Easton's Half Birthday

That's right, people. We celebrate Half Birthdays around here in our family.  It's sweet and simple. Kids get to wear their birthday crowns, I make them a Half Birthday cake, which is of course, half of a cake. We sing Happy Half Birthday To You. Easton even got two and a half candles.  There are no gifts, no guests, just us. It's a fun little tradition we started.

Easton, you are so big.  You zoom around fearlessly on your Skuut bike. You climb up onto the couch and changing table only to jump off like crazy. You chase the chickens, hang from monkey bars, and are enamored with all things construction related.  Out of the blue, no matter what people are talking about, you will happily inform them that excavators pick up dirt.  You gasp in amazement when you see bulldozers and backhoes on the road.

You are getting the hang of counting, and get all the way to 12 by yourself.  Then you skip to 18, get to 21 or so, and then go back down to 16.  You "read" stories, and love to do puzzles.  Lately, you are really into our United States puzzle where all the pieces are shaped like the states.   You are the master of sound effects (I am pretty sure you get this from your Daddy).  And whenever you sing songs or talk for your stuffed animals or finger puppets, you use this totally adorable super high pitched voice.

You have finally gotten the timing down for your Interrupting Cow Knock Knock joke. And last night, you told us one that you thought was hilarious.

Easton: Knock, knock
Mommy: Who's there?
Easton: Boo
Mommy: Boo who?
Easton: .... BANANA!!!! (then you laugh hysterically)

You say things like "baby tight" and "baby fast" to mean not too tight or not too fast. When you ask if you can do something you say "Mommy, dat fine?" And, you are asking lately how many things work. Instead, you say, "What it do's?" Daddy and I are kind of sad about this, but you finally learned how to say Gabiyalla, thanks in part to many lessons from your big sister. We can't help it, we still like to hear you say Yah-Yah, or even sweeter - My Yah Yah.  Like, I want my Yah Yah when you wake up from a nap and realize she isn't home.

Easton Michael, you have the greatest, softest heart.  You give us all giant hugs and you know just when we need them.  When you notice Mommy crying, you look tenderly into my eyes and wipe them away.  Sometimes in the middle of Family Circle Time, you just want to cuddle with your sister.  You met your cousin Isaac the other day and were so gentle and careful holding him. You couldn't believe how tiny he was. It's the same when you hold baby chicks.  You are the sweetest cuddle bug, and just want to be in your mommy or daddy's arms sometimes.

You melt our hearts. Thank you for being a constant ray of sunshine, for bringing us laughter and tender sweet moments when we need them most.  We love you, you big two and a half year old!