Happy Birthday, Dear Calvin (x2)

CALVIN IS TWO!

The family celebrated our "good seed" with a John Deere party.

We were happy to share the day with our family and friends, many of whom were with us for Cal's first birthday.






Including:

Grammy and Papa
Grandma and Grandpa
Kurt, Denee, and Ava
Uncle Shane
Uncle Ryan
Surrogate Grandparents and neighbors, Jerry and Diane Bauman
Pastor Ryan

And we were especially honored to have some out of town family with us. Cal's Great Uncle, Dwayne, was visiting from Colorado with Cousins Andrew and Timi, expecting their first child.

Especially during this long, cold winter, our home was warmed with the love of these good people.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy.

Happy Birthday at Layton Athletics

Cal and I spent his second birthday with some friends at Layton Athletics, a super cool yet understated indoor gym.

At a glance, it looks like an open space but there are hidden treasures everywhere -- like trampolines! One of them serves as a runway for kids to launch into a big pit of square foam blocks!

Around the edges are flat screen TVs hooked up to active video games, like Dance Dance Revolution and snowboard simulators. But this two-year old (and his "keep it simple" mom) spent most of the time scaling a foam pencil and tossing rings around cones.

The trained facilitators did much more than monitor how many kids were on the tramps at once; they led casual group activities with scarves, hoola hoops and cones. And they rallied the kids to sing Happy Birthday to Calvin before we left.

It was a happy birthday, indeed.

Bless You, Mommy! (and other adorable phrases)

As Cal's vocabulary expands the most adorable phrases present themselves, much to our delight.

One of my favorites, Bless you, Mommy! pops up for any of my sneezes and even more often for Calvin's fake coughs. So far, "Bless you, Mommy" applies to anyone who clears their throat nearby.

Although I offer less frequently these days, Calvin remembers well my offer to help him up the stairs. ("Do you want mommy to carry you?") So it's only natural that "Mommy carry you" would stick in his vocabulary. Of course it means "Mommy carry ME", but it's too cute to correct. It applies to Pooh Bear, too, "Mommy carry you, Pooh".

Patting the spot next to him on the couch, Calvin beckons company with a sweet, "C'mon Mommy, sit here!" If we're walking it's even cuter, as the tender request is accompanied by hand motions: palm up, fingers bending in a c'mon motion. Tell me you wouldn't go wherever he wanted!

What once just described how he liked his morning tea, "nice and warm" now applies to how his bath water feels, his winter coat, and why he needs his mittens.

As sweet as his beckoning to come closer, "See you later!" is a precious good-bye.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

This year, Calvin is experiencing the winters of his parents' youths. After years of meager accumulation, we haven't had this much snow ... well, ever, as it turns out.

Lucky boy. At every turn there are snow mountains to climb, sled hills to descend, snowballs to throw and, for little guys who like to help their fathers, plenty of snow to shovel.

In fairness, Dad uses a snowblower for the majority of the work, but does pull out a shovel from time to time. Especially when Cal arrives, shovel in hand, ready to help.

Just look at that form; he lifts with his legs!

Happy Birthday from the Caldwells

With Chris, Jenifer, and the girls in town, we celebrated Calvin's birthday. Who doesn't want another chance to have cake?

Cal took advantage of his Birthday Boy rights, using his fingers instead of a fork.

Of course, he couldn't leave Pooh Bear out of the celebration; his pal got a taste, too.

Is that the sweetest thing, or what?

A Caldwell Recovery Party

Uncle Shane's pulmonary embolisms brought the Caldwell Clan together for a spontaneous weekend visit. Shane was recovering at Grandma and Grandpa's house, which meant that we could all enjoy each other while providing a little R&R for the patient.

The kids fully enjoyed the time with their grandparents and with each other. Snuggle time with a couple of two-year olds is pretty special.

And, of course, everything is more fun with Cousin Chloe around. Even trying on new clothes ... and even if they're Chloe's! Feeling generous, she wanted Calvin to share in the experience. She put on a new shirt, so did Calvin. She put on a new pair of tights ... so did Calvin! Donning his trusty boots, the two stomped around singing and dancing before landing in Great-Grandma's rocking chair for "Jesus Loves Me", and a few blackmail photos.

