It is almost impossible to believe that two years have passed since Alex and Arielle came into this world a on a sunny and clear March morning. It's even harder to comprehend how they've gone from this: 
to this:
There is certainly no greater joy than watching your children grow and develop into their own personalities.
The past six months have been a whirlwind of development and suddenly we no longer have toddlers in our household, but full-fledged children.
Ari can be described as charming, coy, happy, manipulative, loving and stubborn. She is now talking in multi-word sentences like "Mommy, sit down," "Go away, rain," and "Ari do it." She has entered the "me"stage, as in "me do" everything from putting on her own shoes, to holding her own milk cup as Mommy pours the milk, to eating her cereal and yogurt by herself to getting up in her carseat on her own (something she has just mastered in the past couple of weeks). Her new favorite activity is standing outside and watching for airplanes in the sky. She loves everything Elmo, pushing her dolls in the double stroller, coloring and stickers. Lately she also likes dressing up in her bunny costume, so Mommy got her some dress-up clothes for her birthday. Ari also loves blowing bubbles and has gotten very good at it.
Ari has also become very adept at climbing, thanks in part to practice at our weekly gym classes. She and her brother keep up with the rest of the big kids on the playground now. She is also quite the smarty- she can identify several letters of the alphabet, her favorite being "O" and "A." Ari loves seeing her friends and seems to have a core of favorites, including neighbors Andrew, Riley and Ryan, as well as her classmates Adam and Abby. Ari is getting very good at sharing and will often (but not always) sacrifice a toy for someone (like Alex) who is crying. But if she is intent on keeping the toy, watch out-- she will scream "mine" at a pitch that could break windows, although she will offer an alternate toy to attempt to pacify the offending interloper.
Alex is all sweetness, love and laughter if not a bit short-tempered. Like his sister, he is also talking in multi-word sentences now and he also LOVES to sing songs. When he wakes up in the morning or from his naps, he often lays in bed and sings at the top of his lungs. He seems to have picked up Mommy's singing ability (i.e, none) but that doesn't stop him from proudly crooning his favorite tunes. He can sing the alphabet and many of the songs he hears in the car or in school. His ability to remember the words is impressive.
Alex is a love bug. He gives hugs freely and will come up from behind Mommy to give her a big hug because he knows it makes "Mommy happy." If his sister is crying, he will bring her water or milk or offer her a toy. He gives hugs to friends who are upset. He is also usually good at sharing, although he has many of his "mine" moments too.
Alex LOVES big vehicles: trucks, tractors, fire engines, busses, trains etc. He also loves climbing and jumping (which he's mastered in the past couple of months). He has a great sense of direction and remembers locations long after we've been there. He is also going through a "me" stage, insisting on doing EVERYTHING himself. Mommy has had to explain to him that some things (like cooking, taking things out of a hot oven, etc.) are "Mommy jobs" but for most tasks, she lets him participate. Alex and Ari both have step-stools in the kitchen which allow them to take part in preparing meals, not to mention reach things on the counter that we may not have wanted them to have in the first place!
Alex also likes to build with blocks, although he is quick to anger if his tower falls (or is knocked down by a certain sister, and we're not talking about Kira). He generally gets frustrated when he doesn't get his way and has been known to throw a few really good tantrums. Luckily they don't last long and so far (knock on wood) haven't happened out in public. Most of the time, Alex is a happy boy with a trademark laugh that can make anyone smile.
to this:
There is certainly no greater joy than watching your children grow and develop into their own personalities.
The past six months have been a whirlwind of development and suddenly we no longer have toddlers in our household, but full-fledged children.
Ari can be described as charming, coy, happy, manipulative, loving and stubborn. She is now talking in multi-word sentences like "Mommy, sit down," "Go away, rain," and "Ari do it." She has entered the "me"stage, as in "me do" everything from putting on her own shoes, to holding her own milk cup as Mommy pours the milk, to eating her cereal and yogurt by herself to getting up in her carseat on her own (something she has just mastered in the past couple of weeks). Her new favorite activity is standing outside and watching for airplanes in the sky. She loves everything Elmo, pushing her dolls in the double stroller, coloring and stickers. Lately she also likes dressing up in her bunny costume, so Mommy got her some dress-up clothes for her birthday. Ari also loves blowing bubbles and has gotten very good at it.
