Oh, Noah. My crazy, hyper, awesome, talented, strong willed, and brilliant little boy. You continue to amaze me and I am so lucky to be your “mommy”!

This year you’ve become a fantastic gymnast. You’re super flexible, adventurous, and curious. That means you try doing crazy stunts all over the house with no regard for safety. Luckily the only thing you’ve hurt is the furniture. You’re also really into music right now. You love all the most popular tween songs. Party Anthem, TTYL XOX, and Cha Cha Slide are among your favorites.  We love watching you dance and sing, but you still never perform on command. Your latest obsession is a video game called Skylanders. I’m not sure whether to be proud or terrified that you love video games so much. While I figure that out, I love gaming with you! You also continue to be a terrific swimmer and amazing artist!

Kindergarten with Mrs Gigli is almost over. You’ve done very well, you earned two rewards (Good Writer and Caring), and you only received one warning during the school year. Believe it or not, it was for excessive talking and not following directions. You blamed it on your friend Harlyn but I was a little proud to know you came out of your shell at least once!  In a few months you’ll start first grade. Time has gone by so quickly, I can’t believe you’re doing assignments, computer lab, homework, and field trips. It feels like just yesterday I couldn’t decide between infant mommy and me groups. This summer you and I will spend a lot of time together, like old times. I can’t wait to make new memories, even if a few of them give me grey hair!

You’re still a little on the little side. Just perfect to me but for record keeping sake you clocked in at 43.4lbs and 44″ at your annual well visit. That puts you in the 30th percentile for weight and 25th for height. You will still only wear one type of shorts. We bought them when you were 3 and you refuse to wear anything different. Unfortunately they are 3 years old now so they’re falling apart but the Gap doesn’t make them anymore and you won’t take no for an answer. You get your stubbornness from me (sorry!).

You have become very compassionate this year. You worry when people get hurt and you ask about them when they’re sick. I’m pretty sure this started because you saw Kate’s accident in the shower that ended in 9 staples in the back of her head. In March, your friend Aaron was diagnosed with cancer and you had a million questions. Bottom line was, you needed to know how to make him better. It didn’t phase you when he lost his hair, stopped coming over, or didn’t make it to your birthday party but you didn’t stop wondering either. I hope someday you really will figure out how to make cancer go away!

You are crazy about your sister! I hope you two are pals for life. You definitely drive each other bananas sometimes, and Kate will tell you – you’re crazy, but if you’re apart for long you get antsy. You want to know where she is, what she’s doing, when she’ll be back. She’s the one friend in your life that you never have to warm up to and that is huge. You’re still a little stingy with your personality and only like to share what and when you decide but not for Kate. Kate is your best bud, even if you don’t like to admit it!

You’re still a tinker-er. You need to know how things work. You want to take them apart, twice. I have a feeling you’ll follow in your father’s engineering footsteps but who know! I love watching you grow up and I can’t wait to see what life holds for you. I wouldn’t wish a second away but it is amazing watching you navigate the world and I’m anxious to know who you will become.

I hope you have another amazing year of supreme health and complete happiness! I can’t wait to see what comes next. For me, you just get more fun, cool, and interesting every day. I love watching you figure out the world!!

I love you, bud!

Walter was kind enough to take the kids out so I could do an intimate photo session at the house.  Not only was he on daddy duty but playdate duty too!  Noah’s friend (and crush) Adrianna came along to the park for some fun.

There is a dog park right next to the playground and the kids couldn’t help themselves.  They love puppies!

And because it was Walter with the kids, and the camera, all the wildlife was captured!

Noah and Adrianna loved pushing each other around….

… and just hanging around…

Kate’s hair is bipolar!  It has officially decided to be pin straight on top and super curly  on the bottom.  For her (very small) modeling career she needed a new comp card so we decided to solve the hair issue.  I took her to my stylist for a cut.  She blew it dry straight and then curled it to see what we liked better.

Here she is straight…

Is it me or does she look like a 12 year old?!

