iFebruary.

Bi-annual trip to the dentist. Small Fry was a disaster. Fawn was an angel (an angel who is apparently getting close to loose teeth -- so not ready for this!).

The biggest source of birthday excitement? The balloons!

A little brother teamwork at the car wash.

I think it's fair to say Small Fry now likes a lovie -- this larger than life puppy my grandmother gave him for Valentine's day. He uses it as a pillow in his crib.

Happy Heart Day Brothers!

Mimi and Pops joined us for an afternoon at the Botanical Gardens -- we found Mimi's tree!

Aunt C gave them shaving kits for Valentine's Day -- they are very serious about this task during bath time.

Love this series of pictures -- happy Small Fry.

Moody Small Fry (this look is inherited straight from Daddy!).

Silly Small Fry.  Boy does he make me laugh!

A blurry picture of the backpack -- crammed with toys for his weekend with Lulu and Doc while Mommy and Daddy were at The Grand Hotel in Fairhope. Lulu and Doc said he wore it all weekend -- it was as big as he is (and that's big!).

Hard at work. I've been swamped at work this month, and Pops was kind to bring Fawn a mini laptop to keep him occupied during Small Fry's naps so I could get some work done.

They have figured out they can slide together.

Happy, happy, sweet, sweet angel boy. This boy -- I just love him! This was taken right after he discovered after overhearing a phone call between Daddy and Mommy that we were going to the beach this summer. My little beach bum!

Deja Snow.

Two weeks after the Snowpocalypse we had another round of winter weather heading towards Birmingham. Buck being my hero and the awesome husband he is offered to brave the grocery store on Sunday evening (February 9) along with just about every other citizen of Birmingham. I had a long morning with Small Fry -- he was pretty croupy and we'd spent the morning at the pediatrician's office. Then Fawn and I had an action-packed afternoon -- a long-promised trip to see The Lego Movie and our first Brookwood Forest play date. So I was a bit frazzled anyway and I think a crowded grocery store would have sent me over the edge. But, Buck pulled through and went to Publix to drop off Small Fry's steroids prescription, to the Pig to do our shopping, and back to Publix to pick up the medicine. All that to say, we started the winter weather week right -- with a fridge full of food and a planned menu to get us through the week.

The boys had school as scheduled Monday, though I kept Small Fry at home with me after a rough, croupy night on Sunday. He ended up sleeping with me in the extra bed, which was sweet and snuggly, but wasn't a great night sleep. I just didn't feel like I could part with him Monday morning; so I didn't.

By Monday afternoon, it was clear we wouldn't have school Tuesday; there was rain coming in over night and the threat of icing on the roads. It turned out to be a non-event, but better safe than sorry! I was happy to have the boys at home, especially after the ordeal of the previous storm. About mid-day we even ventured out to Lowe's to purchase a toolbox and drawers to organize Fawn's Legos. They were taking over my house -- with Ziploc bags and Pyrex dishes of Legos on just about every surface. It was a great cold day activity. Tuesday night the roads were actually fine and I was able to make it to a long-planned girls dinner at Bistro V. It was a perfect interlude for a long time at home.

This took HOURS.

And drawers for instructions, projects made, and special sets.

Wednesday brought another day of no school -- and Buck's 33rd birthday! The rain would turn to snow and possibly ice at some point, they just didn't know when. I had a sweet nursery worker come to my house in the morning so I could get a couple hours of work done. The meteorologists were suggesting that folks be off the roads by 2 pm, so she stayed until about 11 and then headed on home. Buck came home mid-day, and it just felt so nice to have all of under one roof ready for the weather. We still weren't sure how much precipitation we would get -- the storm was on, then off, then back on again. But, snow did start falling in earnest about 7 pm and we got close to 4 inches. It was awesome, thick, wet snow. I got Fawn out of bed to show him out the window. He was mesmerized. Then, Buck and I enjoyed his birthday dinner before heading outside to play in the snow ourselves. We contemplated waking Fawn up to play, but he seemed really tired Wednesday evening and tiredness is a migraine trigger for him. As much as we would have loved for him to see the snow falling, we really felt like it was in his best interest to get a good night of rest.

Thursday morning came and the snow was a blanket on the ground. To be honest, while beautiful, it wasn't nearly as wonderful to play in as it had been Wednesday evening. Fawn had a hard time making a snowman, but we had fun trying -- and also having a snowball fight and making snow angels. After our playtime in the snow, we headed inside for snow cream which both boys loved. Daddy headed to work -- reporting that the roads were fine -- and the boys and I warmed up inside before venturing out again for a walk. We walked about a mile (Small Fry too!) just looking at snow in yards and playing. By the afternoon, the snow was pretty much gone, and the boys headed back to school Friday.

He has no idea how lucky he is to have seen so much snow in his short life.

