Happy Birthday Henry!!!

With our playgroup friends...on our new swingset...with Bob, Papa, Grandma and Grandma Beckman...during special breakfasts...while dying Easter eggs...and every other minute for the last week and a half, we've been celebrating year three. Henry is three years old, and as confirmed by his pediatrician, a BIG and TALL three years old. Every day we are amazed by him, and look forward to what, in addition to more trains, this new year will bring. A close second to trains, Henry loves roller coasters, puzzles and books...Shel Silverstien is the favorite at the moment. Sometimes I can hear him playing in his room reciting lines from his favorite poems..."ickle me, pickle me, tickle me too."

Speaking of tickle me too...Sam has enjoyed all of the Birthday festivities, but Sam enjoys everything as long as it doesn't involve taking naps. Sam, too, is a big boy...a big, happy boy. He rolls and rolls and laughs and laughs. He gives kisses, especially to his mama, and waves bye-bye.

And...a special thanks to BOB for two weeks of wrangling little boys...slicing hot dogs...pouring milk...rocking babies...washing dishes...pushing swings...coloring Easter eggs...changing diapers...working puzzles...icing cupcakes...taking out the trash and being a special, wonderful BOB to Henry and Sam.

We are so happy for the sunshine...come play anytime!

Fun in the Sun...

We're back from a super week in Sunny Florida with Bob, Papa, Uncle John, Aunt Kiley and Baby Jack. We conquered roller coasters, princesses, monorails, race cars, funnel cakes, spring training, and three big swimming pools all while celebrating Sam's sixth month and second tooth, Uncle John's 30th, and Henry's upcoming 3rd Birthday. Our days were filled with sunshine and non-stop fun leaving three little boys, and six mamas and daddys very tired by day's end...a sure sign of a good time.

Tune in next week as Henry turns 3...the celebration has begun, and will continue through the end of next week.

Happy Spring!!

Proclamations...

...of LOVE greet us in the morning, endlessly ring as we conduct our daily activities, and echo in the dark as we kiss Henry goodnight. Henry, is a lover. "I love you too so much, little Mama (or little Daddy, or little one)"...or "Mama, suddenly I love you" or "Listen Daddy, I love you..and Mama, and Old Baby Sam (the living breathing Samuel Cooper), and New Baby Sam (the small baby doll) and Thomas and Molly and EVERYBODY...I LOVE EVERYBODY"...and others can be heard all day long everyday. Henry's teachers at school tell us they are reminded throughout the day how much Henry loves them...he rides the bikes in the "Big Room" and with each lap proclaims his love to Miss Tina and Miss Helen. So, we are sticky sweet around here this month, and it's not just the pancake syrup and honey that constantly coat our kitchen counters and floors and chairs and anything else Henry touches. We are all in love.

Otherwise, we've been having fun in the snow, at the Children's Museum with Bob and Papa and celebrating Mama's (and apparently Henry's) favorite Holiday...Valentine's Day - Hooray!

Oh so cold...but oh so fun!

In our attempts to stay warm we've been spending lots of time inside playing with paints and play-doh, practicing tummytime with Sam, reading what must be hundreds of books each day, taking trips to our beloved Children's Museum, enjoying visits from Grandma and Grandpa Beckman, and just being silly. Of course, it wouldn't be wintertime in a Beckman house without some time in the snow...and fortunately Henry takes after his daddy, and seems to love the snow while seemingly oblivious to the frigid temperatures.

Henry continues to love school. In fact, today is Sunday and after our usual Sunday morning breakfast at the Pancake House, he asked if it was time for school yet. He keeps us on our toes, and makes us laugh all day long.

Sam and his smile are growing daily. He is so easy and fun...and big. Like Henry he measures at the top of the charts in size. People marvel that he is only 4 1/2 months old. He rolls over and over and over and loves to play with toys, also like Henry. He grabs anything we give him and examines it carefully, holding tight so as not to drop it. He has discovered his toes and finds delight in their taste and feel. And...he can push the yellow button on his favorite carousel toy! This is a big accomplishment at our house.

So...all in all we are enjoying the season of snow and cold with family fun and an occassional cup of hot tea.