Our Lee Boys--Growing and Exploring

Playin' Catchup--Again

2009-08-10T22:39:00.004-04:00

Noah's FIRST real Horseback Riding Lesson

Owen being patient while I shop

Noah and Daddy made this at Lowe's

Just precious...

Boys in their homemade shirts

Sandy the neighbor's dog

Outside in Kyle's car

Noah at Norton Art Museum

Nana and Boys at Norton

After Noah stole (bit off) his chocolate moose's ears...

Waitin' to reverse

Cookin' at Brandi's house

Boys and Trucks

Bath at Bevilaqua's
After Camp treats

OWEN IS 2!

2009-08-10T17:47:00.005-04:00

For Owen's milestone day, Mommy and the boys made a very special cake, discovered an exciting playground (at John Prince park), and had fun with family and friends.

July Photos

2009-07-22T08:54:00.006-04:00

Thanks Ginamarie!
Noah trying to negotiate with Owen..."is that a plan?"

Owen the engineer

Riding Robby the turtle

Atlantic Dunes Park in Delray Beach

My Beach Boys

A Boy and the Sea

Another trip to Canyon Town Center to splash...

Brudders
Throwing Rocks off the pier (Lakeview Park, Delray Beach)

The Kissin' Hole

Lakeview Park, Delray

Attaining New Heights

Waiting for Fireworks with Yai Shelly

Sharing at Chuck E Cheese

Big Wheels at the South Florida U-Pick

(on the way home from school)

More U-Pick

"What? You wanna buy somethin'?"

New picnic table--tent in back left up from Camping playdate

Owen at bounce place for birthday party (Ty)

In the throne at the bounce place

On a Trip for Treats at Kilwin's in Lake Worth

Playin' Piano on the 4th of July in Pompano Beach

Most Recent Library Favorites

2009-07-21T12:49:00.004-04:00

Please say please! : Penguin's guide to manners
Cuyler, Margery.

**One is a feast for Mouse : a Thanksgiving tale
Cox, Judy.

**The bridge is up!
Bell, Babs, 1944-

**Beware of the frog
Bee, William.

The best time to read
Bertram, Debbie.

***A grand old tree
DePalma, Mary Newell.

Maisy drives the bus
By Lucy Cousins

These are just the ones of the stack that boys both seemed to really enjoy. Just recording them here in case I want to check them out again down the line... The ones with stars were especially popular this time.

2009-06-25T16:17:00.002-04:00

Owen's laugh probably is the best laugh I've ever heard in my life. His daddy's laugh is...unique...so maybe that's where it came from. The best part, aside from how hearty and giggly it is, is when he toots while he's laughing. It's absolutely hilarious...guess I'm big on adolescent humor. Sooooo cute to tickle him.

He and Noah have been playing around with doing the NO NAP routine. They both have gone about 3 days straight this week without one and gone to sleep relatively early. Today they both napped so it might be catching up to them. I was just shocked that my not yet 2 yr old is not napping at all!!! Noah was ahead of his peers (and still is) with this at closer to 3. Luckily they both do a decent job of occupying themselves or asking me to read to them etc so it's not as crazy wild as one might think...well not all the time at least.

Noah's potty training is experiencing another set back. He did so well in May/June and now in summer camp he's wetting his pants every day. Only happens at school and they tell me they prompt him often. Not sure what that is all about but I figure there will be accidents even into kindergarten.

Boys are having a wonderful summer so far. Kicked it off with the Disney trip and camp for Noah. O and I have been busy with momma group stuff. The boys have enjoyed playing with the neighbors (including Hannah in from Michigan) and Noah got to try a slip n slide for the first time. I'm gearing up in the kitchen with Owen (made blueberry oatmeal whole wheat muffins today) so that he'll be pretty schooled about the rules when he helps bake his own birthday cake in July. Still debating having maybe a LITTLE TINY shindig --like a playdate with cupcakes at the house--for his birthday...it's not a party year but still...

2009-06-19T09:03:00.003-04:00

Little O at a playdate...
Noah plays on slip n slide at neighbors
The 1st run
My beach boys...

Story time
Neighborhood Walk
Takin' it to the Goal...

2009-06-17T14:56:00.002-04:00

When Owen was born I looked at him and thought he looked nothing like his brother Noah. My two unique boys. I was a little worried that people wouldn't even think they were brothers. To my surprise everyone went on about how much Owen looked like his brother...especially when Noah's hair is cut short. For the first time yesterday a stranger finally remarked about it. We were at the Children's Museum and the boys were playing on the train table. The woman nearby asked Noah's age and I said 3, 18mos older than his brother (pointing at Owen). She looked truly surprised and said "Oh! They're brothers?!" ;) My two handsome, unique boys ;)!

I may need to find a new route home from Noah's school. I take 441 which in Palm Beach county (near Delray/Boynton) is flanked with farms and...well, not much of anything. It really makes me feel like we're in the country and is a nice break with some quiet. BUT! There is a huge u-pick farm on the corner of 441 and Boynton Beach Blvd. Noah comments on it about 1/2 mi before we get to the intersection...listing off fruits and veggies and wondering if it's open. Then he sees the gates open, flags waving and begs to stop and pick veggies. The last time we did stop and he picked up 1 apricot, 1 plum, 1 acorn squash, a plum tomato and navel oranges. He talked to the men working and named everything for the check out lady. He held the plum (which matched his shirt) all the way home and insisted on trying it with the apricot as soon as we got home. Liked the plum better ;). Nice to do sometimes but definitely not every day!

Get the Whale

2009-06-11T15:14:00.002-04:00

O's Swim Lessons

2009-06-11T11:03:00.004-04:00

Mama's 33rd Birthday!

