We gotta chase the bad guys, mommy!

For the last couple of days I’ve been talking to Austin about my upcoming trip to Sri Lanka. “Aust, mommy is going on an airplane on Wednesday. I’m going to Sri lanka.” Usually his response is: “Can you buy me a candy egg?” And, without hesitation, I say yes, because when mommy or daddy goes on a trip, we do not hesitate discussing impending presents. Tonight he said, “why aren’t you going to Haiti?” Hayden and I about fell over. We were amazed that a.) he remembered my last trip and b.) he put it together with my upcoming trip. I actually didn’t know how to even answer this very good question.

At 2 years and 9 months, Austin is making leaps and bounds in progress. The other day he saw a sign on it and picked out the word “Christmas.” Of course this is also worrying, as he is equally enamored with the commercialization of Christmas and has begun incessantly talking about. But I prefer to dwell on the positive :)

Speaking of incessantly talking, that’s what Austin does. He is constantly chatting, drawing you in with a million questions. Of late, his imagination has just switched on: “look mommy, worms,” he says while pointing to a leaf pile with no worms in it. “We gotta run and CHASE the bad guys, mommy.” “I’m catboy, mommy, run!” Catboy?

For the last two days he has taken a liking to an old monster truck that he never really noticed before, which he has named Blaze. “Blaze is my best friend mommy.” “Blaze wants to help pour the cereal, mommy.”

The morning cereal routine is toddler precision at its best. Austin, who loves the book Herman the Helper, likes to help. I learned this the hard way when I tried to expedite the lightning fast morning routine by interrupting Austin’s cereal preparations. Big mistake and a couple of meltdowns later, I let him prep his own cereal bowl now and bring it over “all by myself” to the coffee table, where we breakfast.

He’s so much fun, this kid. I wish I had been better about blogging his amazing spirit and growth over the last several months. He’s so cute and sweet. He’s very caring and so so curious. I love him so much.

Austin turns 2!

Last night at 8:07 pm Austin asked to blow out his candle again. And again and again and then about 20 more times. Next he went to his newly acquired monkey bean bag chair and screamed "boutros boutros ghali" before jumping into it and sliding down another twenty times.

Austin was the life of the after party.

He turned two yesterday and woke up and stayed grumpy for most of the day. He didn't take his usual long nap and I thought "uh oh. This is going to be an annoying night."

But as guests arrived he perked up and was back to normal. He played with all of his new toys. He insisted to open them up as guests arrived with them. We didn't wait until the usual after the cake organized kind of way. A fight broke out between Austin and Kyle over the toy Therese gave Austin. It was an endearingly if annoyingly consistent rematch of the fight they got in over Therese's toy for Kyle 11 days earlier. Clearly she has her finger on the pulse of what they like and clearly she has the hardest job in the world.

We sang happy birthday and Austin, with a lot of help from Kyle, blew out the candles and was really psyched to eat cake ( after his dinner of cookies).

Parents mingled well, albeit with haste. I heard one dad express relief that his kid wasn't the worst kid at the party. I saw the dad of the worst kid at the party step outside with his little one for some "fresh air."

My mom kept saying " I forgot about this. I forgot how hectic these parties are." I laughed. Her forgetting meant she could referee a few of the scuffles while I grabbed a quick chat here or there.

Once the crowd left, a wake of new toys scattered everywhere, the party really began. Austin, who needs time to warm up, was ready. There was dancing, frenetic story reading, lots and lots of chatter (he is light years ahead of his peers in speaking full sentences to articulate just about anything) and of course the candle re-blowing.

Our boy is now two and we love him so much.

Hawaii

Most of this blog was written by Hayden in an email to Kristina. I just want to add at the beginning that poor Austin, who is having a blast and insisted, just insisted that he acquire a baby boogie board at the store yesterday, will not remember this vacation.

We are having a great vacation. Makes such a difference when you can stay with good friends. Our time in San Francisco was just long enough to explore the Mission District, explore the Fisherman's Warf and take a ride on the cable car. Jess's friend from Vassar has a huge home right in the mission district. She and her husband are really friendly fun people and very laid back California folks. So laid back that they let us stay in their house they day they were bringing back their newborn child from the hospital. Their second daughter.

Scott and Erin have been phenomenal hosts showing us several beautiful beaches that are within walking distance from their house in Kailua.

They have a small cute bungalow style house with a nice backyard. They live modestly but are living in true paradise. This weather is really hard to beat. About 80 and breezy during the day and low 70s at night. The huge mountain backdrop makes for breathtaking views. We have had nice dinners at home in their backyard and have enjoyed catching up with them and being around their 14 month old and large golden receiver. 

On Thursday we set out in our rental car up to the north shore. Famous for small town rural Hawaiian life, cute galleries and shops, local food and huge waves. We have been exploring all around yesterday and today.Tonight we will go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. A huge place run by the mormons that looks like the Disney of Polynesia but we were told the performances are entertaining. We will also go to the Samoa exhibit and see a performance before going to a Lu'au and seeing some traditional dance tonight. 

Jess and I commented to each other today that we really know how to travel. this is proving one of our best vacations yet.