![Hold Back the Dawn [DVD] Charles Boyer; Olivia de Havilland; Paulette Goddard](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AkExBJQsL._SL75_.jpg)
He's an ICK
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 05:44PM 
Rhett Gregory Porter, age two ... wearing the birthday outfit we bought for him
Yes I said ICK.
Our Rhett is an Insanely Cute Kid.
We celebrated him all last weekend because on Sunday, he turned two.
No one could ever say we don't thoroughly enjoy all of our babies.
Rhett was thrilled at the prospect of turning two
And he got the most out of his birthday, loving every nanosecond of it.
On Saturday we had his actual party.
It was at our house and featured a menu a lot like our other summer parties: hamburgers and hot dogs done on the grill, potato salad, barbecue beans, deviled eggs, baked macaroni and cheese.
And birthday cake.
The theme for the party was motorized modes of transportation
In this case, Rhett's mother made him a cake in the shape of a great big two. Chocolate, with chocolate icing.
The theme Erica chose was transportation. That's because like most little boys, Rhett loves cars and planes and trains and so forth.
Plus, she said, it was easy.
Ever notice that all kids' birthday parties now have to have a theme?
I wish I had pictures like this of my kids but alas, I do not
It was not that way when I was a kid. In fact I don't remember any birthday parties.
Well, there was that one where I invited a bunch of kids from school and nobody came.
We moved a lot -- usually twice each school year. As a result, no one knew who I was.
(No; it wasn't because we were military. For various reasons, most involving the law, we were transients.)
I put my stash of toy cars on display
But I digress.
Now with the grandkids, when the subject of an impending birthday party arises, I always ask: What is your theme?
It's the new normal.
In keeping with said theme, Erica had gone to Hobby Lobby and bought Rhett a plain red t-shirt, then embellished it with appliques of a big two, and various vehicles to include a tractor and a taxi and an ambulance.
He sported a Birthday Boy badge
I have four die-cast pull-back cars that stay in a drawer in the TV room. There are red and yellow Chevrolets (I call them ketchup and mustard), plus a black Chevy and a black Cadillac.
Rhett runs to get them almost the moment he walks into the house.
(That's if he's not pulling on the freezer drawer to get at the mini marshmallows I keep in there just for him.)
I got the cars out this time, before he had a chance, and put them on the table as part of the decorations.
Semi-homemade: make it from the box, then add buttermilk and shredded cheese, then more cheese on top, and bake
In no time flat he had filched the cars from the Lazy Susan and was playing with them. Ah well.
Erica kept it simple with a few banners, and several cake decorations that were stuck in on sticks.
It was cute. She also had three big blocks spelling out his age.
We went out on the front porch to get shots of him with those.
The man of the hour poses with his homemade two-shaped birthday cake
Erica had been reading him a story book about a little kid having a birthday, and tying it in with his own.
As a result, Rhett was more than clued in on what the day was all about.
He was so excited and happy to pose. Priceless.
Then I got a few shots of him back inside, with his birthday cake.
Pretty snazzy ... and it tasted good too
In due time the vittles were ready so we all sat down to eat.
Rhett is a foodie and a chow hound from the word go, so he was enthusiastic about this development.
He ate every bite of what was on his plate.
We decided to go ahead and have cake and coffee, and open presents, because everyone wanted to go swimming.
Naturally there were balloons bobbing overhead
Erica gave Rhett a big slab of cake that had been left over after making the two cake.
He devoured about half of that, and then it was time for presents.
Because he very badly needed a nap.
The grandchildren mostly sleep in their pack and play apparatuses, set up in TG's and my room by their parents when they visit.
There were loads of birthday gifts and greetings
Kids sleep really well in our room. For one thing, it's quiet and for another, it's cool and, with the shades down, dim.
But first it was time for those gifts and Rhett seemed to know instinctively that this was the makings of an extra good time.
