Birthday Boy

Well it actually happened, we celebrated Ethan's 1st birthday. Hard to believe, but its true. We had a great time at his "cowboy" themed party. The weather was gorgeous and many of our friends were able to come and help us celebrate. Ethan loved his cake and wasted no time in taking a bite right out of it! He got lots of fun, "boy" presents and everyone had a good time. Now I just have to wrap my head around the fact that my baby boy is a year old...

Hannah and the ballet recital

So today was the last day of Hannah's ballet class and the teacher invited the parents in to watch the girls perform some of the things that they had learned in the class. Knowing that this would happen, I invited Gramma Judy over to watch our little budding ballerina perform. What I did not know, was that the very same little budding ballerina would come down with a case of stage fright and refuse to dance. It was very unlike Hannah to bury her head in my lap and refuse to participate. Fortunately, about half way through the class I managed to bribe her with the promise of a "special treat" if she would show us her dancing. She then proceeded to get up and dance along with the rest of the girls. They were all so ridiculously cute and fun to watch!

It's almost here...

Now that Memorial Day weekend has come and come (it was fabulous by the way) there are so many things that are "almost here," it really kind of makes my head spin. This morning I sent Avery off to school with the reminder that after today, only 7 1/2 more days of school left before summer! Whoa, when did that happen??? And, Hannah's last day of Mother's Day Out is this week. We are celebrating Ethan's birthday this coming Saturday, just a tad early. Then, we are leaving for our first-ever-family-of-five-beach-vacation to Cancun in only 10 days!!! So, as you can see, we have lots to look forward to and lots of prep work to be done because it's all almost here...

"Why?"

If I had a nickel for every time I hear the question "Why?" these days, I would have enough money to buy something really cool. Lately, Hannah has become obsessed with asking "Why?" and it is driving me insane! It is her new response to any sort of instruction, explaination or observation. A typical conversation these days goes something like this:
"Hannah, please stop doing that, it's not safe."
"Why?"
"Because you could fall and get hurt."
"Why?"
"Gravity, Hannah. That's how it works."

I tell you, I am swallowing Advil like its candy to cure the headaches from this child! Hannah has historically been my "easy child" (if there is such a thing). But the past few weeks, she has not been so easy (see previous entry). I guess maybe it's her age. She's almost 3 and apparently wanting some clarification on authority :)

Don't get me wrong, she is still the same sweet Hannah who wraps her arms around my neck and tells me she loves me. She is also very smart and going through a time where trying to articulate feelings = tantrums and trying to exert independence = breaking the rules. But I like to think that this second time around, I have a little more clarity and can be a little more sympathetic to these things. I have learned from her that it's not easy being #2 in a family. Despite our trials, I am very proud of her.

But then again, maybe that's just the Advil talking...

Why they make washable markers...

First Taste of Summer

Today after school the girls begged me to hook up their Elmo sprinkler toy so that they could play in the water. It was a sunny, 93 degrees outside and they had a blast. It was so exciting to them to get to wear their swimsuits. Summer is definately on its way!