A Numbers Game...

730...

That is the number of days that our Kael has lit up our lives like the sun. Two whole years that have flown by and been more magical and full of love than any years prior. And we know that Kaelster knows that he is extraordinary. Because making someone a mama and someone else a daddy-o is something that takes a very special and gifted little one, like our big boy, Kael.

361...

Is the number of days ago that our Kaelster started walking. And now he spins, jumps, somersaults, runs, rides, tackles, dances, climbs, gallops, hugs and kisses. What he does not do (yet) - is sit still. Maybe when he's older he'll have time for such a basic and ordinary skill. He is a ball of energy and curiosity and we love to watch him grow and rule the world.

∞...

That is the official sign for infinity. Which is the amount of love we have for our first-born, who came to us like a sparkling star. He is such a big bear of love who has a seemingly unending pool of sweetness to pull from. He is the best big brother... always asking for "andy" (candy) for himself and for "Daxi" and if you didn't know his brother's name you would think he was constantly hailing a cab like a seasoned New Yorker. He rarely becomes impatient with his little shadow and it is evident that Kaelster wanted to be a big brother here on our spinning globe. He is full of life and passion and endless surprises and he shocks us daily with new words and tricks. To have him as a part of our forever family is one of our greatest blessings.

3.14159 = π

Pi. Or in this case, pie... as in, Kael is just as sweet as pie... and his "cookie dough" cheeks that dimple with his vast array of silly faces keep us laughing. And speaking of pie... our big boy is still one voracious eater. We love to watch him do an anxious happy dance as we open a "Shreat" (treat) or pour him some "Joo" (juice).

Yep, life is pretty sugary with this little love on our hands.

2...

Our angel baby is two. And we never thought this day would come so soon. It's one of those moments when you shake your head and smile because it's too cliche to say, "How did this happen?" or "Why are you growing up so fast?"

We are so proud of our little man and the love he injects in to our family. And we smile every day because of him. And we know that our Kaelster will continue to ignite love in those he comes in contact with because that is who our little outlaw is... a lightning bolt of all things that are good.

We love you so much, Big K, and we will always love you. And even though you're getting bigger at the speed of light; you will always be our baby and we know you'll create magic with your one great and amazing life.

Happy Birthday, Big Boy!

We Love You a Gazillion!

Summer Nights...

I think those long, marvelously drawn-out summer nights

have finally caught up to us.

Today Dax Man is running a fever after falling and nearly shoving one of his new little teeth back up into his gums. Poor dude was literally knocked off of his rocker and seems to be dealing with a lack of sleep and the need to ease his oral pain by being a hot little mess and clinging to his mama who is tylenoling and rocking appropriately.

Kaelster too is zoning out in his booster seat during meal times and earlier each morning in his car seat or out in the yard. I caught him today just sitting on his little radio flier push toy staring into the abyss. That just doesn't happen 'round here with our little rambunctious two-year-old... Ever.

RyGar is sporting a lobster-like sunburn after boating yesterday on what is our bonus July holiday and I am catching up on six - yes, I said it, SIX loads of laundry that remained untouched all weekend long. You can make the gagging sound here if you'd like.

And so - I'll take the hint. We need to veg. We need to simmer. We need to stay close to home and bid adieu to the zoo, the splash parks, the parties, the parades, the pools and the late night restaurant runs with family and friends for a day or two. And try napping when nap time is usually scheduled and going to bed closer to that 8 o'clock hour. We're catching up on laundry and rubbing icy aloe vera on sunburned skin and basically pushing SLOW on our summer play list... for a few days at least.

Summer - we'll back to our full-powered selves shortly.

For now - me, the big man and my little super heroes are all in Time Out...

And we like it.

:)

Birthday Bash...

We had a party here this weekend...

at the Gardner Ranch...

It was a rootin' tootin' good time.

And it was all for this little cowboy - who is turning two...

Don't even get me started on that...

But do wait for his official birthday post coming this weekend.

The crowd was comprised of a bunch of Outlaws and Renegades...

All of whom we'll claim... if we have to. :)

We panned for gold...

Got branded at the branding station...

Drank some rootbeer for the first time ever...

And then drank some more.

We ate BBQ burgers and hotdogs - grilled up by the grill master himself...

And we visited...

And sun bathed...

Well, 'til the cows came home.

And we remembered when HE....

Looked like this - and was a fraction of his current size.

And when it was all over - we bid everyone, "Happy Trails" 'til next time.

It was a great day. For a great boy. Who is one of our great loves in this life.

Happy Birthday Kaelster... our Big TWO-YEAR-OLD!

Oh Rodeo...

There are two reasons why living in this state in July is far superior than living in any other state in July...

1. Another holiday to celebrate freedom, family and heritage. Which inevitably leads to additional BBQs, fireworks and icy deliciousness.

And then these...

2. Rodeo Butts - Holy Fetch - They drive me nuts.

Both literally and in a cute way. Have you ever toted two sweaty little red-cheeked one-year-olds to a rodeo that starts at 8 pm and goes 'til 11? There should be a term for such summer madness... something that my limited english language skills can not yet define - but I'll work on it. We made it - with only one boot and one sippy cup missing in the treasure trove that is "beneath the bleachers" and as far as we can tell no one suffered heat stroke in our little party.

So, while it was NOT easy, nor was it super relaxing... it was fantastic.

And thus, I will end by focusing on the cute part again...

Wrangler, this shout out is to you...

Well done, folks.

And yes, we're totally willing to pimp out these little cowboys for your next ad.

Happy Holiday Weekend!

Growth Spurts and Stuff...

Little Man is having a growth spurt. He simply can NOT ingest enough throughout the course of any given day to feel appeased and his chipmunk cheeks are brimming full of "stuff" during all hours of awake time. He likes everything - and I mean it. But you should see the kid down a pack of yogurt bites or a can of green beans. It is hysterically impressive and he moves like someone might steal the very bean he is grasping in his little paw. Totally stealth.

His equilibrium is slightly "off" and the poor little guy has a bruise, scab, and/or red mark on his forehead, cheek and/or chin almost constantly. I think it's because his little leg bones are growing at a remarkable rate and let's face it - growing bones has got to be hard work.

People are starting to ask more frequently if our little blonde buddies are twins - and NOW I get it. They are nearly the same height and since Daximus is dead set on out-eating his big brother, the circumference of his thighs is expanding impressively. They are our little twiblings (a term I borrow from a good friend who has babies ten-months apart) and that is about the most perfect made-up word to describe them. I have a feeling we're just at the tip of the iceberg as far as cuteness goes with these little twibs. Now if only I can decipher their language and other strange little call signs.

And really, nothing else is spectacularly noteworthy here, except that we're enjoying summer. Together. AND with our families. Ryan's brother and his kiddos are here from Europe for a few weeks and it is nice to go to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and then play at a grimy city park on a muggy day for no other reason than to see little cousins clamber about together.

And then toss them in the tub for a good scrub...

We'll be hosting all our little cuz friends this weekend for Kael's second birthday party. I might cry - I'm just warning you - but I'll really try to hold it together. And if I fail - I'll just blame it on the hormones... so there.

And in the mean time - I'm off for MY tub time... just to punctuate who the big tub actually belongs to. I don't want anyone creeping in on my real estate permanently.

Happy Hump Day.

:)