This kid is at a tough stage right now--his vocabulary just isn't big enough to express his wants and needs--but it's hard to stay mad at this messy, smiley face for too long

It was walk-to-school day today so we loaded up the kids and paraded up the sidewalk from our neighborhood to school.  Love that almost the entire bus stop joined in on the fun!

This kid is a fish!  He's been working hard since November to be able to make the swim team this summer.  He has to swim a 25m freestyle in 60 seconds to make the team.  Lots of hard work and he can do it!!!  At his last lesson, he swam a 50m free and a 100m backstroke!  We are so proud of him!!!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  The Easter Bunny brought some treats and we're spending the day with family (MaMa and Pop are coming over for lunch).  We even had an early morning egg hunt.

Easter Eggs

We took some time this afternoon to dye easter eggs.  JG and Delia always enjoy the process, and I managed to keep Henry occupied elsewhere for one more year.  Next year I'm sure he'll be in the middle of things :)

Kings Dominion

John took the last day of spring break off and MaMa was wonderful enough to hang out with Henry, so we took the big kids to Kings Dominion for the afternoon! I haven't been there since I was a teenager and I'm glad to see they have spruced it up a bit.  JG is tall enough to ride some BIG rides and Delia is getting braver each time!  I was lucky enough to ride the Rebel Yell with JG and it was sooooo much fun!

Afternoon with the bigs

John took this afternoon off from work so we could spend some quality time with the big kids. We took them to the Science Museum and saw a shark movie in the newly refurbished IMAX dome. Then, we decided to "celebrate" with dinner at Shyndigz, an amazing dessert restaurant.  We had cake for dinner!

JG ordered the Kitchen Sink--pie with chocolate chips, marshmallows, Oreos.  It was delicious!

Delia ordered a Tagalong Humdinger, a yummy combination of cake and pie!

John Grayson--7.5 years old and almost done with 1st grade.....how is that possible?!  He is a funny, creative, bright little boy who definitely thinks outside the box.  

Example #1 - for homework he needed to write a sentence about what he wanted to be when he grew up and this is what he wrote....

Example #2 - the big kids were playing hopscotch outside and here is his creation

Oh how I love that boy!

Morning at Maymont

Delia's spring break started today so I took the littles to Maymont to enjoy the gorgeous spring weather.  Such a fun morning with two of my loves! 

Delia loved showing Henry around, as this is his first visit as a walking, talking, interacting little person.

Holding hands....melts my heart how much these two love each other.  I overheard Delia tell Henry that "you'll always be in my heart" and "I'll always be right here."  Seriously, this girl is the BEST big sister!

Baby goats!!!

Picnic lunch in the Japanese Garden.  Henry sat still for about 2 minutes.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration was today!  It's hard to believe that our baby girl will be in elementary school next year.  Saying she is excited is an understatement :). She has been chanting/singing "Kindergarten, here I come!" for weeks and walked into the building like she owned the place.

All registered and ready to go to school!  She was a little sad when I told her that she didn't go until the fall :)

Doughnuts to celebrate!

Bike Day

Today was Bike Day at preschool.  The Henrico County police come to talk about bike safety and check helmets and the kids ride bikes in the parking lot.  Such a fun time!

She's becoming more confident on her bike.  Maybe the training wheels will come off this summer...

Biker chicks!

18 Months Old!

At 18 months, Henry is:

• Is 32.5 inches tall (50th percentile) and weighs 24 pounds (50th percentile)
• Running.  A lot.  Everywhere and all the time.
• Kicking, throwing and catching a ball
• Loves to dance
• Loves to play with his big brother and sister
• Finally has some teeth (2 on the bottom, 2 top molars just broke through and we're seeing glimpses of his top teeth)
• Talking more and more each day--mama, dada, dust (for Dusty), Dee-a (for Delia), ball, kick, catch (seriously, the kid is obsessed with balls), cheeeeez (when he sees a camera), peeez (for please), bye, me (we hear "me, peeez, me" quite often when he really wants something), hello, truck, signs for more (which means more of something, especially food), blows kisses when saying goodbye, waves hello, knows animal sounds for elephant (blows a 'trumpet' sound), dog (pants) and cat (eee-ow)
• Loves to sit at the piano and "play" while looking at JG's piano books
• Sleeps 7:30pm-6:30am most nights, and takes 1 nap 1:00-3:45 during the day.  If we're running errands any time after 11:00am then chances are he'll fall asleep (but as long as it's less than 30 minutes, he'll still take a good afternoon nap).
• Loves to climb
• Thinks he is a 5 year old trapped in an 18 month old's body
• Has a few playmates and one "best girl"
• Loves to play outside!  

