Multiple Birthdays

Alex loves to read in his new Cars chair!

I neglected to mention several weeks ago an early birthday celebration we had for Alex. My Mom, Alison and Eric all came out to visit over the long President's Day weekend. Carla flew to Salt Lake City to attend Alison's physics boat races, and then the three of them drove out from SLC for the weekend.

Alex devours birthday cake a few weeks early

Alex's first time opening his own presents!

It was a lot of fun, and as always, tremendously relaxing for Dana and I to have another set of Alex-chasers around. On one evening we even had a "date" when we drove up to one of our favorite restaurants/pubs, Henry's in Loveland, for dessert.

Among the highlights of the visit, we went to the Butterfly Pavilion with Ali & Eric. Alex has been several times, but each time he seems to discover something new.

Grandma (and Grandpa by proxy) and Ali and Eric literally showered Alex with early birthday presents. He learned how to say "Birthday Cake". He got a huge new play kitchen, complete with a stove that "boils" or "frys" depending on which pan you put on the burner. It even has a working kitchen light and clock. We all agreed it is WAY nicer than our real kitchen. We put it in the breakfast room so Alex can cook while we are doing the same.

"Auntoh" (Aunt) Ali and Uncle Eric turned the huge cardboard box that the kitchen came in, into a garage for Alex's ride-along train and Plasma Car. Have I mentioned the Plasma Car? It rocks - Richard and Sarah got it for him because it was cousin Alex's favorite toy. Alex insists that either Dana or I ride it while he rides his train, and we race around the house together. I suspect that I'm a tad over the design weight limit for the car, but it is well made and is holding up so far.

Alex tries out his new "chennoh" (tunnel)

We tried non-alcoholic champagne, and it's horrible - don't bother.

The only sad parts were that Ali was laid pretty low all weekend with a nasty cold.

Alex loves the two new "puddles" (puzzles) he got. One has construction trucks, the other is a fire engine whose siren blasts once you complete the puzzle

Despite Ali being sick, she lavished her energy and attention on Alex all weekend long

Alex is delighted by his chair and one of his books: