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angelarlynch shared an Instagram photo with you

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"Little Houdini, discovered him tangled tight!"

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Scuba boy

paleontology

mini paleontologist hard at work

Bike ride on the way to visit Nakai

Re: Morning bikes

Cutest ever! Did you all go on a ride? How did he do?


Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 15, 2012, at 7:38 AM, Angela Lynch <angelarlynch@me.com> wrote:

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Re: Morning bikes

Love it, love it, love it!

On Jul 15, 2012, at 7:38 AM, Angela Lynch wrote:

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Morning cruise

Morning bikes

Master builder

Discovered him building a village in the corner. He is feeding each of the little people he has set out. Too cute.

Together-er-er-er-er...

More stealth video

Self "portrait"

Discovered a whole series of pics and videos on my phone this morning, guess Sayan was busy while we were still asleep!

Happy Birthday Boy

Cruising the strip

He is loving it.

Sayan's 4th Birthday

Dear Sayan,
Today you turn four. You woke up this morning, in between mommy and daddy, and gave us your usual sweet sleepy smile with crinkle eyes and hugs and kisses.

Then you realized... Today is my birthday!! You sat bolt upright in bed and asked "is today my birthday??" we said it was and daddy told you the story of when you were born -- 4 years ago today. You listened and then clarified that the doctor really didn't do much to get you out of mommy's tummy, that actually you did everything, all that work yourself. I can understand your perspective!

Then out of the corner of your eye you saw the balloons bobbing on the table and you shot out of bed to investigate. You saw the party mommy and daddy had made for you and you did your wiggle dance. You put the crown on your head and decided it was time to open a few presents. You collected them and we all sat on the floor together while you opened the first one.

Sayan you have such a gift for being in the moment, and enjoying and appreciating what comes your way. Daddy lifted you up and you hung the wind chimes that are just your size on our back porch. You carefully carried the boat picture and placed it on your shelf in just the spot you can see it best. You and daddy had so much fun sifting and organizing the colored tea lights. It makes us feel so special to see how much you value and care for each present that you receive.

After presents you got to have a video chat with Auntie in Nepal. You showed her how you could do big high jumping with both feet off the ground. Daddy made you 'animal bacon' as your birthday breakfast treat and you helped mommy make the cream cheese frosting for the mini muffins you helped bake for your class. You are such a big helper and are growing up so fast, learning to do more and more things by yourself in a responsible way.

We ate breakfast together, you spread leftover frosting on toast and had bacon eggs and strawberries. You wore your crown during breakfast until you decided it was 'maybe too itchy'.

Daddy lit a birthday candle for you and said beautiful words about how important you are to us, how well you are growing and learning and sharing your light and big beautiful heart with all your family and friends and how proud we are to share our life with you and to learn from you too.

Then you wanted to make a birthday wish and you closed your eyes and said "this birthday wish is for my family that I love" and you opened your eyes and blew out the candle.

You took the long gold candle you had chosen and relit each of the little candles and then told daddy to make an eyes closed wish and then told mommy to make an eyes open wish for you. Then you sat to make a long quiet wish for yourself with your eyes closed-- you were so settled with a little smile on your face, but every few seconds you would take a little bite of bacon and go crunch crunch while you had your eyes closed making your wish!!! Such a silly beautiful boy.

Mommy packed your lunch for school, your favorite foods peeled eggs and strawberries and baby cheeses in the little red cooler grama and grampa had given you.

Mommy and daddy and Sayan went to your school and all the kids were on the playground waiting to celebrate your birthday with you. You chose a muffin with the cream cheese frosting and a raspberry on top and then you offered muffins to all your friends-- Ro Ro and Lila and Gavin and Max. You told your teacher Rosie how you helped make the muffins and she was very impressed at what a big helper you can be.

Sayan, every moment our hearts do a wiggle dance because you are in our lives.

Thank you for all the blessings you share with us, for your wisdom and courage and mischief and insight and for your infinitely compassionate heart that shines such a bright light for the world.

All your family, all your friends love you with a fierce tenderness that expands into forever. You are my greatest gift, the greatest gift 'in my real whole life!'
Enjoy your special day today and lets play together, always.

I love you,
Your Mommy

Getting ready for 4

Blackberry and Peach Picking!

