Rowan,

This year as been full of changes and challenges.

You've grown so much and as always, in many ways you are mature beyond your years.  You have an incredible grasp on the way the world is.  Always asking questions, but you often already know the answers.

Pokemon was an intense passion this year.  It is a pretty dang fun collectible and card game and lucky for you, your Daddy is somewhat knowledgeable in this area. It's helped you learn to read and it opened our eyes to how amazingly your 5 year old brain processes math.  We're talking addition/subtraction strings in double and triple digits, and basic multiplication/division (2's, 10's, 50's, 100s....geez). And look at you, you little trendsetter, you liked it before it made its HUGE comeback. Now everyone wants to know how to play, which is great for you!


 You are an awesome big brother to little Vada, who you originally wanted to name "Cyborg".  But when she was born and we told you her name, you loved that too, basically because your love for her is so great and genuine.  You like to hold her in your lap and tuck a little blanket around her when she's laying on her mat, and even though you said you'd never change a diaper, you have changed multiple!  It makes me happy to see the happiness light up your body when you've done something you're proud of.

You remain a great brother to Cid as well.  Although, you are a bit hard on him at times.  He's not quite as good at Pokemon as you are yet,( neither are some of the adults at the weekly Hobbytown USA Pokemon battles that Daddy takes you too) and you sometimes have trouble lightening up your game intensity for your little bro.  But then, sometimes, you whip out the sweetest gestures towards him to make him feel good too.  The other day, you helped him put Neosporin and a bandage on his finger, "because it made you feel like a good big brother".


You lost three (going on four) teeth this year, starting with a bottom one. Love that toothless grin because it reminds us that you're just a little kid after all.






Daddy's helping you realize some of your toy inventions, which are quite elaborate by design.  You have so many amazing ideas in that little head of yours! Beyblade stadiums that have moving parts and steam seething from little crevices.

One of the most fun conversations we have going on these days is about what your plans are for growing up; what you will do, who you will marry, where you will live, and how many kids you will have.  The future you have planned for yourself lights up my heart!  You want to make the love of your life a wedding ring.  And get a nice suit to wear for your wedding day. And you'll have 3 kids and live in the house with a stage down the street.






Its not all rainbows working through some of the emotions that come with this age of growing up, but there is a great kindness in you that we hope will continue to resonate through the harder life lessons you face.

Keep looking towards that future you have planned, Rowan.  You will find your groove. And don't forget, that we love you more than the world!




~Momma

Sooo, we're going to go ahead and pretend I posted this months ago when it was actually close to Cid's birthday!  I have an excuse for being so late though.  It's called a BABY!

Anyway,  The Cidster turned 4 back in April and in true Cid style, he requested Paw Patrol theme....and Star Wars, and Angry Birds, and space.

We stuck to Paw Patrol.

Complete with Paw Patrol Masks, (Everest is the favorite)....

Pup Training Course





And most importantly, a very happy Birthday Boy!



Hope all your wishes come true, Cid!  We love you to the moon and stars and around the galaxy 500 million infinity times!

We're always looking for ways to keep the boys' hair out of their faces.  I found this fold over elastic band at Walmart months ago (maybe even close to a year now!) and I immediately knew I wanted to make some headbands.

I love this print for boys! And of course, it would be perfect for girls too :)

These are super simple to make and look how handsome these guys are with their bands!<3 p="">

~Sarah

It's that time of year again.

The time when it starts to get hot and the boys begin to wonder, "Is this long hair worth it?"

And Cid had had enough!

He grumbled as he swiped his bangs out of his face and I knew. He was so ready to part ways with his long strands. He told me he wanted it short.

Until I started cutting that is.

Just a few very choppy chops in and he declared, "That's enough haircut!"

Sorry buddy....there's still like another full hour of work to be done here.  Hunker down!

With the help of some kids apps on my phone, we got back to it.



A long time, and a lot of itchies later....

We have a hairdo!

And a very grumpy boy.

After a quick shower, I lifted Cid up to see himself in the mirror.  I wish I could have captured his face. He did his very best to hold back a massive smile, and suddenly all the struggle was worth it. My little guy is super proud of his do.  Proud enough to sport his Captain America all over SE Portland.

And that makes me happy.

 Every 5 minutes or so, I hear a "I want to kiss Sissy" from one of them and they both are able to comfort her by singing. Cid has an especially awesome high-pitched, monotone singing voice that Vada happens to find very soothing.

It's Spring Break!

 Rowan and Cid each got a page.

This week we celebrate "L".

Yes, at this point, we are not following the alphabet in order. That's ok.  The letter this week at Rowan's school was "L" so when my mom was kind enough to bring us down some "L" activities, we were happy to go with the flow.

Today we made lions.

I chose this project because it focused on CUTTING, which is an important part of a child's motor skill development.

We used to do a lot of cutting at home, but lately I've been relying on school. However, apparently school mostly pre-cuts everything for them.  The last home project where I asked them to cut, they balked and got frustrated. Rowan was so out of practice that he was trying to cut with his left hand! Sometimes I wonder why I bother to pay for Pre-K.

I felt like this lion would offer easy, straight cutting lines to get them back on the wagon.

All you need is:

-Paper plate
-Construction paper (we used orange, yellow, brown, and black)
-Glue
-Scissors

Have the kids cut strips of colored paper and glue them around the paper plate to make the lion's mane.  A black triangle makes the nose and two black circles make the eyes.  Three thin strips of black for the whiskers.

So straight forward! (and it actually occupies them for a while, which is a pretty big deal)


Depending on skill level, help out as needed

I traced circles and a triangle for the eyes and nose and drew cutting lines on the colored construction paper since the the boys are rusty.

I also pre-cut the thin whisker strips, only because we are just re-introducing cutting and I didn't want them to get overwhelmed.  The mane, nose, and eyes were plenty practice.

And, I did an example lion to show what their goal was.

Of course, Rowan's lion's mane is in a pattern. Did you notice? (Yellow, brown, yellow, orange...repeat).  That kid.

Cid decided he wanted a "mommy lion"....soooo....no mane. But he did cut quite a few strips and eventually gave her a beard, and some sparkly glue and stickers.