A nice long visit with Gran Jen for Xander's Birthday!

Xander, Jake and Jen went to the Zoo together so I could get a little studying done.  I was so dissappointed I didn't join them- they came back with incredible stories!  Several of the animals interacted directly with Xander, and the Polar bear was incredibly playful with a big balance ball for a really long time.  The bear would toss the ball up on the shelf, drop it, bat at it, go in and out of the water... you could actually watch him think!  As one long term zoo-goer said next to Jake "I've been coming here for years and have never seen anything like this from the polar bear!"   

Seems Maya is very good at getting Grandmothers to hold her!  Gran spent lots of time snuggling with her new granddaughter so I could get some studying done!  Maya really loved all the attention, and something tells me that Gran didn't mind too much either!

Jen and Xander and I had so much fun at the Erie pool! Xander was really brave and played on the slide, swam on his back, kicked his feet while swimming, put his face in the water, and joined us in the "lazy" river while we walked and got a little exercise. 

Maya slept peacefully through the whole thing, and Xander slept really well afterwards!

Xander is really getting into books, and has his favorites.  One of his favorites is a "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" book that Jen sent to him- he can listen to her read him a story every time he opens it.  Very cool!  Since another favorite is "Goodnight Moon", Jen brought that one with her this time to read with him and record for his birthday.  He didn't sit still well, unfortunately, but we still got the recording, and now he has another great way to enjoy the story. 

Xander, feeding his animals- isn't sharing (and laundry) fun?

Xander, age 2, with his favorite friends, Baby and Blue Doggy.

Before storytime at the library, it is a good idea to give Xander a few minutew on the playground.  He is getting so confident and capable... our little baby has become a little boy so fast!  It was great to share some of his giggles and explorations with his Gran.

Jen had never been up to Crested Butte, so we drove up for Xander's Birthday, which was also closing weekend.  By the age of 2, including Xander's birthday day (April 2) Xander went skiing 3 times!  Each time he gets a little more confident.  Right now he likes the idea of skiing, and talking about it afterwards, more than the actual skiing, but I think next year we'll get him into lessons and he'll be doing bump runs in no time.

Jen took this great photo of the three of us!  We don't have enough pictures of  us all, so this one is really special!

Xander, helping Jake sand and varnish the handrail to the basement- our last item is now checked off the "to do" list!