Wild Summer- 2012

Our summer can best be described as Wild. It was wild- busy, wild-awesome, wild- themed birthday party, wild- children, wild- crazy...but mostly wild-fun. It was the best and most memorable summer for me so far. There was a great balance of vacation, time with kids and time with friends and family. This was the first year that we had no naps in the morning so we were out and about everyday putting stamps on our summer passport. Some of our favorite everyday activities were swim lessons at Hoyt, summer classes at the Y, Art Class at the Big Backyard, Sports Explorers through the Rec Dept., weekly visits to the zoo and library. 

Some of the crazy wild comes from Kate being all over the place and into everything, Ryan deciding he does not nap at home anymore, except maybe every 4th day, Kate wanting to go potty, Ryan becoming a more independent thinker leading to things like colored train tracks and making his own choices regardless of what mom or dad said and Kate making a mess with the contents of her diaper- totally grossing us out! EWWW!

Kate: We have determined that Kate is an advanced child- she has started her terrible twos at only 18 months! While smiley and sweet, she can be sassy and stubborn- a little stinker (I have no idea where she gets that:) She wants to be more independent- no tray at the table, no help while eating... Her first instinct when something is not going her way is to shriek or grunt. She has also mastered a stink face and a firm "No!". We are working with her on using kind words:) She has recently begun to express what she wants with "I want that!" or "In a bowl". My favorite was when I turned on a song and she raised her hands in the air and shouted "I want to dance". So I got her down from her highchair and when danced! Some of our favorite words she uses are "I love you", "Minnie", "Football", "Nonni" for Ryan (I have no idea!), "Peas Momma", "Bapa"and "I Do!". Even when we are not asking, for example, "Who wants a banana?", she will shout "I do!" if she shes something she wants to eat or do. 

Ryan: He started the summer working to earn rewards for making good choices and looking at people's eyes. When he earned a reward, he got to choose a paper popsicle with a reward on it. As a result, we went to see Brave, rented video games/movies, saw the Sea Lion Show at the zoo, rode the Carousel, went to Yo Mama, constructed and painted an airplane and much more. It has been fun to watch him grow and begin to reason and understand consequences for choices. One example where he didn't quite think through the consequences was when he and Kate were in the car, I went to grab our lunches and I hear loud crying. I asked what happened and he replied "I boxed her". "What do you mean you boxed her?" "I punched her in the face" One small commercial highlight from the Olympics stuck in his brain and turned into a jab into the cheek of his unsuspecting baby sister. We live and learn! He still has his pretend boy that seems to appear at the most convenient times- my pretend boy said that or my pretend boy did that. The most recent occurrence was yesterday when I told him he would not be able to read his new magazines in the car because it was too dark outside. He immediately replied "Sometimes my pretend boy's head can light up so I can see" My response:"Oh, well let's hope that happens tonight for you."  This kid has quite the imagination! This year as I get ready to go back to school, Joe and I are getting Ryan ready to go to school for the first time. He is more than ready and I know he will thrive in a classroom. I'm so excited for him to begin this new adventure.

Our Summer Passport

Feeding the giraffes

Celebrating my 30th with Family and the Brewers

I think we lived at the zoo this summer!

Loves the train just as much as her brother- Family Night at the Zoo

In Aunt Linda's fountain at the Pig Roast

Day off with Daddy- we loved those days!

Happy Lady

Ready for Fun in the Sun

Running through the fountains at Bayshore

Puppet Show at the Library with Gramma

Yahnke Family Christmas in July Brewer Game

Both kids sat through most of the game!

We LOVED reading lots of new books this summer!

Face Paint and a Tractor- what more could a 4 year old ask for!

Best Smile of the Summer- the trick: a corn dog!

Still LOVES the Piggy Bank Slide!

State Fair Cream Puffs-Yum!

Lovin being home with my kiddos!

We made a zoo

Fun in Minnesota 

Ryan didn't want to be in a picture with just girls, so we had to recruit a male cheerleader to join us

One of Daddy's Favorite Days- Badger Family Fun Day

The Carousel was a summer highlight

Lovin the Brewers-lots of clapping

Brewer Game with Godfather Tim

What every 4th Day looked like

Summer Fun= Long naps that started before we got home

Ryan is 4!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy! It was 4 years ago that our world was changed forever when this amazing little man was born. Joe and I are so extraordinarily proud of who he has become and love thinking about who he will grow to be. I pray everyday that God gives me the strength and support to guide him to walk in His footsteps and to become the man God intended him to be. 

