An Amazing Journey: Ch. 28 -- "Happy Birthday to Me!" About This Page:

[Jennifer Marx]

Chapter 28: o/` "Happy Birthday to Me!" o/`"
(click here for the whole story of Alexander's Amazing Journey)

Alexander is now two years old! This past Saturday (8/5) was his birthday party, followed by his actual birthday on 8/6. You've heard this one before, but has it really been two years already?

The Birthday Party: Thanks to the ready availability of kids' inflatable pools and the hot summer weather, we decided to have a "mini water park" party. So, naturally, our theme this year was Finding Nemo!


Alexander's Water Park!

I set up four small pools and one twirling sprinkler in our backyard. Alexander's new "storybook cottage" playhouse from his Grandma Carolyn was also open for business, as was his cool sandbox and toddler slide/swing. Our freshly painted "tennis court" and recently stained and levelled deck also came in handy for this party. The kids LOVED the "mini water park" -- my niece Natalie told me repeatedly that this was "the best birthday party ever" as she splashed around. Alexander had a great time -- he avoided the spraying water, but otherwise enjoyed getting wet, playing with the balls, and trying his hand at tennis. He did a great job at sharing all his toys, too. The adults either stayed up on the deck to watch the action below, or took photos of all the cute kids.


Alexander loved the ball pool

After all the water play, Dave grilled marinated chicken and burgers and we had typical barbecue food prepared ahead of time by Jennifer. The interesting thing about the food is that it was virtually all "healthy" food -- specifically food that fits the Weight Watchers "Core Plan." (I've been doing Weight Watchers Core Plan for about five weeks now in the PassPorter Challenge and have lost 16 lbs.) We had guacamole, salsa, raw veggies, cornbread, baked beans, fruit salad, corn on the cob, potato salad, grilled chicken, lean ground sirloin burgers, lite wheat buns, chocolate/butterscotch brownies, and chocolate-raspberry baked oatmeal. The only items that weren't core were the regular white buns and the birthday cake. Of course, the party guests reading this might now be thinking to themselves, "so that's why the food was weird!" But, honestly, I thought it all turned out really great -- Dave agreed, and when he doesn't like some food item, he's brutally honest about it. Alexander loved it, too, and ate quite a bit despite all the distractions. The only dish I prepared that I didn't like was the potato salad, but that's only because the potatoes weren't cooked long enough (my fault). And I've been able to eat all the leftovers since the party without any guilt.


The food!

Alexander got some wonderful presents, too! In addition to the super-cool play house he got a week earlier, he received a Charlie Coal "Grill," a wood puzzle, a toy car, a basketball bath toy, a "workshop" with play hammer and nails, a race car and track, a Frazzle Rock doll, several really excellent books (he loves books) including one on animals, one on colors, and a Mickey Mouse write-on book, a coloring book, and a big check. His sister Allie made him a card with a excellent drawing of Kipper on it. He's gifted with a wonderful family who are very generous! He's still hasn't caught onto the idea of ripping off the wrapping paper, but he did grasp the concept of opening birthday cards.


"I'm ready for my birthday cake!"

Relatives came from far and wide to celebrate Alexander's second year of life, including his Grandma Adele from New Jersey, his Grandma Carolyn, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Kim, Uncle Chad, cousins Megan and Natalie, and Great-Grandma Darla from the Lansing/Charlotte area, his second cousin Allison, her husband BJ, their 1.25-year-old son Logan, and his Grandma Nancy from the Grand Rapids area, and even my first husband Gordon and his fiancee Mary Ann. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]


Alexander with his cousin Logan

On his actual birthday, we had a yummy pancake breakfast out on the deck, then we went to Greenfield Village to see the historic homes, watch some old-time baseball, and look at the animals. We also stopped at our new IKEA for dinner and a few gifts for Alexander, such as a moon nightlight, some stainless steel play pots and pans, and a set of barnyard animals.

I'm so impressed with Alexander. He's such a happy, engaged, bright child. He smiles at everyone, says hi and bye quite enthusiastically, and says "thank you" easily. Today I watched him sort shapes by color and by size without any goofs. He's just such a joy to be around. Not to say he doesn't have his moments, like last night at the Japanese restaurant when he kept screaming and it would echo off all the walls. But when he sticks his chopsticks in his rice, starts singing "Happy Birthday to Me," and blows out his chopstick "candles," you kinda forget everything else.


"Happy Birthday to Me!"

[Jennifer Marx]

Here are more photos from Alexander's Second birthday party:









Thank you to all who came to his party and to all who wished him a happy birthday! It really means a lot to us. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[disneyknut]

Thank you so much for allowing us to share in his special day ( & in his life from the beginning) It is so unselfish of all of you!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Alexander & MNY MANY more!!

[stonewall]

Thanks for sharing the party with all of us, Jennifer! He is adorable! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

Happy Birthday Alexander!!!

[SHEANA1226]

Happy brithday to Alexander!

[Cam22]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img] Alexander! The party looks like a blast! He is turning into such a little man.

[Luvsun]

Happy #2 Alex!!!!! What a handsome young little guy he is! His eyes just light up in the picture! Thank you for sharing them with us! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img]

[disneymom9092]

Thanks for sharing Jennifer! Your hard work really paid off! Alexander is so adorable and I can't believe he is 2 years old already!

[Teresa]

I'm sure everyone says this - but, wow, where have all the days gone?
Is that Allie with him in the pool and on the tennis court? If so, she's really grown quite a bit also. You must be some of the proudest parents around!

[Disney Franatic]

What a handsome little man! Happy Birthday, Alex! Looks like a great party!

[lonereb]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img] Alex.

What an adorable little man you have there. He looks like he had alot of fun.

[goofy4goofy]

He's so cute!!! I'm glad he had a wonderful birthday!!!!

Kelly

[forever_amber]

Looks like a Great Party

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[Jennifer Marx]

Teresa asked:
[ QUOTE ]
Is that Allie with him in the pool and on the tennis court? If so, she's really grown quite a bit also. You must be some of the proudest parents around!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that is Allie! She's almost as tall as me now! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]