Happy 26-month birthday to Julien!

To my beloved son Julien,
Happy 26 month birthday! It's amazing that you are now 26 months old.
Like the cliches go, you are growing up faster than ever, because time is flying fast. So much has happened within the past 2 months since you turned 2, but then again so much has happened in just the past week.
We have all been so busy with different activities and travels, that nobody in the family has really had time to blog about our adventures. Since turning 2, you started your Summer activity classes with Park & Rec. These classes have included Tykes on Bikes and Tot Gym. What's great about Tykes on Bikes is that your friend Henry, who you previously met at a Tot Gym class and later at a Music class, is also in the course, and the 2 of you have had a lot of fun in these recent months. Like you, he's a very active boy, although a few months older - we have learned so much from having an older boy friend!
There's also a major exciting coincidence about Henry. He shares the same name as Grandaddy X, and in your attempts to be able to say "Henry," you've given utter pleasure to Mommy, Aunt Nancy & Uncle Glenn, Grams, and Grandaddy X.

At Tykes on Bikes, you have enjoyed scooting and riding tricycles. You have tried using pedals a few times but find it more efficient to just use your feet to move about! The above picture is from June 11, 2011.
We have taken advantage of an "open" day by visiting assorted playgrounds and other places on Tuesdays. We've discovered the JP Murphy playground in the Sunset, thanks to Ruby! You've shown your amazing toddler strength by personally spinning a merry-go-round, as seen in the below video still from June 14, 2011:

Although only 1 older child is in the still, there were 3 kids total - between 5 and 8 years of age. You were quite excitedly spinning them for several minutes!
In recent months, we've not only enjoyed our music class with Henry, but also with Zealand, who you've known since you were just a tad under 4 months - Zealand's in the same playgroup with Ruby and your other playgroup friends.

You've been able to enjoy a lot of recent activity with Zealand, which is great because you're both so active and cognizant of the fun you have together. The above picture shows you enjoying his grandparents' pool from June 16.
We later went to Chicagoland for the July 4 weekend, where you stayed with Grams and Grandaddy X. You got to also see Aunt Nancy & Uncle Glenn, both in Chicagoland but also in Chicago when we had a sleepover there. You enjoyed your visit with the family, as well as with our great friends Maya and Noa (and their parents). Plus there were visits with Veronica (who's spending the summer there with her grandparents), Liz & Leslie and their families, Sammy and Judy, and other fun folks.
After our trip, it was back to our fun routines. After Tykes on Bikes, you and Henry often have fun in the playground.

Here you are, Caught in the Middle, on July 14.

And lastly here you climb in our local playground on July 26, yet you're confident and comfortable enough to pose for the camera! Your dexterity and motor skills continue to improve. As you get older, you become more aware of the complexities for doing things, and then you do them.
We love you so much, Julien! You always bring us so much joy and love.
love,
Dadda (and Mamma)
ps - and how did we spend today - your 26-month birthday? Why we met Zealand at a playground, and later had dinner with Maya & Noa's cousins Ezra & Harris!