Promotion

This is late, but totally worth posting.  Brian's Preschool Promotion Ceremony took place in late May.  I was nervous about how it would go because large crowds and Brian don't always work out.  I was even more nervous when he fell asleep on the way to school.  Waking up and Brian don't always work out.  As with most everything this past year, Brian far exceeded my expectations and made me prouder than I could have ever thought possible.  He is such a good, sweet boy.  I just love him to death.

He started off a little lukewarm.  We had to take Baby Kangaroo in just to get him in the door. 

He spent most of the first few songs just like this.  Arms crossed.  Slight smile.  Not gonna do it.

Then the fingers went in the mouth.

But you know what?  I didn't care.  He was standing.  In line.  Just like his peers.  He wasn't running around.  He wasn't crying.  He was doing what three year old boys do.  He was being shy.  I LOVED IT!

Then all of a sudden his foot started to tap.  I could see him fighting the urge to participate.

And then came the part when they had to take a partner and slow dance.  That smart teacher, Ms. Anita, God bless her, she put Brian with a pretty blonde.  He was sunk.  Participating was no longer an option.  He had a girl to impress.

So he jumped when he was supposed to jump.

And he counted when he was supposed to count...my smart boy, he knows to copy off the smart, older girl!!

And he itsy bitsy spidered.

And he went on a bear hunt.

Can't go around it...

That bear had BIG GREEN EYES!!! 

And he listened to the presentation and watched the slide show.

He clapped for his friends.

And yelled out when he saw them on the big screen.  "That's Brad!"  Haha!!

He marched to the stage to receive his diploma.

He happily looked through the adorable book the teachers created about their year.

And finally it was time to say goodbye to all his friends.

And pose for some pictures for mom.

And get a gift from Nana.

I couldn't be prouder.  Can you tell?

FOUR

Dear Brian Thomas,

Today you are four.  My sweet boy, this has certainly been a banner year. You began occupational therapy and switched speech therapists.  We welcomed your baby sister.  You started preschool.  We moved.  You changed preschools.  You got a new occupational therapist.  You decided it was okay to eat meat.  You (FINALLY) decided potty training was cool.  You played soccer.  You grew.  You changed.  You became a big boy.  Whew, that makes me tired just to type!

Last week we went to the developmental pediatrician.  Boy was she floored by the changes in you.  She asked if we ever wanted to come back and see her.  What a difference a year makes.

I say all the time you are a work in progress, but what a wonderful work you are.  We still have speech goals and OT goals to meet.  You do have your bad days.  But you are on your way, little boy!

Auntie La La commented the other day that you are at a fun age.  It's true.  You are so fun right now.  You participate in conversations.  You are hysterical and you know it.  You love to make people laugh.  You LOVE your baby sister.  Sometimes a little bit too much.  And boy does she love you.  You are sweet and caring.  You are charming and very, very handsome.  Someone the other day called you "delightful."  I wouldn't go that far every minute of every day, but you certainly can be quite delightful when you choose to be!

You love to play.  Especially with other kids.  You still love cars.  You LOVE your new swing set and being outside in general.  You love water and play doh.  You still love to read.  Even manuals.  If you get a new toy that has to be put together, you are always the first to consult the manual.  Daddy called you a micro-manager yesterday when we were getting ready for your party.  It's true.  You like things to be done a certain way and you don't hesitate to let us know if we aren't doing something to your standards!!

I am always sad to see you grow older because I so miss the things that were a part of your baby and toddler years.  But this year, I'm more okay with it.  I think it's because I have seen how much you have grown and developed this past year.  And I am so excited for what this next year will bring for you.

Little man, we love you so, so much.  You inspire so many people who love you.  You continue to overcome great obstacles with a huge grin on your face and a shining light in your eyes.  I hope you will always face everything life throws at you as you do now-head on and in your own way.  You may march to the beat of a different drum, but it's a beat we love and are very proud of.

Happy Birthday, Brian Thomas!

