Happy Birthday, Little Man!

Wow, a lot of things have been going on, but I am going to start with one of the most important--MY BABY IS TWO! The Little Man turned 2 on Wednesday and we had a relaxed celebration (with another one with cousins in a week) with his two sets of Grandparents. It's so nice when you can decide what they do for their birthday. Okay, well, I THOUGHT I could decide, but the man of few words was INSISTENT on an Elmo birthday cake (as he is that he is going to be Elmo for Halloween. How does he even KNOW about this stuff?!?!?!). His wish came true, as did his wishes he didn't even know he had--he got a basketball hoop. He's got skills.

This Little Man can seriously crack us up. I just want to squeeze him and stick him in my pocket, but due to his size (he weighs as much as his sister that is over 2 years older than him) I can't. Now that his is officially over his screaming stage (my apologies to all those who beheld that), he is so cute. Here are some things I love about him:

1. His LONG eyelashes and big eyes.
2. His word for Okay, "Duh."
3. His excellent t-ball skills (he bends his legs and actually takes a step when hitting the ball--before he was even 2).
4. How he puts on his shoes by himself and has since he was 17 months old (so, their crocs, but still it makes my day easier).
5. How he SLEEPS! He is a dream. We read books, read scriptures, pray, and when I sometimes TRY to just hold him and rock him he says, "Night, night" and points to his crib. I consent and put him in and he doesn't make a peep.
6. How he says, "money"--"num-uh-num"
7. How he listens and obeys---seriously.
8. How he sings (and laughs when Elmo laughs, or say "Ahem" when one of the characters does) to Elmo and the Orchestra, and always requests it first thing in the car.
9. His silly laugh when he's with Boo, how he just LOVES her.
10. How he is just so HAPPY, kind and fun!

He is going to be a great BIG brother! We love watching him grow and learn new things. We are so glad he is part of our family.

Disney

What I learned at Disney World:

1. It is perfectly acceptable for 55 year old men to wear Mickey Mouse Ears.
2. All Disney characters wear wigs--including those that are just dancers.
3. Ariel is stacked.
4. Disney World is TOO expensive.
5. Every girl can be a princess.
6. Chuck E Cheese is where a kid can be a kid, but Disney World is where an adult can be a kid (a kid that makes money, that is).
7. Disney actors are CHEEEEEEEESY (and this is coming from someone who would LOVE to play Belle on Stage)!
8. Apparently it is cool to go for your honeymoon and wear Minnie ears with a veil.
9. Disney World rides are just a big ad and all the same (the ones you can take kids on, anyway).
10. Why ever go anywhere else in the world when you can see it all at Disney? Safaris, China, Norway, Mexico, England, Germany...it's all just the same at Disney World (I hope you know I am kidding).

We did have a fabulous time--the kids were great on the plane, and we didn't have any breakdowns at the park even though they didn't have naps and we got home late. We ate breakfast with the princesses, met the Little Einsteins, rode TONS of rides, and saw a plethora a shows! Boo's favorite rides were the White Water (she got the wettest both times she went on) and Goofy's Roller Coaster. Little Man wasn't so sure about the roller coaster (he only wanted to ride once--no crying he just said he didn't want to go again), but he loved everything else. Thanks to Disney World, our son has his first sword. He carried that thing everywhere. What are they TEACHING him?

Now, it's back to reality, and on to teaching seminary at 6am. What a shock to the system.

New Beginnings

Today was Boo's first day of Preschool. Yes, it was a little hard for me and it's only 3 hours MWF!! I'm just trying to prepare myself for full-day kindergarten next year. The picture was actually taken AFTER school. I had to wake up BOTH kids (8:40) in order to get her to school at 9:00.

Boo had a great time and played with all of her friends that were in her Joy School class last year. I think Little Man loved the fact that he was King of the radio, toys and shopping cart. We head to Disney World tomorrow, so she'll be missing Friday, but I don't think she'll be too upset.

S.'s bro, Jesse entered the Missionary Training Center today in Provo, Utah. In November he'll be heading to Taiwan to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are very excited for him and know he will pick up the language quickly and do a great job.
The kids will miss Uncle Jesse!

Wipeout

I remember first going water-skiing around 12. My parents had won a water-skiing trip at a church "auction" raising money for the youth. My puny little muscles couldn't get me up. A couple years later my uncle bought a boat. We went to the lake a couple times each summer (good memories with friends growing up). I favored riding the tube. One time I finally got up on water skis. I can't even remember when the momentous occasion was.

We went to Lake Anna on Saturday, and even pregnant, I still have it...well, sort of. Remember when I got tagged? I mentioned I have a strange attachment to my body? I am by no means a dare-devil when it comes to water-skiing. Please, go slow, please, don't go over the wake...you see where I'm going. Well, apparently that chickenness (new word) intensifies when I'm pregnant.

The kids loved the boat, although Little Man missed riding the tube because he fell asleep. Before he feel asleep, he just wanted to keep jumping out of the boat into the water every time we stopped. He is fearless. Boo had a great time on the tube with her Aunt Jeannie and Cousin E.

I love Lake Anna. The only other place I have ever attempted to water ski was in Utah. Okay, so I couldn't even get out from under the blanket and off the boat. It was freezing. I prefer to be warm in water--even if it is heated by the nuclear plant nearby. What a way to end the summer.