Leo is Two

John Leonard Halman IV came into our world on September 25, 2009.  Leo turned two this weekend!!!  He is our little buddy and words can’t express how much we love him.  Leo brings so much joy to our family!!!  You can’t help but smile when you see his sweet face.  He’s the middle child, but it’s very appropriate since he balances everyone out so well.  We love you, Little Leo! 

Since Leo’s favorite things right now are “Diggers”, that was his party theme.  There are a “LOAD” of pictures to share with you.  He never once stopped smiling during his party. I think it was his favorite day of life so far.  My heart is happiest when I see my children having fun.  I know I may go a little overboard when it comes to birthday parties but it’s one of my passions and I love that it makes my kids happy. 

So without further adieu, The Digger Party…….

The guests had brown bag lunches to eat on their “break.”  They were filled with PB&Js, applesauce, Doritos, and gummies. 

We decorated with caution tape and Road signs throughout the house.  Palmer stayed busy just looking cute the whole time. 

Subway sandwiches were served to the adults.  As well as fruit salad, deviled eggs, chips and dip. 

Favor bags were stuffed with tool bubbles, tool bath squirters, construction rubber duckies, and little dump trucks.  

Like I said, busy being cute…

Ready for the guests to arrive…

Time for the fun.  Outside we set up a sandbox filled with dump trucks and diggers and also gold coins burried beneath the sand.  There was a duplo block station, sidewalk chalk, coloring books and construction site sticker sheets to decorate.  Each guest received a personalized hard hat was well as a home depot tool apron. 

Still just being cute…

Papa getting in on the being cute action…

Gigi too…

Then it was time for the digger pinata.  We let each child have a turn at whacking it with our cheap plastic bat knowing that thing wasn’t going to budge.  Luckily we bought a pull-string pinata.  Each child grabbed a string hanging down and pulled on the count of three.  One magic string unlocked the candy and the kids ran to collect the goods.  This is where the aprons came in handy. 

After a little more fun outside we headed inside to eat lunch, have cake and open presents. 

He was happiest when everyone was singing “Happy Birthday” to him.  Oh, Leo, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

I pray with all my heart you get whatever your little heart wished for today!

The party was a success and it didn’t end on Saturday.  He woke up Sunday morning (his real birthday) to more fun.  Mommy and Daddy gave him a motorized “tractor” as Leo calls it.  The sound kind of scares him but he’s slowly coming around.  He’ll be 4-wheelin on the driveway in no time. 

We then went to Ellen’s Kitchen for a yummy birthday breakfast…blueberry pancakes and sausage.  YUMMY!

After our tummies were full we ventured out to sunshine park.  They spent a good hour playing on the playground and then we were happily surprised to hear that the splash park was now open.  We counted down the minutes till 10am when the water would turn on.  Even though we didn’t come prepared, i.e, no swimsuits, that didn’t hold them back.  It was a blast and we will be going here at least several times a week now.  Especially since summer doesn’t end until at least Dec. 1st in Jacksonville.   

After naps we celebrated some more at Coach and Gigi’s house for Sunday night dinner.  Leo received more presents including a digger, a silver cup (engraved from Underwoods) and a Leapster laptop.  He also enjoyed a cupcake on his special day. 

The whole weekend was amazing, as it should have been for this little boy of ours.  During my pregnancy with him, we chose to keep his sex a secret.  I was shocked the day he was born.  I remember thinking to myself, “I don’t know what to do with a boy.”  Today I can’t imagine life without my little boy.  Leo was the best surprise I’ve ever had and he makes me so proud to be his mama. 

Happy 2nd birthday, Leo!!!!