What it is like to be 2 1/2

Evan turned 2 1/2 on February 7.  This meant some very special new developments. Side note, Evan didn't want to claim being 2 1/2 , he would say he is just 2. :)  We explained to him that this was more than 2, but he was happy with being 2.  However, since originally creating this post, he now does claim 2 1/2.  It was like it just clicked one day that 2 1/2 was actually better.  Now he pretty much tells everyone that he meets, my name is Evan and I am 2 1/2. :)

Additional side note, this post is really tardy.  I have actually had it in draft form for awhile, but keep adding things.  Finally, it is coming to life!  Hope you enjoy Evan and all things 2 1/2. 

Now to those exciting new milestones...

-2 1/2 means big boy Sunday School Class.  He graduated to the big boy Sunday School class the Sunday he turned 2 1/2.  This has been huge, especially since one of his best guy buddies is in this class, Cameron.  Here they are together.  Such love these two have for each other!

-2 1/2/ also involves exploring the potty.  He has peed and pooped in his little potty seat several times and has pooped in the real big boy toilet once.  It is so exciting!  Most of the potty time happens at night before bed, because he always wants a dry diaper at this time and was insisting on being changed several times in the evening, after he was put to bed.  Overall, we aren't rushing things with potty training at this point.  We don't mind diapers too much.  We are waiting until Evan really feels more comfortable with using the big potty.  The cool thing is we are actually just in the last three or four weeks being to see a little more regularity on his part to want to use the toilet.  Thus, we are trying to be more consistent too.  Looks like big boy underwear could be right around the corner.

-2 1/2 involves trying to figure out how Evan can still have a nap, but also be able to go to bed at a decent time at night.  Here he is passed out on Daddy during one of his experimental no nap days around 5:00ish.   

-2 1/2 means Evan understands so much more and is actively learning all the time.  This can be seen in how involved he is with story time at the library now.  Evie has a good time too, she pays so much better attention than Evan did at this age, must be because she is a girl. :)

-2 1/2 means using dialogue while playing with his cars and trains.  This is hilarious, especially when he tells his trains and/or cars not to hit each other and that they have to give each other hugs after they hit! :)

-2 1/2 means loving certain toys and wanting your picture taken with them.  Here he is below with Lightening McQueen.  Notice the shirt too!

 

-2 1/2 means learning to be a better sharer and to use our words instead of hitting.  He is doing really great with this.  I am so proud!  Having a little sister helps.

-However, 2 1/2 also means more dramatic tantrums and exploring feelings.  We have been going through this a lot lately.  As parents Jim and I are trying to be consistent and strong in our disciple and instruction, however, this is where parenting is exhausting and hard!  I am very thankful for all the support and encouragement we have from family and friends in this area. 

-2 1/2 means helping Mommy with the chores around the house.  I can't wait to use his skills and excitement with more activities soon.

-2 1/2/ means actively playing with sissy more and other tasks including guiding her around...

and wearing hair bows together.  Don't you just love it! :)

-2 1/2 means riding his tricycle with his own special way, pushing off with his foot with occasional pedal use. 

 

-2 1/2 means putting on his own clothes and insisting to do it even when it takes forever and might look a little crazy.  It also means that he loves wearing pajamas all the time.

-2 1/2 means funny conversations and questions.  For example, we ask Evan, "Who is our favorite boy in the world?"  He says, "Evan."  Then we ask him, "Who is our favorite girl in the world?"  He answers, "Evie".  Lastly we will ask him, "Who is your favorite Mommy and Daddy in the world?"  He says, "Kim and Jim," and then laughs.  Ha, ha, ha, we laugh too! :) 

-2 1/2 means trying to do a new trick all the time.  Look at this new way of sitting below.

-2 1/2 means that he loves to hide under blankets, in the laundry basket, under his bed, build forts.  Evan is all boy!

Here he is with Evie in a box.  She thought it was pretty fun too!

 

Evie preferred to be inside not on the outside. :)

FYI, here is what came in the box.  Some new luggage.  They had fun in this too.

-2 1/2 means pretty much that most things are fun and make you laugh.  Here he is with buddy, Will at Brooklynn Moon's first birthday party on March 12...

and with sissy. :)

-2 1/2 means that he has a lot of people who are his best friend...he loves to say he or she is "My Best Friend."  So precious!  He sure does love his friends.  Here he is with one of them, Brittney Moon.  Jim and I are so glad he is social and always enjoys having people over and playing.