2009-06-09T08:18:00.005-04:00

We took a family mini vacation (which is about all the boys can handle) to Orlando to celebrate my birthday. Nana donated a few nights at a resort and Disney donated my entrance fee to the cause. We had a WONDERFUL time at the Magic Kingdom and I was so happy to see old friends on Sat/Sun. We met with the Ripleys (minus Katie) on Saturday for some pool time and lunch then with the McGuires at Loch Haven Park for a picnic lunch & playtime. Mama Karry, thoughtful as ever, made birthday cookies with a "safety" candle to celebrate. I had one of my best birthdays ever and got tons of birthday wishes that really helped me feel loved on my special day. ;) Here are some of the photos from the weekend. FIRST, I want to put down the details of the boys' Magic Kingdom trip before I forget them (sorry for those not interested *wink*). We stayed at the Cypress Pointe Grand Villas one exit east of Disney off I-4. We got to the park as it opened and made a bee line for the Tommorrowland Speedway. The boys were SO excited to drive race cars and Noah actually did a really good job steering. Owen and I were a wreck...literally. Silly me let him get behind the wheel. We then went to see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse where my two serious faced boys gave them really really big hugs. Noah loved seeing Mickey's house and "messy kitchen". The two of them were pretty wide-eyed, excited, happy and well-behaved the entire day...heck, all of the weekend too! What we did: Buzz lightyear's ride (O hated it), Peter Pan's, Tea Cups (Daddy and Noah), Small World (favorite--went 2 x), Jungle Cruise (Noah yelled "echo" in the tunnel and everyone laughed--got a high five from the guide), Riverboat, Monorail (another favorite), the WDW Railroad (loved it), Swiss Family treehouse (Noah saw the kitchen and said we needed to bake me a cake for my bday--aww), Carousel Of Progress (Owen and I had to leave but Noah liked it), a show in front of the castle, Country Bear Jamboree (N & Daddy while O & I held parade spots on the street outside), and the Barnstormer (N was afraid but didn't cry). We never waited more than 10-15 minutes (hmm, maybe longer to meet Mickey--that felt like forever but it was all under a/c) to ride. Noah enjoyed finding different clocks around the park (his new obsession). The boys napped around 3 so Daddy and I got some snacks and a fastpass while they slept. We closed the place down and the boys were awake enough to see all of the SpectroMagic Parade (LOVED it!) and the fireworks display (O was afraid and N's fav part was seeing tinkerbell of all things). It rained for maybe 20 minutes where the rides were shut down but it really was barely a wrinkle in the day. We liked it so much we're already planning to go again for Daddy's birthday in August!

Owen with Ms. Alison

Mike, Ronan, Noah and Harper Ann
Daddies at the lake

I have a similar pic of these two on a picnic blanket at about 10 mo old...

Stuck in traffic so bad that everyone turned off their engine and walked around the highway...

More of April/May

2009-05-31T11:57:00.004-04:00

Story Time at West Boynton Beach Library
Nanny and the O at the zoo

The Firefighter Lee Boys

Noah checks that the equipment is in order

Noah trying to high five Chuck at Hailey's 3rd birthday party

At Riwa's house playing kitchen with the boys...

Teaching Noah to identify his Auntie's branch of the military

At Collin's 3rd bday party at Build A Bear

Noah the Explorer! He likes to go into the sea grape canopies at the beach...and guide us big folks thru it all. "Watch out for the practus!" (cactus)

Playing with colored sand at the beach...some kids left food dye on a bench

The Boys with Friends After Egg Hunt

Learning Football at Catherine Strong Park (Delray Beach)

Got it Coach! Just Put Me in!...

Owen listening attentively during story time (amazing!)

O insisted on painting with his excavator on hand. He really enjoyed his Mommy & Me class. He'd say "me class mommy" or "me singsong" or "me painting" in anticipation on Wednesdays.

At Lion Country Safari

2009-05-30T15:34:00.006-04:00

A visit to our wild animal park begins with a drive through the animals' area.

When the lion arrives to eat, the buzzards flee.

Look out! Zebras ahead!

Then, there are so many fun activities at the amusement park.

Owen found Os on a sign.

Both boys fed a giraffe, with a little help.

Noah heroically guided the train around the dinosaur.

Then it was time for silly poses!

Daddy and the boys explored off-path.

The event ended with a happy, sleepy ride home.

PICTURES!

2009-05-28T09:44:00.005-04:00

Da Boys after Tanner's Pirate Birthday Party

Fearless Noah holds snake at school

My Florida Beach Boy

Noah learning how to climb trees (sea grape) at the beach

Trains, boys and Nana at Children's Museum

Boys begged for Little Einsteins so I improvised with the internet site...
At the Canyon Towncenter splash circle

The Climber

At a natural scrub area...

Too cute...Noah and daddy go off the paved path to "explore"

Birthday Weekend with Uncle Randy

2009-05-15T22:33:00.008-04:00

Uncle Randy's 40th birthday was celebrated with a now-traditional house party involving all the nearby group home residents, with '80s party music, food and cake.

During some of the festivities, the family had some quiet time in Randy's room.

Noah sneeked a peek at the birthday cake,
then got his own piece in due course.

***********************************************************

The next day we all drove to Lake Wales to an old favorite family spot: Bok Tower Gardens. Randy has been asking to go there, but I no longer can handle the wheelchair by myself uphill and over grass and wood chips, so we made the visit a family project.
The saying at the entrance 'Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.' was posted over the periodic chart in my high school chemistry classroom and I still think it to be the best life motto. Later I learned that my husband - the boys' grandfather - had been acquainted with the widow of Edward Bok. While Randy, Ann & Ingrid were young, we visited the gardens almost annually in conjunction with our church camp in Avon Park. Ann & Ted were married at Bok Tower Gardens. It's a wonderfully beautiful and peaceful spot, on the only significant hill in Florida!

The blooming flowers were especially gorgeous on this gorgeous day.

Listen - the tower is singing! The young and not-so-young boys contemplate the tower and pond.

Later Noah said he wants to visit the singing tower again on his next birthday. I hope!

May Day

2009-05-15T14:43:00.009-04:00

MAY DAY!! is a distress call for boaters. I felt like using it at several points of this very active time with the Lee Boys. It was a lot of fun, though and I'll cherish the memories.

The day began with a visit to the May Day festival at the Waldorf school housed at the Boca Raton Congregational Church. It started quietly enough as I accompanied Noah to the church meditation garden.

This gave way to a madcap run of rugged outdoor play, exploration of the church, and finally an old-fashioned Maypole dance.

Owen went on -- and on -- and on.

After that, Owen was out. We went on to Noah's school, where Ingrid helped with a painting project and I had charge of the 2 boys in the 2-year-olds' room. Owen slept until Noah decided to measure him. Then they shared some bead-sorting.

Noah intently built Lego structures while Owen found puzzles and other interesting activities, including an invasion of the office.

Next we're off to a birthday party at a playground, with cake,and fearless gymnastics on the equipment.

Finally, a calm dinner, and "challah time".

Boys' Update

2009-05-05T20:11:00.005-04:00

NOAH:

CUTE MISSPEAKS--mecycle(recycle), me-larm (alarm), practus (cactus), promas (Thomas).

FAVORITE COLOR--red

IMAGINATIVE CHATTER-- While on our trip to Lake Wales Noah was very smitten with the tower and its golden door. He talked about the magic gate opening as soon as the music stopped and being able to cross the bridge to the golden door. On the road he saw a factory puffing our white smoke/steam and said it was a "cloud factory". Too cute.

NEWEST ADVENTURE--When we go to the Gulfstream Park beach he showed a lot of interest in exploring the sea grape "jungle" at the beach. At first he ventured around with Nana and then took me on a romp under branches, sliding down the sandy slope to the beach...telling me to be careful of the "practus" (see above). Now he says he's an explorer and can't wait to go back and take Daddy.

