2 year old!!!

July 2014

We had some amazing sunsets this month, so I had to share at least one picture!  We celebrated the 4th of July by walking in our neighborhood kids' parade, and then later on we went to a barbecue at a friend's house.  Caden looked particularly patriotic sitting in this chair.

Since our friends are expecting their first baby, Zane must have felt the need to highlight potential baby proofing ideas around the house. :)

One weekend when we were pressure washing the patio, the boys made this awesome chair and cushion fort.  Caden also started counting this month, and his version of counting is saying "2, 3, 2, 3."  It's pretty cute!  Since he has a cold more often than not, it's not surprising that one of his new phrases is "I want see booga."

 Zane has become interested in practicing writing the alphabet, and his letters are getting more and more legible.  After learning that paper is made from trees, his class was working on a paper making project that he was super excited about it.  For a few days at pick up he would drag me over to where the paper was drying to take a look at how it was doing.  It was cute!

I also realized how much more I pay attention to different types of vehicles than I ever have before.  Like when I was heading to the bus stop after work one day, and I was compelled to take this picture of one of metro's tow trucks pulling a bus!  Zane and Caden were excited to see it. :)

 We had a few playground adventures this month, including a couple visits to the wading pool at Lincoln Park.  Playground trips usually involve plenty of time digging in the sand.

 We also watched our favorite summer parade, including the boys' favorite part, the police motorcycle demonstrations. 

The Seafair pirates are also a key part of the parade.  Police officers, motorcycles, pirates, music and candy... what more could these two ask for?

That same weekend, we got to watch Zane's friend Elsa's mom, "White Collar Brawler," at her roller derby match.  It was a lot of fun! 

 The boys worked together to build a few box forts and homes. 

They agreed on the main decorative element for the exterior of their structures, lots and lots of stickers!

Caden turned 2 on the 23rd!  It's hard to believe that it's already been two years.  Caden is very much his own sweet, funny and passionate little person.  It is fun seeing his personality develop. 

He took cupcakes to school to celebrate with his friends, and we had some fun cupcakes to celebrate at home with.  The boys each chose a cookie monster cupcake. :)

He got his very own chair, just like Zane's, which he was pretty tickled about.

 He also got his first lego set,

and a scooter!

He worked really hard on blowing out his two candles, and it was so sweet.  He also worked really hard on eating all of the frosting!

 Here are my very best efforts at capturing his two year old pictures.

 

Zane had to get in on the action too!

 

That weekend, grandma and grandpa came to visit, and we had a birthday party for Caden in our back yard with a few of our school friends.

The birthday boy had a fun time!  We colored with chalk, played with the bubble maker, and threw water balloons.

It's quite convenient that some of Caden's friends are the little siblings of Zane's friends. 

Now that he's two, I turned his car seat around so that he is forward facing.  He stretched out his legs to show me how big he is now!  

Caden's two year check up was the Monday after his party.  After we dropped Zane off at school, we stopped by the playground to burn off some energy before his appointment.  Caden weighed in at 28 lbs 6 oz (55%) and measured 35.25 inches long (80%)!  His doctor was happy with how he's doing, and Caden was more than happy to show off his jumping skills.