Charlie's Big Boy School Adventure...

Watching for his bus...

Playing in the snow with William while waiting outside for the bus...

Oh So Eager to GET ON!

So glad they have built in car seats on the bus!  Charlie was ready!

When we moved here to Elk River, I started taking Charlie to a weekly class offered by the school district for parents and children.  We would go and play with other kids Charlie's age, and do some arts and crafts, circle time, etc.  When we were there I noticed that Charlie still isn't talking much, or very clearly, especially compared to kids his own age.  He says crazy, long words like Tyrannosaurus Rex, but can't/won't tell you what he wants to drink.  So, I decided to have him checked out by our Birth to 3 program.  He qualified for services based on his expressive language, meaning he takes it all in well, but doesn't get it out as well.  I can tell he gets frustrated by it, and I am all for early intervention!  So, twice a week for 2.5 hours he is going to go to the local preschool program and have speech therapy along with getting to play with kids his age, both with and without problems.  So great!  Since we are still new here, it's great for Charlie to get a chance to make some buddies.  So far he loves it, and his teacher and aide both seem to enjoy him.  We are happy Charlie is getting to do something that is all his too.  The little brother always seems to end up following along behind big brother, and I like that he is doing something that is all his.  William doesn't get to ride a bus!  On a funny, and touching note, William was VERY upset and bothered that we were just putting Charlie on this bus and letting people drive away with him.  He wanted to make sure he was coming back.  He has also been asking to go see Charlie's school.   I think he is intrigued by this separate life that Charlie suddenly has...  We are all excited to see the progress Charlie will be making, and I am grateful that I followed my gut and contacted the program. I must say though, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done, putting my little baby on that bus!

Will's New Wheels...

William had officially outgrown his old bike so Grandma Jeanie and Grandpa sent him a gift card to buy a new one for his birthday.  We picked it out today and treated him to this WILD new helmet.  His other helmet has gotten too small too.  The kid is growing like a weed!  He braved the cold temps to go have some fun on his vehicles today.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Now We Are Six: Part 2...

Assembling the Power Wheels with Dad...

Love It!

Presents before school...

Batman Lego Clock!

Gift Card for more Legos! Whoohoo!

Aunt Molly and Uncle Richard sent some great phonics readers- Will is reading them all on his own!

The class sang "Happy Birthday" and Will danced around while they sang to him...and then we ate Spiderman cupcakes!

Will's Birthday Cake

The Birthday Boy!

Will and Charlie LOVE the truck!  Will even let's Charlie drive and he operates the radio...

This weekend we went to the zoo, since it was warmer...28 degrees!

William stopped off at Toys R Us to spend his gift card...So thrilled!

Today was William's 6 year well child visit.  It was great!

William's visit went well today.  He is growing well, despite almost never eating...
Age 5                              Age 6
Wt:  46lbs                    Wt:  49lbs (60th%)
Ht: 44.3 in                    Ht:  46.75in (75th%)

He had his Hemoglobin checked today to see if he was anemic, and he wasn't so that's good.  The Dr also said that he that it's ok to not force him to take a bite of food that he doesn't want to eat, that he can just take a test lick...When we make him take a bite he makes himself throw up so I am less inclined to do that, LOL!  He is such a picky eater!  She was happy with everything development wise, and we don't have to go back for a year.  No shots today, so Will only had to get poked for the blood test, so he was only slightly freaked out. All in all a healthy little man!

And Now We Are Six...

William had a fantastic birthday.  He woke up early, opened presents, got doughnuts for breakfast and then went to school.  We brought cupcakes to class, and gave out reading activity goodie bags based on Dr Seuss stories.  The kids loved them!  Will was sung to by his class and got a card and a birthday bag to bring home.  After school we came home and tried out the power wheels.  The snow was still too deep on the sidewalk, but it did ok on the driveway.  We went to dinner at his favorite Space Alien Café, (it's kinda like Pizza Planet) and then we came home for more presents and some Lego building.  All in all a good birthday.  I did his annual likes list last night:
Food: Chicken Nuggets
Superhero: Batman
Color: Red
Place to Eat:  Alien Restaurant
Book: Batman Books
Movie/Show:  Superhero Squad
What I want to be:  Police Officer
Song: Thank You God
Snack: Fruit Snacks
Vacation: African Jungle
Person: Everyone
Toy: Imaginext Dinosaurs
Store: Target
He also wanted to add that he loves to dance to his Kidz Bop music CD's.

