Ryan has recently started singing the ABC Song ... very clearly!! It is SO cute!! We have been working on teaching him his ABC's, but honestly have no idea how he learned the song so quickly. We have NOT spent a lot of time singing it to him! All I can say is he is one smart cookie!! :) And as I have probably mentioned before, he seems to have a great memory!!
Ever since, we have been trying to capture it on video {did I already allude to how cute it is?? :)}, but with no such luck; however, that changed after dinner tonight ... he started singing, I got out my phone {which is how it normally goes}, and then we were some how able to talk him into singing it again once I was ready to start recording {the part that normally doesn't happen, even with bribery}.
Be forewarned that you see his back most of the time {didn't want to do anything to stop him from singing}, but you can hear him loud and clear ... and he even sings it twice!! :)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Ryan Goes to Preschool
Today was Ryan's first day of preschool at our church :) He is growing up SO fast!! He will be going to school this fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 1 PM. There are 12 kids in his class (all between 29 -36 months of age) and 2 teachers -- Ms. Christine and Ms. Heather. Their daily schedule is as follows:
8:50 - 9:15 Children arrive for the day
9:20 - 9:50 Playground or Trinity Hall
9:55 - 10:20 Snack
10:20 - 10:40 Diapers/potty
10:40 - 11:00 Sing along with musical instruments (and the music teacher comes on Thursdays)
11:05 - 11:40 Crafts and centers
11:45 - 12:00 Story time
12:00 12:30 Lunch
12:30 - 1:00 Bible story/nursery rhyme activity
David and I dropped Ryan off this morning {after a yummy breakfast of doughnut holes :) }, and he did great! His eyes got a little watery on two occasions, but he never cried ... and I am sure the familiarness of being at our church where he goes to the nursery on Sunday mornings and has attended VBS {in the same room actually}, comforted him. And once he gets to know the other children and his teachers, and realizes how much fun he is going to have each day, I think he will be begging to go each morning!
Walking inside to his classroom. Ryan likes to walk
on the speed bump as if it is a balance beam :)
Ryan has a renewed love for Buzz Lightyear these days so we got him a Buzz Lightyear book bag {which he has walked around the house wearing for days, and had no desire to take off when he got to his room this morning} and a Toy Story lunch box -- to Mommy's dismay ... I originally bought him an "old man's lunchbox" {according to Daddy}which I had to swap out for something kid friendly and hip, last night :) Whatever makes my boys happy, right?!?! He did look so cute this morning with the matching combo!
Our big boy with all his "stuff."
And hopefully he eats the lunch that I packed him in that Toy Story lunch box! He is as picky as his daddy, but in a different way {confusing, I know ... try fixing dinner for them!} :), and the school is nut free so no peanut butter and honey on fish bread like he eats at home most days. He had plenty of options though so I am sure he won't starve -- turkey, pepperoni, a cheese stick, wheat thins, yogurt, raisins, and fruit snacks!
Being greeted by Ms. Christine when he arrived. Love this shot!
We hope Ryan has a great few months of school, and know he will learn a lot -- academically and socially!!
On a little side note, I was dreading what I was going to do with my "extra" time this morning, but I am happy to report that it has flown by, and I have managed to find plenty to do :) I will, however, admit that it was a little weird not having Ryan here with me ... there were several times this morning that I sat here thinking he was going to walk in any second from his nap {or Riley was barking and I hoped that she didn't wake him}, and had to quickly remind myself that he wasn't here :( I guess this new routine will take some getting used to for Mommy too!
Okay, I am off to pick-up my boy :) ... Yay!!!
Update: Ryan had an awesome first day!! He never cried and loved playing with the trains, according to his teachers {which doesn't surprise me as he normally starts talking about trains the minute will pull into the church parking lot ... they must have some good ones because he doesn't show much interest in them anywhere else}. He played on the playground, ate most of his lunch, and did an art project involving hearts and the color red.
