the paquettes

We took Asher’s two year portraits yesterday.  My expectations were very low considering I’ve been through this twice before and they, (portraits at age 2), are always super frustrating.  Trying to convince a two year old to stay on a boring white backdrop is hard.  Then getting him to stay in one place and smile for a stranger?  Ugh.  But my OCD prevails and I must take birthday portraits of each child every year, within a week of their birthday, and it must be at Picture People with a white background.  Then I hang the chosen portrait on my wall chronologically, (and yes, I bought 54 matching frames-18 years x3 kids)! 

The fun really began when we got to the mall (a good 35 minute drive) and Ella announced that she ‘forgot to wear her shoes.’  Grrrr.  Well, I wasn’t about to let her walk through the mall barefoot, (I’m a big rule follower-no shoes, no service!), so I put her in the umbrella stroller and carried Asher who was now tantruming because he wanted to go in the stroller.  Pushing a 40 lb. child in an umbrella stroller is hard.  Pushing a 40 lb. child with one hand because you have a toddler on the other arm is harder.  Pushing a 40 lb. child in a stroller with one hand because your toddler is tantruming in the other arm is the hardest.  (Did I mention I was also carrying a very overloaded diaper bag?!?)  So needless to say, I was off to a great start! 

The portraits were better than expected because I got two good shots of him.  (I thought I might get one.)  🙂

At Asher’s party, I had to take the opportunity to take a picture of the 5 kids that were born within 11 months of each other.  You see, we all live together in the same neighborhood, all attend the same church, and all but one of both moms and dads went to Texas A&M together too!  In fact, many of us were roommates with each other!  I pray that these kids will grow up to love each other well and be best friends. Did I mention that we took this same shot in July of 2008 when two of them were newborns? I can’t resist comparisons, so here is the group shots!

Halle Peck, Malachi Suh, Asher, Gavin Collins, and Caden Richardson

On Friday we had a little shindig for Asher’s 2nd birthday.  He loves Elmo so choosing a theme was easy!  We invited Miss Staci Gray, a local Austin children’s singer, that Asher and I see at the library once a month.  We have both her CDs and he loves her music!  Asher’s first private concert at age 2!  This boy just might grow up to love music, ya think?

Totally reused this cupcake stand from Rilyn’s 2nd birthday!

trying to be cute and succeeding

Decor

Miss Staci

Asher is mesmerized

Yay!!!

a dancing fool!

So this is my sister with James and Asher.  I know I’m probably supposed to be in this picture, but I just love being the one to take the pictures!  Thanks Jessica!

Cupcakes and ice cream-yum!

tasting the frosting

showered with gifts!

Today is Asher’s 2nd birthday!  He tantrums ‘challenges us’ in ways that we’ve never experienced, but also blesses us in ways that only a little boy can!  Asher loves cars, his sisters, listening to music (especially worship music!), sleeping, Super Why and Elmo, having mommy hold him all day, and daddy chasing him around the house!  He is a chatter box, (how can you not be when you have two older sisters who talk all day?) and loves saying, “Where’s the ball?” with both hands in the air.   Or “I want this!”  “Oh my gosh!”  “I want to eat!!”  He still signs ‘yes’, ‘please’ and ‘all done’ and it is so cute because he does it while he is saying the word now so as to add extra emphasis that “yes” he really wants that!  (And if you don’t give it to me in one second, I will tantrum!)  🙂

I think if he really knew what was fully going on, (like that it’s his birthday!), he would say he had a super fun weekend with friends and family!  Yesterday we had an Elmo birthday party for his buddies, he received lots of boy toys (now he can push a lawn mower outside instead of a stroller!), and his favorite singer, Miss Staci, gave him a private concert at his party!  Today he endured both his sister’s soccer games, but not without many treats!  Donut holes and cheetos for breakfast, unlimited goldfish crackers and french fries for lunch-with ice cream!  (What a nightmare for any dentist/nutritionist/doctor/parent-take your pick!)  But you only turn two once, right?  I will be posting probably everyday this week with pictures from his party, his birthday portraits, etc.  But for now, enjoy these pics from the soccer fields today.

From April 2010

From April 2010

From April 2010

From April 2010

Asher’s favorite pasttime as of late?  Playing cars in a big box that my new front porch bench came in (thanks mom!)  He loves laying in it zooming his cars around.  First thing he says when he wakes up is “CARS!?!” and runs to his box, even bypassing breakfast!  So cute!

From April 2010

From April 2010

From April 2010