SCHOOL--He had recently started not wanting to leave school & Mama had to negotiate deals before agreeing to leave for school. How about we go to the museum after school? And he'd say: "How about we go to Chuck E Cheese then the museum? Is that a plan? Is that a good idea?" Then just this past week he's not wanted to go to school at all and just stay home to play with Owen and Mommy. He will say "I want the sun to go down" or "It's NOT a school day". We're not sure what it was that got him started on this kick and it's been very disconcerting/stressful. We did go to a cultural night at school where a college kid watched him and his classmates. He completely freaked out and ran crying to us...it hasn't been quite right since so we think that may have triggered it all. Other notables at school: beginning to challenge/ignore teachers, talks about friends by name now, showed off his "big" boogie to teacher on playground, showing littler students how to do things, cutting/folding paper is his favorite thing to do.

MR. MANNERS--Noah has gotten really good at speaking politely and appropriately. He says the usual please, thank you but also compliments "that's a nice dress" or "you're a nice lady Mommy" (must've been a good day). He gives out kisses by the dozen and can be quite affectionate. With that said he can be quite stubborn, obstinate, and say nasty things (to me nasty is stuff like--"Go far far away" or "I want you to hush" or "I don't want you to come home"). I think that being at school has taught him a lot of positive communication skills and manny of his phrases come from there. Daddy's favorite is "No Skank You!". The teachers tell them to say thank you after "no" so it's not so harsh for the listener...but Noah says skank...daddy thinks it's hilarious.

QUESTIONS WITH NO ANSWER--Ever have someone come up to you and ask you what something is or where it is and then refute your response? No? Probably not since USUALLY someone asks a question to be informed about something they don't already know. Not my boy. "Is that an elephant mommy?" "It's a giraffe Noah" "NO. It's a elephant mommy." Or "Can I go outside to play" and when I say it's raining or whatever he says "Say Yes mommy, say yes!" This goes on every day...makes me feel like I'm going insane sometimes.

POTTY: Noah is doing really well (knock wood) at going to the potty. He used to want me or his teacher go with him to the potty and help him with his pants. A couple weeks ago he started going by himself and then sometimes hollering for help. SO! I thought I needed to kick it up a notch and have him wear training pants (the ones with plastic covering) at night. We were having him go before bed, when we went to bed and then when he woke up circa 3am. Some nights dry, some nights not. He balked significantly at having to wear his "squeaky" pants at night so I broke down and bought the pullups. Sigh.

SOCIAL SKILLS--Noah recently started to take interest in playing pretend with stuffed animals. He referes to them as "my friends" and will take them around in a box, push them around in a cart or laundry basket, etc. He still doesn't have one as a lovey but I think it's great he's finally pretending to interact with them now. He also talks more about his "friends" at school. His best buddies (from what i can gather) are Kyle (neighbor), Daria (school friend--I think he has a crush), and Giuseppe. He played almost non-stop with Giuseppe on a recent playdate...bouncing on the bed, chasing, running circles, drawing on the aquadoodle together, etc. This is major to me since he's not been one for cooperative play outside of playing with his brother. I'm really jazzed up that he's actually initiating play with other children (finally!).

FAVORITE PAST TIMES: cars/trucks/trains, puzzles on occaision, reading books, blowing bubbles, his 'SUPER FAST' bicycle, inflatable pool w/ slide, PAINTING, and playdoh.

TV/DVD: Pocoyo, Caillou, Little People, Curious George, Little Einsteins, sometimes Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso (denies liking it). New interest--Dora the Explorer.

LITTLE HELPER: vacuuming, clears his plate, puts in/takes out laundry, sweeps, helps cook/bake and occaisionally feeds his pet fish.

OWEN:

THE COMMUNICATOR: He is such a big talker to the extent strangers will comment. He's not even 2 yet and speaks in full sentences. He actually answers questions accurately and has a pretty good ear for new phrases. He doesn't really say cutesy misspeaks but his grammar is cute--"Me Mommy me read book please"...he LOVES the word "me". Sometimes he uses his own name and rarely will say "I"...like in his other favorite "I did it!". Just in the last 72hours he's started to stammer. Not sure what to make of that.

GAMES: He likes to be goofy with his brother. He'll play with all the same toys that brother does. He likes the Little People toys and puzzles most. If we go to the library he'll do all like 15 of the puzzles there...some of them multiple times. He's really good with spatial things like that. We like to tickle and he loves to climb on daddy or try to jump on his head or belly etc saying "Boing!". He'll point at me with his pointer fingers and say "I love you!" emphatically and I respond "No, I love YOU!"...it goes on for a while... ;) Last night he took a piece of apple and pretended it was a whale. He also likes to bounce on my knee and swerve around yelling "Whoa! Whoa!" and giggle.

COUNTING--He likes to count things or just count in general. He gets to about 10 and then starts again...or if he's counting things he'll go to 3 and start at 1 again!

MUSIC MAN-- O loves to sing songs: Twinkle Twinkle (almost all correct), EiEiO, ABC, Happy Birthday, Move it Move it, and is trying to learn theme songs to Caillou & Little Einsteins. He jiggles around, bounces and spins to music (sometimes he likes to spin just to get dizzy). Noah and O still do their Shabbat dance on Fridays. He calls it Abba Alom. Cute.

BEHAVIOR--O listens well, behaves normally and doesn't fuss much when not given his way. He actually WANTS time out and will sometimes sit there even after the timer has rung.

HELPER: Likes the dustpan & brush or vacuuming with the dustbuster thing. He wants to help with things in the kitchen but usually Noah gets to it first. I haven't figured out how to cook with both of them yet.

Their favorite haunts: Chuck E Cheese, library, nature trails, beach, playgrounds, bookstore train table, pet store, children's museum, pool in the Bevilaqua's neighborhood, publix/target, school/class,

Funny Boys

2009-04-21T13:46:00.001-04:00

On the way home from school today we stopped in Delray to get a DD treat. Noah then decided to direct me (left, right, straight) into a few back neighborhoods looking at coconut trees, fire hydrants, etc. After maybe 10min of this I decided it was enough and started heading home. Noah said "No, you need to go left mommy" and I silently continued on my way. From the backseat he yells "Stop! You're going the WRONGEST way!" Emphasis on wrongest and then says we're lost now ;). Very funny.

We get home and sit around the dining table to split 1 donut (watching sugar intact for the fam). I remark that I have no idea what to make for dinner and ask "what do you boys think I should make for dinner?". Owen looks at me with a blank look and says matter of factly "food".

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Lizards, Beetles, Bugs galore!

2009-04-11T21:04:00.002-04:00

Owen A. Lee is a critter man. First instance was one evening he came up to me with a black beetle in his hand saying "Bug mommy, bug!". I, of course, sent him to show the neighbor lady his dead bug only to discover that it was still alive! How he caught it I don't know. Then while his cousin Tierney was watching him this week he somehow managed to beat to death a lizard with a car cleaning brush that was in the backyard. Yes, his cousin let him do it...she claims not to like lizards and feigns an inability to control the 20mo old and his infinite strength ;). He chased it down and bashed it's guts out repeatedly. Gross. This evening he and brother were outside playing while I finished up dinner prep and he comes in saying "Bug Daddy" --he got no response--so he walks into the kitchen with the golden colored bug and shows it to me. No clue if it was dead or alive but it totally reminded me of what pet owners say doggies do. They kill or catch just to show it off or for the sport of it. I love that he's...uh...interested in nature...so I don't discourage it as long as he gives "gentle touches". Speaking of which, when he took the bug back outside I heard him later hollering to Daddy about a lizard. Daddy went out to look and he was petting it! I can't catch those things let alone pet them...

