Happy 2nd birthday Lincoln

I just can’t believe that Lincoln is two already!  We had so much fun celebrating with him and family over the weekend and on his actual birthday.  I don’t think he totally got the whole singing and gift thing when we celebrated on his actual birthday but then by the weekend when we had family over he had it all figured out and was ready to go. 

This kid is such a little stinker.  It’s a good thing he is so darn cute and has the most adorable smile around.  He is constantly on the go determined to keep up with his brothers and has no fear.  He wants to do everything they do and mimics their every action which is why we really try to stress their good behavior as well.  We’re still having some issues with hitting and biting at school but it’s gotten better and we’re hopeful that it will continue to improve.  The kid is little but since he has rough older brothers he definitely knows how to defend himself and probably goes to that a little sooner than others because he’s used to playing with older/bigger kids. 

Lincoln loves reading books and is currently obsessed with bears and dogs.  His favorite books are the bear series (Who woke the bear, bear wants more, bear is scared etc.), We’re going on a bear hunt and his Spot books.  He will sit and have you read them over and over again he loves them so much.  He also loves playing outside, swinging, riding bikes, looking for bugs, going on walks etc.

Lincoln is not really much of an eater.   At least not like his brothers he’d much prefer to just snack throughout the day then sit and eat a big meal.  He loves milk and would probably drink a gallon a day if we let him.  His favorite snack are raisins which he calls ray rays.  Within the last few months he is really talking up a storm and although it’s a little difficult to understand what he is saying sometimes he can pretty much verbalize anything that he wants or needs now and is talking in simple sentences.  He doesn’t have his check-up until next week so I’ll be anxious to see if he’s grown much.  It sure seems like he’s filled out and grown but he still has such a tiny waist that most his shorts and pants just fall off him. 

 We love this little kid to pieces and are looking forward to watching him grow over the next year.

9/4 - Update:  We had Lincoln's 2 year check up on Friday and he did amazing.  Did not even cry during his finger prick.  He's still our little peanut but is growing.  His stats are below.

Height - 34.5 inches (50%), Weight - 25 lbs (15%)

Gavin - First day of 1st grade

Today was Gavin's first day of school and I still can't believe we have a first grader! He was pretty excited leading up to it but then started getting nervous last night and this morning saying he didn't want to go back to school. I think he was a little bummed that his best friend from kindergarten wasn't in his class but once we started walking to school he was fine and started to get excited.

Thumbs up!!

When I picked him up he was in a great mood and had a great day. They made jitter juice in his class which he loved and he got to play soccer with his friend at recess. He liked getting a locker and desk this year and already knew his locker partner from recess last year. He's excited to go back tomorrow.  I'm so thankful that my last week of maternity leave coincided with his first week of school so I can spend a little more time with him in the mornings and afternoons this first week. It's been so nice getting to spend some extra time with him this summer and I am so sad to see it end. Back to reality next week :(.

Iowa State Fair and Build and Bear

Wyatt has been wanting to go to the fair since it started and has been asking about it every day. I love the fair but we had already decided it would be too hard this year with Ainsley and tried to break it to him but he wasn't taking the news lightly. He lucked out because my parents had free tickets to the fair and wanted to take the boys. The older two ended up going on Sunday and had a blast. They loved going down the big slide, going on rides, the stem activities, seeing the animals and eating ice cream. They had amazing weather and a really fun day.

With the older boys gone we got to spend some quality time with Lincoln. He got a build a bear gift card for his birthday so it was a perfect time to take him and let him build a bear. He loved watching the bear get made and giving it a bath. He picked out a Star Wars shirt which his brothers loved and named his bear Ainsley :). Such a great day and a perfect way to officially end the summer.