Huge Post

I have cleaned the pictures off my phone, which is where many have been stored for months.  My nice camera is still broken  so I have been lacking in pictures lately.  I haven't made a post in a long time so here are some updates with the kiddos. 
Ryan is loving school.  He asks everyday if it is a school day and really looks forward to going and talks about school non-stop.  He is the youngest in his class by almost a year (reason we plan to bridge him), but is holding his own very well.  His teacher has many nice things to say about him and thinks he is just as smart as we do!  He says some really funny things lately and has become very argumentative.  He is coming into his own and the independent 3's are shining through.  He is still sweet though and we will see glimpses of the "real" Ryan peek through every now and again.  while I love all the independence and personality that the 3's have brought, I find that some days it can be a bit trying.  He started taking gymnastics and loved the first class.  He is kind of shy and doesn't like trying new things, but was very brave and got right out on the floor.  He is still napping most days and isn't potty trained during the night yet.  But according a bit trying to my doctor, this is fine and normal and not rush it.  He is typically very sweet and loving to Lillian and will include her almost all of the time in his play.  He constantly tries to teach her words or show her how things work.  It is so sweet.  School has helped foster his independence as well.  It is amazing to see all of the things he does on his own that he didn't do before.  At school they are expected to do most things for themselves and he seems to really like that.  He is still super silly and makes jokes all of the time.  His new favorite thing to do is to misspell a word on purpose to see if we catch it.  He still has the best laugh!

Lillian is growing up so fast!  She has officially left the baby stage and entered the toddler phase.  It seems like over night she just changed.  She is so verbal and uses full sentences.  She is already correctly using pronouns and has a very big vocabulary.  She seems to be quite coordinated with both her gross and fine motor skills (aside from falling and skinning her knees once a week).  She is a climber though.  She will get on everything and anything.  I found her standing on my kitchen island, dancing the other day.  Scared me so much!  She is starting to enjoy school and no longer cries at drop off or when she car pools with our friends.  She is very independent when playing, but also loves to be with and around Ryan all of the time.  They play so well together and it is really nice to see that 21 months apart turned out to be a good gap.  They are the best of friends.  Lillian's teacher told me that one afternoon at school Ryan and Lilly ran into each other in the hallway and they screamed each other's names and ran to one another, hugged, kissed, then went on their way.  I wish I could have seen that!  Lillian has quite a temper and will throw herself down when she is told no or doesn't get her way.  Sometimes she will throw things if she is mad.  I find it to be so funny now, but I know at 16 this temper will not be so funny. 

Here are a ton of pictures.  It is a good glimpse of our lives - playing, hanging out, and spending time together!

Wearing his cousin's 3d glasses with no lenses

First time sitting forward facing.  She was in awe!

Our original baby sleeping with Ryan's pillow and blanket.

Wearing a party favor.  He thought it was fun until he saw what he looked liked, the proclaimed "I don't like these mommy."

His reaction to finding out who his teacher is.  He had no idea who Mrs. Schmidt is, but his reaction is adorable.

He was part of the summer reading program at our library and read his 20 books so he got his name on the bulletin board. 

She loves playing dress up and this day she sat in her doll cradle and began to sing.

One of our many outings to the zoo

This is how we carpool.  3 in a row!  Megan is just the sweetest little girl!  We love seeing her all of the time!

She is coming out of the "smear everything in your hair phase".  This was queso.

Ryan finally decided he wanted to take showers.  Monkey see Monkey do!  Lillian had to jump in too.  They were smashing their faces against the glass and being silly. 

This is how Ryan eats cereal.  He takes a bite then rests his head on his hand.  It is the little things that make me happy.  I just love when he does this.

One of many parks in our neighborhood.  This one is a favorite b/c the chains are so long that they can swing so much bigger.  Ryan asked that I take this picture.

Ryan got to sit in a real police car.  He cried when we pulled him out.  He said he wanted to stay in there "all day long".

During lunch at a family reunion.  It was hot and she was drinking a strawberry slush.