Hot, so hot

Summer's here! It was really hot today so we cooled off after daycare with the watertable on the patio.  The kids played nicely with their toys and Clare was such a big help to Mommy by helping to water all the plants on the patio.

Once Clare started fussing with her flip flops and Sean said he needed to take a "little rest," Mommy knew it was time to get back inside.

After coming inside, the kids made sure their pet pony - "Rody Cowboy" -  was fed and then Sean changed into dry clothes...

...and Clare opted to stay only in her pull-up as the kids relaxed in the air conditioning for a little bit before dinner.

Memorial Day

The kids were up bright and early on Memorial Day Monday - excited from having slept over at Pop Pop and Grummy's house!  After playing with toys for a little while, we went outside to look for ducks swimming in the lake and blow bubbles on the deck.

Then we went inside for breakfast ...

... and some chores :-)

We went back outside to ride bikes and play on the "big playground" next to Pop Pop and Grummy's house.

Then we took a walk in the coach over to the "little playground" -

Getting tired, kids?

Nope! Just waiting for a second wind so we can go to the beach! It was good to be back at the beach and to see so many people on the beach despite the very cool ocean breeze - Jersey Strong!

 

After the beach, it was time for dinner - and more playing!

Birthday BBQ

We had a bunch of friends and family over for the kids' birthday party.  Dark skies loomed during most of the party and we even heard thunder once or twice, but the rain held off until right before the party broke up. 

 

Sean beamed when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" but Clare was not so keen. But she braved the song and was rewarded with a big piece of yummy cake (with blueberries on the side!):

We had a Mickey Mouse/Minnie Mouse theme ...

complete with party hats!

The kids had a great time and ran around like maniacs.  Both were so tired at the end of the party and went to sleep promptly, but they were up bright and early the next morning - excited to be TWO and FOUR!!

Audience

I was feeling some pressure Sunday night while making dinner ... I wonder why:

Two Year Well Visit

We took Baby Clare to her two year well visit last week.  The pediatrician said she looks great - she's healthy, talking well, and hitting all her developmental milestones.

 

We also got her current stats:

Height: 35.75 inches (92nd percentile)

Weight: 33lbs 8oz (98th percentile)

Head: 20 inches (99th percentile)

 

 While waiting for the doctor to come to check on Clare, Sean worked in his

tracing workbook while Clare cheered him on :-)

 

"Yay Show-nee!"

Four.

Seanybear, you turned four yesterday. You've had this milestone in your mind for a while now because you equate being four with being "bigger" which would put you in charge around here :-) In fact, you're so excited to get bigger that today you asked me how many days it will take for you turn five!

 

Let's see ... at four years old:

-You know all your letters by sight and sound and can figure out how words are spelled by listening to them spoken. You love to practice writing by tracing words that are written and working in work books.

-You can count "up to really high numbers" and can even do simple math.

-You love to read books and you get so excited when it's time to go to the library. We always leave the library with a tote bag stuffed with books about superheroes, trucks, animals, Thomas the Tank Engine, Curious George, and outer space.

-A typical weekend is spent playing soccer, eating snacks, running around outside and inside, building, napping, watching tv or a movie (or both!), and generally being silly.

-You are very curious and it's neat to be with you while you work things out in your brain - usually by asking "Why?"

-You try very hard to be a good listener, but sometimes it's hard to keep your listening ears on.

-You absolutely love your little sister, Baby Clare - especially now that she's older and can keep up with you!

-Eating is hit or miss with you these days, but I know we'll hear no complaints with PB&J, grilled cheese, yogurt, fruit, milk and cereal, waffles, pancakes, and quesadillas.

-It is so fun to sit and chat with you and hear what's on your mind, listen to the stories you have to tell, and help you figure out how to interpret the world around you.

-You're very independent and like to be a "big kid", but sometimes you just want to sit on Mommy's lap or have Daddy carry you around - and we love that :-)

 

And here are your Winnie photos at four years old, you sweet, silly boy:

"Baby Clare can sit here, too!"

Measuring you and Clare on the growth chart -
You're showing Clare how many notches she needs to "get" before she catches up to you

Two!

Baby Clare, you turned two on Monday!! It's hard to believe that just two years ago, you were a teeny, tiny, seven pound bundle :-)  Now you are a chatty "beeg guhrl" with a very strong independent streak. 
-You know most of your colors (your favorites are pink and purple) and you can pretty well count up to 10. You know a lot of shapes and your favorite one is a circle.
-You love reading books!  You can sit quietly by yourself for a good long time leafing through books.
-You're such a little fashionista - you love to pick out your own necklaces, shoes, and sunglasses to wear and no bag is safe from being toted away by you.
-It seems like suddenly you're talking all the time and in complete sentences, too.  However, your favorite phrase seems to be "my do it!" as in "Don't you dare help me - I will do this myself!"
-You love your older brother ("Show-nee"), there is no doubt about that. You are always trying to take care of Sean (bringing him snacks and drinks) while simultaneously trying to keep up with him. Whatever he does, you happily copycat, for better or worse :-) 
-You're such a good eater - there aren't many foods that you don't like (onions are the only thing coming to mind right now). Whenever I sit down to eat, you always ask sweetly, "My have some?" Your favorite foods right now are yogurt (any flavor), craisins, Kix cereal, and cheese.  We got some (Florida) blueberries the other day as a treat and you gobbled them right up!
-You still get your paci ("Gacki") at night. Most everyday you go from breakfast until bedtime without it and you don't really seem to miss it unless you get shy or frustrated - and then you look for your Gacki.
-You love music! You love to sing and you love to dance! Anytime a song is playing, you start moving your little hips and hum along.  Your favorite songs right now are the ABC song and Happy Birthday :-)

You had a good birthday on Monday, starting with Seany gently waking you up by waving his noisy fighter jet over your crib. As soon as you were up and about, Sean gave you a BIG birthday hug and kiss and told you that you're the "best little girl ever." Aww.

 

 Soon you were dressed up in your birthday outfit and it was time for your two-year-old photos with Winnie!

(Seany is making faces and noises at you to try to get you to sit still)

You had a wonderful day at school, your friends made you a card that was bigger than you! At afternoon snack, the teachers brought Sean to your class and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to you and you all dug into chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles - yum!

At home, we had a big dinner of blueberry pancakes followed by - another cupcake!

 

 

Happy Birthday, Clare!