Rhys sees FIRE!

Rhys is 2! 026
Originally uploaded by shemoney

Rhys loved the "Happy Birthday" singing and the candle. The cake was worthy of a few bites but I think he prefers his sweets as cookies.

Happy Birthday Rhys!

Making Music

Happy Birthday Rhys! Rhys celebrated his second birthday on Sunday in the morning with his Uncle Christopher, Aunt Jeanine, Papa and Nana, before being joined in the afternoon by three of his favorite friends - Caroline, Jamie and Millie. The four toddlers found snowballs throughout the house and created penguin door hangers with a little help. Of course there was a special cake, balloons, and MORE presents. Having a birthday two days after Christmas may have some disadvantages, but at this age, Rhys had a great time with all the attention and love that has been shown to him from friends near and far.

Thank you!
P.S. Check out Sheila's blog for some great photos of the party. Thanks Nolidans for taking the photos while our camera was out of commission!

P.S. Hope to post new video soon using our new FLIP camera.

Kringla

Every year during the holidays my mother's side of the family would make Kringlas - a Swedish cinnamon and sugar, baked treat. It was serious business - we would make hundreds over the course of a morning working in teams. Over the years, it is has changed to be a bit less authentic (don't tell, but we use a Hot Roll Mix now) but still quite tasty and a once-a-year indulgence.
Rhys got to join in the fun this year, rolling the dough in the butter, sugar, cinnamon mix. He also enjoyed the piping hot product as he opened presents with vigor on Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas!

Calendar

Rhys has really loved his first advent calendar. Every day we open a new window...or two. I think we have already gone through all 24 days as of yesterday. Merry Christmas.

German Santa

Last weekend, we took Rhys to the ChristKindleMarket in Lincoln Square, Chicago's "German" neighborhood. We joined other families with young children at the market - waking up the Mitten salesman. While we only found one gift at the market - we scored at the Kids' area -- chock full with holiday art projects, kids' yoga, and a German Santa. Rhys ALMOST made it over to him, lured by the rocking reindeer, but in the end this is the best set of photos we have. Maybe next year we will get a Santa photo with Rhys and his sister.

Mama or Monkey snuggle

Monkey is the newest addition to Rhys' menagerie. Dom and I caved at the St Louis Zoo and bought him Monkey at Build-A-Bear (wow, that place is designed to empty your wallet). Rhys likes to give Monkey milk and food -- it is quite sweet. And at night, after demanding his mama snuggle time, he snuggles in with his top three animals, Baby, Dog-Dog, and Monkey.

Choo Choo in St Louis

The St Louis Zoo is a wonderful free city zoo and, along with great exhibits, it boasts a railroad fit for Rhys. We had a great ride around the zoo. Do you think he liked it?

Hi Louis!

We took one of my co-worker's recommendations and headed to the City Museum in St Louis on Saturday morning. There is nothing quite like it in Chicago - or anywhere else that I have been. It was really quite fantastical - like Redmoon Theatre met Gymboree. Or something like that.
Mainly designed for older children, the museum still provided a wide range of activities for our little adventurer. He rode a Choo Choo train - by himself! - for one quick lap before dissolving in tears when he saw us smiling promisingly at him at the end. He ran all around the deep caves, did plenty of slides and climbed through what looked like pieces of the Eiffel Tower.
Our visit ended with the Circus. Rhys was a brave boy and raised his hands when they asked for volunteers! Luckily for us, he wasn't chosen to perform.

Thanksgiving 2009 in St Louis

Granny Oldham had a full house of Oldham men this Thanksgiving -- Dom, his brothers, and Rhys, oh and me. We were only missing Cousin Luke.

Rhys ate a few peas at the meal but found more enjoyment stomping around the garden, and impressing his relatives with his somersault skills. Viva St Louis!