Egg Hunting

2009-04-10T16:45:00.003-04:00

The boys have been to 2 Easter egg hunts so far and Easter isn't until Sunday! We tend to do multiple observances of just about every major holiday which is probably good for them when they're this young but would get old fast once they're bigger. I'll post some pics of the one at Publix that they did and the one with their playgroup at the park this morning. Just wanted to share one thing that really impressed me from this morning. The kids all set out with their baskets to get their eggs and within minutes Noah runs up and says "I have enough now Mommy". There were still eggs on the ground and as a kid I would've started shoving them in my shirt, pants pockets...anything to gather as much as possible. He knows they have sweet treats inside but he didn't over-indulge! He took what he thought was a good amount and was done. Not soon after he decided to leave the gated playground and run out while I wasn't looking (he was ready to go home--Got my eggs and I'm gone mentality) so I had a mini-heartattack to say the least. Kept my cool and didn't get hysterical...which is probably why I got an instant headache from it (refrain from yelling).

Toddler Conversations

2009-04-10T16:35:00.003-04:00

In the past few weeks, Owen's verbal skills have improved such that he not only can produce sentences to express himself in unique situations BUT he is also able to have mini conversations. I had something to eat and he walked up and said "Me have some?" then after he'd eaten it he said "more please mommy" then said "thank you". The funnier conversations are between Noah and Owen. The two of them had made a sizeable after-meal mess under the table. I sent Owen to clean up the sausage pieces he'd chucked and Noah went to get the dustpan/brush to help (without prompting). The two of them are now kneeling beneath the table and Noah turns to him and says "Owen you need to clean this mess up". Owen points to some mess (clearly sausage pieces in the mix) and says "Oah mess". Noah says "You want a time out Owen?" and Owen says "yesh". Noah looks startled and says "You do?!" and Owen says "do". hahaha. Ok. doesn't seem as funny now that I've written it out but it was HILARIOUS while it was happening. Keith and I practically rolled on the floor. Just now, after playdough at the table, Noah took the dustbuster to help. After getting bored with that he goes up to show Owen how it works..."here's where the engine is Owen. You see it? You press the button and air comes out here" Then he says "Owen you're a piece of trash" and tries to suck him up with the dustbuster. *smile*. Too cute.

2009-04-02T09:09:00.003-04:00

OWEN POOPED ON THE POTTY this morning! He told me to take off his diaper, then wandered around for a bit. He told me he needed to poop so I went to get the potty. He met me at the bathroom door and repeated that he needed to poop so we went to the living room and he started to whine/cry saying he had to poop. Here it comes so we plopped him down and WOW! Sha-Zaam! Poop IN the potty. Hooray!!!

2009-04-01T21:49:00.004-04:00

Updates
Noah just had a week off of school for Spring Break and asked about going ("Is today a school day?') just about every day. He has recently started being a sweet mouth to me and others. One day in my recliner he told me I was beautiful and that I was a "nice mommy". Sure nice change from being told not to sing, talk and told where to go ;). He told his teacher today that she had a pretty name. I saw a video of him from last Aug or so and was shocked by how much of a baby he looked. It made me realize that he really still is a baby...lose sight of that with your eldest child sometimes. He's taken a real interest in expressing himself creatively. He asks to take out instruments frequently (my Thai string instrument, harmonica, drum and ukelele) and requests to do painting, playdoh etc. He also will stand on the window ledge behind the sofa and put on a 'magic show' or sing a song for the living room. He's also shown a new interest in playing baseball or asks to bowl on the Wii. A new favorite activity with his brother is to run around with towels as capes after bathtime...adds to the tussling and rolling and playing that they share with daddy when he comes home too. I love watching it all.
Owen is really doing well verbally. He is trying to learn (practices frequently) about 4-5 different songs: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the theme to Little Einsteins, a song from Kindermusik class, a song from an Einstein episode, the alphabet song, and his all time favorite Happy Birthday ;). I got an email a couple of days ago that went over developmental milestones for him from now until he turns 2 and he really was above target on a lot of it. He speaks in clear phrases, knows tons of words, can climb and descend stairs without help, climbs, JUMPS up and down as well as off furniture, can follow 2 part instructions, runs, started to pedal a trike, and has even started to mimic pretend play that his brother does (he pretended there was a spider on his knee, head and on the floor today). My favorite is when he hides himself or an object and says "Where go?" throwing up his hands. So cute. He's really thriving. He sits time-out pretty easily and tends to only need to be told 1-2 times before he complies...I really think this is because he sees Noah take the long road and decides to take the shorter path (I did this too as the younger child under my headstrong sister).

Interacting with Nature

2009-03-31T23:00:00.007-04:00

Hillsboro Pier & Beach

Hillsboro Pier & Beach--O already getting checked out by the ladies ;)

Hillsboro Pier & Beach--notice Noah's ice cream ring around the mouth ;)

Zoo

Nanny and O at the Zoo

"ook iger Mommy, iger!"

Noah actually requested I take this photo of him pushing this ball

Fearless O
Of all the wild and exotic animals on the zoo carousel...Noah picks...a horse.

Zoo Carousel

Palm Beach Zoo

Zoo

Wakhodahatchee Wetlands (moorhen & chicks)

Great Blue Heron

Noah doing a "silly walk"--or in this case a Wacky walk

Misc.

2009-03-27T22:55:00.002-04:00

Sleepin' in Mama's Chair
Playing at 'Seppe's House

Eating at Eden's 1st Bday Party

New Playground equipment--guess it replaces the merry-go-round

Owen riding the clock at Chuck's

Swimming

2009-03-25T22:10:00.001-04:00

Mr. Underwater Man (loves it!)
Goggles help keep his eyes from going beet red after diving for rings

Mama Lee had to stay within arms reach or someone would sneak off the steps without the teacher noticing and "monkey crawl" along the wall to the deep end. Notice the leg block...

The boys at the Bevilaqua's community pool (9in deep!!!)

Noah in his swim class with his new goggles

Family Trip to Sugar Sand

2009-03-20T22:07:00.000-04:00

Snack
Building together

Owen plays with friction experiment at the Science Museum (Sugar Sand Park)

Spider Man

Stop at the Kims on the way home...boys got into EVERYTHING...

Who is this kid?

