Happy Birthday Hayden!

My baby is two! TWO! How did this happen? He is officially a little boy. I miss him as a baby, but he is such a funny thing, I can't get enough of him.

Here are some things I've learned from Hayden:

Some kids like to go to sleep. It is possible for them to ask to go to their bed, and lay down peacefully, with just themselves and a blanket for comfort.

Whatever Jackson is doing is a cool thing to do, especially in the bathtub. If Jackson stands up, Hayden has to also. When he sits down, Hayden has to sit. When he's drawing on the walls (in the tub) Hayden also has to color. Jackson's just cool, you know?

Smiling for the camera is optional and mostly frowned upon during holidays, special events, and during sessions with professional photographers. It is much more appropriate to make serious or dumfounded faces when Mommy says to smile.

Some kids don't need to watch TV for more than a minute If you want to occupy them, give them a ball or a book, not a show.

Balloons are better than presents.

Frosting is better than the rest of the cake.

Loud noises are not acceptable, nor are loud people. If a high pitch shriek from Jackson is heard, it is then alright to yell, "Nooooooo!" with incredible force until you are shaking from head to toe and your face is the color of fruit punch Kool-Aid.

If you take a toy away it is then mandatory to wind up and hit you in the back with an open handed slap. That is the most effective way of dealing with the situation.

If Jackson is laughing hysterically, you are also required to laugh hysterically so that you don't look (or feel) that you're being left out of anything.

All food, besides brocolli and cooked peas, (frozen peas are perfectly fine) is wonderful and should be eaten with gusto, most importantly, spaghetti.

It is important to always announce when you are "All done."

When you are happy, laugh. When you are sad, cry. When you are excited gasp the most excited gasp you are capable of.

If someone asks for a hug, always give a kiss instead.

When you're mother tells you she loves you, it is the cutest thing in the world to reply, "I luh boo too."

I love you Hayden! Happy Birthday to my sweet boy!