Seriously, Calvin needs some male relatives.

Counting

Always surprising me, Calvin is learning to count. He easily finds his way to ten these days, though he'll sometimes skip the number six. But really, who needs it.

Of course we're proud of him, but are especially enjoying how he uses this expanding knowledge.

For example, he'll give himself a countdown before jumping off the last step, but doesn't start with 'one'. Cal's countdown is: 3, 4, 5 ... go!

Little Firefighter

Perhaps the best thing about having your father become a firefighter is the firsthand experience at the fire station; Calvin gets to climb up and all around in those big fire trucks!

A close second is when Dad brings home his uniform. How many kids get to try on such big boots. And Mom is especially appreciative of the incredible photo op, too.

C'mon. Just look at this kid!

The Wiggles

Wake Up Jeff!

These are familiar words around our house these days.

Don't get confused, we haven't taken up a new resident, but Jeff Wiggle makes regular appearances on our television.

Calvin's teacher, Melanie, introduced us to The Wiggles when she shared one of her own son's videos, "Wake Up, Jeff!" Calvin, who really hasn't been much of a TV watcher, was enamored. Truly. The boy just sat and stared as these four grown men sang and, well, wiggled across the screen.

He doesn't always sit still to watch them, but the fascination has only grown as Melanie has transferred her collection to our house, piece by glorious piece. Cal is now the proud caretaker of three videos, a pair of Henry socks, and most recently, a pillow and sheets!

When he discovered the sheets he plopped down on a sled, surrounded himself with all of his animals, covered himself up with the sheets and watched ... any guesses? THE WIGGLES!

"My Animals"

Calvin has been a one-stuffed animal kind of guy for as long as I've known him. He's all Pooh Bear all the time. That is, until we left Pooh Bear at the hotel while we were at the Magic Kingdom.

Cal was ready to drop off for a nap but was distressed by his missing pal. But c'mon ... we're at Pooh's house -- surely he was there somewhere! Indeed, we found six or seven versions of his friend at a nearby store, and Cal found solice in all of them.

In rare form, I purchased one of them -- a new friend for the original Pooh, and maybe even for Calvin. It did not, however, induce sleep. Oh well.

Returning home, however, we found that he fit right in and found himself in surprisingly good company. Not only did Calvin welcome two armfuls of yellow bears, but suddenly wanted all stuffed animals he's accumulated thus far.

He wants each of them in his crib and brings them downstairs with him in the morning. I returned home from work to find he and dad snuggled up with them, watching the Wiggles.

Speaking of the Wiggles ....

Good Old Uncle Ryan

Not everyone is a baby person. I'm not, for example. Perhaps this blog shows an obsession with my own, but I still find that I'm not overly drawn to babies -- even kids -- in general.

Uncle Ryan, however, is. Well, I guess I can't say whether he's drawn to every child, but he's an incredibly loving and attentive uncle. And he has proved himself worthy, as every family event is now kid-friendly, this family vacation as an example.

Instead of complaining about early wake times, he reveled in the two little ones jumping on his bed -- and him. He entertained impatient children waiting in line for rides, stayed close on "It's a Small World", and provided the real side show at Benihanas.

Good old Uncle Ryan.

Disney with Cousin Ava

Of course, a special aspect of this trip was having a week with Cousin Ava.

It's always fun to have Cal and Ava together, and especially fun to have a playground like Orlando.

Whether sharing breakfast at the condo in their Disney attire, visiting the petting zoo at Animal Kingdom, or just running around, they kept good company with each other.

Disney World, Take Two

How lucky is this kid? He gets to visit Disney World twice in one year! This time with his Grammy and Papa and the rest of the Anderson family.

One might wonder if it was deja vu, with two trips so close together. The answer: simply, no. Everything is new in the eyes of a now nearly two year old. And everything from the company to the weather was different.

What didn't change was Cal's level of enjoyment. Whether lounging around the condo or running around Mickey's place, Cal had a blast. And, of course, when Calvin has fun, we all have fun.