We had a great time celebrating Benjamin’s second birthday.

It started out with Nina, Papa, and Aunt Shirley arriving, and it was time for another one of Nina’s haircuts!

Then Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Nat, and Aunt Sue came for lunch. It was a lovely visit over some bubble pizza. Ben filled up on so much pizza and fruit that he refused to even try the cake. He didn’t quite understand the candle part either, but he did appreciate the singing. I’m sure next year will be quite different when the whole birthday concept is a little more hyped up.

I definitely didn’t have a theme, but our visitors sure knew what Ben was interested in! Presents included plastic items with wheels and books. That is pretty much Ben in a nutshell right now. Ben was so sweet, because he didn’t really understand the whole birthday gift concept either. He wanted to actually enjoy and play with each toy instead of ripping into everything at once. What an idea!

I have come to the conclusion that my living room floor will have train tracks on it for the next 2-16 years. At least trains are entertaining, and I love that his favorite toys require imagination & problem solving, while also lacking batteries.

We had a very nice visit with the family. Ben really hit the grandparent jackpot!

Later that night, we went out to eat and stopped by a park to engage in more of Ben’s favorites – swings and slides. It was a gorgeous day.

And we ended the night snuggled up with his new Thomas the Train pillow from Aunt Holly and an episode of Thomas. Birthday success.

And of course, birthdays are even more awesome when you have a trip to Hickory Park. On Sunday, we made the trip to Ames where Ben found himself in awe of the perky singers. He still didn’t understand the candle thing – maybe next year.  🙂