The Tooth Fairy Flies Again ...

Claire finally lost her first tooth.  It has been loose for months!

 

Fortunately, I had the foresight to take a "before" picture earlier in the day.

 

There were a few tears shed when Will finally pulled it out.

 

She was so proud of that little tooth!

 

Super-excited the next day when the tooth fairy left her a $5.

 

(That is the going rate for a first tooth only!  And, the only cash we had on us for the night!)

6 going on 16. Next stop ... the DMV.

Back in September, Will decided to teach Claire how to ride her bike.  He took off the training wheels one Saturday and spent some time riding in the grass (to prevent any bad falls on the pavement).  She picked it up quickly!

 

 

This is her "mom, stop taking my picture so I can ride my bike" face.

 

Her cheering section.

 

 

 

A few days later, we moved out onto the road.  I love that we live on a cul-de-sac off a dead end street.  Makes bike riding in the road e-a-s-y!

 

Luke: 2-years-old

Luke turned two back in September.  He has definitely grown out of the baby phase ... and losing all that cute baby fat!

 

These are photos from his 2-year-old photo shoot.  The photographer did a great job of capturing his personality in these photos.  They are so Luke!

 

The official 2-year-old doctor visit stats:

 

Weight: 25 pounds, 13 ounces (25th percentile)

Height: 33-1/4 inches (20th percentile)

 

Other important things:

 

Clothing size: 24M-2T

 

Shoe size: 6

 

diaper size: 5

 

Favorite foods: veggie chips, apple nutrigrain bars, mac & cheese, applesauce, bananas, cheese sticks (he is the best eater of any of my children and will clean his plate no matter what I feed him 9 times out of 10).

 

Favorite TV shows: TV is not really his thing, although he does like Elmo and Super Why if they happen to be on.  I've already spoken of his love for Apple electronics.  Ha!  He really loves to watch any Disney Cars movie and any LeapFrog movie.

 

Favorite songs: Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Itsy Bitsy Spider

 

Learning: He can sing the ABCs and count to 10 (sometimes 20 but not consistently)

 

 

This little boy is always on the go ... unless he is sitting playing with my iphone or ipad.  He wakes up asking for those things and he knows exactly where I keep them to be charged.  He also loves books and cars.  Specifically, an Elmo colors book (from the dollar bin at Target) and another baby word book.  He loves to point and say the word or make the appropriate animal sound.  He also loves anything related to Disney Cars.  When I was putting him to bed tonight, he said "I love Cars 2."  He really cracks me up!

 

Social development: you have a LOT of words!  I can't even begin to write them all down but he has a lot to say, and he says it loudly!  And I understand most of it.  One of my favorites is "no way" when I ask him if he wants something.  He can repeat pretty much anything you tell him.  When we pray at night, he will say "Dear God" and "Amen".  So sweet!

 

Physical development: This boy runs full speed all the time.  He attacks life with such vigor.  It is all or nothing with him.  He runs, jumps, gallops and hops.  He loves to push the shopping cart at full speed.  He loves to swing and slide outside.  Oh, and he is also quite the climber from what I hear from the Wednesday night church workers (but he doesn't climb much at home).  He walks right into his preschool class without a look back at Mom.

 

See how Luke has grown over the past 2 years!  I can't believe my baby is 2!!

 

 

Here is a photo montage of all 3 kids at age 2.  Claire and Luke definitely look more alike at this age than David.  David has my rounder face and Claire and Luke have Will's jaw & chin.  Luke is definitely our blondest child!  Claire and Luke also both have my fine, thin hair, while David has Will's course, thick, curly hair. 

 

First Days of School

Claire (1st grade)

 

Claire started school back on August 6th. She had a great first day and likes her first grade video teacher, Ms. Weiler, "okay". (1st grade teachers are much more strict.)  Here are a few pictures I shot on the first day of 1st grade!

 

 

 

Lots of reading in 1st grade.

 

 

I love this outfit, but Claire was ADAMANT that she pick out her first day of school outfit.  Miss Independent ...

 

 

 

 

Here is Claire's 1st grade school questionnaire for the year:

My best friend's name is: Kathryn and Avery

My favorite thing to play: play outside

My favorite color: yellow

My favorite book: any American Girl Doll book

My favorite TV show: "Jessie" and "Good Luck Charlie"

My favorite food: Mexican food

When I grow up, I want to: be a teacher

Something I really like: playing soccer

Something I really don't like: stinky brothers

My favorite thing about myself: "I can write my name in cursive."

Something I want to do this year: "Go to Chuck E. Cheese all week."

 

David (Pre-Kindergarten)

 

David started his last first day of preschool (sniff, sniff) on August 28th.  He goes to a church preschool near our house 2 days/week.  He was super pumped to start school.  He really likes playing with all the little boys in his classroom.

 

With his teacher, Ms. Michelle.

 

Outside of his classroom on the first day!

David's pre-kindergarten questionnaire for the year:

My best friend's name is: Ian and Will

My favorite thing to play: the Wii

My favorite color: all colors

My favorite book: "Easy Street"

My favorite TV show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

My favorite food: chicken nuggets

When I grow up, I want to: be a train engine (I think he means, drive a train)

Something I really like: going to Chuck E. Cheese

Something I really don't like: storms

My favorite thing about myself: "I'm funny."

Something I want to do this year: "Go to the beach."

 

Luke (Parents' Day Out)

 

Luke started PDO at the same place David goes to preschool, 2 days/week.  He was a little tearful the first week, but since then, he walks right in without a second glance at Mommy!

 

 

 

Luke really loved his lunchbox!  And there was no way I was getting a picture of him at school in front of his classroom or with his teachers.  He is very much "on the move" right now.

Another milestone ...

Luke's first trip to Chuck E. Cheese!

Claire and David LOVE this little den of germs.  Will and I were out of town consecutive weekends in April, so instead of bringing the kids cheap "surprises" from our trips, we took them to see their second favorite mouse when we got back home.

Everyone loved the carousel.

Let's go for a ride, Chuck.

He was not a fan of Bob the Builder.

This game was a big hit with both the boys.

Will kept the big kids entertained while I chased after Luke.

Everyone loved skee ball.  It is my all time favorite arcade game!

What's gonna work?  Team work.

It really was a fun night!