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We made it to the big 2, the official entrance to the “terrible twos”, which of course unofficially started long ago, probably when he turned one! Looking back at last year’s post is incredible to see how much he has grown. It is even more incredible to think that he could barely walk and did not talk at all at his last birthday party.

Keegan’s actual birthday was on Thursday, but his party was on Saturday, and with the grandparents’ presents arriving Monday evening, he had a long celebration.

The beginning of the week was a flurry of activities for us, as we were trying to get everything ready for the big day.The celebration started early. Toys’R’Us sent us a card with a coupon, and when we went to the store, they had a nice crown and balloon waiting for the birthday boy. Keegan was excited: he loves balloons and he definitely did not mind the crown at all. He kept on wearing it at home for days.

We took advantage of the coupon to buy a cool bike helmet. Forget the monsters, cars, princesses or other cutesy design: we got him the Harley Davidson Little Rider, a cool  black helmet with orange details. It will go well with mom’s favorite tricycle (which may or may not arrive for Christmas), that is black and orange. Of course there is no guarantee he will wear it, but at least, mom’s design sense is satisfied.

On Thursday, Keegan was well aware it was a special day. We have been talking about it for a while, and he was looking forward to “bday cake” and blowing out the candles. He expected us to sing  happy birthday multiple times as soon as he woke up, and he happily went to school.

Bright and early on Thursday

We brought some blueberry muffins, juice and grapes to share, and, from what I have heard, they had a nice celebration. While he was playing shy as they sang happy Birthday, he then asked them to repeat it over and over. He even got a nice sticker.

When I picked him up at 3 he was glowing. He was also excited because we headed to Mission bay Park to play with MacKenzie: he was literally squealing with happiness. Plus he got a beautiful Elmo birthday book as a present. They jumped and run, and jumped some more. They run so much we found looking at the  play structure from the opposite side of the bay! They had a blast.

We got home by 5.30 and there were 3 messages waiting for him on the answering machine: Aunt Cinzia and his cousins; mom’s friend Lori and her daughter; and Grandma. He was so excited to hear them. And he listened to them over and over for the next few days…until the first real storm of the season knocked out our power on Monday, and erased them…Fortunately we saved them on video…but I am not sure I want to start another obsession.

Shortly after we got home, Matt arrived. Keegan was looking forward to that as he knew that when daddy was home he could eat some more birthday cake. We did the obligatory picture and video, and Keegan scarfed down one more muffin.

I know, we look exhausted…because we are.

It was time for gifts: Keegan really liked the annoyingly loud car with remote control (yes, it is my fault) and a little less the quiet, wood building blocks train. Both gifts have been sitting in my closet for a long time…

The presents’ aftermath

By the end of the day, Keegan was so excited he was singing happy Birthday to himslef:”ha bday you, keegan”…and he kept on singing for days…in fact he has not stopped yet: we are not sure he understands that birthdays happen only once a day.

After all the excitement it was time for sleep: you would thing that after all that, and the running and jumping he would be tired and have a nice night of sleep…well, we are talking about Keegan here, so he is up and running before 5am. On  Friday we had the mad rush to get everything done, or at least most if it. We bought a small bouncie for the party so we had to inflate it and test it out, and there was lots of cleaning to do…so we lowered our expectations and we got everything done. (-:

On Saturday morning, under ominous dark clouds, we did the last errands and got Keegan sleeping for his nap and by 2.30 we were ready to roll: the house was clean, the food ready, Keegan was awake and ready to play.

Keegan’s favorite friends- or should I say his girlfriends?- were all there: Mila, Hannah, MacKenzie, Stella. Only Jada was missing because she was in Pittsburgh at the time, but her dad stopped by. We did have some boys too: Torin and Roberto (Stella’s brother) were there.

Amazingly enough, all the kids got along wonderfully, and there was basically no crying or fighting. I guess we have to credit the bouncie that turned out to be the star of the party. Despite explicit warnings from the manufacturer all the kids were jumping and bumping around together and having a great time.

we are bouncing…

and bouncing… (with Torin and Hannah)

and bouncing around (with Torin and MacKenzie)

We got out some other toys, but again no fighting over the them. The yard did look like a tornado came through, but the important thing is that the kids had fun.

Even more amazingly it did not rain: it was gloomy, and chilly, but no rain, so we could all have  a fun time in the yard.  The adults enjoyed some  beverages and food and the kids run around and played.

Then it was time for cake: our lofty dreams of baking a cake or cupcakes got crushed by the reality of too much to do in a short time…well there is always next year. (-: We blew the candles and sang happy Birthday, and then it was time to get messy.

 tanti auguri a te…

I was impressed to see that Keegan was much cleaner than last year, even if we did have plenty of cleaning up to do: he chose the chocolate one. Just like last year, though, he mainly ate the frosting, leaving the rest of it for dinner time…if you can call chips and bread and cupcake dinner.

it’s your birthday…

eat the cupcake

I think I missed a spot

And he was not the only one enjoying the cake:

MacKenzie

Hannah

When it got dark, the survivors” moved inside for more playing, munching or drinking. Shortly after 6pm we were alone with our little, overexcited guy, with a sugar high…Just kidding: he was actually pretty good, and VERY tired: we could not even get him to open all the gifts.

cupcakes and chips for dinner: what else could you ask for?

Keegan is so tired he is not even smiling at all his gifts

We saved the gifts for later, because we were really trying to avoid the fights over the new toys. By 8pm he was in bed, exhausted…and so was dad. Mom lasted till 9pm before crashing.

The next day, it was birthday all over again: Skype with the grandparents and more happy birthday wishes, more presents to open, the bouncie moved inside in the sun room to play with…It was a mellow day: still chilly and gloomy, so no much playing outside. He did get to see Daddy’s office and its exciting “sesore”(elevators): he does not get to see many here in San Diego, so it is always a treat for him. Mom stayed home and worked some.

So, all and all we had a wonderful birthday celebration. Thank you to everyone that contributed to make it so special. We loved to see our little guy so happy, and we marveled at all the progresses he made in a year. We are looking forward to the next year and all the fun and excitement Keegan will bring us…while we are bracing for the challenges of his twos.

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