He has his 6 year visit next Monday and I am looking forward to seeing how tall he has gotten!  I know he hasn't gained much, he is seriously skin and bones, but I know he has gotten a lot taller! 
This has been such a big year for William, and I am looking forward to seeing what the next year brings!  We love you William, you are such a great kid, and everyone who meets you recognizes how special you are!   Happy 6th Birthday my Pudd...

William 5.11

William wanted to pose instead of sitting on the ice.  What a character!

William plays the cardiology version of Operation...

It's seems so funny for him to be old enough now to sit down and play on the computer...

Will got Magformers from Grandma and Grandpa...They are so fun!

He was thrilled to get Monkey With a Toolbelt!  It's such a funny book!

When William goes to museums I really see the little engineer in him...he is determined and creative when facing a problem.  I am sure he will follow in Daddy's footsteps. 

William is almost 6!  He is changing so quickly.  He loves Kindergarten, and still loves his teacher.  He has truly figured out how reading works and is even recognizing silent E's and stuff like that.  He reads words around him all the time, and even wants to read to me at bedtime!  I am so proud of him!  He is writing us  notes which are so cute and funny.  The other night he left a note for Grandma in the bathroom!  Math is still really easy for him and I am amazed at how number concepts come naturally to him, because they have NEVER come easily for me.  Thank goodness for Jason's DNA. He is really into being a spy lately, and loves lego's, dinos, and Wild Kratts on PBS.  We are looking forward to celebrating his Birthday next month.  He has decided on getting a Power Wheels rather than having a party, I just wish they made one that is a snow mobile!

Charlie Catch Up...

Charlie is still OBSESSED with Thomas.  He plays trains almost all day, and then he sleeps in his Thomas bed surrounded by Thomas books.  He just can't get enough!

Minnesota Baby.

Charlie frequently does something and then randomly raises his arms and yells "Score!"
He will do well in college...

Charlie loves Dinosaurs.  Not as much as Thomas, but close. The Science Museum certainly helps fill the need...

Note that Kitty is still in constant attendance.  Blanket can be left in the car, but Kitty MUST be near!

Charlie is looking so much older.  He is almost 3!  I registered him for Preschool for the fall the other day and I just couldn't believe it.  This time has gone so fast.  I feel like I just brought him home a few weeks ago! 

Charlie is such a funny little guy.  He is a home body.  He isn't thrilled by leaving the house, and if we take him out it isn't long before he is saying "I want to go home" So unlike the rest of us.  Jason and I love getting out and doing stuff, so it is a new experience for us to deal with a kid who would rather stay home and build a huge train track.  He is always willing to leave the house to go pick up Brother though!  He loves William, copies him, and follows him all day.  They are starting to play together more and more and Charlie's imagination is exploding so that is really helping them connect during play.  Charlie is FINALLY consistently sleeping through the night.  I would never have guessed it would take almost 3 years.  We are all feeling much better around here with some unbroken sleep. Charlie is getting good at recognizing all his shapes, he knows his colors, letters and numbers.  He is really good at counting!  He is still a good eater, and is still mainly a carnivore.  He can kiss so sweetly now, with a real smack!  He loves to read books, and picks the stories at bedtime in such a cute way.  He is not at all interested in potty training, and seems quite disturbed by the idea.  He also has NO interest in moving out of his crib.  He says that he wants to keep sleeping in his crib, so we aren't pushing it.  Maybe this summer...

The Tooth Fairy Cometh....

After much wiggling, William finally lost his first tooth!  January 7th at 7pm.  He was really thrilled and was fascinated by the hole.  We put the tooth in his tooth fairy pillow and in the morning he had 5 golden dollars and a little note!  He has another loose one now, one of the middle top teeth, so I think he is going to end up with a checkerboard effect! I can't believe he is already old enough to lose teeth!