Buck has had a snow-filled birthday twice in the last four years.

It really did look like a winter wonderland -- beautiful!

Small Fry was not amused.

Poor, pitiful snowman.

Small Fry found a dry spot on the deck to rest his feet.

Snow selfie.

Buck threw snowballs at Fawn running around in the yard. It was all fun and games until he landed one right on Fawn's face. To be fair, I accidentally did this last year. We are sorry Fawn!!!

Cute picture of these three.

Small Fry's favorite part was the snow cream, of course!

After our walk Fawn wrote his name in the snow.

And then decided he was cold and watched the action from his window.

Of course, Small Fry began to like playing in the snow about the time Fawn was frozen and headed inside.

When I finally got him inside he was soaking wet, but very happy.

It was a peaceful, winter week -- and I was thankful!

More Celebrating Small Fry.

The Friday before Small Fry's birthday, we took Magic Muffins muffin tops to school for his class morning snack. His sweet teachers sent me these pictures of the kiddos enjoying their muffin.

I am amazed by the order and calm. I cannot achieve this with two children, let alone ten toddlers.

Which of these rednecks doesn't belong?

On the afternoon of Small Fry's birthday, after the morning birthday party, we took the boys to the bike park to ride their new bikes. Small Fry didn't quite get the concept of a balance bike yet, but he had fun trying (and looked cute while doing it). Then we stopped by one of Fawn's friend's birthday parties for a bit before heading to dinner at Newk's to celebrate Small Fry. He wanted pizza, so Newk's was a great option!

The wild and crazy side of the table.

Could they be any more serious?

Though we had a breakfast birthday party for Small Fry, we still wanted him to have a birthday cake. In the grand tradition of Nichols' birthdays, it was of the homemade variety. Small Fry chose chocolate with vanilla icing. We didn't have a chance to enjoy it on his actual birthday -- but capped off the birthday weekend with some cake!

Glad Buck had the lighter handy -- Small Fry blew the candle out several times while we were singing.

Here he goes again.

Love that smirk of achievement.

And a proud high five with Daddy.

Eating cake like a big boy.

Big bites don't scare him.

Messy hands do scare him.

And, the meltdown, just to prove he's two.

Love you baby boy -- and loved all of our celebrations!

Small Fry's Second Birthday.

We had a Mickey Mouse birthday party for sweet Small Fry on the morning of his actual birthday -- February 8. He (like his older brother) loves donuts, so we had a breakfast party for our in-town family and the Hendersons (our best friends who are basically family!).

Having a breakfast party turned out great -- we will definitely be doing it again in the future! It was really pretty simple. The night before the party I made sausage ball dough and fruit skewers and did a bit of decorating. And the morning of sweet Buck made the run to Heavenly Donuts, while I baked the sausage balls and finished setting up.

While we were busy getting ready, the boys camped out with Fruit Loops and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Pictures of Small Fry's second year above our fireplace.

The front door -- Come Inside It's Fun Inside! Oh 2-Dles!

The obligatory balloon on the mailbox shot.

The food.

Small Fry is starting to understand limits and counting and numbers. One of his big things now is to shake his finger in the air and say "last time" or "just one more time." He couldn't get enough of Buck's awesome big hugs before his party and kept telling him "one more time."

Sweet embrace.

Last time Daddy.

Oh my sweet boy, you've got my heart.

For the majority of the party, we just enjoyed breakfast -- the little ones also had fun in our playroom. It was wonderful to have the Hendersons join us because Fawn and Small Fry had their favorite playmates.

We ordered Small Fry a special birthday donut -- icing and sprinkles -- and sang to him. He made the funniest faces when he realized he was the center of attention -- it was cracking everyone up! But, he knew what to do and successfully blew out the candle.

I love that Collins and Drennen are in the background here!

And, of course, Small Fry's most cherished Bubby (aka Fawn) is right there with him.

Success (with an assist from the Bub!).

So blessed.

Birthday kisses.

Best buddies! (Though he wouldn't share his donut.)

Then it was present time. The big boys were all a bit too eager to join in the unwrapping -- I had to remove all three of them from the immediate area several times! They weren't being bad -- just trying to "help" -- and Small Fry is now old enough that he wants to do it himself. It was fun, and Small Fry was a happy camper, though.

Easy does it.

Big excitement over the pop gun from Fawn.

Small Fry got a Mickey Mouse blanket, a dump truck and stacking letter blocks from Buck and me. Plus, his big present -- a balance bike. He was so excited and headed outside to try it out!

Happy happy happy.

As the party wound down, the kids and dads migrated to the backyard to enjoy some gorgeous weather.

Great dads with their babies.

What a fun morning celebrating our precious two-year old. It has gone by in a blink, and we wouldn't change a minute of it. We love you sweet boy!