When we got home he played/watched Meet the Letters {a learning DVD} for about 30 minutes. Then I told him he either had to take a nap {he hasn't been taking naps everyday lately because they cause havoc at bedtime} or have some quiet time in his room. He immediately chose to EAT :) ... a fish sandwich with peanut butter and honey. Guess he wasn't stuffed from lunch! Then he went to his room to look at some books {which he likes to look at himself rather than be read too ... yes, we are at that stage!}, and have an hour of quiet time. A few minutes later, this is what I found ...
School was tiring!! And notice that he changed into
his long sleeve Buzz shirt {from last fall, meaning it is
too little} as soon as he got home.
9:20 - 9:50 Playground or Trinity Hall
9:55 - 10:20 Snack
10:20 - 10:40 Diapers/potty
10:40 - 11:00 Sing along with musical instruments (and the music teacher comes on Thursdays)
11:05 - 11:40 Crafts and centers
11:45 - 12:00 Story time
12:00 12:30 Lunch
12:30 - 1:00 Bible story/nursery rhyme activity
David and I dropped Ryan off this morning {after a yummy breakfast of doughnut holes :) }, and he did great! His eyes got a little watery on two occasions, but he never cried ... and I am sure the familiarness of being at our church where he goes to the nursery on Sunday mornings and has attended VBS {in the same room actually}, comforted him. And once he gets to know the other children and his teachers, and realizes how much fun he is going to have each day, I think he will be begging to go each morning!
Walking inside to his classroom. Ryan likes to walk
on the speed bump as if it is a balance beam :)
Our big boy with all his "stuff."
And hopefully he eats the lunch that I packed him in that Toy Story lunch box! He is as picky as his daddy, but in a different way {confusing, I know ... try fixing dinner for them!} :), and the school is nut free so no peanut butter and honey on fish bread like he eats at home most days. He had plenty of options though so I am sure he won't starve -- turkey, pepperoni, a cheese stick, wheat thins, yogurt, raisins, and fruit snacks!
Being greeted by Ms. Christine when he arrived. Love this shot!
We hope Ryan has a great few months of school, and know he will learn a lot -- academically and socially!!
On a little side note, I was dreading what I was going to do with my "extra" time this morning, but I am happy to report that it has flown by, and I have managed to find plenty to do :) I will, however, admit that it was a little weird not having Ryan here with me ... there were several times this morning that I sat here thinking he was going to walk in any second from his nap {or Riley was barking and I hoped that she didn't wake him}, and had to quickly remind myself that he wasn't here :( I guess this new routine will take some getting used to for Mommy too!
Okay, I am off to pick-up my boy :) ... Yay!!!
Update: Ryan had an awesome first day!! He never cried and loved playing with the trains, according to his teachers {which doesn't surprise me as he normally starts talking about trains the minute will pull into the church parking lot ... they must have some good ones because he doesn't show much interest in them anywhere else}. He played on the playground, ate most of his lunch, and did an art project involving hearts and the color red.
When we got home he played/watched Meet the Letters {a learning DVD} for about 30 minutes. Then I told him he either had to take a nap {he hasn't been taking naps everyday lately because they cause havoc at bedtime} or have some quiet time in his room. He immediately chose to EAT :) ... a fish sandwich with peanut butter and honey. Guess he wasn't stuffed from lunch! Then he went to his room to look at some books {which he likes to look at himself rather than be read too ... yes, we are at that stage!}, and have an hour of quiet time. A few minutes later, this is what I found ...
School was tiring!! And notice that he changed into
his long sleeve Buzz shirt {from last fall, meaning it is
too little} as soon as he got home.
Monday, August 22, 2011
What a difference a year makes!
Yesterday, we headed down to Turner Field to watch the Braves play the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was Kid's Day so all kids 14 and under got to run the bases after the game if they wanted too, which we thought Ryan would enjoy {not because he knows what it means to run the same bases as Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Jason Heyward, Dan Uggla, etc. like some of the bigger kids, but because he loves to run and play with other kids}. And since we wanted to go to at least one game this season, we figured this was the best one since it centered around kids and not just baseball.
The city that I love from the ballpark <3
Go Braves!!
It was a 1:35 PM game and we knew it would be hot, which it was!! We packed lots of snacks for Ryan and got ice cream at the stadium. Ryan enjoyed playing at Cartoon Network's Tooner Field, and running the base path at the Coca-Cola Sky Field. We had great seats {which Ryan did okay sitting in} and it was a great game -- the Braves won 1-0!
