James at 18 months

At his 18 month doctor appointment James continued his 90th percentile run on height and weight. The little guy (cause he's still little to me) is a big boy, and regularly outweighs the playground competition.

And, he has a big personality to match. In the last few months James' personality has blossomed and it's evident he wants to be noticed and entertain those around him with his persistent jolly nature.

He is a ham and appears to have the makings of a potential class clown. For example, he has a face he makes that we call "going electric". And, his speaking is starting to improve, and he's picked up some funny phrases.

Any question you ask is answered with "I dunno", and he smirkily says, "Muse me" (excuse me) after any err...bodily function.

What amazes me is how "boy" James is. He loves trucks and cars and balls and jumping and yelling and watching football and expresses everything physically. He is constantly head butting, stomping, pulling, pushing, patting, jumping, clapping and yelling. All in a good way - an active big boy.

He also has a proclivity for annoying his sister.  And, adoring her.  Both often in the same minute.  In 18 months he's definitely learned how to be a little brother.

Practicing his words...

"Electric" in action.

The big boy with his beloved cows.

Electric mohawk!

Wearing Anna's headbands.

Twirling on the playground.

Anna's headbands, again.

Sleepover!

Jason remarked this weekend that all of a sudden Anna looked so big to him. All traces of baby features are gone from her face. She certainly has been acting like a "big girl" of late and more and more wants to take control of her activities and, well, her life.

Anna has always been independent, and that was definitely apparent this weekend when she had what I consider to be a major milestone in every little girl's life…the first sleepover!

It was an impromptu event, which in hindsight was probably better than one that was planned and much discussed before taking place. As soon as I told Anna that she was going to spend the night at her friends Sophie's and Olivia's house, she dashed upstairs to pack a bag - "without help, mama!"

She was so excited to go to their house that she couldn't sit still (but she had to get through a soccer game first which was like death to her). When we arrived at their house, I may as well have not been there for all the attention that she showed me on this "monumental" occasion.

She had her trusty bear, Bunny and Rosie (yes a trio of lovies she sleeps with every night, to "keep her safe"). And, they appeared to do the trick. She made it through the night with no incidents and, when we went to pick her up the next morning, of course did not want to leave.

Part of me is relieved that she did so well spending the night at someone else's house without Jason or me around, but of course, there's a part of me that wanted to receive that middle of the night "you need to come pick up Anna call."

I know in the long run this independent vein of hers will serve her well, but why does she have to be so grown up at 4??

Deja vu - In a really good way

When Labor Day rolls around, the Bergstroms head up to Wellfleet for our annual Cape Cod trip.  We were a little nervous about the weather considering how rainy our week was in 2011, but we were treated to a near perfect week (one rainy day, but we'll take it!).  Here are some (a lot of ) shots from the week - no need for words when the pictures say so much.

Always an amazing view.

Sweet, sweet boy (who took a head-first spill on the first day we arrived).

Daisy crown ;)

Impromptu photo session with Grammy & Fafa

Beach bonfire - a first, and oh so fun!

Collecting treasures.

Wish lanterns

Beach love

Fishing lesson with daddy.

Mr. Crab

An amazing rainbow

Rainy beach days bring out the curls.

Anna taking photos on the rainy day.

Blondie cousins

Enjoying a beautiful day

I like this place!

Beach friends are the best.

Buried Anna.

Love this boy.

Catching crabs.

Love this girl.

Old friends are the best.

August 365

The Latest Obsession

Pinky pie. Scootaloo. Applejack. Princesses Celestia and Luna. The lands of the lands of Equestria and Canterlot…

If you'd said those words to me four months ago I would have had no idea what you were referring to. Today, however, they are part of our household vernacular thanks to Anna's new obsession, My Little Pony.

I wrote awhile ago about her love of princesses, and while she still very fond of them, these ponies have definitely galloped in and stolen some of the thunder.

We know more about ponies and unicorns and pegasus-unicorns (!) and cutie marks than I ever would have thought possible. Did you know ponies drink tea and have their own tea sets? Did you know they wear dresses? And that some ponies have pets? Well now you do.

The girl plays does play nonstop with these ponies. The most common question in our house of late is, "Can we play ponies now?". (I've been asked this question many times at 6:30 a.m. with Anna standing at my bedside).

Most of the time I'm happy to oblige (never pre-coffee, though). I do admit that I suffer from the occasional bouts of pony burnout. At those times, I try to exercise patience and try really hard to remember that her imagination (which we adults don't use enough) and energy (which kids have in endless supply) is a good thing.

I'm sure in the future I'll be longing for the day when her obsession was My Little Pony versus the newest boy band of the moment. Although considering the amount of NKOTB paraphernalia I owned, I'll probably like them, too...

School days

Ahh, Fall is in the air.  School days.  August 13.  Wait, what?  August 13?  Yes, the first day of school this year was smack in the middle of what I consider summer. But, nonetheless, Anna was excited and, unbelievably, off to Pre-Kindergarten.  She started a new school this year, which added to the excitement - and a touch of trepidation on Anna's part.

However, some of the nervousness was abated by the presence of familiar faces - several of Anna's neighborhood friends, and her "best" big friend, Hayla, all go to the school.  And, another familiar face helped...Cruz!  Yes, the two who have known each other since they were 4 months old, are now in the same school and class.

On the first day of school I walked Anna into her class, and she held my hand tightly until we got through the door.  Then, like the independent girl she is, she confidently walked over to her cubby, hung up her bag, and said, "Ok, mom, you can go now."

Not so fast, little one!

UPDATE: On the third day of school, while driving Anna home, she was quiet in the backseat.  I was asking her about her day and she was being pretty mum.  Then, with a sigh, she says, "Mom, I think I pretty much know everything, so I don't need to go back to school." Too funny.  She's singing a different tune three weeks in, loving her new school, teachers, and friends.  She's found her groove...

July 365