No more naps for Nathan at almost 3.5 years old.

Dear Nathan, 

We are now on a full week of no naps in the afternoons. I think you are ready to drop, because you are actually pretty happy even in the evenings and then when it is bed time, you end up falling asleep pretty quickly. So, for the hour and half of time when Hannah is asleep, you do a variety of things. Some days, you listen to audio books. You've gone through 3 Junie B. Jones books and will be able to sit through a whole book. What I'm surprised at is that you are able to listen to it without having to look at pictures. 

 One day, we sat down to watch a movie with no bad guys. Up. Immediately, you started to cry. That didn't last long. So we turned off the movie and played some games instead.

 You've been wanting to do some homework like your older neighbor friends. So, I printed you some alphabet tracing sheets as well as some mazes and you happily work on those for awhile as I get some work done. Oh, you also like seek and find pictures.

 Yesterday, we made some lasagna. While I browned the meat and cooked the sauce, you did a great job showing Hannah how to chop up the mushrooms into small pieces.

 Then, Hannah put all the mushrooms back in the container, (and then dumped them back out).

 Then, Nathan I noticed that you used a knife to scoop the mushrooms up and with your other hand, hold on to the pile from the top to transfer the mushrooms from the cutting board into the container. I asked you where you learned to do that, and you replied, "I do it like you, Mommy!" *So proud [sniff]*

 On Friday, we had a MOPS meeting at church and after getting some stuff done, I walked into this cute sight.

 Then the little sisters wanted to join in.

 On Saturday, before heading to a birthday party, we stopped by the Wildflower center to play. We built teepees,

 and a dog house,

 Dear Hannah,
You are now just getting so big. You love to climb up on stuff and you are starting to do more pretend play. In the picture below, you signed "sleep" and then crawled on top of the basket and laid down.

 When Nathan is at soccer practice, you do a pretty good job of just staying on the sidelines and playing nicely. Sometimes you want to go out and do what the big kids are doing, but when you walk out, you get a bit timid, and then come scurrying back into the safety of my arms.

You love living on the edge. You love being thrown up in the air, spun around and around, climbing up onto high things, and coming down on slides, but your absolute favorite thing to do is still hanging out on the swings. Your favorite foods are still broccoli and after every meal, you sign ice cream and look at us with the most eager of expressions. We usually give in and give you a little spoonful and like your brother, just that little bit satisfies you.

Well, this week has gone pretty well. Enjoying this amazing weather. Until next week.

Love,
Mommy

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Sorry kids, 

Another busy week and Nathan no longer napping has made it difficult to update the blog on our regular scheduled day. I think Nathan, you have officially dropped your afternoon nap. You've been going to bed late and waking up early if you take a nap, so we decided to try not napping, you are a bit cranky, but not too crazy, so we are going with that. 

A few days ago, we decided to give everyone haircuts. For Chinese new year, people usually get a new outfit and get their hair cut. I hadn't planned on giving Hannah a cut, but as I was cutting Nathan's hair, Hannah, you were jumping up and down, pulling on your hair as if you wanted me to cut it too. Well, after Nathan was finished, we put you on the chair and this is how you react. 

 We just trimmed up the back a bit so that your hair is less mullet-like and left everything else alone.

One day, we were stuck at home due a possible cold, which really just turned out to be allergies. Without anything structured, both of you were just crazy. Getting into trouble, breaking things...Well, we decided to make a beef stew and I enlisted your help and things immediately got calmer. Nathan got a chance to peel carrots with a peeler for the first time. You did pretty good. A few of the carrots turned into pencils, but that's ok. You are practicing.

 While Nathan peeled the carrots, Hannah helped me chop up the carrots into bite size pieces.

 When you keep your undies dry Nathan, you get to practice skating in the afternoon. Here you are practicing indoors. Hannah wants to help by holding your hand.

 And while Nathan is practicing skating, Hannah, you are practicing your scooter skills.

 Here's proof that we actually make an attempt at keeping the house clean. One morning, we vacuumed upstairs. Both of you were super helpful.

 While you both were working hard, I sat back and drank a green tea smoothie. Haha.

One afternoon, your best friend Abi came over and we all went to the pool parking lot to practice zooming around on the scooter.

 Hannah, you have pretty much has started wanting to do everything yourself. You want to put your shoes on, and in this picture, you were very insistent that I not help you put on your pants.

 On Monday, while Nathan was at school, Hannah and I went to the Thinkery for some fun. There was a petting zoo there and while we were in line, Hannah showed some interest in the little chicks. You kept pointing to the chicks and saying "Ji, Ji, muo, muo" which translates to, "chicken, chicken, feel, feel" So we got into the pen and the first thing that the handler plops onto your lap is a giant guinea pig.

 You pushed it away. When I asked for a chick, you were a bit less hostile, and didn't complain, but you were did not want to pet it at all. We looked at lots of little critters, I pet them and you watched.

Your friend Ellie, did a little better and didn't freak out at all.

It was a bit nice to visit the Thinkery with just you and me, because we all know that when big brother is there, we pretty much do what he wants to do.

 Nathan, when you heard that we went to the Thinkery while you were at school, with your puppy dog face, you asked me, "Can you take me to the Thinkery too?" Now this face, I can't deny, so I shifted grocery shopping to a different day and we went to the Thinkery on Thursday. Here were a few of your favorite activities.