Playing at Tooner Field :)
Take me out to the ballgame!
However, when we attempted to get in line to go run the bases at the end of the game, we realized we had stayed in our seats A LOT too long! There were kids wound around the Hank Aaron Ramp for miles at this point and we would have had to wait in line for at least an hour to even get on the field. David ex-ed that idea pretty quickly and we headed for the car. Oh well, maybe next year!
So the moral of the story -- we went to a Sunday afternoon game in the stifling August heat for no reason {would have much preferred a cooler Friday night game with fireworks afterwards}, but now we know about the whole running the bases thing for next time -- when Ryan is old enough to care :)! And we still had a sweaty, fun afternoon together and got a Braves game checked off our activity to-do list!!
Now for what led me to the title of this post ... look what a difference a year makes!! Our boy is growing up way too quickly!!
The city that I love from the ballpark <3
Go Braves!!
It was a 1:35 PM game and we knew it would be hot, which it was!! We packed lots of snacks for Ryan and got ice cream at the stadium. Ryan enjoyed playing at Cartoon Network's Tooner Field, and running the base path at the Coca-Cola Sky Field. We had great seats {which Ryan did okay sitting in} and it was a great game -- the Braves won 1-0!
Playing at Tooner Field :)
Take me out to the ballgame!
However, when we attempted to get in line to go run the bases at the end of the game, we realized we had stayed in our seats A LOT too long! There were kids wound around the Hank Aaron Ramp for miles at this point and we would have had to wait in line for at least an hour to even get on the field. David ex-ed that idea pretty quickly and we headed for the car. Oh well, maybe next year!
So the moral of the story -- we went to a Sunday afternoon game in the stifling August heat for no reason {would have much preferred a cooler Friday night game with fireworks afterwards}, but now we know about the whole running the bases thing for next time -- when Ryan is old enough to care :)! And we still had a sweaty, fun afternoon together and got a Braves game checked off our activity to-do list!!
Now for what led me to the title of this post ... look what a difference a year makes!! Our boy is growing up way too quickly!!
At the Braves game on July 3, 2010 ...
and then a year {and a few weeks later} -- on August 21, 2011.
and then a year {and a few weeks later} -- on August 21, 2011.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Bedtime Prayers
We have always said Ryan's prayers to him before bed, in addition to reading a few books and singing a few songs; however, now that he can talk SO.MUCH.BETTER {thank you, God!}, we have started having him say them with us :) Let me just tell you that it is so heart-filling to listen to him talk and pray!! I hope to remember this sweet voice forever!!
So here is a little glimpse into our bedtime routine with our sweet toddler {the video is in the dark so you can't see anything but you can hear him} ...
So here is a little glimpse into our bedtime routine with our sweet toddler {the video is in the dark so you can't see anything but you can hear him} ...
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Dinosaurs Galore!
As I mentioned in my previous post, Ryan loves dinosaurs! What little boy doesn't?? So, this afternoon, we headed down to the local national history museum for a dinosaur birthday bash (to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the permanent dinosaur exhibit) and to see the collection of dinosaurs.
Let me just say, these dinosaurs were HUGE, and I am glad I don't have to worry about running into any of them outside any time soon!!!
Ryan didn't enjoy the birthday bash activities as much as I thought he would {besides the bubbles and ice cream}, but was thrilled with the dinosaur replicas {especially T-Rex}, and the NatureQuest exhibit, which I didn't even know existed! And although much of the museum was over Ryan's head {which I figured since he was free to get in}, it was still worth the trip ... to see the dinosaurs :)
Here are a few pics from our afternoon at the museum ...
The Georgia Bubbleman in the Dinosaur Entrance Plaza.
Birthday Ice Cream from Bruster's :)
Check out those teeth!
Did I mention how HUGE these creatures were?!?!
Ryan found T-Rex!
Playing with bubbles in one of the hands-on exhibits.
There were even bushes shaped into dinosaurs on the patio!
