When Life is Just Playtime | NLW Turns 5

This was the year of so many fun firsts for NLW!!

First time to...
- carve a pumpkin
- shop at IKEA

- watch Bluey, Pupstruction, and Puffin Rock 
- host/go to a playdate without a parent
- build a Lego set from instructions

- eat at Menchie's 
- go to a theater show

- write your name :) 

- vist the farm, see the sandrocks, swim in the pond

- pull up lobster traps with Papa

- catch a fish
- read Bob books
- lose a tooth

- sleep in a tent

- have classmates

You have a big imagination and are a great big brother! This year the three of you really started to play, talk, and work together, doing more and more independently as a trio. You are usually the lead actor, director, producer, and narrator :)

No matter the weather, you love playing outside, going to playgrounds, riding your bike, or exploring our neighborhood. You still love listening to audiobooks, building your train track from the living room to the playroom, taking a bath, and bringing your stuffed animal friends wherever you go. You love the weekend because that means treats and shows :) 

Favorite Color: black and white and purple

Favorite Animal: eastern diamondback rattlesnake

Favorite Show: Pupstruction
Favorite Movie: 101 Dalmatians 

Favorite Song: Pop Goes the Weasel by Casper Babypants

Favorite Soundtrack: 101 Dalmatians

Favorite Book: Nate the Great

Favorite Playground: Holy Rosary

Favorite Activity: going outside, leaves activities

Favorite Toy: garbage truck
Favorite Food: cheese
Favorite Treat: ice cream

Favorite Store: PCC
What do you want to be when you grow up: a daddy

You are our favorite 5 year old. 

- SJW 

Year Four
Year Three

(Favorite books and Favorite media from this year)

Story Time | Year 5

It was another wonderful year of books in our home! We enjoyed timeless classics, discovered so many new-to-us titles, and started audiobooks in the car. It was also the first year the twins started requesting specific books and reciting words and lines :) 

Look at these little bookworms!

A house full of books,
-SJW

Twice as Much Cake | Twins Turn 3

Looking at photos from a year ago, EDW and CCW look pretty similar to me, but wow they are capable of so much more! We said good-bye to booster seats, stroller rides, and bucket swings, and leveled up to chairs, balance bikes, and big-kid swings! 

First dinner all sitting at the same table!

They went on three major flights (Texas, Missouri, Connecticut) and two family road trips (Camano Island/Bellingham, Camping). We moved to three-across in the backseat of the van and started going on lots more errands. They love going to Costco, Safeway, Home Depot, Bartell's, Whole Foods, and the Hardware store with Mr. Fleece! They love going to the library, Trader Joe's, Safeway Pick-up, and Pegasus Books with mom :) 

Two two-year-olds also meant speech delays and navigating opposing desires and strong wills.  Opinions, independence, clinginess, tantrums, whining, and screaming come in fits and starts...mostly in the form of a child starting to throw a fit :) Watch out, a toy thief or a tower toppler might be on the loose! Regardless of the state of our house, the state of my nerves, or the state of my children, I could usually count on our days including these four things:

1. Outdoor adventure

Parks, playgrounds, trails, beach -- we love it all! It's so fun exploring new spots together, enjoying nature and watching their curiosity soar. These days they particularly love outings to
Walt Hundley, Holy Rosary, and Alki.

2. Snacks
They love fruit, veggies, cheese, and carbs. Favorites include berries, pancakes, pumpkin puree, bars, apples, pears, granola, honey yogurt, beans, cherry tomatoes, peas, nuts, smoothies and so much more!

3. Books
Reading continues to be my favorite shared activity and it has become easier and more enjoyable as they've gotten older. Eric Carle, Richard Scarry, and Byron Barton were favorites from this year!

4. Rest & Indoor Play 

They love playing airplane and grocery store -- both consist of putting toys in bags! Their stuffed animal friends make daily journeys from their bedroom to level one and back upstairs for nap/bedtime and sometimes go "sailing" on their blanket "boats" in between. CCW loves playing with NLW in the basement and EDW loves playing with her lovies and dolls. Tickle Monster is a current favorite.

Undoubtedly, it was the year of language explosion. These two fill our home with silliness, laughter, joy, chatter, and noise! Whatever we're experiencing is highly concentrated, and that includes the love!

Mom: How much do I love you? 
EDW: So much!
CCW: Too Much! (he came up with this answer all on his own and it cracks me up!) 
Mom: How much do I love you? 

All: More every day

More every day, 
- SJW