He carefully looked at all of his cards while his mother read them to him.
She encouraged him to pull the tissue paper out of the gift bags and to tear gift wrap off where necessary.
He was chuffed when this tray of food was presented to him
He got a Stanley FlowSteady Bear Cub bottle from Audrey and Dagny. They had tucked two one-dollar bills into his card, and it was obvious that he was appreciative of the cash.
They also gave him a purple plush crescent moon.
Rhett is fascinated with the moon and looks for it whenever he goes outside -- day or night.
Once he locates it, he begins pointing and saying moooon! Even if it's not visible except in his imagination.
He dug in and ate it all
TG and I also got him a Celestial Buddies moon toy. Like the purple plush moon, it has legs.
We also got him a copy of Goodnight Moon in board book format.
Aunt Stephanie and family gave him a Leap Frog 100 Animals book.
Uncle Andrew and Aunt Brittany sent a toy push lawn mower that produces bubbles as you work.
This was taken on Father's Day, at church. Rhett is known for his woebegone look.
Our friend Andrea from church had been invited to the party. She gave him a Spike the Ankylosaurus toy.
TG and I also got him a whole outfit, including suspenders and a bow tie, plus several more shirts and pairs of shorts.
There were coloring books and crayons and snack pods and all manner of other things for him to have and play with and enjoy and do.
Contemplating the many implications of turning two
That portion of the party concluded, Chad and Erica put Rhett down for a nap.
We all went outside and most of us got in the pool. Eventually Rhett woke up and joined us.
He is obsessed with jumping off the side into Chad's arms, then climbing out and doing it again.
After about fifty times, Chad was tired of that game and Rhett was encouraged to let his mother hold him as she walked around in the shallow end.
This will be nice to take on trips
Several weeks ago Audrey was at Aldi and saw an adorable bath towel that has a hood and covers the whole child and even snaps on the sides.
She got one for Rhett, and when I saw it, I sent TG to Aldi so that he could get one for me to send to Ember.
Hers is pink and blue with a whale motif, but Rhett's is a dinosaur theme.
Also I think you will like this story. A couple of weeks ago Erica was bringing Rhett over so that they could swim.
Ember Rae in her towel from Aldi. Photo courtesy Brittany Weber
Bring a sun hat for him, I said. We were texting.
Rhett will not wear sunglasses -- we have tried -- but he needs something to keep the bright hot day out of his eyes when he's in the pool.
It's brutal this time of year.
But -- He doesn't have one, she responded.
Show me the money, honey
TG was going out. I asked him to stop by Dollar General and see if they had a child-sized sun hat for Rhett to wear in the pool.
He came home with not only a doozy of a hat, but a tale to tell.
There had been some confusion in the aisle where he found the hat -- labeled, weirdly, One Size Fits All -- which he suspected would be technically too big for Rhett, but which might work nonetheless.
A near-total lunar eclipse
But he couldn't figure out the price. Indications in the area where he found it were that it would run him either five dollars or eight dollars.
He took it to the till and asked the cashier if she could tell whether the hat was five dollars or eight dollars.
I know you're thinking, just scan it. I said as much during the story telling phase of the completed mission, once TG had come home with the hat.
Mowing the concrete around the pool appears to be serious business
He held his hand up as if to say, Wait for it.
The cashier rang up the hat. It cost one cent. As in, a penny.
One cent! That's all they wanted for that hat.
TG said well he thought he'd take it at that price. If Rhett couldn't wear it, someone could.
All evidence to the contrary, wearing this hat did not make Rhett sad
And it IS too big, but Rhett loves it and certainly will have a sun hat now for many years to come.
This hat is nice. Thick fabric and a chin strap and little vents, and it even has the snaps on the sides, if you want to change the look of your brim.
He wears it with his towel and it's pretty comical.
Handy snaps on the side. This may in fact be a fishing hat.