Ari has also become very adept at climbing, thanks in part to practice at our weekly gym classes. She and her brother keep up with the rest of the big kids on the playground now. She is also quite the smarty- she can identify several letters of the alphabet, her favorite being "O" and "A." Ari loves seeing her friends and seems to have a core of favorites, including neighbors Andrew, Riley and Ryan, as well as her classmates Adam and Abby. Ari is getting very good at sharing and will often (but not always) sacrifice a toy for someone (like Alex) who is crying. But if she is intent on keeping the toy, watch out-- she will scream "mine" at a pitch that could break windows, although she will offer an alternate toy to attempt to pacify the offending interloper.
Alex is all sweetness, love and laughter if not a bit short-tempered. Like his sister, he is also talking in multi-word sentences now and he also LOVES to sing songs. When he wakes up in the morning or from his naps, he often lays in bed and sings at the top of his lungs. He seems to have picked up Mommy's singing ability (i.e, none) but that doesn't stop him from proudly crooning his favorite tunes. He can sing the alphabet and many of the songs he hears in the car or in school. His ability to remember the words is impressive.Alex is a love bug. He gives hugs freely and will come up from behind Mommy to give her a big hug because he knows it makes "Mommy happy." If his sister is crying, he will bring her water or milk or offer her a toy. He gives hugs to friends who are upset. He is also usually good at sharing, although he has many of his "mine" moments too.
Alex LOVES big vehicles: trucks, tractors, fire engines, busses, trains etc. He also loves climbing and jumping (which he's mastered in the past couple of months). He has a great sense of direction and remembers locations long after we've been there. He is also going through a "me" stage, insisting on doing EVERYTHING himself. Mommy has had to explain to him that some things (like cooking, taking things out of a hot oven, etc.) are "Mommy jobs" but for most tasks, she lets him participate. Alex and Ari both have step-stools in the kitchen which allow them to take part in preparing meals, not to mention reach things on the counter that we may not have wanted them to have in the first place!
Alex also likes to build with blocks, although he is quick to anger if his tower falls (or is knocked down by a certain sister, and we're not talking about Kira). He generally gets frustrated when he doesn't get his way and has been known to throw a few really good tantrums. Luckily they don't last long and so far (knock on wood) haven't happened out in public. Most of the time, Alex is a happy boy with a trademark laugh that can make anyone smile.
Alex and Ari's second birthday is being celebrated with a weekend full of festivities. We kicked things off last night at Miri and Opa's house. We celebrated not only Alex and Ari's birthday, but Uncle Jason's birthday (this past Thursday) and Cousin Denise's birthday (earlier in the month) as well. It was a particularly special evening as all of the cousins were together in one place:
Alex and Ari were spoiled by their grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins-- these lucky two-year olds got an outdoor water and sand activity table from their Aunt Debbie, Uncle Jason and Cousins Naomi and Jonathan, Arizona T-shirts from their Arizona Cousins Denise, Jason and Ayden and tricycles from Miri and Opa. Add in some chocolate birthday cake and rambunctious cousins and Ari and Alex were in hyper overdrive the entire evening. It's amazing they settled down enough to go to sleep when they got home!
Kira watches the excitement, eager for her own birthday one day!
Uncle Jason celebrates his birthday with Cousin Naomi
Alex and Ari open their gift with some help from Cousins Jonathan and Naomi
The best part- cake!!
Alex rides his gift from Opa and Miri
Ari's already a pro at riding her new tricycle
This morning the celebrations continued as Alex and Ari got to open all of the gifts that have been piling up this week. They also got their gift from Mommy and Daddy-- a new kitchen of their own (that Mommy and Daddy stayed up assembling until midnight last night!!) They also got puzzles from friend Andrew, building bricks from friend Mitchell, clothes from their Aunt Candy, Uncle Jerry and cousins Jared and Jordan, books and stickers (Ari's favorite!!) from their friends Kaylee and Alyssa, dress up clothes for Ari from Mommy and Daddy, a train and blocks for Alex from Mommy and Daddy and lots of other gifts. Alex and Ari seem to like this concept of birthdays. These kids are in toy overdose today!
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Tonight the festivities continue with a playdate at friend Riley's house followed by a birthday dinner at Nana and Poppy's house. Tomorrow is the big party...stay tuned for more pictures!
1 comment:
Happy 2nd Birthday Ari and Alex! I have loved watching you grow from tiny newborns to the amazing, fun, and busy children you are today. Hope you are enjoying all your new toys!
Kaylee and Alyssa send birthday hugs too!
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