Monkey Party

Monkeys monkeys everywhere.  We hunted for bananas hidden around the room, spread PB on them and decorated them with yummy treats. We read monkey stories, ate monkey cupcakes, played with 'monkey dough' and Toby ate cake for the first time.  

Too fun.

Having a themed birthday may just become my new addiction...

 Loved decorating for this.  Will include a link to tutorials here later.

Happy Birthday Toby

I don't think a single year of my life has gone as fast as this one.
How is it that my precious, sweet cheeked, blue eyed, cuddly baby has turned into a 1 year old?

I cannot get over this kid.  In four words: he is just delicious, delightful, daring, and determined.  He is sweet and cuddly and constantly on the move.  We have a four chair barricade at the bottom of our stairs and he still doggedly finds his way through, over, or around them.  As soon as the outside doors are opened he is right there- trying to get out.  He loves his little hockey stick and cries when you take it away.  He climbs into the fridge or dishwasher as soon as the door flies open and if you leave a toilet paper roll or toilet unattended...well...he's sure to get to them.

He is not very vocal or excite-able but is generally quite content, curious and stubborn.  Try changing this kid.  No really, try it.  It's a full on 15 minute ordeal trying to keep him still.

He is right in the thick of things- standing with the boys, in the lego house Silas is building, hanging on my leg while I cook in the kitchen, and always trying to do what Silas is doing.  He can already build lego towers!

My oh my.  What a sweetheart, what a gift, what a joy, what a fast moving little life.

In celebration of this little explorer, we're having a family 'monkey' party.  I may have spent too much time on this and let my creativity go a little nuts but once you start making a theme, well...there's no going back.  Having a banana hunt, playing with monkey 'dough,' eating monkey munchies, decorating bananas, you know- all too much fun!

Here is this little hero:

In the sprinkler...  

Why not eat puffs off the floor? 

mmmm 

Multi-tasking 

Goin for it! 

Can I? 

Neighbors' garden looks good

Clearly not understanding the word 'barricade' 

Helping me garden of course! 

This is often the look on Toby's face: perpetual surprise.

On a bike already?! 

Always wants to do what his brother is doing!

Precious, Sweet Toby

Almost 10 months.  Is it just me or does that seem like it's passed too quickly?  I cannot believe that my blue eyed baby is getting so close to a year old.  We are so blessed to have this content, sweet, kissable, curious,  precious life in our home.  

This stage with him is just so fun [makes me want another baby sooner!]  He is endlessly curious and is the fastest climber, crawler, explorer around.  I literally have to be constantly vigilant.  Not only would he be up the stairs before I could even say "stairs," - well, he'd be splashing his little chubby hand in that toilet bowl too!  

I cannot help but feel already sentimental at the thought that I'll be returning to work in two short months.  I don't want this stage to end!  I am endlessly kissing and hugging this little snuggly boy and he's happiest (or so I say) when he's around Mama.  

It's gotten a bit busy in this household now that Silas and Toby are like little magnets.  One is always in the others' way causing for some serious refereeing.  But I love watching how Toby has started dancing along to music, I love seeing his little "power stance" we call it (when he stands up in the middle of the room unassisted and just stands there, legs bent and wide), and love hearing his little giggle.  

He always has his little tongue pointing out or his lips sucked in while concentrating.  He is constantly grabbing and pulling hair, turning things over and over in his hands, and is the most wiggly little guy!  He is a good little eater and loves avocado and puffs.  He still is gummy mouthed- no teeth to be seen.

He is a sensitive sleeper meaning that he still wakes up sometimes in the night and doesn't transfer well, but he is generally a decent napper (napping twice a day).  

Love this little baby boy.

Here's some photos of his cute-ness:

(power stance!)

Never seen him happier than in mud and water (and clothes-less)

Into the neighbor's yard

"I'm a big kid too, right?  I can climb the playground?"

In my mouth

Loves climbing ALL over Momma

Love. Him.

Trouble, Sweeet Trouble

He's on the move and boy is he a sneaky, cute little mover.

All boy.  Oh boy.  He's the sweetest little baby though so no complaints here.

Not sure Silas will agree with me soon though...

 

yup.  He really did grab his brother and push him down.  Hi-larious.  Silas wasn't so thrilled.

[Oh] Canada

Kids weren't napping, sun wasn't shining but we decided to go for it.  We packed up the car, threw the boys in it and drove for an hour to Steveston to enjoy the Canada Day celebrations.  We saw ships, we ate snacks, we picnicked on the beach, Silas pooped his pants and got to go sock-less for the rest of the day... good times!  They ended up falling asleep on the ride home at like 8 pm, worn out and full of dirt.

Here's some pictures to prove we went, and survived:

 Lucky Toby gets to ride on Papa's shoulders!

 Brothers hanging out on a ship

"I don't like the ships Papa"

Cuddles from Nana on board

 

"Freeeedommmmm"

Seeing a crab up close (ewww, ewww, ewww)

Log hopping with Daddy.  They were both positively giddy.  A boy after his father's heart!