Copycat

Summer break is just one week away! I'm excited to spend the summer with Sophia and Andrew, although I think they will easily run me ragged after about a week. I am amazed by the energy the two of them have. Here's what's new:

Last week, Jason and Erin came for a visit. Both kids were excited to have their uncle home. In honor of Jason's birthday, Sophia even did a special dance for him, complete with a pink boa.

Sophia got her first bike a few days ago. Quite appropriately, it's a princess one. We put training wheels on it tonight and she absolutely loves it! She's already shared her plan with me-when we are on the driveway, she'll ride her trike and when we go for walks, she'll use the bike.

Soccer is going better after the first week tantrums. Now she's into giving other kids a look when she's not happy with them. She had us laughing a few weeks ago when they were practicing before the game. She was supposed to keep it away from her partner and each time he got close, she stopped with the ball between her legs, put her hands on her hips, and just looked at him as if to say, "go ahead-I dare you." During the last game, she had a stare down with another player (again, a boy) as they raced down the field. She is definitely entertaining!

Sophia now enjoys hearing chapter books at bedtime. We have read The Tale of Despereaux, The Mouse and the Motorcycle and are now reading Charlotte's Web.

Andrew has decided, for better or worse, that his sister is worthy of copying. When she puts on her bike helmet, he immediately goes to get his. Never mind that he is just pushing his lawn mower-he insists it be put on, even if it's just for a minute. When she asks for a second helping food, he has to have more, even if his plate is full. When Sophia put on her swimsuit cover up after running through the sprinkler, he wanted to go in and get his jacket. Sophia and I had on aprons one day to bake. Andrew came in and handed me one to put on him (and then proceeded to vacuum). As soon as he saw that mine was off, he couldn't take his off quickly enough. Last night she took her lap desk outside to draw. I couldn't figure out why Andrew wanted to bring a clear container of play necklaces out and then I realized he was copying her once again-she had a clear container so he needed one too.

Andrew is quickly approaching his second birthday (sigh). He loves pushing his lawnmower. He pushes it up the block on our walks and now points out all the houses that have lawnmowers. He also enjoys pushing around his little Dyson vacuum. His new nightly ritual, which I find very endearing, is to wait until both he and Sophia are tucked in and then get out and go back in her room to give her one more hug. How cute is that?!