Ryan's "Real" Birthday

Ryan turned 2 today, September 22, 2008

We spent the day just hanging out doing our normal daily stuff. Kids off to school, play, get Jake off the bus, go down for a nap (for 3 hours today), play some more, then wait for Daddy to get home to eat dinner. After dinner, Ryan got to open presents which he loved. At the family party, he was a bit overwhelmed with all the people and kids who got close to see and "help" him open his presents. He didn't really open any presents at that party, but when it was just our little family, he was thrilled with the presents.

On another note of stubborness. Ryan had to wear this "man, man" shirt today. He has picked it out for a few days now, and has to wear it. He fusses if I try and get him to wear something else. That cracks me up, because it is so Jake! Two is when Jake started to get into super heros for no reason at all.

Ryan's 2nd Birthday

We had Ryan's birthday party on Sunday, Sept. 21st. I feel like a terrible mom, because I didn't plan an elaborate party for him. I knew that I was going to have the party, I just didn't make invites, buy decorating stuff, or even make a fancy cake. I didn't even call my siblings til the Friday before. He is only 2, he won't remember all of the fancy stuff, and he had all his family there to celebrate, and that is much more important than all the frills. (at least that is what is helping me feel less guilty) I didn't even make a homemade cake...it was from a box. (it was still good) And then to top matters off...I spelled "birthday" wrong on the cake. The kicker to that is that I didn't even notice, nor did anyone at the party. It wasn't til I brought pics to work, that a coworker asked me if I meant to spell it that way. No, I didn't, but that is funny. (all my coworkers thought so too)

Ryan wanted to watch the video instead of being the star of the video.

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He had such a big grin to see this huge cake set before him. He even blew the candle out all by himself.

Yummy!!!

Then to top off his day, after the cake, presents and everything, he got a kiss from Hailey. It is so funny to see how much he towers over her and is so much "thicker", as they are only a little over 3 months difference in age.

He is such a cutie who smiles all the time. He has always been a little happy boy, he is helpful, he gets into stuff all the time, makes messes all the time, but continues to warm our hearts. He is talking so much now, he repeats you when you aren't even talking to him. It is funny, because I will be on the phone talking to someone else, and I will overhear him repeating my words. He LOVES his sister and brother. Amaya carries him all over on her back and Jake "takes care" of him a lot. Jake will go outside, and if Ryan says that he wants out too, Jake will get Ryan's shoes and coat on him. Ryan just lets him do it. It is so nice to see my kids take care of each other. Ryan loves to eat popsicles, pizza, jello, quiche, cereal bars and yogurt. He is not a good eater of fruits and veggies, which makes me sad. He is very active and quite curious. (just like George, who ironically he watches after the older kids go to school) He also likes Diego and Dora, but doesn't sit and watch the entire show. He just gets excited about them when he sees them and dances when their theme songs come on. He goes to bed at 7:45 at night and sleeps through til around 7:15, then goes down for a nap around 11:30 to 1:15. He is so good to put down to bed, just give him his binky and his blankie, and he is set. Usually we just get a very happy, nigh, nigh....or a bye, bye, with an energetic wave. We love this. It is so crazy to think of your own child growing up. I wonder what he will like, who will he become, what choices will he make. Time will tell, but for now, I am enjoying the "little man" that I have and want to cherish all the time with him that I can. I know, all too well, how fast kids grow. I just can't believe that he is already two.

The Soccer Team

The team photo.

Jake and Charles.

Poor Charles, fell at school this week, cut his lip and needed stitches.

Ryan's baby

This is Ryan's baby. He got this glow worm from my sister, Heidi on his 1st birthday, but until recently, it was just another toy that was just placed from one spot to the next, waiting to be adored by a little boy. It's day has finally come. Ryan LOVES this thing. He calls it baby, makes it glow and sing by pushing it's belly, and even cuddles it like his own little baby. Today was different. Today he brushed it's teeth, fed it his bottle, dressed it and LOVED it even more! He played with "Baby" for like an hour. After the feeding, teeth brushing and getting dressed. Baby was ready for a nap. Keep in mind that when Ryan gets up from his nap, that he takes about everything out of his crib that he can fit in his hands and MY hands.



