Interacting with Nature

Hillsboro Pier & Beach

Hillsboro Pier & Beach--O already getting checked out by the ladies ;)

Hillsboro Pier & Beach--notice Noah's ice cream ring around the mouth ;)

Zoo

Nanny and O at the Zoo

"ook iger Mommy, iger!"

Noah actually requested I take this photo of him pushing this ball

Fearless O
Of all the wild and exotic animals on the zoo carousel...Noah picks...a horse.

Zoo Carousel

Palm Beach Zoo

Zoo

Wakhodahatchee Wetlands (moorhen & chicks)

Great Blue Heron



Noah doing a "silly walk"--or in this case a Wacky walk

Misc.

Sleepin' in Mama's Chair
Playing at 'Seppe's House

Eating at Eden's 1st Bday Party

New Playground equipment--guess it replaces the merry-go-round

Owen riding the clock at Chuck's

Swimming

Mr. Underwater Man (loves it!)
Goggles help keep his eyes from going beet red after diving for rings

Mama Lee had to stay within arms reach or someone would sneak off the steps without the teacher noticing and "monkey crawl" along the wall to the deep end. Notice the leg block...

The boys at the Bevilaqua's community pool (9in deep!!!)

Noah in his swim class with his new goggles

Family Trip to Sugar Sand

Snack
Building together

Owen plays with friction experiment at the Science Museum (Sugar Sand Park)

Spider Man

Stop at the Kims on the way home...boys got into EVERYTHING...

Who is this kid?

Peeked in on Noah this morning at school. He was sitting at a table working on a green cloverleaf tray (St. Patty;s is tomorrow--they always have themed projects around for holidays). I watched as he got up from the table, pushed in his chair, picked up his project and put it back on the shelf. I didn't see any adult hovering over him telling him to do it. Then he got up and walked over to where the big kids were doing something with Ms Amber. He watched for a bit then went over to a basket of soft cloth mats and pulled one out. He laid it out carefully on the floor, smoothed it down and got ready to find another project in the "culture/language" area of the classroom. By himself. I have to STRUGGLE sometimes with him to put his plate in the sink after a meal. It's like my friend Lisa said, they are so relaxed and comfy at home so they don't perform as much like they would at school for strangers ;).

I'm VERY behind on pictures. Our video camera with all of my March photos is having problems keeping a charge on the battery. It is completely dead now so I may need to take it in to be repaired/looked at before I can get the photos/video off. The boys have been busy so there's tons to post. I know, I know, I still haven't posted Noah's bday pics here either---I put a bunch on Facebook and never got around to putting them on the blog.

Noah at School this Morning

Noah is on the bottom left working on his favorite "bead" project. It's what he talks about and gets excited about when leaving for school...I have no idea what the object of it is or even much about what it looks like but just that he enjoys it is good enough for me ;).

So Big!

Noah is gaining confidence in speaking to strangers and is becoming more social. Who knows if he just hit the age where he is interested in it or if going to Montessori school has sped it along. During the last week I've really noticed that he gravitates to one on one interactions with children about his age when we're in public. He talks them up and they play together like old friends. He also seems less shy/more confident with strangers and friends. After playing in the evening with the neighbors he (AND OWEN!) say good night to Mr. Kris, Ms. Lisa, Kyle and Krysten. He also waves enthusiastically at neighbor Mr. Mike and finally answers questions being directed at him (Like "How's school?"). Today at the mall he ordered his own Auntie Anne's pretzel from the lady and went back alone to ask for some more napkins (I was at least 50 feet+ away). Both boys are getting very independent and vocal. Owen tells me to "stop 'ancing mommy" (dancing), Noah's always told me to "stop singing" and now he also adds "go away mommy" "I need privacy mommy" "move" etc etc. I frequently have to remind him to say the request nicer or add "please", lower his voice, etc. The most amusing tantrum recently was over dinner: chicken and rice--can't get any more neutral. He starts the fit and thru the tears says "You treat me so bad mommy" repeatedly. SO! I question him and he says it's because I give him a stomachache...huh? He then points at the food I've asked him to eat and repeats himself emphasizing how BADly I treat him. Hmpf. I realized after the fact (24hrs+ later) that he learned the behavior from watching his 8 yr old nephew in January do this with my sister. This boy is a SPONGE! Owen still looks so tiny and people often remark with surprise at how verbal he is and he's relatively agile compared to other toddlers his age. The boys are still hooked on Pokoyo and Caillou which I think has really helped Owen's language. They both run around saying "treasure" with a British accent (thanks to Pocoyo) ;).

Thoughts

Now that both boys are getting older and developing their own personalities I thought it'd be interesting to note some of their distinct traits. Owen, though middle name is Anderson, totally takes after his father's side of the family...everything from how he eats, sleeps and interacts with others. Noah, on the other hand, takes after my side of the family. He's quick tempered, loving/affectionate, emotionally sensitive and a very fitful sleeper. They both are quite stubborn and won't be bowled over by anyone even though they both are generally a little small for their age. Actually, they both will take on much older and bigger children to get what they want most times. Now, maybe a few years from now this assessment may change. I realize that a lot of the attitudes and behaviors may just be their age/stage in life but some things I really think will stick forever. I pray that the smart-mouthing, defiant, and domaneering behaviors end soon because having 2 boys now in that stage sure is tiring! Some of you with older/grown children are probably chuckling at what's in store...I seriously doubt it will end but maybe it'll mellow a bit???