Papa's Visit

Geoff, Liam, and I got to spend some good, quality time with Papa this week. He arrived on Saturday, the 8th, and started impressing Liam right away. First he played on the playground, allowing Liam to drive the firetruck.

Then on Monday, he accompanied us to Hollin Farms, where we intended to pick out our Halloween pumpkin. First, we had to check out the view. The leaves are just beginning to turn in the Shenandoah Mountains, so it was a GORGEOUS site.

The Liam found the bouncy castle, and was fascinated by all the stink bugs inside.

After we convinced Liam to get out of the bouncy castle, he was able to find a pumpkin that was JUST right for a little boy.

We then attempted to get some shots with Papa, but Liam was not having any of this sitting still and posing business.

After the farm visit, we stopped in Middleburg for lunch, where Mr. Cool wanted to wear Dada's hat and glasses while enjoying his chocolate milk (his first!) outside.

Papa was a good sport, and Liam was sorry to see him leave on Wednesday. It was a great visit, and we hope Papa enjoyed himself as much as we did!

Liam had learned to identify his ABCs by site. He began to do this not long ago, but still didn't know every single one until recently. I am super proud, of course, and had to show off my little smartie pants!

Liam's two selves

Most days, Liam is a happy boy, content with whatever is available to play with. Other days, he is Chuckie, unhappy with everything and seemingly wanting to say no to anything anyone suggests, even if he enjoyed it the day before. Here are video examples of Liam's two selves.

Happy Liam, cheering for Auburn


Chuckie Liam, refusing the exact same dish he ate the night before

Liam is officially two.

For Tuesday afternoon's snack at Liam's school, I left work early in order to bring cupcakes and lemonade to the two-year-old classroom. At first, Liam looked a little surprised to see me, but he soon warmed up to the idea that there were going to be cupcakes for snack. I quickly had a little fan club surround me, but Ms. Katie (the lead teacher) and I had to remind everyone that only children sitting in chairs would get a cupcake.

Once everyone was seated at their spot, "Happy Birthday" was sung and cupcakes and lemonade were distributed. The kids were really well-behaved. I was very impressed with the order in the classroom and the responsibilities they give the kids. Each child has to throw away his/her own trash and push in his/her chair when finished. It was so cute to see!

After snack, Liam and I came home for a glorious afternoon of outdoor activities like blowing bubbles with the next-door neighbors.

On Wednesday morning, Liam had his 2 year check-up. Liam is 35 1/2 inches tall, which puts him in the 75-90% for height, and he weighs 28 lbs., which puts him in the 50% for weight. He was very brave for his two shots and impressed the doctor with his knowledge of colors. Liam is growing up so quickly, that I know Geoff and I are going to simply blink and then send Liam off to college...hopefully Auburn!

Liam's not sure about Mama being at school so early!

Liam's table

Some of the other kids

Liam and Alaysia (below) enjoyed the cupcakes.

All the 2's!

The other half of Liam's classroom

A close-up of the toddler library--too cute!

Football Season is here!

College and NFL football seasons have arrived, and that means Liam is back to cheering on his Auburn Tigers and Baltimore Ravens. This past weekend, he had to make do with watching the games with his Mama, since Dada was in New York working for the 9/11 Anniversary. On Saturday, he dressed in his new Auburn shirt and watched the second half of the game after his nap. He picked up his "shaker" (not a pom-pom), and would shake it at the TV yelling, " 'Mon Aubur!" It was very cute, and I am glad to see him getting excited about football. Luckily, Auburn was able to stop the Miss. State Bulldogs at the goal line to win the game! It was an exciting finish, as the Auburn games usually are.

Timeouts and commercials are cause for a little diverting entertainment--like dressing up in your new "wellies" and a pair of Dada's sunglasses.

Sunday, Liam dressed in his new Joe Flacco jersey (quarterback for the Ravens), but sadly he missed the entire game due to a long nap. Mama watched the Ravens dismantle the Steelers, and I am happy to say, THE RAVENS LOOK AWESOME!

We look forward to more games and cannot wait to watch some with Dada! War Eagle, and Play Like a Raven!

Liam's 2nd Birthday Party

The oh-so-cute balloons

The oh-so-cute cupcakes

After quite meticulous planning and much effort, Liam's birthday party at Frying Pan Park was rained out. I checked the weather EVERY DAY the week before, and the only mention of rain was POSSIBLE SCATTERED AFTERNOON thunderstorms. Geoff and I had planned a morning of a park tour to see all the animals, a tractor-pulled wagon ride for the kids, and then some pizza and cupcakes! Well, due to the rain, we had to scratch the first two activities and move the pizza and cupcakes back to our house. Somewhere in the 10 minute ride from the park to our house, we lost my friend, Carrie, in the caravan. She ended up at Dulles Airport before giving up and heading home. Poor Carrie!

Once back at home, my mom, Helen, and my neighbor, Robin, pitched in to help set up while my dad and Geoff parked some cars. Once we were all inside, we decided to do dessert first since we had to change the pizza delivery at the last minute. We sang, "Happy Birthday," to Liam, and then we enjoyed the delicious and oh so cute cupcakes. Afterward, we tried to open a couple of gifts, but Liam was more interested in the balloons and playing with friends. After my dad arrived with pizza, we ate some lunch and watched the kids play.

All in all, it turned out well, and Liam had a blast with his friends. And that is what is most important, right?

Happy Birthday, Liam!

Little farmer Liam

Lots of friends in the tent!

Mims and Grandpa Gallagher in silly hats!

Dada and Grandpa George

Attempt 1 at opening gifts = Liam obsessed with tissue paper

Later on in the evening, the gifts from the Jacksonville Howard clan caught his eye!

Mr. Cool himself!

Earthquakes and Hurricanes!

We've had a rather eventful week here in Virginia. We experienced an earthquake and a hurricane in the span of 6 days! The earthquake was a bizarre experience, but thankfully not a damaging one (I didn't even know what it was when it was happening, and Liam slept through it at daycare). The hurricane was also somewhat uneventful for our area. We were grateful to maintain our power the entire time, and no flooding occurred to block our streets or invade our basement.

During the hurricane, Liam had Geoff to entertain him. They wrestled and rough-housed and did all the things males do. See video...



After the hurricane, the weather was GORGEOUS, and Geoff was eager to introduce Liam to his dragon kite (courtesy of one of Geoff's recent trips to Bali). Despite the wind, we just couldn't get that thing off the ground for very long, but Liam had fun just the same. See video...