A note about Rhett's woebegone facial expressions. He looks miserable but he isn't. It's just Rhett. He will pull a poker face and refuse to smile even when he's having a good time.
Although Rhett overwhelmingly favors his dad, he looks a lot like his mother as a child when he does what I call his mournful face. She did the same thing as a kid.
Posing with his beloved cousin Nah-nee (Dagny) after church on his birthday
So don't worry that he wasn't enjoying himself. He was. It's just his way. The more we ask him to smile, the more he won't.
In a few months he will have a baby brother to hold and love, and we don't think he knows what's about to hit him. He won't be the only game in town any more.
But that's part of life. And siblings are a pretty great part of life.
Before Rhett gets to meet his little brother, Ember will get to meet hers.
It was an occasion marked with laughter and love
Andrew and Brittany's son is due to arrive in about five weeks.
Two more ICKs in the lineup.
Here on the home front, we'll be lining up the pack and plays in our bedroom by Thanksgiving, for afternoon naps.
I can tuck the tired mamas up in our bed at the same time if need be. It will be fine.
And that is all for now except to say: Have you any ICKs in your life? Tell me about them.
=0=0=0=
Happy Wednesday
Reader Comments (22)
Happy Birthday to an ICK! Rhett really is adorable, and now I know how adorable he is in person too.
I love the hat and the price tag too!
He had a fun party and got some great gifts. We have the bubble blowing lawn mower. We got it for Andy when he was a kid and it still works!
I can't wait to see the next ICK's in the Weber family.
PS - it's not only the kids who sleep well in your bedroom! :)
Well, I know you know about the two ICK's in my life! Happy Birthday to Rhett. He's adorable and looks like he loved his party! I love his birthday outfit!!
@Mari ... girrrrrl don't I know it? I sleep in there every night and it's always a treat. I'm so glad you and Bon got to experience it. You've got three ICKs that I would love to see in person! xoxo
@Jeaneatte ... yes I know those two ICKs of yours by name! And they do certainly live up to the label. xoxo
Good morning to you and your ICKy post.
The blue outfit is so darn cute. The cake can't be beat, and that hat is too darn wonderful.
Happy Birthday to Rhett!! This entire post is just adorable. He is such an ICK! I love the cake and all of the food looks delicious. That outfit that you picked for him is just TOO darn cute. He looks like a true southerner. I can't believe that hat was a penny. He'll be able to use that for years! Take care and stay cool my friend.
@AC ... I know, right? I am sure that if I had gone to DG and found that hat, it would not have been a penny. TG has the magic touch. xoxo
@Lori ... Yes I thought he looked like a true southern gentleman in that outfit! I love a little kid in suspenders and a bow tie so I was thrilled to find that set. And I think the hat will serve him well until he's grown! You stay cool too. We are "enjoying" hundred-degree days! Today's a pool day, haahaha! xoxo
Hello Jenny,
Oh my what a grand party. I loved this post, as always you write so well and make me smile.
Happy Birthday to that ICKy boy!!!
I love the hat, the story and the price. Ha!
Happy Summer Days,
Carla
That Rhett is one cute lil guy, even with the woebegone face. Looks like he had quite a day.
@Carla ... Awww you are too kind but if I make you smile, my job is done. Yes that is quite an impressive lid for a penny! Today was a pool day and in Rhett's absence (he was napping), others wore it! It really does fit everyone. Happy Summer Days to you too, friend! xoxo
@Tres Bon ... I know, right? He is quite something. We just laugh at his long face, haha xoxo
Happy birthday to Rhett! He is adorable.
@Jane ... Isn't he though? Good to see you, friend! xoxo
Geez! He has such Beautiful eyes! I think he "knows things"! lol He's just adorable!
Ember and Dagny are gorgeous! ALL your babies are!
Your parties always sound SO fun! Enjoy the family sweetheart...make those memories!
