Landon's Big Boy Bed

Just before his second birthday, we converted Landon's crib to a toddler bed.

He hates being in baby jail.

It just breaks his heart when you put him down and walk away!

The boys helped Daddy convert the bed.

All smiles now!

Excited about his bed!

The first ten nights are so, you were scared to sleep in your "new" bed, but now you've gotten used to it.  Sometimes you even walk out of your room in the mornings!  What happened to my baby?!

PTA

In January, several kindergarten classes participated in a program at PTA.  Here are some of the one's from Eli's class.

There were three or four adorable songs, about love and MLK.  Students also had speaking parts in small groups.  Eli didn't even tell us he'd be speaking!

To remember the man!

We have since laughed about this and it's become like a family joke.  : )

We're so proud of you, Eli Taff!

Happy Valentine's Day!

These two hunks were too cute not to share!  : )

And this little cutie went behind my back and bought me flowers from his school and even carried them on the bus without spilling or breaking!  I was so surprised!

Daddy was able to catch the tail-end of Landon's Valentine's party at his school.  This boy loves a cheese puff!

We then spent the long weekend in Destin, and Wesley and I went out to dinner at P.F. Changs (YUM) and then saw the Will Smith movie, Concussion.

100th Day of School

Back in January, we celebrated the 100th day of school!  100 days of kindergarten, 100 days smarter!  At Eli's school, it's a huge deal.  EVERYONE dresses up, and there are tons of activities involving the number 100.

Eli had to bring in 100 of something, and after a total Pinterest-fail, we went simple:  100 Hershey kisses.  We numbered the bottoms with stickers, stuck them in a Ziploc bag, and declared the project done!

January 24 we put our Squirmy bug to bed, and on January 25 we woke up Paw Paw to get ready for his 100th day of school!

It's hard to tell, but we put baby powder in his hair to gray it, and Eli borrowed his great-grandfather's cane.

There were lots of laughs that day seeing all his friends (and teacher and principal) dressed like little old ladies and old grandpas!

Eli - 5 1/2

Squirmy, I can't believe you're 5 1/2.  I miss my little boy.  If I could take you to Never, Never Land, I might be tempted to, but I'm so proud of all you've done and the big kid you are becoming.  It's happening so quickly!

Favorite toys/games:  You LOVE board games!  Monopoly Jr. and Sorry are some of your favorites right now.  It's not uncommon for us to play a board game every night.  You also are still really loving sports, especially basketball and soccer.  You tell us you're going to play for Auburn in college, and then go play for the Columbus Lions.  : )  You still like playing anything Ninja Turtles and super heroes too.

Books:  You have really taken off with reading!  I hope you'll always be a reader (like me!).  You're good at it and so motivated to.  You're favorite book right now is, "Go, Dog Go! by P.D. Eastman" (as you say).  You've been taking AR tests for a few weeks now, and have about ten points!

Challenges: You are a pretty easy going kid.  You're rarely a "challenge", but when you are overly tired things become dramatic complicated.

Our Days:  You wake up about 6:20 on school mornings, get dressed, and brush teeth.  You eat breakfast at church school, as you say (we're usually there by 7:05).  You then ride the bus to LPS (and sometimes you eat breakfast there again too).  In the afternoons you ride the bus to Mommy and Daddy's school.  You BEG every day to stay and play with your friends Jackson and Sam.  Daddy usually goes to get Landon and you stay a little later with Mommy.  We try to get out of there by 4, and head home so you can get your homework done.  Here lately we've been going to run at the lake, about two miles, and you run a mile of it with us before getting in the double stroller with Landy.  You're a greater eater (always hungry, in fact) and you help out around the house too.  Lately you've been more into showers than baths.  You especially like to use Daddy's shampoo and then I smell your hair and make a big deal over how much you smell like Daddy.  You like it.  You still love your shows, but you crash HARD every night.  We hardly get through singing and prayers (and sometimes don't) before you're asleep.  You played soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and are playing your fourth season of soccer this spring.  Like Daddy, you love being active!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's Favorite:  I love seeing how much you are thriving in kindergarten.  You were so nervous about a new teacher and a big, new school, but you've done great!  Everyone there seems to know who you are.  I love seeing how hard you work at all you do, whether it be school or sports, you have such a strong work ethic, and I pray you never lose it.  I also like watching the big brother that you've become.  I was worried about the age difference between you and Landon, but the two of you have become big buddies!
Daddy's Favorite:  Watching you learn to read.  You've gone to only knowing 20 words to reading books in such a short time!