2009-03-16T08:44:00.000-04:00

Peeked in on Noah this morning at school. He was sitting at a table working on a green cloverleaf tray (St. Patty;s is tomorrow--they always have themed projects around for holidays). I watched as he got up from the table, pushed in his chair, picked up his project and put it back on the shelf. I didn't see any adult hovering over him telling him to do it. Then he got up and walked over to where the big kids were doing something with Ms Amber. He watched for a bit then went over to a basket of soft cloth mats and pulled one out. He laid it out carefully on the floor, smoothed it down and got ready to find another project in the "culture/language" area of the classroom. By himself. I have to STRUGGLE sometimes with him to put his plate in the sink after a meal. It's like my friend Lisa said, they are so relaxed and comfy at home so they don't perform as much like they would at school for strangers ;).

I'm VERY behind on pictures. Our video camera with all of my March photos is having problems keeping a charge on the battery. It is completely dead now so I may need to take it in to be repaired/looked at before I can get the photos/video off. The boys have been busy so there's tons to post. I know, I know, I still haven't posted Noah's bday pics here either---I put a bunch on Facebook and never got around to putting them on the blog.

Noah at School this Morning

2009-03-09T08:53:00.001-04:00

Noah is on the bottom left working on his favorite "bead" project. It's what he talks about and gets excited about when leaving for school...I have no idea what the object of it is or even much about what it looks like but just that he enjoys it is good enough for me ;).

So Big!

2009-03-06T13:06:00.002-05:00

Noah is gaining confidence in speaking to strangers and is becoming more social. Who knows if he just hit the age where he is interested in it or if going to Montessori school has sped it along. During the last week I've really noticed that he gravitates to one on one interactions with children about his age when we're in public. He talks them up and they play together like old friends. He also seems less shy/more confident with strangers and friends. After playing in the evening with the neighbors he (AND OWEN!) say good night to Mr. Kris, Ms. Lisa, Kyle and Krysten. He also waves enthusiastically at neighbor Mr. Mike and finally answers questions being directed at him (Like "How's school?"). Today at the mall he ordered his own Auntie Anne's pretzel from the lady and went back alone to ask for some more napkins (I was at least 50 feet+ away). Both boys are getting very independent and vocal. Owen tells me to "stop 'ancing mommy" (dancing), Noah's always told me to "stop singing" and now he also adds "go away mommy" "I need privacy mommy" "move" etc etc. I frequently have to remind him to say the request nicer or add "please", lower his voice, etc. The most amusing tantrum recently was over dinner: chicken and rice--can't get any more neutral. He starts the fit and thru the tears says "You treat me so bad mommy" repeatedly. SO! I question him and he says it's because I give him a stomachache...huh? He then points at the food I've asked him to eat and repeats himself emphasizing how BADly I treat him. Hmpf. I realized after the fact (24hrs+ later) that he learned the behavior from watching his 8 yr old nephew in January do this with my sister. This boy is a SPONGE! Owen still looks so tiny and people often remark with surprise at how verbal he is and he's relatively agile compared to other toddlers his age. The boys are still hooked on Pokoyo and Caillou which I think has really helped Owen's language. They both run around saying "treasure" with a British accent (thanks to Pocoyo) ;).

Thoughts

2009-03-04T07:46:00.002-05:00

Now that both boys are getting older and developing their own personalities I thought it'd be interesting to note some of their distinct traits. Owen, though middle name is Anderson, totally takes after his father's side of the family...everything from how he eats, sleeps and interacts with others. Noah, on the other hand, takes after my side of the family. He's quick tempered, loving/affectionate, emotionally sensitive and a very fitful sleeper. They both are quite stubborn and won't be bowled over by anyone even though they both are generally a little small for their age. Actually, they both will take on much older and bigger children to get what they want most times. Now, maybe a few years from now this assessment may change. I realize that a lot of the attitudes and behaviors may just be their age/stage in life but some things I really think will stick forever. I pray that the smart-mouthing, defiant, and domaneering behaviors end soon because having 2 boys now in that stage sure is tiring! Some of you with older/grown children are probably chuckling at what's in store...I seriously doubt it will end but maybe it'll mellow a bit???

Some February Photos

2009-02-23T22:40:00.009-05:00

The Lee Boys play with the trains together.

Family TV time, with Pocoyo

At West Boynton playground --

Owen goes down and up a slide

monkeying around with Giuseppe

Whee!

Owen is careful not to step on his shadow

Noah is ready for school

Noah at the dentist office -- anticipation.

a 'thumbs-up' xray.

now the cleaning

at last a rinse and all done.

another haul of library books!

2009-02-18T14:05:00.002-05:00

The last batch of library books are due back next week so I thought I'd post the boys' favorites here to both document it and as a recommendation for others looking for good toddler books:

Happy Birthday Thomas by Awdry
Clickety Clack by J. London
Have You Seen My Potty by M. Kelly
My Five Senses by Aliki
A Dinosaur Called Tiny by A. Durant
Froggy Gets Dressed by J. London as well (my favorite of the bunch)

So...less then half he really enjoyed. I wish I'd written down past batch favorites so that I could have trip to pick up a batch of just his old favorites but, alas,...

FUNNY Thing about Owen. We've been working with the boys on putting their dishes in the sink after meals (all meals). Well, the training must be going really well because Owen now puts OTHER things in the sink now too. Aside from his dishes, O likes to "throw away" his poopie diapers by tossing it into the sink. The trash is kept off limits to him and once someone mistakenly asked him to throw it out and he took it to the sink and dunked it in...it stuck and he tries to do every time now...like just this morning ;)

Owen

2009-02-11T09:08:00.002-05:00

Owen is very interested in the potty now. A friend suggested yesterday that I start potty training him at 18 months...hmm, I'll think about it. He wants to put things in it, wear it as a hat, and sit on it frequently. He also asks to sit on the toilet but he never produces anything. I don't think he gets it or can control it yet. In the meantime, he has been leaving little presents around the house...one time he did it and he still had his pants up! The Mystery Poop. He runs wild to avoid putting a diaper on then will pee. Yay!

He was upstairs with me just now doing "color" of his "horse" picture while I did the laundry. All was well until he decided to "help" put the clothing I was sorting back into the hamper. Not too bad of a deal. I went into the bathroom to make sure nothing was in there to wash, turned around, and my boy was dropping a pair of MY underpants in the toilet. Gee. Thanks buddy.

He has picked up shaking his head and emphatically saying "Uh-uh". He tells his brother "Stop Oah!" and will push him away if he tries to kiss him. He also loves saying "mommy carry" and "mouth/head owiee (hurts)". He's teething 4 molars and 4 eye-teeth simultaneously. Other popular phrases are "uck" (stuck); "help me mommy/nanny/daddy)" ; "more ____ too!"; "more water juice"; "self" (do by myself); "uh-stairs" (up or down stairs). He's actually able to go down the short set of stairs without holding on to anything and can go up and down the long set holding on to the rail by himself. He's doing quite well verbally and physically now. Calls himself both I and "Owen" or "O" or "Oweee" (his nicknames).

