Calvin is 1-1/2 years old!

So the little dude had a half-birthday today. And as things are till in flux with the bathroom remodels his pictures were with Big Hobbes this month (Calvin is back to sleeping in his room) but of course the floor protections are still in place, so excuse the mess.

Calvin was pretty cooperative during the photo process today, keeping a close eye on his sister who was acting silly and even taking direction, including kissing his tiger for a picture.

And check out those new shoes! Nick, Ellie and Calvin went to the mall recently with a goal of getting Calvin some new shoes. Apparently he was pretty picky and vocalized some opinions about a few pairs before trying these on and giving Nick a big smile. Kid has style.

Calvin's personality is really starting to shine. I think that the week he spent in the hospital and the subsequent time at home being sick made him clingy and a little territorial and maybe even made him a little reserved. However, in the past month he has really become more open, social, and happy as his teachers at school have even commented. He still is a class clown. He loves bananas (aka "nanas"). There isn't something he can't climb, or try to climb. He is particular about certain things (He needs two pacifiers, a blanket, and his Hobbes stuffed animal in his crib to sleep. He doesn't cuddle with anything, but just wants them there). He wants to be very helpful, he will drop whatever he is doing to hand you toilet paper if the bathroom door is open. He will do things just to get a laugh out of you, which is the best. He is starting to get a little free with the temper tantrums, but they are few and far between. He also loves apples and olives (little sneak stole the olives off of my pizza at dinner last weekend!). He is talking more and more, he said apple the other day. He sleeps well but likes to wake up early and is a very light sleeper (when we were sleeping all together in the guest house he would wake up and stare at me waiting for any indication I was awake...and then he would cry/yell until I got him. If played possum well enough he would go back to sleep.) He loves his animal noises...especially roaring!


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First Day of First Grade

So on August 18, 2015 Ellie start first grade.

She was super excited to get back to school to see her friends and get back into the groove of things. Plus, an added bonus of excitement, she would get to be on the big kid upper playground and not just the kindergarten playground. The upper playground has hula hoops and jump ropes and a what she thinks is a way more fun playground. Despite not seeing some of her friends all summer, it was like they hadn't missed a beat and were so excited to see each other. It was pretty cute.

Her teacher is Mrs. Kim and I was a fan early on just based on her initial impressions including the classroom set-up (all kids had name tags and books at their seats) and how kind she was when we first got to the classroom.

Nick wasn't able to come to school with us the first day due to work, so I over took photos of the requisite first day photos. Lots of them. We tried a few with Calvin but he didn't want to cooperate.