Low Rider

All his friends love it.

Tunnel of Love

Chase climbs through miles and miles of tunnels to wish the best Daddy in the world a Happy Birthday!

Sunday with Daddy

Chase enjoys some time in the park with Daddy. Ace likes to climb up the slide, but doesn't like to slide down.

Ostrich

Apparently when you are two, this really makes sense as a hiding place.

Art!

I know there are art supplies in one of these drawers.

Vanquished!

Our long, national nightmare is over.

Elmo is dead!

On the Right Track

Chase ventured out with Mommy after being homebound for several days. Lucky kid got some new shoes (Keens with dinosaurs on them), two new books, and some cool lacing beads thanks to the gift cards Mommy got from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas.

Express Mail

Hmmm... this could save us some money on cross-country flights....

Walk this Way

Obviously feeling better, Ace adds some pizazz to his nightly "Close-Myself-in-the-Closet" game. Once inside, he also proceeds to try on every pair of shoes stored in there, although they are all Mommy- and Daddy-sized. 

Oh, the simple joys of being two!

G-Pa & G-Ma

Unfortunately, Ace had to say goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma today, but at least he was feeling healthy enough on the final day of their visit to have some fun and spread some smiles.

Where's Grandma?

Although he struggled with his illness all day, Ace ventured outside this afternoon and played a game of hide-n-seek with Grandma.

He found her. Can you?

Basket Case

How sick do you have to be to take refuge in a basket, along with your snowman?

Very!

Covered Wagon

Chase enjoys some time in the covered wagon at the zoo.

Grandpa Rides into Town

Chase and Grandpa gallop around the sand park.

Bum Bum Away

Chase signals at the iPod for more "Bum Bum Away", which, to the rest of us, is the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".  His incessant asking lead Mommy to download ten different versions so we didn't have to wait for it to come up on Pandora and so she didn't get sick of the original by The Tokens.

Countdown

Sitting on the step, covering his eyes, and counting to 10 (minus the 5) -- Chase gives Mommy time to hide during a raucous game of hide n' seek this evening.

Another trip around the sun begins!

Birthday Boy!

With Auntie Amanda and Uncle Johnny's balloons -- which arrived an hour earlier and provide much delight -- floating in the background and Mommy's cupcake all over his face, Ace (should we call him Deuce?) revels at the end of his special day... a day that included time at Lil' Monkey Bizness, calls from Auntie Katie and Grandpa & Grandma, Skype-time with Nanna, Papa, & Nanna K as well as Grandpas Fred & Laurent, and a whole mess of presents.

Lucky and fortunate kid, indeed!

To the Rescue

Chase and his fellow fire fighters zoom through the Children's Museum on the newly renovated fire truck exhibit.

Destructo!

One of Ace's early games -- invented and promoted by Mommy -- was the rapid de-construction of any tower with a swift left hook, deemed "Destructo!"

Not only can the lil' wrecker now say the word with relish, he can also take a moment to gaze mischievously into space before laying waste to this fine tower.

Note, in the background, Elmo's obvious terror at what is about to happen. He knows he could be next.

Superman + Water = Aqualad

Before bath time even began, this little superhero began frolicking in the tub.

Little Sculptor

Chase makes his first foray into the world of Play-Doh. He wasn't as interested in molding with his hands as he was making indentations with a fork.

Spring in his step

Even after an active morning at the Children's Museum, the Critter musters the energy for a brisk walk to the sand park.

With a child this bouncy, appropriate headgear is always a wise move.

Back Bend

Chase works on his newest move -- the back bend. Perhaps, this a residual move from our first tumbling class at the rec center today. Although, we did learn chin tucks, not chin extensions, for proper somersault execution. Will he always be so oppositional?

Color our world

After an hour delighting in the mayhem of a cold Saturday morning in the play area of Lil' Monkey Bizness (and somehow escaping without a concussion or bloody lip), our mini-Michelangelo took refuge in the craft room, where the focus was as much on learning how to re-cap markers as it was on his fine artwork.

Imaginary Snowballs

Chase strolls along the last remaining strip of snow in the yard. Later in the day, he took am interesting developmental step as he threw imaginary snowballs in the rumpus room. It also snowed an inch tonight, so maybe his mental creativity will be reality tomorrow.

Sir Dunk-a-Lot

Ace throws down a monster jam on his new hoop. He may dress like Brady, but he brings the thunder like Russell.

Movin' and shakin'

Chase held his own -- and a fire truck -- with the other kids this morning at Mandy's house. He will spend Thursday mornings there learning to play with other kids, which we assume shall be an easy skill to acquire.

Right?

Guilty as Charged

Uh oh, look who got caught in the act!

Nekkid Baby!

Yes, Chase is sitting on the potty.

And it's up on top of the ottoman.

And he's lost his clothes.

And so has Baby.

Never knew this was a recipe for a great time, did you?

Boulder Boy

The fearless climber considers whether to bivy for the night as foul weather rolls in over the north face of Vestal Peak.

...or maybe he was exploring The Wildlife Experience museum in Parker...

Year Two, here we come!

We kicked off the new year by watching a little of the pigskin on our make-shift big-screen TV (a sheet hung from the mantal, digital projector, and pirated internet feed of the Patriots game). Yeah!