Spa Night

Please don't tell Dad we gave Ryan a mud mask and moisturizing treatment! We're just trying to teach him the value of conscientious hygiene.

Good

Our big boy is really working on his enunciation these days: Good.

Baseball Game

Look at me at my first MLB game with Dad! As his daughter, I am contractually obligated to be a Red Sox fan, but he said I can still enjoy cotton candy and the Rays.

Boo Boo

Talon is the new Tate. Talon is a little boy in Ryan's class who constantly terrorizes his friends, just like my old nemesis, Tate. Now all of Ryan's injuries get blamed on Talon, even this knee scratch that he earned by falling on the way into his checkup: Boo Boo. 

Bedtime Story

Ryan's new favorite book is The Little Engine That Could (aka."Engine Could") a birthday gift from Aunt Joy Joy and Big Mike. He loves for me to read to him: Bedtime Story.

Boy Stuff

Mom and Dad are not exactly hipsters looking to fight against gender stereotypes, they just let us like what we like. But, to be honest, I would love to brainwash Ryan into being my little sister. I'm thrilled when he takes a break from shouting, running, and bashing long enough to appreciate a good snuggle and affection. 

He stays busy racing/throwing/smashing his cars. But I taught him how to politely line them up after a race so they don't disturb sweet old Maggie in her new favorite safe spot.

I help him play in the kitchen, baking cookies...

and tucking his vicious sharks and dinosaurs in for Night Night after a good fight.

I supervise him as he nimbly removes the tires from all vehicles with his teeth, mainly to give Mom and Dad anxiety when I report "Mom, Ryan has a choking hazard!".

And I help him find Blue Blanket when he's feeling tired. I haven't completely feminized him, but I'm hoping my influence will at least teach him to grow up to be nice and appreciate girls. 

Being 5

Being 5 years old is pretty awesome. Mom says I am the most empathetic, loving, nurturing little girl she has every met. I found a butterfly in our yard that had probably already gone to heaven, but I took it inside and made a little bed with fern leaves and drops of water to nurse it back to health. And don't even get me started on how much I love being a second Mommy to this cuddle monkey.

I am also very attentive to my furry brother and sister,

making sure they are comfortable, warm, and stocked with readily available toys.

 

I love animals and nature. It takes me forever to walk to the car at home and at school because I need to stop and watch every lizard and ant, or pick the tiniest possible flower in the weeds.  I even love to collect little plastic creatures, too. These guys represent the two peacocks that live in our neighborhood. 

Being 5 means that I can be proud of taking care of myself by eating healthy foods and making big muscles with gymnastics. And I was so excited to tell my doctor all about it, especially knowing that I didn't have to get shots at my checkup!

Nobody mentioned the finger stick for a blood check at the 5 year old visit. Not cool.

It helps that I can snuggle into my sleeping bag at night after stressful days.

And focus on my new obsession, Les Miserables. The music is spellbinding, and the two handsome boys, Marius and Gavroche are totally marriage material. Mom had to explain some parts of the movie, like why the yucky guy was hugging Fantine, or why Eponine was cry-singing in the rain, or why Javert decided to jump into the Paris river for a swim. It would be so funny if we had to sing every word to each other in real life.  Even Ryan loves the soundtrack, and asks for "LOOK DOWN!" every time we get in the car.

If this is what growing up feels like, I like it.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

 

Our favorite boy is 2 years old! We gave him a fun filled weekend to celebrate, including a Lightning McQueen and Mater cake (eaten while seeing his Georgia cousins on FaceTime)...

a semi-naked Skype session with his Boston family, 

and a trip to Busch Gardens during a band of thunderstorms.

It was kind of awesome to play in the rain! Dad says there is no El Nino this year, so we've been having thunderstorms from noon to bedtime every single day.

The 3000 pound hippos didn't let a little thunder stop their fun, and neither did we!

 

Plus, we got to see our old friend, Orangutan.  He climbed all the way down from his perch in the tree to say Hi at the window.

 

  He was studying us like we were the animals on display, and we were mesmerized by his incredibly human eyes.

Sometimes we wonder if maybe Dad should be in an exhibit... 

 

Mom says she adores our little monkey at this age, and hopes that he will always love her as much as he does right now.