*Really, all the moments are our favorites.  We just love life with you, Eli Taff!

Upcoming Events: Kindergarten graduation (what?!?!), Disney this summer (Landon's first trip!), and lots of beach time planned for this summer.

You bought me flowers from a flower sale your school had around Valentine's Day.  You even brought them on the bus and were so proud when you presented them to me.  I was so surprised!  I hope you never quit wooing your Mommy, even as you grow up and it's not necessarily "cool" or "cute".

Landon - 24 months

Landon Michael, you're two!  I can't believe how quickly the past two years have flown by.  It breaks my heart and gives us so much pride all at the same time!  You're such a high energy, spirited, and loving little boy.  You love your friends (B (Ben) and Bow-Wow (Bowden) fiercely.  You talk about them all the time.  You bring our family so much joy!  We pray that you never lose your infectious spirit.  You and Eli love each other dearly and are such sweet friends.  Daddy and I pray you always remain close.  Just like Eli, we pray that you would always recognize the Lord's faithfulness and goodness in your life.  We love you so much, Landon boy!

*Disclaimer:  You really are a happy little boy, despite the pouty face in this picture.  This was the best you would give us.  You just wanted to be held, and it broke you're heart when I put you down and walked back to take a picture.

Firsts:  Sleeping in a big boy bed.  It wasn't a first, but we did head to Destin for Presidents Day weekend.  I'm scratching my head on these things!  You had a class party for Valentine's Day.  Last year you didn't make it because you were so sick in February.

News headlines:   Republican and Democratic races continue.  Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton appear to be in the lead.

Milestones:  We converted your crib to a toddler bed.  You weren't crazy about it the first week or ten days; you got up during the night, but then you got used to it.

Measurements: Size 5 diapers, size 24 mth/2T in clothes, size 7 shoe, 28 or so lbs

Like Mommy:  I've said it several times, but we (and Eli) share a love for books.  I hope both you boys are readers like Mommy!

Like Daddy:  You and Daddy have very similar sleep habits.  You're both light sleepers, and once you're up, you're happy and ready for the day.  You also both love to snack all day.

Like Eli:  You love to run and be outside.

Favorite Toys:  Anything that makes sounds/lights up and of course, Mickey and Elmo.  You LOVE reading.  You also usually like whatever Eli is playing with.  We have pattern block puzzles that you love, but you don't so much do the puzzles as you do dump the pattern blocks everywhere.  

Sounds: You have so many words!  You basically repeat anything and everything.  You speak 2-4 words at a time and are so funny!

Challenges:  

Bedtime was a challenge at the beginning of the month when we converted your bed.  We've had a few more fits (especially when Mickey Mouse is involved).  A good and bad thing, but you're becoming quite independent.  You're also a monkey boy.  You climb EVERYTHING!

Our Days:  

You're sleeping through the night.  10 hours at least on school nights and longer on the weekends.  We're usually out the door by about 6:45-6:50 in the morning, and you're home again between 3:30-4:30 (depending on whether Mommy or Daddy picks you up).  You love to get a 'nack and "box" (snack and juice box).  You also demand "Mimmi" (Mickey Mouse) as soon as we get home.  Your tears (and sometimes tantrums) are serious when we turn Mickey off.  You need a detox!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite-  Snuggling with you will always be my favorite.  : )  I also love it when Daddy brings you to my school some afternoons.

Daddy's favorite-  Celebrating your birthday.  Aunt Jan, Uncle Lamar, and Brett came over for pizza and cake.

Nicknames: Any variations of Landy, Landon/Landy boy, Lando, and Sir Landy Lot!

Upcoming Events:  Your 2nd birthday party - a Mickey party!

Look how much you've grown, buddy!

What a difference a year makes!

My two boys on their 2nd birthday!