Future Ballerina

My cutie Lyla girl started a ballet/tap class today and she looked so stinking adorable. We are hoping this activity is more successful than soccer was for her last year. I think she is still traumatized over that, as her answer when I asked if she wanted to play soccer again was a definite no.  Regardless, this ballerina picture alone makes for whatever happens worth it. As we arrived to ballet, I heard Lyla say to Max "I know you're sad, Max, but you can take ballet too as soon as you can lift up girls." She is a funny one.

There are fifteen other little girls in her class. They were all so freaking cute. The first class went well and she seemed to really enjoy it. However, there's always a possibility she could follow in my footsteps with zero athletic desire whatsoever. I still have a vivid memory during a track meet when I conveniently slipped into the restroom as they called my 800m race. I was really dreading that race and avoiding it all together seemed like the best option at the time. It was after that pathetic incident when I accepted that I was not destined to become an athlete. I decided my destiny falls more in line with eating tacos. My love has been growing strong ever since the 90's.

Max will be starting soccer in another week or so, which we are also very excited about. I think it will be a good outlet for him to release some energy, aggression, and whatever else runs through those three year old veins. I am sad we will not be attending Little Gym this year, but we gave the kiddos the choice and this is what they picked. I think one extra weekly activity is plenty at their age, not to mention I'm still waiting for that money tree I planted to blossom. 

Anyway, I do hope both my kids find a hobby or sport they become passionate about someday. I am mindful about not forcing my own regrets into their childhood, buuut if someone wants to play the piano that would be just wonderful. At this point, they are still young and simply exploring their interests. And if anyone ends up being an athletic reject like me, that's okay too. We have things like Pokémon to keep our children active and stimulated now. Hahaha! If you can't sense my sarcasm then you don't me at all.

Annual Check-Ups: Lyla 4 & Maxwell 3

We visited the doctor this week to get a couple of annual check-ups marked off our list. It was the first time each of them were given an eye exam and for some reason I found that part entertaining. They aren't required to name letters yet, just shapes. I enjoyed how they called the same shape different names --- Lyla said it a circle, and to Max it was a wheel. Regardless, their answers earned them a pass, which is a good sign considering I was three when my eyesight took a nose dive.  

Lyla received four booster vaccinations during this visit. She was super brave and bragged the rest of the day about how she didn't cry at all. I will be sure to remind her of these tough girl inconsistencies next time she is on the verge of winning an academy award as I'm brushing her hair. It's similar to her reaction in the bathtub when she gets water in her eyes, as opposed to how easily she brushes it off in the swimming pool. She is quite silly, but I imagine her dramatics will come in useful throughout her lifetime. 

Max won't be due for another round of shots until we schedule a check-up again next year. We had to see the doctor on such a frequent basis when they were babies, it feels strange to finally be on an annual schedule. It's rare for us to visit the doctor for anything else and I feel pretty fortunate to have healthy kiddos. 

I suppose at some point I should probably stop posting their measurements to the blog, but for now I think it's still fine. I promise the exposure will stop as soon as I hear one of them pleading to keep their weight off the internet. I can already see myself hovered over my keyboard, calling each of them after they have moved out of the house, "Yes, hello sweetie, can you go weigh yourself for the blog?" Hahaha! Kidding. They would hang up on me for sure. 

Maxwell Monte: 

Height: 37.5 inches, 65th percentile

Weight: 33.6. lbs, 52nd percentile

Lyla Estelle:

Height: 43 inches, 88th percentile

Weight: 37.6 lbs, 54th percentile

Photo Reel Volume: 1 Million

There are funny stories that go along with some of these photos, but I'm a slacker. Overall, life keeps happening and it's treating us well. I've never felt time pass quicker than it has as I watch my kiddos grow up. The more they learn, the more they change. It's unstoppable and a bit heartbreaking. Feelings are confusing! Make them stop. 

We went to the movie theater last weekend and I was practically jogging to keep up with Max, who was sprinting. We passed by an older fella enjoying his surroundings from an outdoor bench. I was admiring his peaceful presence, then I noticed the biggest grin on his face as he said, "Enjoy it, they grow up so fast!" People say that sort of cliché crap all the time, but for some reason in that moment it made me really emotional. I found myself wiping tears from my eyes by the time I reached the ticket booth. It was really funny/odd, but I appreciate the glimpse into his own nostalgia because it was a reminder to me of how important the little things are. My reality is chasing a two year old at the movie theater and it's a reality I will someday miss. PS. We saw The Jungle Book and it was awesome!!!

Anyways, I feel like I'm back on track with Max and his two year old antics. He was seriously stressing me out a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, just today Lyla said to me, "you aren't my grown up anymore" as she stormed off to her room. It was the best line I've heard in awhile, so I had to write it down. I've never known someone to be so dramatic and hilarious in the same sentence. If you don't stop to laugh at how insane parenting can be, you will never survive. The juggling act is constant with these two tiny humans, but I sure do adore my little family! 

She Did It!

As previously mentioned, Lyla decided she wanted to get her ears pierced as a stepping stone to turning four. If you care to read about how I terribly over-analyzed this decision when she was a baby, feel free to click here ---> [hi] I have to laugh at my silly self now, but at the time it seemed substantial enough to require some critical thinking. I actually feel completely neutral about babies with pierced ears, it's really not a big deal. Alas, I'm glad we ultimately left it as a choice to make for herself, even though it does make her look way more grown up.

We arrived to the salon on Monday morning right as another little girl was getting her ears pierced. Unfortunately, we entered the doors simultaneously as her screams echoed throughout the building and her arms were being held down in a locked position. It was a serious case of terrible timing. We tried to distract Lyla as best we could and luckily she was unaffected by the other little girls apparent traumatic experience. 

I fully expected Lyla's nerves to creep in and for her to chicken out. To my surprise, she remained confident as she picked out her earrings and sat in the chair. She waited patiently for the employee to finish with another customer, remaining cool, calm, & collected. 

When the time finally came, I laughed as Lyla refused to hold my hand or the stuffed animal they had to offer comfort. She basically had the attitude of "let's just get this over with" and that's exactly what they did. It was a simple process and I was shocked when Lyla didn't even let out a peep. Considering she sometimes wails when I brush her hair, I assumed a needle going through her ear might generate some real tears. Nope. She was so brave. In fact, I was the one with leaky eyeballs. Haha! I'm so proud of my girl.

They gave her an official certificate and we filled it out when we got back home. One of the questions asked who she was excited to show her ears to. I thought her answer was cute... "everyone, except for people I don't know." Then she said, "write it in just like that, Mom."

This reminds me a lot of the method in which she stopped using her bottle. I stressed for months about taking away her bottle, as all my attempts seemed to fail. I finally decided to just let it be when Lyla openly agreed to throw away all her bottles when she turned three. We encouraged this idea, but really didn't expect a three year old to have so much self-control. I assumed it was just a stall tactic, yet it was a justifiable excuse to ease my worries about having a bottle dependent daughter. We celebrated her third birthday and without any mention she announced that she would no longer use a bottle. No questions, no complaints, no crying --- she was just done, all on her own. Although there was little involvement from her parents, I still consider it an incredible victory saying goodbye to bottles. 

Anyway, I think this ear piercing decision was a lot like that one. She has been talking for months about how she would get her ears pierced when she turned four. Thanks to Kirk, she was fully aware the procedure required a needle going through her earlobe. But she insisted she would be ready at four years of age. And once again, she followed through just as she said she would.

Link to YouTube video: Phase One  & Phase Two