This weekend was full of hustle and busy, visits from family, and trips to see family. It just astounds us that Xander has gotten so big. And he is learning so many things EVERY day. Just yesterday he climbed the stairs all the way to the top. By himself! (w/ Mommy anxiously following behind him!)
Saturday we had some family over to the house to celebrate Xander's first birthday. Mom, Carl, Aaron, Connie, Grandpa Dewey and Martin all joined us this weekend. We had a light, yummy lunch of smoked barbequed pork sandwiches, fruit, dip & chips. After successfully filling our tummies we sat down in the living room and watched Xander buzz around and play for awhile, then opened some great gifts.
Uncle Aaron & I were telling secrets!
Uncle Aaron's gift was opened before everyone arrived, and was quite a hit - a little dump truck that had a rock in the back. When you pulled the rock (attached to a string), the truck started moving and rumbling. Grandpa Dewey gave him a ball maze - use a hammer, knock the ball through the hole and watch it tumble through the maze. Connie's gift was recieved a little earlier in the week - a horse on springs. We haven't set this up yet, but Xander is just starting to enjoy rocking horses and that sort of thing. From Gary, Jan, Jess & Heather he recieved a cute top & sweatshirt, and of course, trucks! Xander couldn't wait patiently enough for Dad to help get the toys out of the packaging. As soon as he saw them his eyes lit up and he was finished opening gifts!
So while Xander played with the trucks, I helped open the last package, a Stride-to-Ride Lion. This push toy converts into a riding lion instead of a pushed lion. Xander thought the appropriate use of this toy was to store all his trucks from the Chase's. He's so funny. He carefully plopped each truck (and his binky) into the box and went to find some more toys. Once the lion was out of the box (is that like "the cat's out of the bag? lol) and he figured out what it was for - he was off and running (well...walking!). All-in-all there were some really great toys that we know Xander will enjoy.
Pushing
I can ride it too?!
Next was cake and ice cream. Connie made a small cake all for Xander. We stripped him down to his diaper, stuck him in the highchair, and let him at his cake. It was funny to watch. At first he was very timid, taking careful tastes of the frosting, almost as though he wasn't sure he could eat it. After breaking up the cake a bit he got the hang of it - by the end of dessert he had eaten most of the cake and covered himself in cake and frosting. He enjoyed it and it certainly entertained the adults!
Xander's very own cake! (Thanks Grandma Connie!)
The "adult" cake (thanks, Mom!)
The March Birthdays
Xander wanted to poke the flame as opposed to blowing out the candle.
Sneak Peak of Cake Eating
The new-found sugar high gave Xander his second wind so he tooteled (is that a word?) around the room playing and having a good time (after a nice bath!) and finally crashed around 5:30.
Sunday we spent the afternoon in Cedar Falls with Dad, and Grandpa & Grandma Nelson. We went out for a nice lunch at Bonanza. He was obviously tired from the day before, but still managed to socialize with everyone and eat plenty of food. He's too curious to let a little lack of sleep ruin his fun!
After lunch we went back to Grandpa & Grandma's house for a couple hours. Xander opened his gift from Granpa Peter (a play & learn keyboard of sorts) and ran around the living room enjoying the attention. My Aunt Krista arrived shortly after we got back from lunch. Wade & the kids (Indie Mae & Vanden) joined us after naptime. It was neat to watch the kids interact with one another. Vanden and Xander had a couple stare-downs. They weren't quite sure what to think of each other - but were too intrigued to ignore the fact there was another child around. With Vanden and Xander only about 6 months apart from one another, they're sure to have fun playing together as they get older.
Me & Daddy
Our weekend ended with a quiet night at home. Xander played with all his new toys, climbed some stairs, and once again crashed pretty hard when it was time for bed.
Overall, we had a lot of fun with everyone, but we'll be glad to have our routine back in place.
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