He's been in his own bed and room now for over a month. He does well, if he doesn't wake up in pain, just staying in his bed/room all night (unlike big brother at this age). BUT he'll come running into our room (read: we need a gate at his door) at 3am and ask me to lift him into the bed. He then squirms until his head is going east (like when he's in his bed) which is perpendicular to me...AND he has to be at the head of the bed so that means he lays across my neck or face. Smother the mother sort of deal. Definitely getting the gate up a.s.a.p.

Birthday!

2009-02-04T20:15:00.002-05:00

Noah and about 26 other children enjoyed a slightly cold and overcast afternoon at the park on Friday 1/30. Noah ran all over the place with his birthday crown (we made), ate, rode the carousel and blew out his large "3" candle. The weather turned a little colder and more overcast, the kids started to trickle home, Noah dropped his cake and skinned his knee. Time to go! ;) Luckily 2 moms (Dominique & Tammy) came early and helped set everything up. Keith's friend Anthony's wife (Vanessa) came for the whole day to help with the party and the boys. Laura (with 2 boys of her own N & O's age) was a real help cleaning up and getting everything into the car. Nana picked up Uncle Randy and our friend 'Chelle so they could participate in the celebration. Aside from the weather, the whole event went off without a hitch and we had a great time. Here are some photos from the party.

Noah at School!

2009-02-04T08:23:00.004-05:00

Noah is on the bottom right "working" on a project at his Montessori school. First day was Feb 2 --Uncle Bobby's birthday. The class has 3-5 year olds. Miss Amber (top) works one on one with him a lot during the day. He goes to school without protest and when we watch him on the internet he always is engaged. He really likes school and devours his lunch. The freedom, self-direction and skill-building he gets at school surpasses anything I could do with him at home with lil' O under foot. It's great he gets this "alone" time for a few hours a week ;).

Negative: It's quite tempting to just stay near the computer and watch him all morning. Hard to break the habit of watching over him I guess.

Positive: Noah picked up toys at home without a big fight after his 1st day of school and just now I saw him get out his own snack, sit at the table with a mat, then clean up after himself, put away the mat and...went back to push in his chair...unprompted. Huh!? He doesn't do that at home ;)

2 Trips to the South FL Fair

2009-01-31T09:32:00.000-05:00

Day 2 Treat: Ice cream cone
Yum!
Owen is really into the goat milking...

Cousin E is old hat with farm animals...

Pettin' baby goats

Nana gets to take O on an old fashioned buggy ride

Noah takes the high road...

Eden

The Corn Pit

Making Corn Angels

Owen & cow converse...later the goat from adjacent pen tries to eat cotton candy out of his hair

O's first cotton candy

Trip 2 with Auntie Ann, Daddy, & cousins Eden, Carson

Frugal Fair Trick: Bring your own lunch then buy 1 treat. Noah picked cotton candy...

Broken ride but he enjoyed pretending

The sign says it all...

Race Car Drivers

Big Wheel!

Misc Jan Photos

2009-01-30T10:05:00.002-05:00

Owen's first fuzz-cut
The result

Boys playing with Noah's birthday gift from nana (trains & table)

Helping (?) Daddy do dishes

Owen, the food theif

2009-01-23T18:30:00.003-05:00

Spin-A-holics: Noah and Owen both beg to be swung in circles by the arm. Owen says " 'Bin Peas" and Noah will go on about being dizzy afterwards. If we refuse (because we get sick from it) Owen will just run really fast in circles giggling until he gets this drunk look on his face. I almost feel like an enabler when I give them spins...

Owen is in his own bed now. Took him out of the crib a couple weeks ago and he's just been on the mattress. I've also, for the last 2 nights, put Noah's toddler bed in his room with him. Noah has trouble going to sleep alone and it worked well the first night but then he started to have molar pains that woke both boys up...last tooth...taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

Owen is JUMPING taking both feet off the ground in a hop as well as jumping off Noah's toddler bed, the sofa, the laundry basket etc. He's definitely a toddler though because he frequently falls and tumbles just walking sometimes. He got 2 busted lips just yesterday...one from the playground and the other from brother hitting him with a plastic storage bin. Aaah, brothers.

They still love up each other with kisses and hugs. If Noah gets in trouble, Owen goes to sit near him in time out or gives him a hug/kiss. Noah will kiss Owen when he's crying and sing "Don't Cry" by Etta James to him. Sooo sweet. Both boys are singing often. Owen is working on the Happy Birthday song...mainly just says "Happy BIRTdaaaay to yeeww" repeatedly...sometimes he says "to 'Oah" at the end.

For all that Noah is becoming more and more verbal he has recently taking to saying "yea" instead of "yes" and "huh?" when he doesn't know or doesn't want to answer. We're working on it. He was doing excellently with potty training but the last 2 days he's wet his pants and was completely indifferent about it. He's even said "I want to have an accident". Fun.

Noah is scheduled to start school at a West Boca montessori come Feb 2 (after his HUGE 3rd birthday celebration). The plan is for Daddy to drop off and for O and I to pick up midday. He's actually speaking positively about going...thanks, I'm sure, to CAILLOU--the boys new FAVORITE show.

Both still love trains and automobiles. Nanny got Noah a train set and table for his birthday. The boys delight in taking the pieces to all ends of the house and yard as well as in tearing up the track frequently. I tell myself they're learning and interacting on their own terms but it sure drives me nuts ;).

Sorry for no new pics and for waiting almost a month to update the blog. I'm sure I'm forgetting to update tons of other wonderful things the boys are doing which I regret greatly :( since I've forgotten them already I'm sure I'll have no recollection come 20 + years from now either. So sad to have our babies both so grown BUT I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooo excited to be over "baby" stuff. Yay!

2 other things I just remembered: Owen is winking now but says the word "wink" more than he does the action--which is a double eye blink of course. Owen also, this evening, said "tank oo mama" for the first time. Such manners!

One of these days we need to post a video of the boys doing their famous Shabbat dance. Both of them LOVE to celebrate the Challah Day with Nana...especially their sip of wine and chunk of bread.

