Benjamin, 4 year update

Benjamin is a growing boy.  He is such a doll and is growing up so quickly.  It's hard to believe he'll be going to Kindergarten next year.  Here's what he has been up to:

- He is loving school.  He is in the Penguins class at Apex UMC Preschool and loves his teachers, Ms. Mary Lou and Ms. Pam.  He is even enjoying Lunch Bunch on Wednesdays.

- He tried tee-ball and liked it, but at the end of the day, he's a soccer STAR!  He loves the sport and enjoyed playing on Coach Alan Buck's team, the Yellow Jackets, this fall.  He scored several goals and was thrilled with his progress.

- Benjamin's favorite shows are Paw Patrol and Puppy Dog Pals - and really anything with cars, trains, or tractors in it!

- He LOVES transformers toys right now and we're in the phase of "I want that!" at every commercial he sees. 

- He is exploring boundaries to see what he can get away with.  And this includes using "potty" words (to him that's "stupid" and "fart" and those kinds of words).  Just the other day he called his sister a "Baby Fart Rat" - and while name calling is not a good thing...I did laugh a little.  I call him my little Sour Patch Kid because he can be really sour and then turn on the charm. 

- He adores our pastor, Pastor Tim, and looks for him every Sunday at church to get a high five.

- Special friends - Brenner Mickey, Hudson Buck, Hudson Steeves, Sims Arant, Carter Liberto

- Started swimming over the summer (7/20/18)

Beavers update - summer 2018

We have had an eventful few months in the Beavers house and have taken some fun trips as a family.  Over Easter, we went to Washington DC and participated in the White House Easter Egg Roll (thanks, Uncle Ben!).  We had a blast and it was extremely cool to be on the White House lawn and to explore our Nation's capitol with our kids.  The first weekend of summer break, we took the kids to Grandfather Mountain and spent the weekend exploring Blowing Rock, and visiting Tweetsie Railroad.

Madeline 7 year update

Our precious 2nd grader is thriving and continues to blow us away every single day.  

- She is loving school this year.  2nd grade has brought joy back to reading and writing and her teacher, Mrs. Noonan, has given her such good praise and reports.  She is thrilled to be in class with her friend, Taylor Buck, and enjoys YMCA After School 3 days a week.  

- Madeline tried out for, and made it into the Mini Dance Company at APA this year.  She is such a great little dancer and is excelling at ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and tech (gymnastics).  We'll go to three competitions in the new year so this is a whole new experience for Madeline....and mom!  Cousin Avery is in the company with her, so that will make travel fun with Avery and Aunt Rachelle in tow!  She has also enjoyed participating in the NC State Dance Team's dance clinics, where she has performed at Pack-a-Palooza and a women's basketball game.

- She has become an avid NCSU fan.  She'll still pull for ol' Wake every now and again, but it's NCSU (and boo Tar Heels) most of the time.

- She loves Taylor Swift and JoJo Siwa. Favorite TV shows are Bunk'd, KC Undercover and Hey Jessie.

- She is in Relay Exchange with mom and Y Guides with dad, which has given her some special time with us both individually, and a chance to learn new skills with friends. She even went on an overnight camping trip with daddy and her Y Guides group (the Karate Kittens).

- She is in choir at church and loves singing under Mr. Todd's leadership (Mr. Todd's son, Clarkson, is her little "boyfriend").

- Special friends are Clarkson Arant, Taylor Buck, Mae Spotz, Piper Overman, Zoe Ripper (and she has a crush on Sam Hakooz :) ).

Madeline is 7!

We celebrated our precious Madeline with a gymnastics birthday party on her actual birthday - May 19.  Madeline and some friends from school and church played hard at Sonshine Gymnastics and enjoyed juice and cake together.  After the party, we headed to Kanki for a birthday dinner with her grandparents.  It was a special celebration for a mighty special girl.  Madeline continues to amaze us with her cheerful spirit and kind heart.  She is smart as a whip and makes us laugh all the time!  We are beyond grateful that this beautiful angel made us parents.  How lucky are we?!  We love you, Madeline.  To the moon and back!

Benjamin's 4 year well check and updates

Benjamin (or "Big Ben," if you will), had a great well check this week.  

He is 42.8 lbs. (89%), 41.5" tall (72%) and has a BMI of 17.3 (91%).

He said that he has decided he'd like to be a "surgery" when he grows up and wants to make tummies feel better.

He has also announced that he would like 3 new pets:  a frog, a seal, and a narwhal.  He said he would hug them all and buy them water.  :)