Beckett's 4-Year Portraits

Beckett will be four on April 14th! We took these pictures early, so we could do both kids together.  He is growing so quickly and is such a joy!

Beckett currently attends preschool at Building Blocks. The schedule and routine has been so great for him! He has developed so much this year, including developing an understanding of social rules and how to share, interact with others, as well as so much academic information.  I cannot believe how much he has learned.  He is very curious.  He is also somewhat cautious when it comes to new things. He watches and analyzes before he tries things, but always has a smile.

Beck is currently taking swimming lessons and his report card said, "Beckett is such a joy. He follows directions, listens, and is always smiling."  LOVE!

Favorite sayings and habits at age 4:

• Can I do (something), Dad? Handsome please? (Rationale: You say "pretty please" to girls, so "handsome please" works for guys.)
• How does (fill in the blank) work?
• Yeah. This is how that goes. (Explains his understanding of any process. e.g.; oil pump we pass on the way to school every morning.)
• Look at this cool machine I made!
• Can you cuddle with me? (Heart melted)
• Let's wrestle!
• Let's play chase!
• Loves brushing his teeth to get rid of "sugar bugs"
• Loves superheroes and Imaginext toys

Isn't he the most handsome little guy? And his heart is even more beautiful. 

MomDate

Beckett did his first race this weekend! We did a mile fun run for Kaitlen, a second grader at my school with brain tumors. The charity event was at Douglas Hart Nature Center, so after church, Shonn and Harp headed home while Beck and I went to the event, called Kaitlen's Kritter Krawl. We also ate lunch at Steak and Shake and ended the day with Josh Toner's bubble birthday party. It was so much fun! 

Not Puzzled at All

Beckett has been doing puzzles nonstop lately! He can do them "all by myself" and today he finished the two puzzles Uncle Matthew gave him at Christmas. 

Getting BIG

Beckett seems to be growing exponentially. These pictures in the car and at church seem so big! 

"That's funny! There's a TV in the car!"

We are ready to switch carseats. Time flies. 

Beckett loves the two-year-old room at church. We noticed he still struggles with sharing, but his social skills are otherwise so friendly and outgoing. He love the other kids and is quick to say, "Hi! What's your name?" With the biggest smile. Ahh! Love him. 

First chores!

This morning, Beckett noticed Lexi's dish was empty, so I asked him if he could fill it up for her. He said, "Sure, Mom!"  He took the bowl to the garage, scooped up her food, and brought it back in. SO BIG! And sweet. Love him! 

Fishin

Tuesday night was so beautiful that we headed to the park as a family. Shonn was home early enough that he wanted to go fishing with Beckett! We got some worms (they sell them at gas stations-ha!) and a pole and went to Wyman Pond at the park.

I got some great shots of my guys...and they got Beckett's first fish!

Ps: I love that B is wearing his swimming trunks from playing in the water earlier that afternoon. Such a boy! Haha!

Little Swimmer

Beckett loved his swimming lessons at the Civic Center. He learned how to blow bubbles, float on his back, kick, jump in, and use his arms. Mee Maw and GG came to watch, and Daddy came to watch tonight for the last lesson.

Beckett loves splashing and is a great kicker. He really wants to "do it myself" but clings to me at the same time. ;). The first two lessons, he loved the slide, and he always said he wanted to do it, but the last few lessons, he said he was scared. That's typical for his age and I didn't push anything. I just want him to love the water and he does!

Tree Hugger

We had a picnic at the park for lunch and Beckett wanted to climb this beautiful magnolia tree. In one of the pictures, he is also looking for honey, honey bees, and honeycomb. :) we are ready for spring!

2-Year Appointment

Beckett's two-year appointment was at the same time as Harper's one month. He is 34" and 28 pounds, which is 50% for weight and 25% for height. He is way ahead of every developmental milestone, especially in communication. Dr. Leifheit was especially impressed with his use of pronouns, possessives, and complete-complex sentences. Physically, he is also on track, able to walk backwards, soon, go up and down stairs with alternating feet, stack blocks, color and manipulate a pencil with the correct grip.

He had to have a shot and lead screening, both not too fun. The blue lollipop and Mater sticker almost made up for it.

He is such a sweetie! Here are some pictures from the appointment.

Swimming like a Fish...

...or a stingray.
...or a shark.
...or an octopus.
..:or Baloo the bear.

We have really enjoyed swim lessons! Beckett has learned to blow bubbles in the water. (He doesn't usually put his whole face in, and this always generates a huge smile!). He is getting really good at kicking and making a splash when he does. He loves jumping in to me and seems to have no fear. (We compare that to penguins jumping in.) Floating on his back is challenging, and the instructor said it would be one of the hardest skills. We try to compare it to floating down the river like Baloo. He's making progress! He loves "zooming" and swimming as fast as a "cheetah shark". He flaps his fins like: a giant stingray, Nemo, Dory, and sea turtles. Finally, he loves the slide, but last time when he got to the top (I wait to catch him at the bottom as he hits the water), he said, "I'm scared, Mommy!" I told him he could get down, but he decided to go down anyway! After i caught him, he was laughing and smiling and said, "I did it myself!"

I just want the water to be fun for him rigt know so he is open to taking lessons and leaning how to be safe in the water. We have one week left of lessons during this session. It's been a blast!

My Little Sister!

Beckett has been the sweetest, most loving big brother I could have ever prayed for.  He loves Harper and is adjusting remarkably well.  I am so thankful!  I can't believe he isn't even 2 yet.  He seems so grown up and big now!

Here are some pictures from their first week together.  This is really the meaning of life!

First Meeting!

"That's my sissy!"

"I love her!"

"I wanna hold her. By self."

Beckett gives Daddy and Harper the cards he made for them with Mee Maw Hild

"For sissy!"

Giving Harper a hug

First kiss.  <3 td="">

Our family feels complete!

Lots of kisses!

Teaching her how to pray

One of my FAVORITES!

He keeps saying, "Wanna hold her by myself!"  He did great!