School's out for summer!

Friday was the last day of Bode's preschool.  Parents and siblings were invited to attend on this last day.

Me and the Lovely G

The big preschooler

Sitting for a snack

Play time

Hmm....!!!

After songs and play, parents were presented with gifts.  Bode was so proud of his painting. He had a huge smile on his face and was bouncing around on his tip-toes while I unwrapped the present.

The teachers, Ms. Katherine and Ms. Amy, were then presented their gifts by the children.  Each child had made 2 scrapbook pages  with photos and drawings (2 for each teacher), and the pages were compiled into a scrapbook.

Ms. Katherine and Bode

Ms. Amy (blonde hair, above) was very emotional and made us all cry. Okay, not all of us. But I did cry. I am so happy because Ms. Amy got a promotion, and is going to be Bode's teacher next year, too.

Gianna, bored with school already.

RWF and I are very pleased with our school choice. We think it is perfect for Bode.  He will return next year for more school fun!

Happy "graduation," Bode, and I hope that you have a wonderful summer!
xo

The Children's Museum

Today we went to the Children's Museum.  As we were getting out of the car, a school bus pulled up and a bunch of small kids streamed out the door and into the museum.

Ugh.

I wanted to get right back into my car and drive home.  But. As you know, you can't do that when your small children are excited to visit the museum.  So I took a deep breath, took one child's hand in each of my own, and we braved the crowd together.

Gianna in the "classroom"

Bode on the "fire truck"

In the "diner"

In the crafts room

It was two solid hours of fun for Bode and Gianna. I am exhausted, but they had fun!
xo

Early birthday suit

Every year, I buy a birthday shirt for our birthday boy and girl. I always kick myself because I have them wear the shirt the day before or the day of their birthday. And then what? It's over...and it seems pointless to put it on the child because of the inevitable question or comment by a well-meaning stranger, "Oh! Happy Birthday!" and I am forced to admit, "Thanks, but it was a month ago..." Actually, that has never happened because I use  the 'new' birthday shirt for craft days or stay-at-home days only (after the big day).

Not this year! This year, I found some birthday pajamas for little Miss Mia. She can wear them every night or so up until her birthday, and beyond!  Perfect!  

The kitty cat holds a  "Happy Birthday!" banner

(into my lip balm...again!)

She loves the "kit-cat" (kitty cat) on her shirt, and the "i cream" (ice cream cones) on the shorts. I love that my girl has a special birthday outfit that she can wear all month (or more) to commemorate her birthday girl status.

xo

Bode Wm: 44 months

Dear Bode Wm,
You stumbled upon these photos this week:

  And then, coincidentally, I took these photos on Sunday:

And it was when I was reviewing the weekend's photos on my phone when I remembered the ones of when you were 19 months.  I put them together, looked at them, and thought, "BAM! That went fast." And then I had a good cry.

But, enough about me.

You got a big boy haircut this past week.  And it is very fitting, in more ways than one.  You now look more like a big boy.  And if the hair cut is a symbol of change, then it fits. Because this past month, you have changed so much. We can now have conversations about things, we can reason with you, we can ask you to put away your shoes and toys (and you'll usually do it), you are a huge advocate for Gianna, often informing us about why she is crying or what (you think) she needs, and you are just so much fun to be around. So many changes, things I am not even listing, in just one month. How did that happen?  Daddy and I are always asking each other this question.  We can't figure out where or how these changes took place. Is it a developmental milestone? Is it a change in life style? Is it school? Is it a change in our parenting? Is it a combination of everything? Or, is it all just a coincidence? (don't you just love being the starter child?)

Whatever the reason, we like the boy that you are growing up to be, and we are so proud of you.
Love,
Mommy
xo

PS I really, really miss the curls.

Mia Gianna: 23 months

Dear Gianna,

You are such a big girl...almost 2! Mommy can not believe it.  Last night, before bedtime stories, I was filling milk bottles when I heard you and Bode giggling in the bedroom. I ran into the room to see what had you laughing.  Bode had gotten onto the iPad and started a slideshow of photos, complete with "moosic" (how he did it, I have no idea because I wouldn't even know how to do it.).  The photos were of our life in California, when you were a tiny baby girl and Bode was your age - nearly 2 years old.  We sat and watched it together. You and Bode shouted out your respective names whenever your faces appeared. Inside, I got very, very sad.  It is easy to forget that you were once a beautiful little baby girl, who didn't speak like you do now and certainly did not move like you do now.  And we never knew what kind of personality you were going to have...until now. Now, we are getting a glimpse into the little fire cracker you can be, and the sweet little girl who loves everything, too.

You:

- walk up and down the stairs unassisted (and get mad when we try to help you or 'shield' you on the stairs),

- would rather eat meat than any vegetable or sweet,

- will tell me exactly what you don't want to wear,

- love bubbles and bubble baths,

- like to color,

- still get into all the cabinets, pull out stuff, and "rearrange" things,

- can sing, "Rain, rain, go away," "Row, row, row your boat," and the  "ABCs" (kind of, getting there),

- love wearing lip balm (usually destroying  half my lip balms in a week's time), 

- love wearing sun glasses ("sungrasses, mommy" you'll demand), indoors or out, 

- love saying, "No!" in this girly, coy way (that makes your daddy laugh), 

- have your daddy wrapped around your finger ("She's so damn cute," he'll mumble, after you've given him 2 seconds of your time), and

- say, "Oh! Thank you, Mommy!"  in the sweetest little voice ever.

You adore your big brother and watch him intently all the time.  You two will play together when I am making dinner.  You still love hanging out in Bode's room. You like being able to climb up onto his bed, sit there and play or read.  You both have the best time during bath time. You love seeing the bubbles pile up,  to jump in them and cover Bode's head with water and bubbles. You both will lie side by side in the tub on your backs, kicking furiously and laughing hysterically. (I don't particularly love this part of the bath.)

Your birthday is almost here. I don't know what we will do to celebrate it this year. But it will be special, because you are (almost) two, and you are you.

love,
Mommy
xo

Number 3 on the Summer List

We made our Summer List over Memorial Day weekend. I have yet to publish it, but it is sitting on our kitchen counter as a constant reminder.  Number 3 on the Summer List was to ride the carousel in Congress Park.  The carousel opened a couple of weekends ago.  Every time I drove by, it was mobbed with people.

Today was to be our carousel day.  

But first, we stopped for ice cream.

Bode picked "cotton candy" and I'm sure the only reason he picked it was because it is blue.  I selected plain ol' vanilla for Miss Mia.  She had no complaints about that.

Then we walked over to Congress Park.  The carousel was not moving and there was nobody around. I was afraid that it was closed.  But no, they were just waiting for us to show up.  We got our own private carousel ride.  Pretty sweet.

My pics are kind of blurry because I was holding Gianna with one arm while trying to snap pics with my other hand.

After the ride ended, they both had that look in their eyes, saying, "Let's do that again!"  I wavered, but then decided that I didn't want to start something like that. I was worried that I would be calling RWF at 8 PM, saying, "Help! I'm stuck on the carousel!" Luckily, one of the people running the ride announced loudly that we needed to leave through the exit door.  As we left, the man gave Bode and Gianna stickers.  The stickers say "I rode the carousel at Congress Park."

Then we walked through the park to check on Gianna's ducks.  (I think she considers them "her" ducks.)

Everyone left happy.
Hope your Friday was fab!
xo