpectedly male, last child is rambunctiously, energetically, terribly, joyfully two years old.

  Earth started the day early- this picture was taken at 5:30am, hence D's bleary eyes.  He helped D walk the dog and then we got all got ready for church

I teach 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday school so I usually wear a church T-shirt and jeans but since the boys looked so handsome, I decided to dress up too.  We tried for a family picture but this was a good as we got (Sky was out of sorts and opted out)

  We had a little party with a few friends for Earth that evening.  He got some quiet time with Albert, one of his favorite people in the world, before everyone else arrived

After some play time, we had pizza

and then it was time for cake

I made a banana-chocolate chip cake with peanut butter frosting using this recipe

Earth wasn't sure about the candles but the rest of the kids helped him to blow them out and then it was time to dig in

He loved the cake and kept asking for bites of everyone else's pieces after he finished his

Earth opened a few presents (with some help from his brothers and sister)

and then we gave him his big gifts, reveal style

He loved all the presents but the basketball hoop was his favorite

As soon as we said go, the rest of the kids ran in to play with his toys

Even after his friends left, Earth was playing with his basketball and race track

Earth, even on the days when I wish you weren't quite so (defiant, angry, opinionated) you, I wanted you to be mine from the moment I knew you existed.  You keep me on my toes and I love watching you grow.  I can't wait to see what this next year holds for you!