First Day of School: 2014

The first day of school is a big day no matter how old you are.  But when it's your very first day of school ever is a really big day. I'm not sure how but Myles managed to look so grown up yet so little at the same time on his very first day of school ever.  

I'm loving our tradition of taking lots of pictures before the first day of school.  I'm holding onto it now because I know in a few years I'll have to bribe them with candy or money or something equally as good to get these pictures. And they'll likely be totally embarrassed by their completely uncool mom making them hold a sign up with what grade they're in. Sigh.  For now I'll just enjoy their eager participation. 

 

Just take a minute to stare at this face. He is dreamy, isn't he? 

And now take a look at this beautiful face. She could be going on 15 in this picture.

Drool.  I love this picture of him.

They're just a little excited to be in the blue room together.

This has to be one of those pictures they recreate when they're in their 20s or 30s.

Every year I'll ask them the same back to school interview questions and record the results to see how they change throughout the years.

 

Great: ten months

18lbs 8.5oz (45%)

29" (80%)

Yes, you read that correctly -- 80%.  What?!  Major growth spurt for her.  And hitting 29" means she's outgrown her infant car seat! Whoa.

So, she definitely isn't the 10 month walker like I wondered if she'd be but she's making strides towards walking.  She stand when she's distracted.  If she realizes she's standing she'll slowly sink down. She has the control but not the confidence. She also does great using a push toy. In fact, she's downright quick! 

The most fun development for me has been her waving.  I love it when they become more and more interactive and waving is part of that. 

State Fair

This was our third annual trip to the Wisconsin State Fair with the kids. We have a standing date to go the first Saturday it opens with Dale, Mary Ann, and my mom.  The thought is the more adult hands the better. Plus going on opening weekend tends to mean the crowds aren't terrible.  This year it was a hot day to visit but as always we had a good time.  

Taking the shuttle from the parking lot.

Dreaming of next year when she can go down
the Super Slide. Next year, kiddo.  Next year.

Greta with her favorite... Grandpa!
I absolutely love how her front two chompers look
in pictures!

Heading up the pig slide.

Enjoying the time out of the stroller to
stretch her legs.

The next picture is probably my favorite memory of this year's trip.  

Clearly all the heat and excitement was just too
much.  He couldn't even stay awake for ice
cream!! 

Yes, he literally fell asleep after two bites of his ice cream.  We tried to wake him.  He took another bit and dropped the whole thing on his lap.  Out cold. We lifted him up so he would snap out of it a little -- it worked.  He was able to finish his cone! 

Sky Glide!
Dan and his mini.  Darn it, they're both so handsome! 

Would you believe me if I told you that this was the first time I had ever rode the Sky Glide?! It's true.  I have been to the State Fair countless times and never ridden the thing. This year, Dan and I took Myles while my mom was behind us with Nora.  While we were on Dale and Mary Ann walked the length of the fair grounds with Greta to meet us at the other end. I gotta say I was a little nervous with Myles.  After I told myself not to let my imagination get away with thoughts of the worst I had a good time.  Myles loved it.  He said it was his favorite part. 

The view from above.

The following day we stopped at the club for a dip in the pool. 

Time and time again. 

And surprisingly the slightly more cautious one.

We had the place to ourselves.

An empty plastic cup filled with ice was the toy of choice for Greta.

And a love for goggles was born.

Exhausted and happy.

Myles: 3 years old

He's three! 

He's independent.  He's a snuggler. He's daring. He's very kind.  He's a great brother.  He's particular about certain things.  He's his father's shadow. He's go-go-go. He's smart. He loves big.  He's a great helper. He's funny.  He likes to make others laugh.  He's loud.  He's tender.

He's three.

Balloons in your room on your birthday! It's a tradition
they absolutely love. 

 I woke up around 3am to hear Nora saying, "Myles! There's balloons in our room and on your bed!" I was going to go back to sleep until I heard jumping.  I went in there and they were jumping off the bed and bouncing balloons back and forth. So many reasons they love sharing a room and that's one of them! 

Ready to open presents from Mom, Dad, and Nora.

He was so funny.  He wanted to close his eyes so he
wouldn't ruin the surprise as he was opening the presents. 

Sporting his new Spider-Man sweatshirt

Birthday ride to the bakery for birthday donuts with Dad!

Another tradition that's developed over the past couple
of years is sticking a candle in your donut while we
sing happy birthday.

That smile makes me smile! 

 A few weeks prior to his birthday I asked him what kind of party he wanted.  He thought for a few seconds and then said, "An American flag party" and never changed his mind.  

My chocolate chip cookie cake creatively decorated to match his desired theme.

The family gathered to celebrate three years of Myles. Thankfully it was
warmer than last year when we were in sweatshirts! 

Still closing his eyes for presents.  This kills me.

Probably his favorite present was his new razor scooter.

Playing outside all day + party excitement = a complete
daze during "happy birthday".  He really was happy
though, I swear! 

Grandma Grandma Sowinski 

Grandma Grandma Guenther

Grandma

Swinging with Grandpa 

monkeys

One of his gifts (a t-ball stand from us) turned into
a friendly competition.  

Happy Birthday, Myles! We love you.

I conducted a "Birthday Interview" with Myles on his birthday.  I'll ask him the same questions yearly and record the answers to see how he changes. 

Birthday Interview

Myles Daniel, 3 years old

Nicknames: Buster Brown, Milo Man 

Favorite Color: blue and green and blue

Favorite Animal: chickens and giraffes and tigers 

Favorite Book: Chuggington books 

Favorite TV Show: Dora and Blues Clues 

Favorite Movie: Frozen 

Favorite Song: Elmo Song 

Favorite Food: hot dogs 

Favorite Drink: chocolate milk 

Favorite Breakfast Food: oatmeal 

Favorite Snack: bars 

Favorite Outfit: this shirt (Adidas soccer shirt with shorts)

Favorite Game: matching game 

Favorite Toy: trucks 

Best Friend: Mallory, Claire, Benny, and Nora 

Favorite Thing to do: go on walks 

Favorite Outside Activity: baseball and bikes 

Favorite Holiday: Christmas 

What do you take to bed?: my blanket and Lenny 

Favorite Place: ice cream store 

Favorite Restaurant: "a Peed" (aka - LePeep)

Where do you want to go on vacation: drive a car to the farm

What do you want for your birthday dinner? pizza

What do you want to be when you grow up? a daddy at work 

What did you do for your birthday? gave me my presents 

Greta: nine months

No official height and weight stats -- no peds visit this month.

This past month Greta went on  her first "vacation" - a road trip up to Minocqua, Wisconsin with the Guenther side of the family.  She loved spending time outside and enjoyed the lake (the one time we let her dip her toes in... it was pretty chilly there, especially considering it was the middle of July! More on that in a different post.)

She occasionally has stranger danger.  Luckily, she hasn't gotten it too bad and never with grandparent or people she sees every couple of weeks.  Although sometimes she's a little slower to warm up to them again (a few minutes or more) she won't cry when they take her.  You'll definitely get the stink face! No no tears.  

Strangers on the other hand, she'll tighten her grip on my arm or put her head down on my shoulder if they look at her - or {gasp} talk to her!  If she's in a cart, she might start to cry.  Or if you're the sweet sample lady at Costco, she'll burst into someone-is-hurting-me kind of tears and continue half way down the aisle.  Poor woman felt terrible.  Other than that, we haven't had many issues.  Crossing my fingers they don't develop either.

Greta, I've always wondered if you'd be a 10 month walker because you started everything else early.  I could still see it happening but something tells me you'll make me wait a little longer.