Celebrating at School

Owen got to celebrate his birthday again today with banana splits in the Toddler Room. We brought the giant cardboard train with us, and the kids loved it!

Snow?

After a very sunny birthday party for Owen on Saturday, we got snow on Monday. What gives? Though, to be fair, it looked less like snow and more like a powdered sugar truck crashed in our front yard.

Happy Birthday, Owen!

The littlest Miracle is a baby no more. Owen turned 2 today and we celebrated his birthday on Saturday with a train-themed birthday party. 

Charlie and Evan's homemade cardboard train

My homemade chocolate cake train

Getting in the spirit

Hide . . .

. . . and seek!

Wheelbarrow ride with Grandpa

Sneaking up on Omi & Opu

Omi's turn to drive

Chugging along with fellow train-lover Carlos

No caption needed - that face says it all!

Eleanor climbs on board

 Blowing out the candles

Surrounded with love by Opu, Omi, Grandma, Grandpa & "my Charlie"

Opening presents, which was much more exciting than last year

Reading a new book with Omi

Charlie & Gabe mug for the camera

One last ride with Charlie & Isabel

Owen the Hobo's First Haircut

Well, first official haircut. I had trimmed his bangs, but the Pig Pen-esque cloud of hair was getting ridiculous. It was time for the real deal.

Before


During


After

Happy 2012!

Boxing Day

On the 26th, we headed to the Museum of Life + Science to check out their train display. Owen was in heaven!









Checking out the tornado exhibit


Inside the space shuttle


Little drummer boy


Digging for fossils


In the butterfly house

Christmas Day

Santa did not disappoint this year! Charlie had asked for the Luke's X-Wing LEGO set, and Owen got a new addition to his train set.





Taking a snuggle break with Grandpa


Mom's new yarn doubles as Princess Leia's honey buns


Gorging on chocolate Santas




Trying out the new basketball hoop from Omi & Opu


Making ocean collages from Great-Grandma and -Grandpa Miracle


Strega Nona story break with Grandapa


While in grad school, Sarah and I decided to take on Martha Stewart's zuccotto recipe. We were somewhat notorious for not reading a recipe all the way through, and missed the "refrigerate overnight" instructions for a cake we were planning to serve in a few hours. It all worked out in the end, but this time around I was prepared and started on Christmas Eve. Here Charlie is helping me with the final step, coating the inverted cake with ganache.







Owen's contribution was adding the finishing touch: One raspberry!


Ready for bed with his new bear and matching PJs!