Happy birthday, PJ!

We celebrated PJ's second birthday on Sunday.

It feels like just yesterday, he was this tiny little guy:

and now he's so much bigger, though no less happy.

We got him a bounce house, which is really for him and for Jack (but don't tell him I said that).

Truth be told, it's really for me, because as any mom of toddler boys will tell you, letting them get their energy out is critical.

We had it set up in the basement for them him that morning, and I took this little video of them coming down to see it for the first time.

I think setting up little surprises like this for your kids is one of the best parts of being a parent. I don't know who's more excited on birthdays and Christmas - me or them.

Anyway, here are a few shots of them in their new bouncy castle that morning:







And then later, it was time for the party. Are you ready, PJ?

He just needs to juice up first.

We had just about the most beautiful day on record, so we brought the bouncy house outside and had a bunch of kids jumping their little hearts out.

I'm sure that there was some good sleeping that took place that night.



I never got a picture of all the cupcakes together, or of the blowing out of the candles...probably because I was the one holding the birthday boy, but let's just say that PJ's a fan of anything with rainbow sprinkles.


As are most kids.

And then, after all the hoopla died down and everyone went home, our wonderful next door neighbor came over and said he had a little surprise for the boys and asked if it was a good time. It was, and so he came right back and proceeded to make balloon animals for them.

To say they were captivated is the understatement of the year.

Bunnies, dinosaurs, bumble bees - he made all sorts of animals and the boys loved every second of it!

What wonderful neighbors we have!

So tell us, Peej - how do you feel about being two?

Yeah - you love it!