Had an incredible time at two Pick Your Own farms yesterday in Fredericksburg. Came home sticky and stuffed and happy happy!

Morning fun!

Little Lounger

Shopping buddies

Birthday Card

Blueberry pancakes without the blueberries but with strawberries and bananas instead

Today for snack we made blueberry pancakes without the blueberries but with strawberries and bananas instead~

Uncle Chris and the Big Fruits

Castle breakfast

This morning, lounging in his new castle, Sayan asked Daddy to "fetch a pail of breakfast". Ha!

Sidewalk art

I'm wanting to encourage Sayan to draw more, just to explore the fun of expressing himself in that way. Recently he has been getting so in his head and frustrated with his art if it is not perfectly how he imagines it or if it doesn't look like a "big person's" drawing. So in hopes of getting back to basics I got him more sidewalk chalk. This backfired for the first ten minutes. A larger palette led to larger frustration and I was chalked up more than the pavement. But he eventually settled into an art for the sake of art process. Though it did take direction... Here is an ant he drew complete with legs and antennae:

Self portrait

Chilly chilly in Whole Foods!

Happy Easter!

Elfie

Haha!

Carnival!

We took Sayan to his first carnival!!

For at least a year he has been wanting to go on the ferris wheel. Whenever he sees one he demands we stop but it hasn't worked out. A couple of days ago I noticed the normally quiet parking lot where they hold the farmers market was buzzing with activity as they set up for a fair!

Granted it was a small little carnival but perfect for our small little person.

So on Saturday, as his reward for the stars he earned on his responsibility chart (more on that later) we took him to the carnival.

First thing was of course... the ferris wheel:

Jai was nervous he would get scared at the top but he was just thrilled. Loved it and pointed out our car down in the lot and everything else he could see from the "high high place".

He then ventured onto a ride "all by himself", the Speedy Cars ride:

Which goes around in a circle fairly slowly until it reaches a curve then it whips around jerking you back and forth. The first round or two he was on the verge of tears and I almost made them stop but Jaison turned it into a fun experience by cheering every time it went into the curve and by the end Sayan was whooping and smiling and laughing and eager to go again.

Next up the boys rode the roller coaster. Again, mini sized but just right for us:

He rode a couple of other rides by himself including this one which he chose to do as his "last" special ride:

All in all a wonderful time at our tiny fair which made for a happy boy and family.

Blue bonnets!

nature boy

Another favorite activity is nature hikes. We take along a nature bag:

(no this is not dog poop as Jaison observed it to be)

And head out on the trails collecting flora and fauna (the remains) of all kinds. Many many bones join the collection, as well as seed pods and lichen and shells. This plate sat on our kitchen table for about two weeks before I reached my breaking point of dining with bones every meal. Artistic perhaps, appetizing not so much.

There is a trail system just a few minutes from the house. Here is Sayan enjoying the spring day, holding a bunch of mountain laurels.

legos

Sayan LOVES playing with his legos. One of the few activities that will engage him independently for long periods of time. It's amazing the things he thinks to build: dogs, ducks, the north pole, houses in varying architectural styles, airports and flying craft of all kinds. Here is a house that we built he was particularly proud of:

While we were in Dallas he tried out Lillian's small legos and was surprisingly more adept with his creations. I hadn't been sure if they would be too intimidating and frustrating being that much smaller but I guess it was somehow more empowering and gave more creative options. But I'm hoping to get another few months of play with the "big legos" before transitioning, maybe for his birthday.

audio books

New favorite discovery for Sayan and parents: audio books!

Passive entertainment without TV!

dentist

Sayan had his first trip to the dentist on Thursday. He did so well! We found a pediatric dentist who came highly recommended and turns out she is right down the street from us which worked nicely.

Sayan was excited (after having watched Berenstain Bears go to the dentist he had an idea of what to expect-- though did ask me as we were driving if the dentist had "yankers").

They were wonderful with him. The dental assistant showed him all the tools, the spinning toothbrush, the water gun and Mr. Thirsty and let him play with the controls on the chair so he could adjust it. It was so cute the chairs are mini-people sized!!