Love,
Mama

Pre Vacation Photo Dump

Right before we left on vacation, I dumped all of the photos on the camera into a file on my desktop.  I finally went through them last night.  They are a good depiction of what we did during our days prior to leaving for Pawleys.  Here are some of them...

We babysat for "baby Gavin" on a random Monday.  The kids had a ball playing together!

We went to the butterfly show one day.  Brian tried so hard to catch the little critters, but he moves too much!  Several landed on Lilah and one landed on my head!

We went to the zoo for a special "Wake Up on the Wild Side" event.  Lilah got to pet a penguin!  Brian was not having it, so he didn't get to.  He couldn't understand why we had to do the planned events.  When he's at the zoo, he's used to deciding what we see and when.

I love the guy in the background's reaction to Lilah petting the penguin!  And I look somewhat disgusted...not sure why!

Mama and Pappy worked with Brian on his baseball skills, which Nana thought was hi-larious.  (Not the Pappy part, the Mama part.)  Sometimes the best coaches were never the best players...just sayin'!

And just a few cute ones...

Look Mom, no hands!

A Few More Vacation Phots

One of the best things about where we stay on vacation is that it's on a golf course!  Brian loves it.  We packed his putter in the suitcase this year. 

My two good kids...

More fun in the surf...

At the Marsh Walk...

The Marsh Walk is one of our favorite places to visit (aside from the beach OBVIOUSLY)!  It's just a boardwalk type place and is actually a popular place to go drink (haha!), but we like it because Brian can RUN!  It's a great place to wear him out before bedtime!!

Lilah, 11 Months

Oh my, do you see that title?  That's one short month away from ONE YEAR.  Tears...

My baby girl, you are as sweet and devilish as ever at 11 months.  I marvel with how cuddly and adorable you can be one second and in an instant you can flash that devilish grin and be into something I never even thought of!  You crack me up.

You have had four teeth coming in on top since the end of your 10th month.  One is all the way in now, one partially and the other two keep popping in and out.  You are living on tylenol at night and who can blame you?

You are standing on your own for quite some time now, but don't seem all that interested in taking steps yet.   No worries here, I can wait!  You are nursing well still...although with all those teeth it can be quite painful at times!! 

You eat everything we offer to you and unfortunately everything your brother leaves for you as well.  This means you have eaten your fair share of goldfish crackers, cheese its, etc...things we would never have allowed your brother to eat this stage.  Clearly you are not allergic.  I even gave you animal crackers this week which you loved.  You know exactly what to do with those teeth!

We love you so much little girl.  You are precious and you entertain us every minute.

Here are Lilah's 11 month chair pics.  I had to post two.  I love the smiling one, but the second is of her attempting to pull the sticker off of her onesie which is totally reflective of her punky personality!

 

Pawleys Pics

Today was our last beach day before we head home tomorrow.  We don't have to get on the plane until 2:35, but we feel like we probably can't pull off the beach before we do.  Brian said goodbye to everything before we left today.  "Bye beach, bye shells, bye ocean.  See you next year!"  I love that boy!


He decided his job in life this week was to obtain water from the ocean to use in our sand castle making.  He would take off with a bucket yelling, "I get the water mama.  I be right back!"  Once he collected his water, he would turn around facing us, but completely disoriented.  He would yell, "Mama!  Mama?  Where are you?"  Once I managed to get his attention, he would smile and take off running in my direction shouting, "Mama!  I got the water!  I come right back!"  Man I love that boy!

Lilah on the other hand, decided her purpose in life this week was to eat sand.  We expected it.  We just assumed she would use her hands to gather it.  Love that girl!

Both kids loved the water, which was not a huge surprise! 

 

Although Lilah had an interesting method of getting to it!  Love her!

Both kids liked the alligators too!

Lilah especially enjoyed having her BFF Amelia with us!  Man she loved on that poor baby!!

Overall it was a week full of sun, smiles, sand and splashing.  What more could a kid want?