Goal #9: Start a family birthday tradition

Ryan's birthday was on the 19th. We just celebrated at home on the 18th since it was pouring down rain all weekend. It was nice having it so quaint and quiet this year. Last year, on his first birthday, there was a lot going on & I spent waaaay too much money on his party!! I enjoyed every minute of it but it's nice to have it low key too.

Last year we had painted a plate for Ryan that just said "Happy Birthday Ryan" on it with a cupcake in the middle. We were going to have him eat off that plate on his birthday every year. Since we just relocated, we didn't have that plate readily available. That will still be a tradition and we'll paint one for Lucas too but something just kind of happened this year that I think I'll keep too.

At each meal I put Ryan's "2" birthday candle in his food, sang a quick "Happy Birthday" and let him blow it out. He was so excited to blow out the candle over and over again throughout the day. I'm sure he'll think that's special for many more years. It makes the whole day special and not just cake time... 

Breakfast

Dinner

I took Ryan to the Children's museum on his actual birthday (and ended up buying a membership!) There were a ton of things to do but this museum still wasn't as good as Marble's in Raleigh. With the membership I can take him to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier(and 250 other kid's museums nationwide) for FREE!

Ryan loves shadows.

This freaked Ryan out at first but then he was running through 5 seconds later. He threw up his hands to stop himself when he first went in. I can imagine it's a weird sensation for a 2 year old.

Playing in the giant water table. I don't know who they are trying to kid with the large aprons. Ryan was still drenched!

But the wind tunnel got him mostly dry! This was fun but you can just go outside here and get the same effect. :)

He really liked the construction station. He can hammer a nail! I liked his technique too. He would hold the hammer with one hand on the handle and one on the "claw" part. He hit the nail head 9/10 times and didn't smash his finger once!

And then he got to drill a hole. There were so many other stations here. Ryan enjoyed them all! Glad I got the membership. This will give us something to do in the winter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!! MOMMY LOVES YOU!