As a mom I worry about the phenomenal responsibility that is being a parent: 

I worry that I may influence his behavior and future choices negatively

I worry sometimes that I am crushing his spirit 

I worry that I dwell on his faults

I worry that my expectations are too high and unrealistic

I worry that I will impart my fears upon him

I worry that I am too critical

I worry I might push him too hard

I worry that my teacher's discipline style (high expectations and consistent consequences every time) will cause him to rebel

I worry that I will not know how to instill in him the confidence to stand up for what he believes in and what he knows is right

I worry that I might not recognize his destiny and lead him astray chasing my dreams for him

I worry that my fears will stand in his way of greatness

I worry that he may not always find the peace of the Lord in his heart

I worry that I will not give him enough opportunities to make mistakes

I worry that I do not spend enough time with him

I worry that I worry too much

 I worry sometimes that he doesn't know how amazing Joe and I think he is

I see so many amazing qualities that Ryan possesses at 4 years old: 

compassion-almost in tears in movies when someone is being mean

helpful- loves to vacuum, load the dishwasher, sweep- he's first to raise his hand in class at the Y

sensitive- crying when he wasn't picked 4 separate times at a magic show:( "mom, I was raising my hand and he didn't pick me!"

confidence- he exudes self assurance in social situations-never afraid to tell a story

friendliness- will strike up a conversation with anyone, "Hello, makes friends where ever we go

strong love for family and friends- talks about his family and friends all the time, prays for everyone

kindness-holds doors for others, picks up things people drop, "good Job" to others

sharing- shares treats, toys- he's always been really good about sharing

happy-smiley guy, loves to dance and sing

love for life-so excited about everything-especially trains and books

love of animals-loves the zoo and all family dogs

bravery-doctor and dentist are always amazed at his bravery

adventurous-Loves rides- Ferris wheel

photographic memory-remembers everything!, knew most nursery rhymes after reading a book twice

responsibility-"Mom, "I'm not buckled", dishes to the sink

sweet-"Daddy, guess what? I love you" "You're the best, momma" "Katers is so cute!"

empathetic-"Are you okay?"

silly-loves to make others laugh, silly faces and voices

imaginative-pretend boy, puppet shows, loves to do pretend play

smart-puzzle whiz, memory, knows all letters and sounds, counts to 30 (to 100 with support), so much knowledge in that brain!, whiz on the ipad, "reading" books(memorized)

polite-complimented on manners often, "may I be excused?

Ryan you are truly amazing. Your dad and I are in awe of you. We work hard every day to guide and support you on your journey to realize your potential in this world. God has amazing plans for you. You have brought so much joy, laughter and youth to your family in only 4 years. Your dad and I can't wait to watch you share your love of life with the world. As you enter preschool this Fall, you will begin to build friendships, adapt to academic structure, resolve conflict, be a citizen in a learning community, respect authority and challenge your mind- all foundations for success in your future. May you always know how blessed, loved and cherished you are! Love, Mom

Zoo Train Party

4 Year Old

Look out for the leopard!

Wild cake!

Zoo train

Happy Birthday To You!

Packer Practice

Watching Rodgers, Driver and Nelson up close

Bay Beach- Green Bay

Kate loved it too!

Favorite ride- the train

Birthday Dinner-Red Robin

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What a wonderful holiday season. We are so blessed to have such amazing family and friends to share our lives with. Joe and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Christmas through our beautiful children. Ryan was full of excitement. We kicked off the holiday season with our trip on the Polar Express. While the experience was meant to sweep the kids up in fantasy and make-believe as we rode the train to the North Pole to visit Santa, when we arrived at the North Pole, our little smarty pants said "This isn't the North Pole, it's the train station." Ryan and Kate (poor Kate) got to visit Santa 3 times this year and Ryan will tell you that he met 3 different Santa's- for Pete Sake's kid- you're 3, not 10!. Ryan's wish list: "more trains."

Kate spent December pulling herself up and walking around furniture any chance she got. We celebrated her 1st birthday with a Ladybug Picnic Party- she LOVED the cake. She loved opening presents for both her birthday and Christmas. While she is still a happy baby, always smiling at herself in the carseat mirror, she has definitely become more independent- feeding herself, tossing her cup off the highchair, "yelling" when she wants more- screaming when you are not cutting her banana fast enough (we're still working on more, please in sign language!) We are still hoping this strong will is a phase caused by teething and getting over a cough, otherwise we are in BIG trouble!

While most of the season was filled with merriment, we did have some "naughty" behaviors, but the phrase "Santa is watching" didn't have the immediate effect I was hoping for. St. Nick even had to let Ryan know he wasn't making good choices with a simple letter and notebook in his stocking. We are working on taking care of our books and staying in bed. Maybe the Elf of the Shelf will have an impact next year!

As we counted down the days until Christmas on our advent tree, we celebrated the season with fun family activities and sharing how we showed someone we cared that day. Ryan especially loved shopping for other children and delivering toys to the Ronalad McDonald House "for all the good girls and boys." As we were leaving, Ryan looked around the parking lot and asked "Where's Ronald McDonald's car?" To which I replied "Honey, Ronald McDonald doesn't live here. He shares his house with kids who are sick and their families."

We ended the holidays with both Joe and I off from work, home with the kids for a week! We had a great time visiting, shopping, going to Discovery World, playing Wii and snuggling. We may have enjoyed ourselves a little too much- when I said "Okay it's time for dinner." Ryan replied, "Yay, where are we going?"

I look back at 2011 and see Kate grow from a 3 week old baby to an amazing, almost walking, 1 year old and Ryan grow from a 2 year old in diapers to a 3 year old who says "When I grow up and I'm 5, I'm going to Disney World!" As the wheels of time keep spinning (too quickly, I have begun to realize), I resolve to hold dear all the memories, cherish each singular day and always dream big for the future!