Baby No More

Alex turned two today; I can't believe I no longer have a baby!  It feels like he turned into a walking, talking, independent little boy overnight.  He is such a character, and I think we are going to experience the 'terrible twos' for the very first time.  I love every bit of him!

We had a little party for him on Friday night with two young families with boys his age.  I decided to make cupcakes for the first time ever for his party.  I cannot remember ever in my life making cupcakes.  How odd.  Anyway, the first thing I learned is that there is a secret to using cupcake liners and I don't know it.  The second thing I learned is that it's a bad idea to underfill the afore-mentioned liners.  Thank heavens for my DeMarle muffin tray!  I baked the second half without the liners and they, of course, popped out perfectly round. 

Step two was to fill all the cupcakes, ugly and pretty alike, with vanilla pudding.  I made the pudding with less milk than called for so it was extra thick.     

Lastly, I decorated them.  Cookie Monster sounded so easy and he was.  All you do is cover the top with frosting, dip it in blue sprinkles, and add a cookie and eyes.  I couldn't figure out why they looked funny until after the party, though.  It turns out that Cookie Monster's eyes are close together.  Oops! 

We enjoyed the BEAUTIFUL weather for the party.  Alex obliged me by smiling for the camera.

The kids were focused on their cupcakes.  This is Ethan (who Alex bit twice during the party...sheesh).

Tyler; check out those blue eyes!

The cupcakes really were delicious.  I'm definitely a fan of the pudding filling.

Smile Alex!

He opened presents; the first was a water bottle from us.  It was Annie's and Logan's idea, and a very good one!  We use waterbottles a lot, and Alex didn't have one of his own.  He's been carrying it around with him since.

His friend Ethan gave him a Little People school bus which he would not let ANYONE touch.  We had to sneak it away from him just to get it out of the box.

Last, Tyler gave him a bubble machine.  All the other kids enjoyed that while Alex hung onto his bus.  Alex loves bubbles, though, and I have no doubt will enjoy this just as much.