Owen's Second 2nd Birthday

So, it's taken me a while to do this post. Better late than never, I say ; ) Last Saturday was spent celebrating Owen’s second, 2nd birthday! His actual birthday was spent with family and this time we got to share it with lots of friends. Owen and his friend Laith are only a few days apart, so we decided to have a joint party for them since they have most of the same friends.

We went to Padaro Grill so they could run around and the adults could relax. However, it was a lot of running around making sure the kids didn’t leave the restaurant. I would not have been able to do this without the help of my amazing Mom who selflessly entertained the kids with red light, green light, being the judge of races, played ring around the rosie and blew up animal balloons! Thanks again mom for all of your hard work! We love you!

The kids all had a great time, it was a lot of fun. It’s nice that they are finally at the age of interacting and playing together. Though, this does mean there are a lot of “time outs” from not sharing, hitting, pinching and throwing sand. These two year olds can be brutal! I wish I got to take more pictures of every guest, but I just never made it happen. To see the rest of the pictures check out our Picasa site: http://picasaweb.google.com/adamanton/OwenAndLaithSSecond2ndBirthdayAtPadaro#
Owen had a huge crush on Claire, the 5 year old with the braids and striped shirt. He kept trying to hug her every chance he could get. She was a good sport and let him : )

I made carrot cake cupcakes in ice cream cones for the kids. It was a hit, though I think most of them were a little confused at "what type of ice cream" it was. Every one of them tried to lick them like ice cream and not cake! Cute. I made 3 batches of the carrot cake and one batch of yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I don't want to see another cupcake until next year! Gwendolyn tasting the "ice cream" carrot cake : )

Cyanne watching Gabriel blowing bubbles.

Owen was taste testing BOTH cupcakes at the same time.

Our co hosts, Daalia and Laith. Sorry about the shadow in the picture Daals :(

Gwendolyn rocking out with her party dress and princess balloon.

These were the goodie bags each child got to take home with them after the party. They contained, a coloring book, crayons, glowing bouncy ball, playdough, a crazy straw and bubbles!

Happy Anniversary!

Three years ago today, I married the love of my life! We had a beautiful sunset ceremony on the beach and a very memorable reception at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. It feels like yesterday.

Two years ago today, we brought Owen home from the hospital. We were obviously not in any shape to go out, or cook a nice meal, so my Mom bought new table linens that were the colors of our wedding, lit candles, opened a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and cooked us an incredible meal while we got to enjoy our new baby and relax. She left us alone for our first anniversary dinner after all her hard work. I wish I could say that we drank the bottle of champagne and ate every last bite of dinner, but we were so exhausted and had to take a crash course on learning how to eat while holding a crying baby. We fed each other a few bites while taking turns holding Owen. I had half a glass of champagne before we put the food away and fell asleep. Not your typical romantic one year wedding anniversary, but very memorable.

Last year we were in Saratoga Springs, NY. Owen was pretty young still, so we took him with us. We went to dinner at a nice place with slllooooowwww service. Not very relaxing, nor romantic when you have a hungry one year old with you who had a cold at the time. Fortunately, all the tables around us were congratulating us on our anniversary and graciously entertaining Owen while we waited for our food. If I remember right we inhaled our food so we could get the little guy to bed since it was so late. Yet another fun anniversary with our little "roomate." This is how Adam was woken up the following morning....This year Adam is working tonight, but we will be celebrating tomorrow sans Owen : ) Though getting massages and sleeping for 12 hours sounds like the best way to celebrate to me, I think we will go out for a nice dinner and maybe hit the town together like the old days. I'll keep you posted!

I am so grateful for every day that I have with Adam. I truly could not have picked a more understanding, patient, easy going, fun, caring, and loving husband, and father to Owen. Here's to a lifetime of more memorable anniversaries!

Owen Turns 2!!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY OWEN !!!!

Wow, how did the last two years fly by already?! Owen has really turned into quite the little character with a great sense of humor, a sensitive and caring heart, and lots of curiosity about the world around him.

He had a great day today with presents spaced out all day long. First he started his Birthday breakfast with granola, fruit and yogurt parfait (was going to make almond banana pancakes, but we were out of eggs, oops!).

Then he got to watch Peter Pan for the first time ever. He sat through the entire movie! It was a little more violent than I remembered, but he enjoyed it none the less.

Next we unveiled his big present from Mommy and Daddy, an easel. One side is a chalk board, the other a white board, and a roll of paper on top for drawing. He was pretty pleased with his new gift, and kept all of the writing utensils exactly where they should be...not on the rest of our walls or furniture : )

On your birthday anything goes, so I gave Owen a home made chocolate cupcake for his snack before lunch! He was all smiles. Lets hope he doesn't expect this every day now! After his nap he got a package from Granny Anna at the door. It was a "Go-Diego-Go" big wheels bike! The smiles just never stopped today. He rode it around the house, got it stuck in a few places and carried it around when he was tired of riding it. It was a hit!

