Benjamin is 4!

Our sweet baby boy, you're 4.  I'm not sure how or when you grew to be a big boy, but here we are.  On a daily basis, you make us laugh; you challenge us; you thrive on learning something knew; you teach us something new; you dance, jump, run, and play; you get mad at us and then turn right around and give us as much love as you can possibly show; and you continue to hold my heart in your little hands.  You are my angel, sweet boy.  I am so grateful that God chose me to be your mom.  I love that you're so independent, but yet you allow me to continue to relish in my baby boy and enjoy all of the little moments. I love you, buddy.  Happiest birthday to you.  I can't wait to see how you grow in year 4.

Love, 

Mama

We celebrated all weekend long with our best boy.  We enjoyed a family dinner with Vie & Papa, Grandbuddy, aunts and uncles and cousins on the 9th, and celebrated with a movie and pizza on the 10th.  Benjamin had a ball and we loved every single minute that we got to celebrate his addition to our family.  

The Start of a New School Year

Better late than never, right?

We're off to a great start to the school year for both kids.

Madeline started 1st grade at Scotts Ridge Elementary School and loves being a Sailor.  She has Mrs. Chapman and is really enjoying art, drama, and PEPI. She also enjoys being at school with cousin Avery, who started kindergarten this year. 

Madeline is still enjoying dance at APA and in addition to ballet, has found a calling for jazz. We're so impressed with her dance moves.  Derek and Madeline have joined Y Guides and kicked off their group at an event at Camp Kanata over the weekend.  And, Madeline and I have started doing Relay Exchange together.  We have a sweet group of moms and daughters that we meet with monthly and learn new skills and study God's word.  So far, it's been an exciting year!

Benjamin started the 3s preschool this year at AUMC Preschool.  He goes M/W/F and is in Ms. Debbie's and Ms. Leslie's Puppies class.  He. LOVES. It. And from what I can tell - the teachers at preschool are mighty crazy about our boy, too.

Benjamin started rec soccer this fall with his little pal, Brenner, and has really taken to it.  He loves going and is quite good!  It's fun to watch him play - he just thrives!

M's 6 year well check

We had Madeline's 6 year well check yesterday and she is (as we already knew) a healthy, happy little girl. She passed her vision and hearing tests with flying colors and is 45.11 lbs. (41%), 47" tall (63%), her BMI is 14.4 (25%), and her bp was 86/46.  I'm so grateful for our healthy grown girl.

Disney!

I am so late to post about our big trip, but it deserves a post!  February 5-10, 2017, the Beavers (plus VieVie!) headed to Disney!   We had the BEST week. 

We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, and enjoyed 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, and 1 day at Hollywood Studios.  We enjoyed lots of rides (the kids LOVED fast roller coaster-type rides), and meals at 1900 Park Fare, Cinderella's Castle, Chef Mickey's, Be Our Guest, and Yak and Yeti. And of course, we met all the characters and every single princess possible.  I can't begin to list the amazing rides, experiences, and shows from the trip, but we were all in awe of what a magical place it truly is.

The kids (and us!) loved every single minute and traveled by plane like old pros.  We can't wait to go back!

Madeline turns 6!

Our baby girl is 6.  6 whole years old.  She continues to amaze us every single day with her smarts, her hilarious sense of humor, her kind, tender heart, her flare for the dramatic, and her overall love of red lipstick, accessories, and life in general.  She is a blessing and a gift to her family and friends and its a joy to watch her grow and change day to day.  We are so proud of our sweet girl and the young lady she is becoming. Thanks be to God.

We started the celebrations with a birthday party on Saturday, May 13 at our house.  Madeline invited the little girls in her class, her cousins, and a few neighborhood friends.  We celebrated princess-style and decorated wands and crowns, ate cupcakes, and played in the backyard.  It was such a fun day!

The celebrations continued through that week, as we celebrated her actual birthday on May 19.  At her request, we went to eat dinner at Kanki with Vie and Papa and Mimi.  Yum!  What a wonderful week celebrating a mighty special girl.

Madeline loses tooth #3

I'm seeing a pattern here.  M loses teeth on holidays.  She lost tooth #3 on Mother's Day this year.  She's so brave!

Mother's Day 2017

Mother's Day dinner with the cousins