Look at who's 2!

Since we've been doing far too much partying lately, we opted for a small family affair to celebrate Samuel's second birthday. Family plus Gopal and Joseph, of course.

Samuel's obsessed with motorcycles (he sees several hundred a day on Chennai's streets), so we got him one for his birthday. He hasn't put it down since he opened the package. In fact, he's sleeping with it as I type this.

Sorry about the red-eye. It won't go away.

He spent the rest of the evening driving the motorcycle all over the place. Every time I tried to get him to smile for a photo, he glanced up for a milisecond and said, "Cheese to the motorcycle."

He also really liked this puzzle book from Grandma and Grandpa Cragun. And so did Evie. In fact, Samuel might someday get a turn with it all by himself.

And here's a crazy loud spinning top with lights that he got from a friend at school. He shares a birthday with a girl named Sahana, so we let her celebrate her birthday at school this morning and we'll do our celebration on Friday. Here, when it's your birthday you're supposed to give cake and presents to everyone else (instead of receiving). So Sam got this contraption from Sahana for her birthday, even though it's his birthday, too. Get it? We're giving away board books for Samuel's birthday.

This will break soon ... and I will be happy.

When I have a little more time I'd like to make a long list of things I love about Samuel. For now, I'll just say that he's the happiest, snuggliest, funniest 2-year-old you'll ever meet. He loves anything with wheels. He loves to copy his big brother and big sister. He's just adorable, and we're so glad he's in our family. Happy Birthday, Samuel!