Names

2009-01-02T06:37:00.004-05:00

I wanted to note all the names I call the boys before I forget them: Sweet Precious, Pear, Pear Nut, Puddin' Pop, Big Boy, Tesoro (Italian for treasure), Piccolo Piccolo (small x2 in Italian), Littun' Littun' (little little), Lickle Mon (little man Jamaican), Bear, ...
How I forgot...I call Owen "short stack" non-stop! Ya know, like a sweet stack of pancakes... ;)

2009-01-01T20:49:00.009-05:00

Happy 2009! May it be happy, healthy and involve all of us at some point getting together for some quality time ;). I am uploading December photos still from the video camera so I will just post some of the ones I already have on hand. December was filled with fun with friends (parks, birthday parties, playdates) and of course with a little winter cough for the whole family--lasting almost the entire month. Nana was off in the Middle East for 3 weeks and Daddy had a trip to NY for business. The boys are making strides on their verbal skills. Noah has taken to rhyming names and commonly used words "Daddy Waddy, Nana Bana, Owen Bowen...Hungry Bungry, Water Bater" you get the idea ;). He successfully uses difficult words throughout the day: intersection, direction, permission, etc. He also talks about his birthday and turning 3 EVERY DAY in some way. Owen is practicing, mimicking words and phrases with a little self-review at night before sleep. Owen is still a little slim in the hair category but it's coming in slowly as are the teeth. He is almost 17mo and is still waiting on the 15 mo molars...this, of course, does not stop him from eating just about anything. The guys have now an almost ritual of playing with the neighbor child, Kyle (2 y/o). They all unload everything resembling a toy from his garage and the 3 play in the deadend street area on the side of the house before bathtime/dinner almost every night. At one point this past month we had 7 toddlers running around in the side yard/street with every vehicle imaginable, balls, dogs barking...a zoo! We love it. The weather is GORGEOUS in Florida (not in the rest of the nation) and we've made the most of it by going to the beach multiple times and the local parks. We had a relaxing Xmas weekend with relatives and the boys were so happy to just get chocolate and cars. I hope that we never make it into being about tons of gifts...the lesson this year was that one special gift is sufficient. For now it's about Santa (Babbo) and time with family...perhaps when they're older we'll explain the more complex meaning of the holiday.

5th Anniversary trip to the Jupiter Lighthouse

Family photo after cajoling, bribing and threatening the wandering Noah.

Where Daddy & Mommy kissed 5 years ago as a married couple

Note: The palm frond (and any long item) became a fishing rod which Noah used to catch 'glad' fish. Fishing rods or the old standby...rocket ships. He's got quite the imagination!

Were you using this?

Still checks if everything is a hat first...
Noah devours cookies at a playgroup holiday cookie event

At Sugar Sand Science Museum
The boys working the train...making "energy"
Wow...trains way up high!

Dr Noah and Dr 'Seppe at the Children's Museum

Daddy the photographer
The boys give Bernie & Mac baths at Antonio's Build A Bear party

The Boys take their new friends home...after playing on escalators & elevators at the mall

The Boys have a no-sleep over while Daddy was out of town with Giu & Giu B.

In jammies, in the crib...no sleeping.

2008-12-31T21:55:00.003-05:00

Most excited about the chocolate reindeer. You think that'll work when he's 11?
The Babbo "button" car for Noah...yes, that's Owen taking it as his own ;)

Owen shares his chocolate reindeer with Mr Potato Head

Owen enjoys looking at the Stone Mtn snow globe of Noah, Mama & Gheema

Daddy and Owen gettin' some snuggle Xmas morning

2008-12-31T10:10:00.002-05:00

The Infamous Lee Boy Tackle
Cousin Tierney joins us after xmas for the weekend

Evidence of "sharing"

Exploring the Intracoastal playground in Delray Beach

Tightrope walking

Sleep Deprivation going on 3 years

2008-12-14T07:35:00.003-05:00

If you ever meet a parent of young children and she seems a total Loop Fruit: can't remember anything, can't speak properly, and seems spaced then it's from lack of sleep. Ok, so basically I'm saying when you meet/see ME that's what it is at least. Last night I (thankfully) went to sleep with Noah at 8pm (Thank God I didn't stay up later) and then from 11pm to 4 pm I was woken up EVERY HOUR: 11pm coughing 12 midnight daddy coughing 1am Owen gas 2am Noah wants to go potty (he literally bobs his head asleep as he's going potty so technically he's STILL getting sleep) 3am Owen wakes again and I fall asleep on the floor next to his crib and wake up at 4am when I finally get back to my bed and get woken up at 6:00am by Noah who wants to eat breakfast (he never really does he just says that so he can go downstairs and play with toys). I ignored him until Owen woke up at 6:30 and I knew the gig was up. SO, if I'd stayed up til about 10 pm to watch a movie or decompress for a couple of hours I wouldn't have even gotten the 4 hours sleep uninterrupted to start with. This is TYPICAL for our house...since Noah was born. The one odd exception was right around the time of Owen's birth when Noah was sleeping through the night but I was still up all night breastfeeding Owen. If you're contemplating having beautiful energetic intelligent funny adorable children...just know, you WILL NOT SLEEP WELL for YEARS... and, no, you can't give babies sleeping pills or alcohol and shame on you for even thinking of it!

I Luh U & Mommy is SoKee

2008-12-12T16:13:00.004-05:00

The boys are forever doing and saying some totally adorable stuff but I'm never in front of the
computer so I forget when I'm blogging what it was they said/did.

MOST SIGNIFICANTLY: Owen is learning to say I love you. We were upstairs after bath time last week and I said it to him and he says it back with a very exaggerated tongue flick for the Luh part. He is so pleased with himself when I play up how excited I am and how sweet it is. He is still practicing daily but the first time will be the most memorable. Noah said I love you the day before his 2nd birthday without me saying it first and when I was busy cleaning up after his dinner mess. SO, I'm waiting for the unsolicited one from Owen to happen any day now and he's only 16 mos old! ;)

Just now I was checking for some things online and Noah came up and said "Mommy is SoKee". I kept saying I don't know what that is Noah. So he said "sokee like the blanket". Yesterday he climbed in O's crib and had his blanket. I was showing him how one side is furry/soft and the other side is SILKY. So then I realized that he'd said something really cute and really sweet and wanted to type it in before I forgot. Also, when we were visiting Auntie Trell & cousin Tierney this weekend I asked him to give a high five to his auntie. Then I said give Tierney "one too". So he walks over to Tierney and says "ONE TWO!" Hahahahaha...

Oh yeah, it's our FIVE YEAR wedding anniversary...Congrats to us! Plan on looking over old photos, reminiskin' and going back to the Lighthouse in Jupiter tomorrow to commemorate it.

Last Year's JibJab

2008-12-04T09:40:00.001-05:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Noah's First Letter to Babbo Natale (Santa)

2008-12-04T08:22:00.002-05:00

End of November

2008-12-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here are the photos of all the events from the end of the month. Been meaning to blog daily but that's just not happening these days. Owen is speaking in phrases "More Water Please" is a favorite and Noah is picking up new vocab every day...said "I'm frustrated" just yesterday. He's also been talking a lot about birthdays and tells people "I'm 3 years old"...doesn't hold up fingers at all. Both boys enjoy having playtime every night in the deadend part of the street with their neighbor Kyle (2yr old). We've been doing Chanukkah with Nana since about Nov 30 since she'll be on a tour for the month of December. I told her that candles and a gift may not be snazzy enough since for Shabbat they do candles, have challah (Owen calls all bread, pizza, etc Challah), and wine as well as a song they dance to. SO! If it wasn't sacreligious enough to do Chanukkah almost a month early we also have adapted it to make it more exciting for the boys: The official drink is EggNog (not sure if it's kosher) and we play the dreidel song in the background while the menorah gets lit. The chocolate coins help as well ;). Ok, here come the photos as promised...