Here he is with other Best Friend, Tyler and Evie having some fun on the couch getting ready to watch a movie.

-2 1/2/ means having opinions and enjoying a variety of different shoes.  He recently got some flip flops and loves them and wants to wear them all the time.

We sure to love our 2 1/2 year old boy, Evan. Thank you God for blessing us with this handsome, special, amazing, fun-loving, adventurous, smart, joyful, hilarious, bundle of cuddles and kisses!  Love you sweetheart, your Mommy and Daddy! :) 

STAR ECO Center in Rocklin

On Saturday, March 19th our family visited the STAR ECO Center in Rocklin.  We found the center in our Entertainment Book.  This visit was also part of Jim's birthday gift.  It was an activity our family could enjoy together.  The bonus was that the center was perfect for rainy days as it was all indoors.  This was key because on March 19th it pretty much rained all day.

The STAR ECO Center is  non-profit environmental education and exotic wildlife rescue center, dedicated to the mission of preservation through education. The Center provides a last chance for illegal or abandoned at-risk exotic wildlife, as well as environmental education outreach. Visitors to the STAR ECO Center experience incredible hands-on lessons of ecology and environmentalism with encounters with beautiful tropical birds, exotic reptiles, an array of insects, and a variety of aquatic creatures.

Below is a picture of Evie and I looking at some of the birds.

 

Jim and Evan are pictured below looking at the birds too.   One of the parrots actually barked like a dog.  Evan thought it was hilarious.  Jim and I did too! :)

This area of the Center was extremely loud from all the noise the birds made.  Look at the little boy in this picture covering his ears.

Here is Evan with an interesting turtle species.

Evie is pictured below looking at some fish.

 

We also got to see several snakes, iguanas, and lizards, but I didn't take any pictures of them because I didn't want to make any of them upset in their cages.  However, they were very cool and we even got to pet some of the lizards and snakes.  Evan was okay with petting the lizards, but the snake freaked him out a bit.  

All in all we had a wonderful time at the STAR ECO Center and would recommend for others to come and check it out.  The price was right and the staff was very knowledgeable and kind.

Grandpa's Birthday

This post is VERY belated, but I wanted to make sure I had record of it.  Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!  My Dad's birthday was actually on February 2nd. :)  To celebrate Jim, me and the kids, my Mom and Dad, my brother and his wife, and my grandma, dined first at Chilies (one of my families favorite restaurants) and then we headed back to my parents house for cake. 

Evan helping Grandpa to blow out his candles and Evie watching with Daddy.

Evan was so proud that he got to help. :)

Evan couldn't wait to eat the cake and watched Grandma very closely as she started cutting the pieces.

Evan finally got some cake; boy was he excited!

Evie was pretty happy too!

First Pigtails

 

I had some more fun with Evie's hair on April 7.

I couldn't get her to smile, but she does look at the camera.  Which was actually tricky too, because all she wanted to do was play with the hair clips.

The pigtails didn't stay in very long.  She of course pulled them out, but they were fun while they lasted! :)  I sure do love my little girl.

Hat Model

  

We were over at Grandma Thompson's house and going through all sorts of old stuff that she had.  During our search on March 2, we found these hats/bonnets and had Evie model them. :)

Here she is ready for the Prairie Days. 

 

And Red Riding Hood has some competition with this look!

 

We had so much fun and were very happy to be able to get these pictures before Evie of course ripped the hats/bonnets off her head. :)

Evie and her baby

This event actually toke place back on February 21, but I thought it was worth posting.  Such a little momma already...I love it! :)

She is very serious about getting her just right in the stroller.  I don't know about her holding her by the head method, but I guess it works for her. ;)

A little hug and kiss for baby.

And a smile, now that baby is safe and secure in the stroller. :)

Grandma's Girl

 

Evie loves all her Grandmas and Great Grandma!!!

My little superheros!

Here are the kids on Saturday, March 26th.  They were dressed up and ready to attend their buddy Blake's Superhero 2nd Birthday.  Evie is actually in Evan's old Superman pajamas.  Don't you just love it! :)

They both had so much fun at the party and dressing up.  Here are some more cute pictures I got that morning.

 

Sweet little Evie!

 Here they are both pretending to fly...

this picture is of the handsome Evan flying too!