 Nathan, you could probably stay at the rocket launcher all day if I let you.

 After you fired off your first rocket, Hannah, you said, "Woah!" and then immediately told me excitedly, "More!"

 Afterwards, we went to Nathan's favorite restaurant: Chick-fil-a. As you can see, both of you were very happy eating your ice cream.

 Nathan, you actually asked me why I gave you so much ice cream. Apparently, I gave you too much because you gave me the last half of your cone. Who are you, child?

 Here are just some goofy pictures of you two with Daddy's helmet.

 On Tuesday, Nathan went to soccer class with his friends. I'm pretty impressed with the coach. He's got some great drills that help the kids focus on the basic movements that you would need for soccer.

 After the first class, Nathan, you told me that you didn't like the class because the coach didn't let you kick the ball really high. A few days later, you told me, "I probably want to go back to soccer class so I can practice some more."

 You really enjoy this class and I can tell that it's helping you become more aware of your body.

This week has been up and down, with you guys feeling congested towards the end of your allergy medicine's effective time period, skipping naps and the slight tantrums that come with that, and oh so traumatic haircuts, but you two have also had lots of fun with two trips to the Thinkery, various play dates and time spent outside at parks.

I'm so thankful that the weather has been nice and that allergy medications and nasal sprays have allowed us to enjoy it.

Until next week,
Love,
Mommy

When "No" Means No.

Dear Hannah, 

You've learned a new word this week and you know to use it well. "No!" While this is fine in my book, Nathan is not as keen about it because when he makes a request of you and you say, "No" it can be very frustrating for him and so he'll start to thrash wildly--which by the way is not the way to handle "No." There are much better ways and I hope he will start practicing them more soon so you don't pick this up sooner than you naturally would on your own. 

Well, in other news, you are very interested in scooter riding. One day, I was helping Nathan with something and as I glanced back to check on you, you were hanging onto the handle bars, rolling across the driveway, exclaiming, "WEEEE!" Of course, when you hit the grass, you toppled over, but you got right back on the scooter and tried to push off again. I'd say by next month, you'll be zooming around just like big brother. 

 You found a stick in our yard and decided to use it like a walking stick. Not sure where you picked that up...

 Yesterday, we had our usual Chinese storytime, but on a day when Nathan could attend too. For the end of the Chinese new year festival, it's traditional to eat sticky rice balls which is like the full moon, which symbolizes the fullness of life. Everyone had lots of fun making the little round balls.

 Nathan was a rolling machine.

 And when it came time to eat, everyone enjoyed them, except for Hannah, who preferred the sweetened red beans.

For fun Friday, Nathan requested that we make a dessert out of the limes that he picked out from the grocery store. We ended up making lime bars, which were super yummy. Hannah cracked the eggs (too quickly for us to keep up) while Nathan measured and poured the ingredients. It was quite the operation and in the end, we ended up with a concoction that looked and tasted as it should.

At some point, Hannah got into the pantry and pulled out a bag of opened macaroni noodles and spilled them all over the floor. I decided to see if you were now mature enough to clean it up yourself, so I swept up the noodles and put them on a plate and asked you to put the noodles back into the bag. Sure enough, you started to do it. And with more applauding and encouragement from me, one by one, you started to put the noodles into the little open hole. I got the camera and took this picture.

 A few seconds later, Nathan joins in and the stash of noodles quickly dwindle. By the end, you both were fighting over who gets to put back the last few pasta pieces! If cleaning up were always this fun.

Hannah, you still continue to LOVE swings. When you see one, you will book it, and run as fast as your little legs can towards the swing, pointing and grunting to make sure we know that you want to get on and when you are on one, you will point to the swing next to you, as if you are inviting me to get on and swing too. (Which makes me nervous because you are only holding on with one hand) 

 And girl, you sure love to accessorize. Whether it be a belt, a necklace, or book, you love sporting little things around your neck.

 Today, we went in for your 18 month check up. Everything looks good and you are following your growth curve just perfectly. However, you seem to remember the people because as soon as you saw the nurse, you started to cry. She was the one who gave you the shots in the past and that did not sit well with you. You also got 4 shots today and seem to be taking it pretty well so far.

 Dear Nathan,
On Saturday, while Daddy was playing Hockey, we met up with a friend at the Nature center. You guys are about the same age and both of you have little sisters who are about the same age as well. Both of you are just the sweetest boys and except for a few whines over chips and strawberries, you guys get along really well. Here you are both so patiently waiting for lunch.

 On Sunday, you got invited to a birthday party at an inflatable jump house. You used to hate going to these places and I'm so proud of you for being brave and despite the loud fan noises, joined your friends on the inflatable toys. It was neat seeing you boys follow each other around, interact and play on the different inflatables.

 Yesterday, you completed a painting and you wanted to add it to your art wall. As you can see, it's pretty full.

I asked you which of these pictures is less cool or less pretty, that we could take down to make room for new pictures. Immediately, you said, they are all very pretty and cool. We need to keep them up. Just find more clips. Ok,

Well, that is it for now. Hannah, you keep practicing the scooter and Nathan, you keep practicing your roller skates. I'm looking forward to the day where we can just roll around the neighborhood as a family.

Until next week,
Mommy