And here she is curly!  

Noah also got suckered into a haircut while we were at it.  He wasn’t incredibly thrilled but was grateful for the one stylist who doesn’t make him wear his hair spikey!

After haircuts we took the kids to the YMCA soccer field for a few photos.

By the end, the kids were completely slap happy and could hardly hold it together for a photo with each other….

…. which must mean someone needs to get tackled!

God, I love these kids!  If you’re wondering… Kate’s agent decided she should go curly.  What do you think??

Yap Originals hosted Valentine’s Day Mini sessions this year.  Walter built the entire set in our office and our poor kids had to do the guinea pig session.  They had a lot of fun, too much candy, and I love the photos we got out of it!  We also had our always willing model and the kids’ BFF, Ayla, join us for a sugar high!

The girls had so much fun!!

Ayla managed to pin Noah down for a few hugs.  This was one of the few times he couldn’t escape; she was so proud!!

The kids took us bowling this weekend!  Noah, Ayla, Charlie, and Kate threw down two hysterical games and us grown ups got some frames in too!

The kids found the heaviest balls they could lift (most of the time) and went for it!  Thankfully, their lane had bumpers or I’m not sure anyone would have broken 10!

Halfway through the first game we scored a walker-like ramp for the ball.  It definitely cut back on the number of balls that only made it halfway down the lane!

We all had a blast and can’t wait to go back!  It was our first time with them!

We’ve been taking the kids (and sometimes their friends) over to Volunteer Park in Boca to ride bikes.  It’s a relatively empty park with a nice loop to bike on and a playground for when the parents are tired but the kids are still full of energy!  A few weeks ago we headed out but we also brought our skates!  Walter’s needed surgery, as they haven’t been used in years, and mine needed some dusting.  We bought Noah training rollerblades when he was 2 and they thoroughly freaked him out.  Today would be much different!!

Although he wobbled a bit, he was pretty darn good!  We tried them on Kate too but the lack of photos is testament to the short time she was willing to use them (and let’s face it – she’s not the most graceful or coordinated kid).

Kate did much better on her bike and even managed to pull Walter a little.  I was classically me on my skates, which is why there are no photos.  My ego, and elbow, were too damaged.  Side note: it is impossible to skate over a rock at very low speeds!

No matter how much he wobbled….

…. or how much he fell, Noah was a trooper and appears to have his father’s athletic ability and perseverance… thankfully!

It really is so nice to get out and spend time with the kids.  The exercise and fresh air are a bonus.  The unplugged time is much needed!

Patch Reef Park in Boca got a fantastic face lift! The playground was replaced with two very fun sections and a water pad recently and it has quickly become one of the kids’ favorite places to play.  We spent the afternoon with Ayla and Robby recently (which explains her outfit) by request of Noah when we asked if he wanted to go to the movies.  He really is an outdoorsy kid and it makes me proud to know he’d rather play than vegetate!

The “older kids” side is perfect for my monkey!!

Errr… monkeys!

And this giant climbing rock makes a great hangout!

Last weekend we got together with Noah’s best buddy, Charlie, for a bike ride.  Charlie is an amazing bike rider – in he’s incredibly FAST!  While Noah can outrun most anyone he’s not nearly as peppy on two (+2) wheels.  So we’re working on it!

Kate, as usual, marches to the beat of her (very slow) drum.  We also think she may need a “big girl bike”.  Will it help?  Nah, but she’ll be more comfortable for sure!

The only trouble with being so speedy – is the corners!  Thank God for helmets and rubberized kids!  

He may be perfect for the circus on this thing!

Along the route the bigger kids (Walter and Evan) found this gigantic spider.  The kids were fascinated but it was the guys we couldn’t get to stop bothering this poor critter.

Then we headed over to the playground in case that had any steam left to burn.

We didn’t know it, but Noah is excellent at the monkey bars and hand walking down beams!

EVERYONE enjoyed our date!  Thanks, Rachel, Evan and Charlie for a fun time!!