Little Men's Big Adventures – Hershey's Chocolate World

For Christmas, Noni and Pop Pop gave our family some money and told us to do whatever we wanted with it, but that they hoped we would use it to create memories. So we decided to put our "memory-making dollars" towards our first vacation with just our family of four and take the boys to Sesame Place by way of Hershey's Chocolate World.

If you love chocolate (like Alex and Roo do), then I say, saddle up and head to the northeast. Not only can you do a tour at Hershey's Chocolate World (for FREE!), they also have a huge amusement park called Hershey Park. Our boys are still too young to fully enjoy that, but they had a great time going on the Chocolate World ride that shows how all of that delicious chocolate is made. Now Chocolate World is not Hershey's actual factory; it's more like a simulation of how it would be done at the factory but presented in the form of a "ride" that is prettied up. Here are some of the things we saw on the ride.

Alex still talks about these singing cows!

Alex really wanted to take a "chocolate bath" in here!

Oh, and they especially loved the free chocolate sample you get when the ride is finished. We may or may not have done the ride a couple of times. I'm just sayin'. ;-)

My little chocolate lover! If only it were real! ;-)


The closest thing to a chocolate bath he could get!

Up next: Sesame Place! Stay tuned...

Routines

One of the things I find so precious about this sweet boy...whether it be nap time or bedtime, each time he goes into his crib, you can't leave the room without rubbing his back ("ba") and hair ("hur") and patting his tiny little hiney, which he'll point to if you forget to do it. And as of late, he likes sleeping with a blanket, but only placed up to his waist. Only the waist. I've learned this one the hard way. ;-)

Supermen

My boys don't know a thing about the Superman comic book hero, but they sure do have fun wearing their little caped crusader shirts.

Alex could be a young Clark Kent, don't you think?

A more serious look while practicing "flying."


Superhero day at church. Little Clark Kent poses with one of the children's leaders.


High-flying adventures...

I adore my sweet little man!


For Roo's birthday we gave him the Boogie Monster book set (follow up to the Tickle Monster book we love so much). Every bit as fabulous as Tickle Monster. I wish you could see these boys dancing  with their superhero capes and "boogie legs" on. Priceless!

Oh, how they've captured my heart! I could just eat these boys up!!

Roo's Second Birthday

We started the day with chocolate chip muffins that Daddy made before church.


And Roo's birthday just so happened to be superhero day for the kids at church, so the boys wore their Superman shirts. (More pics to come on that.)


Roo picked Red Robin for lunch that day - full with a free dessert and the wait staff singing to him, which he wasn't too sure about - the singing, I mean. Of course, he was totally fine with the dessert. ;-)

After naptime, he was ready for his little Mickey Mouse party with some friends. We kept it easy with pizza, fruit, salad, and cupcakes.

Lots of fun celebrating a fun little boy!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Roo!

Dear Roo {on your second birthday}

Dear Roo,

If I had my way, I'd keep you this small forever. Of course you don't think you're small. You know that you're just as big as anybody else in this family. Most days, we are just trying to keep up with you.

You have such a joie de vivre. You are full of spunk and laughter and joy. You are a light of goodness in this world.

One of my greatest joys these days is watching you run around the house – left arm tucked, right arm swinging, just as fast as you can go. And our morning cuddles – the way you lay your head on my right shoulder, looking out, sucking your left thumb, and rubbing your right ear as we walk down the stairs and you try to wake up. Or the cuddle you give when you lay your head on my shoulder and wrap both of your arms as far as you can around me. It melts my heart. You melt my heart.

You aren't intimidated by anything. You try new things without hesitation. If you don't like it, you don't do it again. If you've found something you like, watch out! Go big and bold or go home. You have a confidence that I admire.

I love that you still think I can take all your hurts away. If you get a boo-boo, all you need to feel better is a kiss from your momma, and then you are right back up and running with a smile again. When the day comes – and it will come – when the hurts are so deep that I can't take it all away, I pray with all of my heart that you will know and seek the One who can.

I also pray that the joy you bring to this family, will be a joy fueled by God that you spread like wildfire into this world so that those who are lost can see Him through you.

I love you, my precious Roo-bear. Our amazing Creator pulled out all the stops when He made you. And I feel so honored to be your "a-ma."
 
Always and forever,
Momma