Big Hug
Donna
@Donna ... Haahaha yes his eyes are the eighth wonder of the world ... what he knows is that he's looking for the next mealtime, haaahaa! xoxo
A wonderful celebration for someone who is 2 Cute!!! We just attended my youngest grandchild’s 2nd birthday today. The theme was Cookie Monster and my daughter made one of her amazing cakes. Bubble mowers are the best! HappyBirthday Rhett! You are already very popular with the ladies, I bet. That outfit is darling, Jennifer.
@Bijoux ... oh, happy second birthday to your youngest grand. Isn't that a precious age? I know the cake your daughter made was one for the history books. It's such fun to celebrate the babies and yes, Rhett makes the girls smile and we are always angling for his kisses. Handsome little rascal, haaaha! xoxo
Unbeatable outfit - gala in blue - dear ones... happy second birthday to Rhett.
I was so happy to follow this great celebration... ah the cake and the lovely old toy cars... but most of all, the many lovely photos of Rhett. And, yes - the hat is a hit, especially because of the snaps on the side.
All the best wishes to you all.
Hug of Viola
@Viola ... So good to see you! Yes it was quite the moment and best of all, I think Rhett truly enjoyed all the goings-on around his birthday. That was fun to see. Happy August! xoxo
Howdy there Jenny, and happy HOT HOT SUMMER, LOL! Loved this post and all the fun pictures, Wow, little Rhett is growing SO FAST! Love that first picture, all dressed up in his stylish outfit, I think you said y'all got that one for him? Fancy little britches and fancy lil suspenders, so cute! And that bow tie!! Seriously, is he really TWO already. Seems like he was JUST BORN!!??
Like you, I don't remember ANY THEMES to b/day parties when I was a little girl. You just got invited, you dressed in your SUNDAY BEST, and showed up. Little girls wore dresses and their patent-leather shoes and frilly short socks, little boys came in a good pressed shirt, nice pants, long or short, very much like little Rhett has on in that first picture. There were ties and suspenders too. And little girls had "can cans" frilly and stiff, under their dresses. (usually called crinolines now). We played pin the tail on the donkey and drop the clothespin into the milk bottle, and other games. There was cake and ice cream, Maybe a big bowl of punch! But no theme. The "theme" was BIRTHDAY PARTY.......HA HA HA LOL
Love seeing the pictures of all the festive things like the presents and the balloons......but the best one to me is that awesome colorful CAKE!!!
So he likes the moon? Not sure how late he is up, for the moon or not......but if so, hope they take him outside to take a gander at the big big bright shiny SUPERMOON tonight!! Hopefully it will be clear and we can see it good tonight. There is a meteor shower as well. I think the moon is the "Sturgeon Moon" and we will have two Supermoons this month, in August. Next is the Blue Moon, I think!!?
ps, love the cute little hooded towels!!
take care! Hugs, and STAY COOL AND HYDRATED!
Oh my! What a cutie! That sounds like an extra special birthday! Thanks for all those sweet pictures and the info about the delicious food! So who's next to be celebrated by the family? Your menu sounds delightful. Bless you all!
@Debbi ... I am chagrined to say that I have missed both the supermen and the Sturgeon moon, except to read about them online. I'm so ashamed. I hope Chad and Erica took Rhett outside to see them! Yes that's how birthday parties used to be done ... dress up and play pin the tail on the donkey! I myself never had a party like that but I've seen enough vintage TV and movies to know that that's the case. Anyway I'm okay with themes since it's the way things are done now. Yes HOT and we have been in the pool almost every day. It's the only way to be outside and not perish! Haahaha xoxo
@Gayla ... Hello friend! Good to see you. Well let's see who's next ... I guess that would be our Stephanie, whose birthday we celebrate over the Labor Day weekend since her birthday is 9/9! I've already got her presents ready. But before then we will have a NEW birthday in Baby Guy who is to be born before the end of August! Mercy. The calendar is getting crowded! I hope you're having a good summer. xoxo