Two Years Old!

This boy turned two years old last weekend!  We were in Nairobi to pick up Eli's cousins who happened to fly into Kenya on Asa's birthday.  We were so excited to have family join us for some birthday fun!

We started the day with chocolate muffins, which this boy loved, especially while watching Peppa Pig (one of his current favorite shows).

And then it was time for a card and a present, because birthdays are always better when they start with a present.  We had a tractor theme for this tractor-loving boy :)

And then we were off to the Giraffe Center!  We wanted to find something fun to do since we were in Nairobi for the weekend, and this turned out to be the perfect place for our birthday boy.  He LOVED it!  He giggled and squealed and shook with joy each time a giraffe ate a pellet from his hand.  It was so much fun to watch him!

Asa was pretty worn out afterwards - so much excitement and being out in the sun can really tucker out a little boy!  We ate at a nearby mall afterwards and he barely made it through lunch, then was asleep within minutes of getting back in the car.  Birthday boys still need good naps!  

On a sidenote, I love this picture below.  Doesn't Caleb look like such a punky teenageer?  He was actually just too nervous to get close to the giraffes and refused to stand by the rest of the family for this photo, but he looks so smug!  Kai enjoyed feeding the giraffes just as much as Asa.  They are our adventurous two and are proving to be very much alike in many ways.

Once we were back at the guesthouse with the birthday boy well-napped, well-fed, and well-bathed (because giraffe slime is for real!), then it was time for a couple more presents, also tractor-themed.  New jammies!  New bedtime book!  And joy all-around :)

Our Asa Bubba is such a joy.  He is energetic and adventurous, curious and daring.  He fully believes he can do anything his brothers can, and therefore finds a lot of trouble for himself :)  He loves to dig in the dirt and climb trees and run around with sticks.  He loves to play with tractors and trucks and construction machines.  He loves to eat pepperoni, which we have to ration, and therefore cries when he can't have any.  He is comfortable with anyone and has become very good at greeting people in Swahili.  Asa loves to play with his brothers, especially if they're chasing each other around the house or building forts on the couch.  He likes to run away when it's time to change his diaper and he loves to be naked.  He can't sleep without his snuggle blanket and often needs it throughout the day for comfort.  Asa is a complete Mama's boy - no one else will do if Mama is around.  And he's definitely discovered his will and has daily toddler tantrums with piercing screams that make our ears ring!  But in between the tantrums is our precious little boy who's discovering more about the world every day and who makes this life better for all of us.  His giggles are contagious, his dimpled smile still makes my heart stop, and his sing-song voice is the most beautiful sound in the world.  We continue to pray that our Bubba will do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord and have a heart fully committed to Him.  We cannot thank God enough for our son!

We love you, Asa!