Here he is all geared up for the cleaning:

He had his choice of like 9 flavors for the toothpaste part and chose mint "because Nana eats mints and I like mint ice cream". 2/3 of the way through the cleaning he revised his opinion that mint was NOT a good choice, and next time he would opt for cherry, watermelon or strawberry. But he toughed it out. The dental assistant was very impressed this was his first time as he was such a pro at following directions:

At the end of the cleaning the dentist came and ... he does have two cavities. Though she called them "weaknesses" which I thought was very tactful for kids. We had noticed decay on those two teeth which prompted the trip. Even though we have been pretty good with brushing since he was 18 months (or even younger!) I realized a few months ago that I never really got the top teeth between the front teeth and the back ones as his mouth was so small and I didn't force his lip up. I guess I should have as those were the teeth that had the cavities. But does go to show that good brushing habits do work as the rest of his teeth were strong and healthy! Sorry Sayan, I will do better! So now we need to use a fluoride toothpaste and go in for filling.

He got a "goodie bag" at the end with toothbrush, timer and little mirror that he is fascinated with. Overall was a great experience and now Jai and I just need to step up with the brushing...

Lillian

We went to Dallas a couple weekends ago for Lillian's birthday party. Lillian (Sayan's God-sister) turned 4 and Sayan was soooooooo excited to go and visit her and go to her party. When we arrived in Dallas, before we even made it to their house, Sayan picked this flower "cause I want to bring it to Lillian".

It was fantastic to spend time with Genevra, Avery, Lillian and Madelyn. Sayan and Lillian hit it off again-- though her outgoing, engaging personality was occasionally more than our quiet, inward boy was used to. In general they played really well together, sharing and talking and getting into joint mischief. They especially loved their tubby times together.

The highlight of the weekend was Lillian's party at Pump it Up, a bounce-house haven-- Sayan went berserk he loved it so much. Room after room of super-sized inflatable slides, mazes and bouncers. Below was a group shot of all the kids, Lillian is to the right of Sayan.

Lunch for 25 kids plus parents followed-- Genevra outdid herself with and Sayan is spoiled for life as to what to expect at a birthday party from now on. He got to sit across from the birthday girl and chose a pink balloon (what else!) as his party favor to take home.

Driving back to Austin Sayan was pretty quiet for awhile. I asked how he was doing and he said, "Mommy, I'm gonna miss my Dallas sisters (what we called Lillian and baby Maddie)."

I asked if he enjoyed his time and he replied: "Yes, Lillian is such a good friend to me, I like her a lot. I want to go back and play with her every day."

So we talked about friends and getting to see Lillian more in the future and making new friends like Lillian in Austin. To which he replied:

"No I want to go back to Dallas. That's where Lillian --- and the bounce house is!"

Girls and jumbo slides, what more could a boy want?

My Heart

Valentine's Breakfast

We made chocolate chip pancakes for Valentine breakfast. When we were growing up my mom would always make us this treat on Valentine's Day. She usually made them in the shape of hearts and I offered that option to Sayan but he said "no, just circles mom".

So circles they were:

Sadly, at the advanced age of 35, I opted for a slightly less dense breakfast:

Sayan though ate every last bite. With maple syrup and butter of course.

Green Pastures

On Sunday we went to Green Pastures for my birthday brunch. I probably haven't been in twenty-five years (oh wait that's how old I am, right?), but what I remember most from our numerous trips there in my childhood was chasing the peacocks under the magnificent live oak trees. So when my mom suggested we go for my birthday I was most excited about Sayan getting to run and play on the beautiful lawns with the peacocks.

As it turned out the peacocks were not the highlight of the lunch -- though this beautiful albino one below greeted us and we discovered a flock hiding from the snow (yes it snowed on Sunday, fifteen flakes that thrilled me and insulted my husband) amidst the machinery "back of house".

What was the highlight of our day was this boy:

I have to admit I was a little nervous going to a "fancy restaurant" with our three year old, whose attention span has been shortened considerably since his recent illness. So I packed my purse full of drawing equipment, letters flashcards, even the DVD player, Just In Case. My purse sat unopened the entire meal.

Sayan was such a ball of light. He was so excited to choose his foods and quietly sat eating or talking with us for almost two hours. AMAZING. Only toward the end did we pull him onto our laps, not so much for him as for us!!

Love you my little man!!

(When next we go back I will teach you how to terrorize the peacocks properly.)