Throwing a few pennies to the dinosaurs on the way back to the car :)
Let me just say, these dinosaurs were HUGE, and I am glad I don't have to worry about running into any of them outside any time soon!!!
Ryan didn't enjoy the birthday bash activities as much as I thought he would {besides the bubbles and ice cream}, but was thrilled with the dinosaur replicas {especially T-Rex}, and the NatureQuest exhibit, which I didn't even know existed! And although much of the museum was over Ryan's head {which I figured since he was free to get in}, it was still worth the trip ... to see the dinosaurs :)
Here are a few pics from our afternoon at the museum ...
The Georgia Bubbleman in the Dinosaur Entrance Plaza.
Birthday Ice Cream from Bruster's :)
Check out those teeth!
Did I mention how HUGE these creatures were?!?!
Ryan found T-Rex!
Playing with bubbles in one of the hands-on exhibits.
There were even bushes shaped into dinosaurs on the patio!
Stegosaurus ... what a small head it has compared to the rest of its body!
Throwing a few pennies to the dinosaurs on the way back to the car :)
Friday, August 19, 2011
Baking with Uncle Alan :)
Since moving to Atlanta in March, Uncle Alan is generally off one day during the week, and we take full advantage of it while we can! I LOVE spending time with my brother {he is way up there on my list of favorite people}, and so does Ryan!!
So yesterday, R and I attended a movie screening of the Dinosaur Train Big City movie {premiering next week on PBS} at one of the local libraries ... Ryan is really into dinosaurs these days, by the way!
Then, we headed over to spend the afternoon with Uncle Alan! He had a full agenda planned for us when we arrived: 1) go to the tax commissioners office to get new license tags for his car, 2) have lunch at Bagel Boys, and 3) make Neiman-Marcus chocolate chip cookies :)
It was a fun day, and the cookies were delicious, as always!! And as a little added bonus for your Friday afternoon, here is the Neiman-Marcus chocolate chip cookie recipe ... they are probably the best I have ever had! :)
So yesterday, R and I attended a movie screening of the Dinosaur Train Big City movie {premiering next week on PBS} at one of the local libraries ... Ryan is really into dinosaurs these days, by the way!
Then, we headed over to spend the afternoon with Uncle Alan! He had a full agenda planned for us when we arrived: 1) go to the tax commissioners office to get new license tags for his car, 2) have lunch at Bagel Boys, and 3) make Neiman-Marcus chocolate chip cookies :)
It was a fun day, and the cookies were delicious, as always!! And as a little added bonus for your Friday afternoon, here is the Neiman-Marcus chocolate chip cookie recipe ... they are probably the best I have ever had! :)
NEIMAN-MARCUS COOKIES (recipe may be halved)
2 cups butter
24 oz. chocolate chips
4 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 - 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)
5 cups blended oatmeal
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (optional)
Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda . Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar, and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on a cookie Sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.
2 cups butter
24 oz. chocolate chips
4 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 - 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)
5 cups blended oatmeal
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (optional)
Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda . Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar, and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on a cookie Sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Puzzle Time
Ryan loves doing puzzles these days, and he is SO good at them!! He is able to look at the shape of each piece and determine EXACTLY where it should go. It is pretty amazing! We have a very smart 2 year old on our hands!!! :)
Here he is in action ...
Great job, Ryan!!
{On a side note, isn't this puzzle cool with its magnetized pieces, and fishing pole. Love Melissa & Doug puzzles ... they are my obsession these days! :P}
And while we are bragging, Ryan seems to have a great memory -- which will be to his advantage come school time! He has also learned the majority of his colors. He knows blue, green, orange {a.k.a, juice}, purple, black, yellow, pink, and white. We are very proud of our smart boy! :)
Here he is in action ...
Great job, Ryan!!
{On a side note, isn't this puzzle cool with its magnetized pieces, and fishing pole. Love Melissa & Doug puzzles ... they are my obsession these days! :P}
And while we are bragging, Ryan seems to have a great memory -- which will be to his advantage come school time! He has also learned the majority of his colors. He knows blue, green, orange {a.k.a, juice}, purple, black, yellow, pink, and white. We are very proud of our smart boy! :)
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