The Cake Smash...That Didn't!

I often think I have the most clumsy, often destructive toddler in the world. 

Dirt and trouble seem to gravitate towards him and things just seem to have a tendency to fall over or go wrong in the same instance as him entering the room.

So when Nicola at Life Through My Eyes told me she was planning a cake smash for little Paige, I thought I would give it a try with my little man. After all he would love it right?

I spent the duration of Leo's afternoon nap in the kitchen baking up a cake for him to destroy. I even iced it really quickly so that it was a little more appealing to him. Of course it was around about this time that Luke decided to walk in the door from work and couldn't quite fathom why Leo got an entire cake to himself....That he was potentially just going to bash around!

Luke was actually telling me that he wanted a slice before it got leo'd...

Ignoring Luke completely I led Leo out into the garden and placed the entire cake on the ground. Leo just stood there staring at me as if to say 'are you crazy Mumma!?' He stood there as if he was looking for my approval, scared to make a move as on any normal occasion I would be telling him to keep his little hands off it! 

I told Leo to go for it, to eat what he liked and enjoy himself, and with this little piece of encouragement he dipped a finger into the icing. He put it straight into his mouth and stuck his hand straight back into the cake for some more.

Then Leo...The most destructive toddler in the entire world...Demanded a spoon!

Yes, my toddler who apparently does not like getting his hands dirty wanted a spoon to complete his cake smash!

Obliging to his request, I got him a spoon and he continued to spoon the icing into his mouth. But that is as far as our little cake smash went. 

This is the cake after it got 'smashed'...And after Luke had a slice!

I really thought that he would be unstoppable and this cake would be well and truly smashed into tiny little pieces, hence the taking him outside. 

Maybe my little toddler isn't quite as troublesome as I first thought. Maybe he is actually rather refined... Or he is just growing up and knows that he shouldn't really throw/destroy food, even if Mummy is encouraging him.

My Almost 2 Year Old...

My almost 2 year old is growing up so fast.

He runs, he jumps, he sings and he dances.

He bounds, leaps, claps and prances.

He now even feeds the ducks instead of feeding himself.

My almost 2 year old loves and is loved.

He shouts 'Muma' and 'Dada' each and every morning when he wakes.

He holds our hands while we are out and about,

and he even associates certain places with certain people.

My almost 2 year old is a mischievous little man.

He will catch your gaze during you telling him 'no',

and beam the cheekiest pearly white smile. 

He laughs a dirty laugh and knows that he is pushing his luck,

and gives the best huggles and kisses.

My almost 2 year old goes to bed in his cot,

he is not ready to make the transition into a big boy bed just yet.

Each and every night he takes his essentials with him to bed.

His Baa, his Maccapacca and his blankie, accompanied by a cold bottle of milk.

He sleeps all night long these days, only waking if he has a bad dream.

My almost 2 year old can do proper jumps.

He can get both feet well of the ground.

He jumps on the bed, on the sofa and anywhere he can possibly attempt.

He is a proper little froggy.

My almost 2 year old is a proper little boy,

his love for tractors, cars and trains is growing by the day.

He spends his play with his garage and his farm set, learning to play more imaginative games.

He runs off with my car keys and can even open my car door.

He sits in the drivers seat and wiggles the gear stick, while pretending to drive the car.

He turns on the tunes and dances as he goes.

My almost 2 year old is my best friend.

He puts a smile on my face each and every day.

I quite honestly, hand on heart do not know where I would be without him now.

My almost 2 year old is my everything.

He is my yesterday, he is my tomorrow.

He is my future. 

Leo's First Dental Appointment

A child's life is full of firsts.

First teeth, first milestones and first birthdays. 

The first time he saw a Christmas tree and the first time he went on holiday.

The firsts can follow them throughout many years of their life.

Leo's latest first was just yesterday. 

When he visited the Dentist for the very first time.

In true Leo style they certainly knew he was in the building.

Only moments after arriving he managed to knock my milkshake all over waiting room floor.

This prompted a very embarrassed Mummy to attempt mopping it up with baby wipes.

It prompted the receptionist to grab a mop in order to get a more thorough job done...

Needless to say we both sat very quietly after this...

We waited in almost silence for our names to be called.

We were beckoned in to see the dentist. 

Leo sat with Granny while I was having my pearly whites checked. 

And then it was time for Leo to have his very first check up.

Leo didn't want to sit on the big chair all alone,

so he sat on my lap.

Then we had to persuade Leo to open up his mouth so that the dentist could get a proper look inside.

The dentist confirmed that Leo had his full set of milk teeth now, 

a suspicion I had been carrying around for months.

Leo sat there looking a little bewildered but co-operated the entire time.

I just wonder if they welcome us back in November for Leo's second check up...

After the milkshake/waiting room incident that is!

Eyes Wide Like Saucers

I love the age Leo is at right now.

22 months old.

An almost 2 year old toddler boy.

He is so curious about the world around him, and the simplest everyday occurrence is the most magical experience for him.

Simply seeing a pigeon or a cat makes his eyes grow to the size of saucers, and the real magic moments make his jaw drop open wide.

He runs around discovering the wonders of the great outdoors and takes in everything. Leo notices things before I have even seen them these days and it is him pointing them out telling me what they are.

He has discovered bouncy castles and bouncy slides down our local park, he doesn’t think of the money factor, he just see’s something he would love to do.

Leo was on the stairway to the slide before we even had chance to hand over any money. He worked his way all the way up to the top, to the point where the slanted stairs suddenly become vertical!

Followed closely by Daddy of course…

Daddy had to hoist Leo up the vertical stairs to the top, while holding on himself…At this precise moment Leo’s God Daddy who had gone up behind them managed to fall from the peak, rolling right down to the bottom.

He rolled all the way back down until he landed at the very bottom generating great laughter from the people watching their children bump down the slide, whose eyes had been diverted to the fully grown man rolling down the stairs.

The thought of it happening is enough to crease my face into the biggest smile!

Getting to watch Leo enjoy these experiences and even take part is giving myself is the most amazing opportunity. I feel as though I am getting to re-live my childhood again, getting to re-discover the magic in the world.

I am allowed to believe in fairies and Santa Clause, and I can help manifest this magic into Leo’s life.

I get excited about taking Leo to feed the ducks and planning special occasions that allow me to sprinkle some glitter into our lives, anything to keep that smile on his face and the magic in his life for as long as possible.

I am kicking birthday preparations into gear and with his birthday present already here, I am already imagining that amazing look on his face when he sees what he has.

My little 22 month old is only just beginning to see the wonders of this world, and I am determined to show him everything to keep the magic alive and those eyes wide like saucers.