Like Father, Like Son

As Dylan is getting older, I'm learning just how much of his dad he has in him!  Not only are they identical in appearance, it's like they are one person. 

Just this weekend we heard stories about how John would take someone by the hand to come with him, even if they had just met.  Dylan does this quite often!

And I'm pretty sure if PaPa Mac and Grandma Mary saw Dylan riding his bike back and forth down the sloped driveways STANDING on the pedals, that would bring back memories for them!  I remember one Hot Wheels story that sounded quite similar ~ something about John racing down a hill as fast as he could.

Also seems that Dylan has John's frugal side as well.  For instance, I'm trying to update some of the decor in our house.  So as Dylan and I are browsing through Target one day, I decided I wanted to look at table lamps.  Here's how the conversation went (because with Dylan, there is always conversation!):

Dylan: What are you doing, Mama?

Me: I'm looking at lamps.

Dylan: But you already have a lamp.

Me: I know, Dylan, but I'm looking to see if I would like a new one.

Dylan: But you already have a lamp, Mama. 

Different day, same conversation except we are looking at purses.  Oh, you will have so much to learn about women, sweet boy!

UPDATE:  More ways Dylan resembles John.  He woke up crying from his nap after hearing the association's lawn company mowing and cried "My beautiful lawn!"  He's taken quite a liking to his toy lawn mower and is very precise in "mowing" our lawn!

But I do have to say, if Dylan were to take after anyone, John is the best choice!  There is a good reason I married him after all!  Love my husband and my sweet boy (despite their inability to understand a woman's need for purses!)



Cousin Kelly Graduates!

We spent the first part of Memorial Weekend in Kansas City celebrating the high school graduation of John's cousin Kelly (known by the kids as Cousin Kelly).  We are so proud of all she has accomplished in her four years of high school.  It's amazing that her long list of activities even fits on a college application.  Kelly is headed off to KU in the fall.  We were hoping for a Minnesota school, but she's staying true to the family alma mater!

Riding bicycles outside during the grad party.  Like his sister, this boy is definitely happiest when he is riding his bike!

Silly PaPa Mac!

On the front step with Daddy!

Love that goofy smile! 

My sweet girl seems more and more grown up by the day!

With Mama

Giving John a lecture.  I love the way his brow furrow when he is upset or concentrating.

Happy on her bike too!

Kelly opening her fabulous graduation gifts.

Kelly, myself and John.  We were giving Kelly's brother Dan a hard time about not having much playing time in her picture slideshow, so these next ones are for her wedding!!

Kelly and a very sleepy Reagan

Kelly and a silly Dylan

Reagan is VERY excited about starting Tball next week.  I think this picture was inspired by the Tball and softball pictures Kelly had in her scrapbooks because she knew to strike the standard pose for Tball pictures. 

After the sun set, we let the kids stay late in order to catch some of the early lightning bugs that were outside of John's aunt and uncles house. There were only 4 or 5 out there, but we were intent on catching at least one!

Reagan and Dylan with their lightning bug, Blaze!

Daddy was the main lightning bug hunter.  We can't wait to go back later this summer when the lightning bugs are much thicker.

Giving her new friend some "furnishings" (grass) for his new home.

We love going to see John's relatives (John's mom's and dad's family) in Kansas City.  It is so fun knowing that he gets to share some of his childhood memories of visiting with our own kids! 

Auntie Kathleen Graduates!

We are so happy for John's sister, Kathleen as she graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison!  Way to go, Kathleen!  We can't wait to see the success that lies in your future!  Love you!

Unfortunately, the kids and I didn't make the drive, but we were there in spirit!



Dance Pics

We had our first attempt at getting ready for Reagan's upcoming dance recital by getting the girls all ready for their pictures.  The class is dancing to the song Baby Face and they have really cute blue costumes to dance in.  It was really fun to curl her hair and put make up on my not-so-girly girl!  She seemed to enjoy it too, but the minute we got home she shed her leotard before I even got in the door to go out and ride her bike!

Reagan's BFF, Ani came over and got all dolled up with us.  Ani is quite a character . . . She definitely has a future on the stage!

Look at those cute "baby faces!"

Last Day of Preschool

We are so sad to see the preschool year end at Precious Corner, but we are really excited for both kids to go there next year.  Reagan loved her teachers Ms. Jessica and Ms. Tiffany and enjoyed playing with all her friends in the classroom!

Walking in to Pomp & Circumstance

Singing (or not singing).  This picture is deceptive because she spent more time playing with her sweater than actually singing.  If I had known she would do that, I wouldn't have made her wear it!

Graduation - They had each child "graduate" even if they were coming back next year. 

Dylan had some great commentary during this little ceremony.  Particularly when it was the next class' turn to graduate.  The first little boy's name was Eric, then the second little boy's name was Eric.  Dylan noted this and associated the name Eric with the purple graduation hats that class was getting.  The one sided conversation went a bit like this:

Dylan: "EEErrrriiiiiic.  They are both Eric. Why are there two Erics?  Why do the Erics get purple hats?"

Then a little girl was called (her name was Ella or something).

Dylan: "Ellllllla.  Her name is Ella.  Why does she have a purple hat?  Her name is not Eric.  Erics get the purple hats.  Why does Reagan have a green hat?"

Next child called named Charlie.

Dylan: "Chaarrrrrllllieeeeee."

Next child named A.J.

Dylan: "AAAAA.JJJJJJJ."

Needless to say, the woman filming the ceremony in front of us couldn't keep her camera still at this point.  The announcer voice/echo continued through the remaining 15 students.  Dylan is going to be trouble.  He is such a charmer.  At not even 3, he already seems to know how to work the system!   

We are sad that it was the last day of school with Reagan's boyfriend, Jayce.  They didn't even want to let go of hands to get their ice cream.  It was so cute to see the affection they had for each other.

Reagan with Ms. Jessica.  Lucky Jessica will have Dylan in her 2 day class next year.  She says she's ready for him, but somedays I wonder if she really knows what she's getting into with him!

Reagan with Ms. Tiffany. 

Reagan will be going 4 days a week next year and will be in a different classroom, but the two rooms do so much together that she already loves the teachers in that room too!  We have had such a great year there and it will be even more fun next year with the two kids and Ethan at the same school! 



Take 2: Good-bye, Training Wheels (or Can My TWO Year Old REALLY Ride a Two-Wheeler?)

I thought it was unbelievable last year when Reagan started to ride her bike without training wheels.  What is even more unbelievable is that Dylan, after only 2 months on a bike, was able to ride without training wheels and he's not even 3 yet!  He definitely takes after one of his parents, and I can tell you it's not me (Lindsay)!!

First, let me say that John and I are in no way pressuring the kids to ride without training wheels.  Our philosophy has been, if they ask, we'll give it a try!  Better to do it when they want to, rather than when we are ready for it.

Also, the alternative is having Dylan pedal as fast as he can down from the top of our (somewhat hilly) driveway across and up our neighbor's driveway, turn and repeat, narrowly avoiding the cross traffic of Reagan, Ethan and Ella riding their bikes in calm loops down our little street.   I'd much rather have him riding with John close at hand!

Starting off with Daddy's help.

Happy boy on his bicycle!

I can do it!

After this training session, we did put the training wheels back on the bike.  I'm not ready to deal with him on a two wheeler yet.  Luckily, the training wheels go on and off pretty easily!

Faces =)

Silly

Silly Again

Happy

Sad

Mad

Surprise!

Scared