Preschool, Grandparents, Birthday - Oh My!

So much happened this past week, I don't even know where to begin! We'll start with Tuesday, when Michael went to his first day of pre-school. Here's a family picture, just before the dreaded "drop off". Notice, we're all smiles.

At his new school, I don't even get out of the car, the teacher comes and takes him out - and puts him back in the car seat when I pick him up. Needless to say, the first day was TORTURE as evidenced by the picture below. The past two times he's gone, it's been much better. The first day was just hard! Hard on everyone - even I cried!

Then, on Wednesday, I hosted Michael's playgroup for a little Hot Wheels Birthday party. I didn't get any pictures of the decorations, but leave it up to the pregnant lady to take a picture of some of the food!
Then, after school again on Thursday, we went and picked up Grandmommy and Granddaddy at the airport. Michael didn't stop babbling and goofing off almost the entire time they were here.

The big birthday #2 was Saturday and we had a little party - same Hot Wheels decor but this time with many, many balloons.

Here's a pic of Michael blowing out the candles on his cake.....all of the neighbors and some friends came.

This is my new "coffee table" for now. Michael got a train table for his birthday and he is obsessed with it. It frees up a good hour or more every day for me to get done what I need to. He LOVES it and circles it over and over saying "CHOO CHOO!!!". Michael opened so many presents that now, each time we open one to play with, it's like he's opening it all over again and forgot he ever received it in the first place! Here's a pic of Michael and three of his lady friends. Michael doesn't know any boys up here....

On Sunday afternoon, we ventured into the city and that was a crazy adventure. Michael had been 2 for all of 24 hours and boy was he demonstrating the terrible two's right off the bat. The boat ride from the train to the Navy Pier was, well, let's just say - CHALLENGING.

On Monday morning, Ryan's parents came with me to Michael's first gymnastics class and we had another CHALLENGING moment. Don't think I'll ever go back there. :) That night, we opened up one of his presents from Papa - an easel. He sat there and colored with his chalk (thanks Nana and Grand Bob!) and yelled "DRAW DRAW DRAW". He's quite the Picasso.

At the end of the week, we went and had Michael's 2 year pictures made. That was lots of fun and we got some very good pics.

Well that's the end of a very busy week. Michael now has a cold and is being super snuggly and sweet. As "challenging" as this age is, it's the best age yet.