Oh Henry, you keep us on our toes but bring such laughter to our lives!  You are growing up to be such a sweet, funny, happy (most of the time), independent, busy little boy.  

Photo-bombing big sister's soccer pictures.  He saw the camera and came running, yelling "cheeez".  Oh good grief, he's adorable!

5 Years Old!

At 5 years old, Delia is:

• 41 inches (20th percentile) and 39 pounds (40th percentile) - She is a little peanut and is solid muscle. 
• Learning to read - She's learning sight words and starting to put letter sounds together.  
• Loves school and her teacher.  She's come a long way in the last three years.  Her teacher calls her "a teacher's dream student" because she's enthusiastic, eager to learn, kind and listens.  She is beyond ready for kindergarten (and chants "Kindergarten, here I come!" at least once a week).  We've tried to find reasons to take her to the elementary school (one of the perks of having an older sibling there), so she's already comfortable in the building.
• The best big sister - Henry has brought out the best in her.  She is patient and kind and so very loving.  They adore each other.
• Taking a gymnastics class after school.  She's been taking gymnastics for several years and loves it.  She's pretty good at it too.  Recently she was invited to be in a Jr All-Star (team development) class in which they start teaching actual gymnastics skills.  Her strength and flexibility are shining through, and it makes her very happy to be flipping and tumbling once a week.
• Taking swim lessons (since late November) and has shocked all of us with how well she's done.  She's into her 3rd level and her newest teacher calls her "a natural."  We're eager to see how she does in the pool this summer.
• Has started taking a ballet class after preschool once a week.  She loves getting to wear a leotard (with skirt, of course), pink tights and ballet slippers.  The teacher is amazing, and the class does little "recitals" every 6 weeks.  Cuteness to the max!
• Loves to draw and color.  She makes pictures for friends and family, and her people almost always have clothes and accessories.
• Has quite the imagination.  She has a myriad of stuffed animals on her bed most nights and dresses them and takes them on adventures.
• Is a wonderful friend.
• Has really matured and is a big helper at home.  
• Wants to be a mommy and a teacher...or maybe a magician or an acrobat or a "police" (policewoman) when she grows up.
• Her favorite colors are pink and purple (but sometimes blue and green and yellow make the cut)
• Loves to have us read books to her.  Her favorites are Mercy Watson and any fairy tales.

Wow, Delia, it's so hard to think that you're already 5 years old.  Where has the time gone?  You are growing up so fast and are becoming the most amazing young lady.  Your kindness and compassion are a joy to witness, and that feisty personality of yours is magnetic.  You are so much fun to be around and I cannot wait to see what the next year has in store.  We love you!

Today was the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby!

Poor sick baby :(. He's had a cold all week and I finally gave in and took him to the doctor.  Sinus and ear infections!  Thank goodness for antibiotics--he's slowly perking up!

Look who started piano lessons today!

These two are ready the 4th Harry Potter book.  They read the first books a year ago but we decided this book was a little too scary.  I'm not sure who was more excited to get back into the series!

Delia decided to write a note to her teacher.  She wrote it all by herself!

A certain little boy is learning new skill everyday.  He's running now (and he's fast!) and learning to climb.  He already goes up the stairs alone, but now he's figuring out how to move a stepstool and use it to reach.  Yikes!

His speech is improving too.  He understands a lot of what we say and he will answer with "yes" or will sign "more" if he wants to eat.  He makes a panting sound for a dog and a cute trumpet sound for an elephant.

Look Mom!

Cheese!  (Yes, I asked him to say cheese and he said "'eese!")

The big kids got to go bowling this afternoon with friends.  Lots of fun!

Two peas in a pod.  The other day Delia told me that Henry is her very best friend, which makes me happy.  When we were discussing whether or not to try for a third baby, the middle child question definitely came up.  Yes, she is the middle child, but more importantly Delia is the best big sister.  Ever.  They spent NYE with my parents and on the ride home, Henry was fussy.  Delia told him, "I'm right here, Henry.  I'll always be here."  And in my heart, I know that is the absolute truth.

Please excuse her disaster of a closet.  It's on the To Do list for 2014 :)