Jonesie Bug & Freddie Bear: Happy Birthday, Freddie!

Today, our Freddie Bear turns two - or, as he always tells people, "I FREEEEEE!"

We celebrated with the Pressleys yesterday - Mrs. Pressley got a cake and made the traditional New Year's meal, which was DELICIOUS. The boys took their naps right after dinner, and Freddie slept and slept and slept so long that we almost opened his presents FOR him. When he finally DID wake up, we got right down to the party part.

Jeremy lit the cake candle and put it in front of Freddie, who had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what to do with it. He just kind of smiled at it and tried to spit on it, until his daddy blew the candle out for him. Then, presents - trucks, an airport, and a "saldy" ("salad") from DahDah, because the boys LOVE playing with kitchen stuff.

This morning, he woke up to a donut breakfast (with candles that he STILL didn't know how to blow out. I came to his aid this time), and we spent some time with Mayme and Pop before going out to Outback for lunch. We almost never go there, but because Tennessee won yesterday in the Outback Bowl, there were free Bloomin' Onions, so ...

At one point - and this is most definitely too much information - Freddie was sitting at the head of the table, when he leaned up and grasped both sides of his chair. He looked really strained - really pained. I asked, "What's wrong, Buddy?" He grunted, "Stinky winky." Then, a few seconds later, he sat back down and triumphantly announced, "I DID it!"

How nice of you to tell us, Son. That to say, I definitely think he's ready for potty training ... more ready than his big brother, probably.

After naps, we went to Publix, so Jeremy could buy what he needed to make his (read: Jamie Deen's) famous chili. Also, they have a "car buggy," so the boys were easy to convince to come along.

Now, it is not AT ALL unusual for Jones to randomly hug and love on Freddie. Freddie, however, doesn't do this.

Until today.

Jeremy was pushing the boys around Publix when, out of nowhere, Freddie puts his arm around Jones to give him a big hug. I could see what he was in the act of doing, so I pulled out Jeremy's phone camera and started snapping.

What transpired has to be the most "brother" story ever:

While Freddie hugged Jones (1), Jones responded by turning his head toward in. I thought he was going to kiss him (2) ... until he shot him (3). Jones pulled away from Freddie's hug, pointed his finger at him, and started saying, "Pow pow. Pow pow."

So much for "brotherly love."

So love our Freddie Bear.