This is how Ryan putting Baby to sleep goes;
Bring Baby in to his room and put it in the crib. Then leave the room, while saying "Shhhhh" and holding his finger up to his lip. Shut the door and say, Baby sleeping.
Oops, we found the blanket, so back to the room we go, place the blanket on the baby (just like we do for Ryan), then repeat the Shhh, and closing of the door and saying Shh, Baby sleeping.
Oops, we found the other blanket...back to the room, place the second blanket, repeat the Shhh, shut the door, then say again, Shhh, Baby sleeping.
Oh, the Binky, back the room, place the binky, repeat the shhh, walk out, shut the door, repeat Baby sleeping.
Oh, the stuffed puppy that goes in the crib....back to the room, throw the puppy back in the crib, repeat the shhh, shut the door, and repeat AGAIN, shhh, Baby sleeping. (Oh, I know that everyone is catching on NOW)
Hey, another toy that needs to go in with Baby, back to the room, throw in the toy, repeat everything else...blah, blah.....
And yet more toys, one by one made it into the crib.

It was so cute and hilarious at the same time. He repeated the loving things each time, but at that point he was just picking up random toys off the floor and dropping them into the crib. (I think he thought that Baby Glow Worm was going to get bored. Maybe this is his way of telling me to put some more junk in the crib for him) So, after the minor concussions brought upon by Ryan to Baby, the baby woke up from his nap, and like a good Mama, Ryan went right in to get him up from his nap. What a sweet little boy he is.

Amaya's horsing

This is heaven to our favorite seven year old. Every Thursday she can't wait to go to horsing. It is our bargaining chip all week, it helps take care of attitudes, fighting with Jake, fighting with us, and any other problems that may arise. (mostly the attitude) We are so thankful that we are able to give this gift to her and that we have met Gabe so that she can teach her the world of horses.

Amaya riding Mantis.

Jake's 1st game

Well, Jake's first game was rained out, so they postponed it to the following Tuesday. The weather on Tuesday was absolutely perfect for a soccer game. He was so excited and had so much fun. We all loved it. Everyone from each team was cheering and laughing at all the boys running and making their goals. It was such a positive thing. There were no tears, only laughter and screams of enthusiasm.

Amaya hugging Jake after his first break, telling him that he did a good job.

Dad, excitedly, watching his son play.

Fancy footwork.

Jake and Charles hugging and cheering each other on.

Coach Tom, giving some pointers.

Jake showing Parker how many points the team has. (he knew the score)

Go Revolution!!!

The aftergame high fives for the other team.

The onlookers and cheering section.

Amaya watched a lot, but took some breaks to play on the playground with Grandpa, or Alison (Charles' sister)

Ryan and Grandpa walking around.

Superstar in training

Maybe Ryan is starting early. Scott tries to groom each child to be the superstar basketball player that he was. They all seem interested, and we hope that they keep it up. Scott still plays with his father who is 61 years old, every Sunday. I hope this is something that they can say that they do with their dad when he is that age. What wonderful memories to have and to make.

2 Wheels

Two wheels, what a feat. Jake attempted this last year, but was unable to balance even a bit. He stopped riding his bike til we put the training wheels back on. This year it was his idea to take them off and try again. He got it in like 15 minutes. He falls a lot, but just gets up and shakes it off. He is such a strong little guy. He tries and tries, then falls and falls even more, but he keeps getting back up on that bike.






Good job Jakers!!!

Finally

Soccer....finally. Jake has been waiting to be able to play soccer for 2 years. This is the first year that he has been old enough to play and we have heard about it since spring. He did a short clinic this summer for a week and loved it. Now he gets to go every Tuesday night for practice, then has games every Saturday for a few months. He loves to run around and kick the ball, play with the other kids and to finally have something that "he" is involved in. (rather than Amaya) He has certainly been through many things with Amaya. (school shows, talent shows, gymnastics, choir, and her brief stint with soccer before the broken arm) It is now his time to shine, and he is just bursting with pride.

I think the BEST thing to him is that his friend Charles is also on the team. You are not allowed to pick which team that you are on, or where you practice, you just get what you get. There are 19 teams with his age kids on them. It is so crazy that these 2 boys are on the same team. They were in preschool together, now are in the same young 5's class together, and now the soccer team. I think that it is meant to be. Plus, another opportunity to car pool!!! Loving it!!

Stretching out the first day.

Jake's coach is really nice and is so good with all the kids. It is so different in comparison to Amaya's coach. I am so happy for him to finally be doing a Jake thing. Way to go Jakers!! Have fun!!

Of course, I had to take a few pics of Ryan who was at the practice too. He was so good, and just watched most of the time. He is such a cutie patootie!!