Birthday Beach Day

I can't believe it has been 2 years since Callen was born.  I know it sounds cliche that time flies but in all reality it dragged and then turned into light speed in his life.  The first few months were somewhat difficult with Callen and while he was a perfect baby he was VERY hungry and I was VERY sore and VERY tired.  Tired and sore mother plus lack of sleep equals crazy land.  After we got through that phase he has been a fabulous little guy.  He is very easy and very sweet.  He laughs hysterically and we love his little "favorites".  First it was the monkey and literally we couldn't leave home without it.  We now have 3 monkeys floating around in the important places in our lives.  Now it is CARS.  Anything from the movie CARS is acceptable and he carries around as many as his little arms can carry.  Since he has been such an easy baby I feel these little guilt pangs that I am not doing enough with him.  Especially since I put him down for a nap (Trav works from home) and then take the kids swimming, to the beach or to the park.  I noticed that he was looking very pasty after a long summer and realized that on his birthday he needed a special day at the beach  - especially since we are now officially past the sand eating stage.  Since it was a holiday weekend I knew we would have to get an early start.  We woke up early, made his special birthday breakfast, packed up for the beach and got there by 10 to save a great spot.  It was a perfect day, not to crowded and the weather was great. Callen played all day, got filthy, ate a ton of sugar and wore himself out.  At the end of the day I had no guilty qualms and only felt good that we had a perfect day celebrating Callen's 2nd birthday.

We dragged Trav to the beach and while he was glow in the dark when he got there he ended up looking a little too pink as he left.  This seems to be Trav's M.O. when out in the sun.  It was SO fun to have him at the beach.  Hopefully we can drag him again in 6 months.  I might remind everyone that we live 15 minutes from the beach.....Come visit and then we will FOR SURE get Trav to come.

Chloe is so great with the little boys.  She is like a little mother and another eye to help us watch us the little ones.

The girls and I made some cupcakes to bring to the beach and at 3 for Callen I stopped counting.  It's his birthday!

Callen had his own personal servant all throughout the day fetching water and building sand castles.

As you can see I am semi-restraining him for a quick cuddle.  He is NOT my most affectionate child but he does follow me around which makes me feel very loved.  Especially when he repeats "mom, mom,mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom over and over and over.  Feel the love.

.

Some great Dad's dug some pretty deep 

holes for the boys to play in.

We had a full house, Natalie and Laurenne were staying with us.  I think I could have 3 teenage girls if it was these three.  

They are GREAT helpers!

Callen, Parker and Miles loved the big hole and I 
loved the pure entertainment!

Hopefully we can actually take Callen out and about a bit more although now he has hit the terrible 2s so we may not venture too far afield with him anytime soon.  When we are in very public places he tends to throw massive temper tantrums.  Massive as in the kind where in the past I have looked and judged other parents for not controlling their children.  Now the tables have turned and I have the child you have to pick up and carry out of the grocery store kicking and screaming with your grocery cart in the middle of the aisle.  I have done it twice in the last week alone.  To all the parents that I secretly judged I am SO sorry.  I had no idea.  On a positive note we definitely know that we were sent one tough little spirit to handle this challenging world.  Every tantrum and massive amount of stubbornness I will look at as a positive for strength to come.  That is I will do that after I remove myself to another room and scream.  ;)