Noah tastes his handiwork: Apple Caramel Struesel Pie (mmmmm)

Elder abuse

Nana on duty ;)

Hat phase continues...

Exploring at Wacky

Chihuly Ceiling at the Norton Museum of Art (WPB)
Exhibit on games at museum...Noah liked stacking them and making "sand castles"
Bottoms up...
Preparing to crack eggs for the pies

Giving the Granny Smiths a "bath"

More November...

2008-12-04T05:37:00.005-05:00

Spinnin' Dreidels on our Puerto Rican cookbook ;)
Highlight of Chanukkah: Chocolate Coins
Helping push Uncle Randy

Hitchin' a Ride

Conference at the Beach

hiding in the grasses to avoid the whipping stinging wind :)

Helping to count and light candles with Nana

2008-11-26T19:53:00.004-05:00

Preparing for Turkey day tomorrow. Last year was a big family affair with Keith's family in from GA and other parts of South Florida. This year it'll be just our immediate family and Uncle Randy. I decided to bake 3 different kinds of pie from "scratch" (meaning some parts were and some parts were store bought--crust or pumpkin) and it yielded 6 pies!!! Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pie, Caramel Apple Struesel Pie (DELICIOUS!!!) and a yummy Pumpkin Pie I got from Recipezaar.com. SO, the most important part of the meal is done: dessert. Noah helped with the pumpkin pie and also "bathed" the apples with a scrub brush. As soon as I told him that the apple seeds could grow a tree that was the end of him helping "Mama I go outside and make an apple tree" "Come on mama let's go plant the seeds". Thankfully Nana was available to take him outside but unfortunately she forgot where he shoved them into the soil and he keeps asking me where they are ;). Tomorrow should be very low key...maybe take the boys to the beach in the morning and then make the turkey ( breast tenderloins only--no big bird in this house except on PBS) etc in the late morning so we've got yummies all day to enjoy. Daddy's making a duck for the first time. He's actually steaming it as I type--smells yummy but I don't do duck--then he'll roast it. Should be MORE then enough for our small group to eat. We are so very thankful for friends, family, health and happiness. May all of you reading this have a wonderful holiday tomorrow!
--Posted by Mama Lee (I'm always too lazy to sign out of Keith's account)

Owen moves forward

2008-11-25T18:40:00.009-05:00

The growin' Owen, along with Doggy, has been getting crowded in his long-time car seat.

So it came time to remove the rear-facing seat and move Owen to a forward-facing one.

Bye, bye -- you did a good job, old seat.

Daddy carefully delivered and installed the new big seat, under Owen's supervision.

The family watched anxiously as Mama fastened Owen's seat belts.

Hey, I am really big.

Doggy likes it too!

It's very comfy indeed!

Catch up Photos ;)

2008-11-21T20:28:00.009-05:00

Owen refused to eat until I put "hat" on him...Nana brought back this Pepto Bismal pink hat for him from Turkey. He's since worn it in public to the playground as well ;)
Brother stopping to give O lovies at Jaycee Park in Boynton
Future basketball star!

Exploring with Daddy at Wacky
At the mall with friends

At Mama Kelly's 30th birthday party ;)

Playing at the children's Science Museum in Boca

Noah's FAVORITE playmate: Kyle our next door neighbor's got the coolest toys ;) ZOOM ZOOM!

Cuteness
Owen refusing to relinquish the batter-covered paddle after making sugar cookies
Nana on swing duty ;)

Noah playing soccer on the wii fit

Nana "tries" to use the Wii but O thinks he's got a better idea...

Helpin' Daddy make pizza dough

Feeding the cow at the museum

Auntie Ivy and Owen at the beach

Sharing the Jeep

Aunt Kimberly visits and goes for a neighborhood walk

Owen graduates to table eatingNoah "hanging" on school bus on Halloween (with Elsa & Lilly)

Mama and The Lee Boys on the Boynton Beach Trolley

Bye Trolley! (Noah spontaneously decided we should ride)

On the Lighter at the Children's museum

Barking Downward Dogs

2008-11-15T20:58:00.003-05:00

The boys really love to play with their imaginations and be very physical. Owen crawls and climbs up, over everything. He hangs from the oven, climbs over the sofa, stands on the edge of chairs...with no fear. The only thing I've seen him scared of recently was of Noah's old giggling Elmo doll. I digress. The cutest thing the boys have been doing is after bath. They run and giggle and try to evade getting dressed. Daddy plays along with them and they do a little "Ooooh Dark" or "Spooky Kombooki" together. Owen gets down and crawls about barking like a dog...most times in the nude. It's too adorable! Then all 3 Lee boys (Daddy included) do the yoga pose of downward dog for 10 seconds--Owen cheats by doing it, stopping, looking at Daddy/Noah, then doing it some more. It's quite the scene to have all three of them with their bottoms in the air making little teepees. Lights go down, the comforter gets pulled out and then it's more hiding, giggling, Ooooo Dark until Mommy and Daddy are beside themselves starving for dinner and call it quits to go downstairs again.

thanks to Uncle Chuck and Anthony I will finally be able to post some pics from my and Owen's trip to Jacksonville. They got stuck on my Fuji camera which will soon be laid to rest. It's served me well for the last 5+ years! We also went to the beach with Auntie Ivy and her new beau Rob so I need to get all my photos together for a nice couple of photo only entries. Coming soon...

First Post

2008-11-11T08:03:00.000-05:00

Last night Owen slept in Noah's toddler bed and had the whole room to himself. He woke up and talked about the potty and stood in front of the downstairs bathroom until he had gone in his diaper. He's learning new words daily and speaker clearer. I looked at them this morning and saw to big boys already. No more babies or "itty bitty" Lees in the house anymore. Noah and I snuggled and hugged and made a promise (shook hands on it) that we'll always snuggle even when he's a big old man. Our babies are gone and we have these 2 blossoming young boys. Sweet, precious, high energy, loving, giggling little boys...
I'd talked about moving the blog just to show a new chapter in our lives probably over a year ago. I was going to wait for the new year (2008) then for Noah's 2nd birthday. It got pushed to "When Owen turns 1". I was looking for a milestone but when it happened I wasn't ready to give up my Itty Bitty Lee page. I saw photos and entries from when Noah was a completely different person, when Owen was a completely different person...coupled with their torpedo growth...I decided today was the day! So, WELCOME to the NEW LEE FAMILY BLOG! Thank you for coming to visit us and keep up with us through the years. I love sharing about my boys but don't like pushing it on folks who aren't all that interested...this way you can come when you want, comment or not, and I get to share in our love, joy, trials and tribulations in raising these guys. Here's to some more wonderful years of blogging. I may keep this one for a while longer, maybe until Teen Lee Boys or something like that! ;)