Two and Half!

Well, Dawson boy you've made it to two and a half years old!

You are such a smart, hilarious, kind little boy.  I'm so glad you are a part of our family!  What is going on with you?

 

 

Popsicles from the ice cream truck

 

Well, Dawson boy you are talking up a storm.  You love to read and of course play with trains.  Lately you have also really enjoyed soldier play with your big brother and sister too.  The three of you run around in a big pack shooting up the house with your fingers.  You are jumping with both of your feet off the ground and can draw a circle.  You love to read, and have memorized No David.  

 

Confession:  you are so so ready to potty train.  The interest, ability and will is there, I just haven't been able to find the time to stay at home and work on it.  Plus we are going to Miami in a month and I'd rather not have to worry about a brand new child in underwear during a 17 hour drive.

 

You are also still happily snoozing in your crib.  One of these days we will convert it to a toddler bed, but you are sleeping so well and still napping.  I know the day that we convert it, those naps will go out the window. 

 

 

Your favorites include:  Lara Bars {you call them E bars} grapes, sunbutter sandwiches, waffles, pancakes and oatmeal.  You are starting to branch out in your vegetables, the other day I noticed you ate the entire serving of broccoli on your plate without being asked!  While you do eat ot dogs {hot dogs} they are a special treat and you happily devour chicken and fish on a daily basis.

 

Angel Baby is your best friend, although Trena comes in a close second.  Who is Trena?  Well I'm pretty sure it's an imaginary friend, although one day you also called the black transformer car Trena as well.  You are a very physical kid and have no problems putting Carter in a head lock.  Dawson, you are also a huge charmer and can have almost anyone under your spell in five minutes flat.  It's hard to believe you are growing up so fast, one of these days we are going to be singing Happy Birthday to our three year old!  You are counting to 14, can recognize some letters {especially O} and identify triangle, square, diamond, heart and star.  For whatever reason, circles can confuse you. 

 

See the look on your face?  I think you are plotting to steal your sister's popsicle.

 

Dawson, I love you my sweet lovey boy.  You'll always be my baby and I love watching you grow and develop.  What a great little boy you are growing up to be!

 

Mommy and Daddy 

 

 

Pittsburgh - South Park

When we were in Pittsburgh we spent some time with our family at a park.  It was nice to have cousins for everyone to play with!

 

 

Ava and Leah

 

I think they are first cousins once removed?

 

So if you've met this boy you know he is a charmer.  He had everyone in Pittsburgh laughing over his baby farley impersonations.  They were also pretty grossed out over angel baby.  I've heard tell of him putting it into a puddle swishing it around and then sucking the water out.  I'm pretty sure he has an immune system of steel.

 

Cousins on the slide

 

Poor Carter, Dawson was getting a little rough with him.  Surprised?  Not in the least.

 

Ava got pushes from Meme

 

and a ride from me!

 

Can you believe it was Memorial Day and we were all in sweatshirts and long pants?

Pittsburgh Zoo

This weekend we ventured into Pittsburgh for a graduation party for two cousins and a family reunion.  We had some free time on Saturday morning so we decided to take them to the Pittsburgh zoo.  Giraffees are Ava's favorite animals, and our little zoo does not have any.

 

 

Ava cuddled with her Daddy.

 

We were able to take a picture with an elephant.  Look at the elephant's trunk!  It's tickling Ava's belly!  She was not very happy with this, and moved for the next picture. 

 

 

The elephant was so sweet and let us touch it's legs.  His trainer kept throwing treats into the hay, so he was mainly focused on finding treats.  Apparently Ava must have smelled like a treat!

 

Our Safari stroller.  It's funny how Carter and Ava's legs immediately became too tired to walk.

 

Mike was super happy with his GINORMOUS burger.

 

Although they liked the other animals, the biggest hit was aquarium.  They loved the jellyfish, shark and groupers.  Carter also loved the blue lobster.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins!

 

 

The boys climbed right into the polar bear trap.  Ava was a little more hesitant.

 

We had a fun morning, and then onto more fun with family at a graduation party in the evening.

Big Week!

 
I was so proud of my Carter boy this week.  On Tuesday he went to the library and read to Major, the therapy dog.  He choose a book called Homer by Diane DeGroat.  It is about a dog named Homer who goes and plays a game of baseball at night, and of course Homer hits the winning home run.  He LOVES this story.  Interestingly enough Homer was a golden retriever just like Major! 
 

 

I was proud because I could tell he was nervous but determined to read this book to the dog.  Ava and Dawson had fun too, they love playing with puppies.

Carter wrapped up his last week at preschool.  On Wednesday he went to field day, and he recieved a diploma and book for completing preschool.  It's just so hard to believe in three short months he will be in kindergarten.

Also this week, Ava went to her four year check up.  She grew three inches and gained five pounds this year!  She is growing perfectly and the doctor was impressed after quizzing her on numbers and letters that she knew them all and wasn't even in preschool.  As the doctor was trying to talk to Ava during the exam, she was feeling a little shy.  But no worries, Dawson answered every question for her perfectly!  But she warmed up, and Dawson spent the rest of the time singing "The wheels on the bus."  He loves this doctor's office because all the exam tables are either buses or fire trucks. Now I've got to start thinking about how I'm going to keep these little ones busy this summer! 

Dirty Feet-Enjoying the Spring

This weekend the kids spent a LOT of time outdoors.  While Dad and I spread mulch, cleaned the house, ripped out bushes, and planted the garden the kids did this: 

 

 

which of course ended in:

 

 

They spent a lot of time in the shower this evening!

 

Our Week

 

Last Friday we went to the Mansfield Reformatory on a ghost walk.  Mike had downloaded a super scientific ghost app on his tablet.  

 

It really is a gorgeous old building, full of history.  Don't know If I'm going to go back to do a ghost hunt though........ 

 

 

Carter had a superhero themed day at preschool this week.  He was so excited to wear his spider man mask and shirt.  Even though spider man doesn't have a cape, he still wanted to wear his blue one.

 

I can't believe he has two days left, then he is a KINDERGARTNER!!!!!!

 

Imagine this sound effect with this face:  vrooooooooooooooooom.

 

This is his lawn mower face.

 

 

It never gets old finding notes like this:

 

Dad, you're the best crime fighter.  I love you. 

Fancy Nancy Tea Party

This week we went to a Fancy Nancy Tea Party at our local library.  I knew Ava would be in her element, Fancy Nancy is one of our current reading obsessions, but I was a little worried about how my oldest boy would react.  Turns out I had nothing to worry about! 

 

 

 

First we made crowns

 

Ohh-la-la

 

We sang Frere Jacque, because everything is fancier in French.

 

Then we had refreshments {that's fancy for snacks.}

 

Yes, I have read the Fancy Nancy books one too many times.

 

While Carter and Ava had a ball, this one was decidedly unhappy the entire time.  He was adamant that he is NOT fancy.  He does NOT want to be fancy, and he does NOT want to go to a fancy party.  Too bad little dude, you are just along for the ride today.