Really, this is the last post about the Little Dude's birthday. I promise. I know, he's had, like three or four different birthday party/celebrations, but you know how it is. With a large family scheduling is very tricky, so you end up having a lot of little parties, so that everyone can be involved.
Which, when you think about it, is a method that suits toddlerhood very well. One huge party with tons of people can be overwhelming. But three little parties; much easier to manage. I find that is especially true in terms of gift giving/receiving. I feel like when there are more than three gifts on any one occasion, it gets to be too much for him to absorb, and some of the good things get kind of lost in the shuffle. There's not much you can do about it, but we have recieved some gifts in the mail, and instead of trying to open them all on his birthday, or at the party, I've been saving them and giving him one a day. This works out really nicely, as he gets to savour each individual gift then. However, the downside is that he is becoming accustomed to getting a new toy every day. Today, I excitedly called him down stairs, saying "OH! come look what I FOUND!" because I'd serendipitously located a toy he'd been looking for the other day. He came running, responding with glee "Its a new toy for me?" er. nope. No new toys today. He looked at me as if to say "what's up with that" and quickly recovered saying " I will I get my new toy later then." as if stating the obvious. hm.
So at the birthday party on the weekend, the final birthday party, we had lots of family. All my siblings and such, and also as I mentioned yesterday, Hub's sister and brother in law and their kids. There was cake (although this time I cut myself some slack and served a bought cake. From the good Dutch bakery in town so the icing doesn't taste like chemicals, but still) and we had lunch together. I had planned a few games, but same as at last years party, we were all so busy talking and eating and playing that we never got around to the games. I'm always worried that people will be bored, or children will be restless, but I should know that my family are all way too 'type A' to find themselves at loose ends. Plus also, we're chatty. 
The Little Dude received cars and construction toys, but also lots of books, which is good because I enjoy the books along with him. Whereas I'm not as into the little cars as he is. Though it was quite cute, because a clear favourite was a little set of Hot Wheels from his Uncle Lemur. They were all souped up little hot rod/construction hybrids, and amongst them was what the Little Dude refers to as a "Doin' Buggy". A Dune Buggy that is. But I just love how he says it. I always reply "What's that Doin' Buggy doin'?" He doesn't get it of course, but that's ok, it makes me smile.
Oh, and that "Are you a Horse?" book in the picture above is quite funny, if you are into little kid humour. I recommend it.
Another fun surprise was this:
A wearable tow truck! Totally unexpected a very fun. It was sent for the Little Dude by one of our regular blog readers who also happens to be a friend of my sister (thanks Mary!). Apparently she saw it at a garage sale and just felt it would be right up L.D's alley. And she was right. It took a bit of persuading to get him to put it on (all the birthday guests eagerly watching), but once his cousin modeled it for him, and more importantly showed him that it could crash (softly) into other people, he was in.
Also, she allowed herself to be 'towed' around the room by him. So cute.
He was much happier to wear it around the house the next day, when there was less of an expectant audience to make him self conscious.
And it was such a special treat to have another 'little kid' around for his birthday. He always enjoys time with his 'big cousins' who are able to reach the high shelves and help him build with leog and pick him up and keep him safe by the pond and big kid stuff like that. But it was really fun to have another toddler there too. They have the same energy you know?
Yeah, that kind of energy. Somersaults off the couch, spin around till you fall down and make loud noises just because you can energy.
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ok, this is completely unrelated, but I read this blog post/story about a little girl and a fish this evening, and I laughed so hard I had to cover my mouth to keep from waking the baby. The whole rest of the blog is very funny too. Enjoy.