Flies and crickets and beetles too, our little bug is turning two! I can't believe it will be two years since I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy this Friday. He has turned into such a handsome, funny, smart, and loving child and we couldn't be more proud of him. He is running everywhere he goes, dancing to every tune he hears, learning his numbers, shapes and colors, and calling everyone by name! I woke up one day and a boy stood before me. I don't know where he came from but it makes me both proud and sad at the same time. And even though I swore I'd keep him in smocked jon-jons until he was four, I am slowly agreeing with Adam on the need to dress him in more "Big Boy" attire (sob!). It's a good thing they make smocked t-shirts and matching shorts because I'm still a Mississippi girl after all. He is at such a fun stage where he adores playing whether it's by himself or with friends. He has started saying "Hand!" and grabbing us by the hand to lead us to a particular toy he wants to play with (can you say bossy?). He loves to color, play with dinosaurs, build with Megabloks, race cars/trucks, and make up stories as he "reads" his books to himself aloud.
One of his favorite things to play with are bugs so it was an easy choice for the theme for his birthday party last weekend. It was the most beautiful October day here in Memphis and we had about 40 of his friends and family come to help us celebrate his 2nd birthday. After jumping in the bouncer and playing with all of the toys outside (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, the lawnmower, basketball, etc), we went inside to eat cake and ice-cream and sing "Happy Birthday" to Gray. But it wasn't just any old cake....a bug birthday called for a dirt cake and it turned out so cute! I just wish I didn't use such a big pot to make it because we barely put a dent in it and had to throw away two thirds of it! Fortunately for those that weren't brave enough to try the dirt cake, we also had dirt cupcakes. But Gray's favorite was still the ice-cream (just like last year). He is his father's son after all! After the party we had a fun time opening presents with just the family and I have to say that was my favorite part. Watching his expression as he opened each new gift was absolutely priceless. I love this age! His favorite toys have to be the Megabloks firetruck and table and Mr. Potato Head. Who knew an old classic could be such a hit? Gray slept hard after all that excitement and woke up the next morning ready to play hard with his new toys again. 
Today has been such a dreary weekend weather-wise but nevertheless, we headed down to Cedar Hills Farm with Lovie to have our first full Fall experience. Gray rode a pony but wasn't nearly as excited about it as he was when we went 6 months ago. I think he's learning to be scared (trust me, this is a good thing for him) of things and got a little spooked. We visited the petting zoo, rode the train around the track, and took a hayride out to the pumpkin patch where Gray chose a little pie pumpkin to take home with him. Both Hayes and Gray were great sports as we tried to fit everything in and get pictures of them at every interval and they are both napping hard right now, tired from all the excitement of the day. As for me, I am just trying to figure out what is next on my path. I have decided to take a contract position for the next 6 months and am really excited about who I'm working with and what I'll be doing. Plus, it buys me some time to decide what I really want to do whether it's staying at home, going back full-time, or just working part-time. We'll see!
Love,
The Pattersons