I made up a fruit salsa with cinnamon pita chips for dipping (Adam says DELICIOUS), and a veggie platter with sun dried tomato and basil hummus to bring to Nanna and Pappy's house for a family get together. Owen had all of his favorites -- broccoli (really, he can't get enough!), mac and cheese (Nanna made enough for the whole state of California), grilled chicken, and last but not least...carrot cake, Owen's special request. A meal fit for a little prince.

Nanna and Owen spent lots of time the day before rolling out little marzipan carrots for the cake decorations. Before it was served, she put real carrot tops out of each carrot. It looked great, Nanna did a great job!

He had such a fun night playing with his 2 1/2 year old cousin Joee, riding his bike, playing with balloons, and opening fun presents! He got a lot of great books, some adorable clothes, lots of plastic fruit, a drum which was a winner (thanks Pappy!), an Owen-sized basketball from Daddy, and lots of hugs and kisses. He went to bed singing! I love seeing him so blissfully happy. It's not even all the "stuff" that makes him happy, it's being surrounded by all the fun and loving energy of his family. Thank you everyone for making our little boy's birthday so special and everyone on the East Coast who got to celebrate a week early!!!

Toddler Stories

I was hoping to make this post all about our fun week long vacation in Newport, RI visiting family, but instead, I decided to share a couple of toddler stories.
Owen and I have been fighting a cold the past few days so I decided to make home made chicken soup this afternoon. This was the first time Owen has had anything like this and lets just say, I will be making this again. The boy ate 3 bowls AND was asking for more before I cut him off. He was really excited to pick up the bowl and drink the broth. However, this is where we got into trouble. Once I pulled his tray away I saw that he was practically swimming in his chair! Hence, shower number 1 today.

Later today, after Owen rubbed his dinner in his hair for fun, I decided it was time for shower number two before bed. He was happy and ready to get in the tub after I took his diaper off.....Or so I thought. All of a sudden he decides to make a run for it out of the bathroom. I stood there a few more seconds making sure the water temperature was good before I walked out to find him. I was gone for NO more than 5 seconds. 5 seconds! I come out to find him buck naked on our couch in a giant puddle of pee. Fantastic.
After his shower, pj's and brushed teeth I got out the Sham Wows, soap, water and a sponge and went to work. I knew those Sham Wows would come in handy with a two year old!

Labor Day 2009

Adam and I both had Monday off together which was nice. After Owen's afternoon nap, we headed to Nanna and Pappy's house for a block party. They live in a great neighborhood with lots of families and kids. Owen spent his time either in the bouncy house, blowing bubbles, shooting people with a squirt gun or eating. He was the happiest kid on the block!

Luke's Birthday Party!

After work, Owen and I went to celebrate his friend, Luke's 2nd Birthday tonight. We got to see a lot of good friends, Owen ate a LOT of good food and had a blast!

Elena, Luke (the Birthday Boy) and Jason

Owen would not take a nap today, so he fell asleep in the car on the way to the party at 5:30! I told him he has to put his party pants on, because it was too late to go home and take a nap. He rubbed his tired little eyes, walked into the hoppin' backyard and forgot that he was ever sleepy. He walked straight to the food table...of course and made himself quite comfortable there for a while. I don't think there was a moment at the party where I didn't see food either in his hand or in his mouth. He was in heaven! We got to see Gwendolyn which is always a treat. She looked adorable as always with her plaid sundress and cute pigtails adorned with orange ribbon. She was happy to show it all off.Shannon and her little man Colin saying hi to GwendolynElke and GabbiTia and MasonColin ready for some safety sports!Mason enjoying his cupcakeOwen and Mika.Looks real doesn't it?! Owen was thrilled to find a ceramic chiuaua in the backyard. He picked it up, carried it around, pet it, and kissed it's nose. It was the best behaved dog we have ever seen! ; ) This was a highlight for him for sure! We had a nice time in our friend's amazing home and beautiful backyard. Once Owen was done guzzling apple juice, eating cupcakes, grapes, strawberries, cheese, crackers, gold fish, animal crackers AND pretzels, it was time to head home. He was a little too stuffed for dinner, I didn't even try. They whole way home he was singing "hupcakes" "hupcakes." He is a happy boy!

Owen's green balloon he got from the party

Showing off his painting he did with Daddy today while I was at work.

Sommersault and Sunscreen

The Sommersault, or as Owen calls it, "hummy salt."


My little Mime