Birthday Boy

Benjamin is now officially two!  Happy Birthday, Baby B!

 I took the kids to the cake store to see what I ideas I could get for Benjamin's cake.  It turned out that he had an opinion, and he quickly chose a Wilton train cake pan.  "Too Tain!  Too Tain, Mommy!" - He held onto it pretty tightly for the remainder of the shopping trip.

The kids were all very excited with the result.  The train cake was a hit.

 Gathering around for presents after dinner.  Notice the cups and napkins - Benjamin also picked these out.  :)

 Exciting stuff.

 Yay!  He got a train! 

Laurel made him a gift for his big day.  Very cute.

My handsome little man showing off his train.  This was all he really cared about.  It went with him to the tub and to bed.











Benjamin at two years:

* Still small enough for me to cuddle
* Bright, curious, and into EVERYTHING (if something is lost, check the floor vents)
* The most polite child I have ever met.  He says Please and Thank You for everything.  (If I change his diaper, wipe his nose, brush his teeth, put his pajamas on - I mean, seriously.)  "Ank you, Mommy."
* Very generous and easily shares
* Loves his siblings, Go Go and Meem.
* Will nap only in a big bed - refuses his crib
* Loves books, trucks, trains, driving, PBS, playing outside, riding his bike, getting the newspaper, being a helper, and generally doing whatever his big brother and sister are doing.
* Is very loved by his family.  Happy birthday, sweet boy!

And the winner is...

IT'S A GIRL!!   LAUREL.  IS.  STOKED.  
And so am I.

There's Something Missing

When Laurel went to the dentist last week, a permanent tooth was discovered.  Well, once she had that kind of knowledge, she was determined to wiggle that baby tooth out immediately.  (As far as I know, it was not even remotely loose when we went to the dentist.)

Laurel worked diligently and on the second morning of Kindergarten, a week after the dentist visit, she asked me to pull it out with gauze ("like Sister Bear in the Berenstain Bears Go To the Dentist").  I was happy to oblige. 

First Day of Preschool

 Michael's first day of preschool.  This year he's in Ms. Amy and Ms. Kumiko's 4 year old class.

Here's to an awesome year!

Looking Back

 The first day of Play School.  A few friends and I had a preschool co-op and took turns teaching in our homes.  Laurel LOVED it.  And Miss Heather, Miss Rachel, Bryant and Preston.  It was a fun year.

 First day of preschool in Ms. Weston's 4 year old class at Larchmont United Methodist Preschool (LUMPS).  Ms. Weston was great and Laurel learned a lot of Japanese from the assistant Ms. Kumiko.

First day of Pre-K with Mrs. Skees.  It was a great year that Laurel was sad to say goodbye to. 

First day of Kindergarten.  Wow!  She's so big!

First Day of Kindergarten

Laurel did not blink an eye on her first day of Kindergarten.  She was ready, willing, and excited.  She didn't even mind the chaos of 32 children in her overloaded class being accompanied by 50 parents dropping off and taking pictures.  It think it will be a great year!

Beauty

Is what you get when Benjamin gets into your mascara and applies it himself.