All About Ryan - Spring Edition 2012

Since spring is quickly coming to a close, I figured it was high time to document a few little fun things about Ryan before I forget about them.

Being 4.5 has brought all kinds of changes for our not-so-little-anymore boy.  The first transition we tackled was moving to a twin bed.  After all, the toddler bed that was formerly a crib is going to be needed back in crib form very shortly around here, and all the parenting advice says to make these changes sooner rather than later for best sibling relationships.  We had been reading a book about outgrowing a bed for a new sister, and despite us emphasizing that he was getting too big for his little bed, he totally had us figured out.  The minute we moved it out of the room, he asked "is that where my baby sister is going to sleep?" Yes...yes she is.  It turned out not to be a big deal at all as Ryan loved his new big boy bed...and the new dresser that made an entrance a couple weeks later in exchange for the changing table.  Check and check!

One of the other big changes around here was a much anticipated upgrade to our house.  We had four new ceiling fans (with lights) installed!  One we added to our two story family room (where there was already a place for a fixture, but nothing installed).  The other three were added to bedrooms.  They have made such a difference now that the warm weather has arrived, and were certainly an investment worth making.  Ryan was very excited to watch some of the progress as they went in, and even more excited about the change to his room.  In fact, one night, he was given the option to stay at Grandma's or go home (normally staying at Grandma's is quite the novelty), but he decided to "go home so that I can spend more time with my new ceiling fan."

One of Ryan's favorite chuckle-inducing phrases this spring has been "What in the earth?" or "What in the earth was I thinking?" Speaking of earth, he got his first taste of The Greatest Show on Earth (the Barnum and Bailey Circus) on Holy Saturday this year.  He had a great time, and was excited to bring home the clown nose that he acquired.

All ready for the circus!

Ryan just successfully finished his second season of soccer.  It was amazing how just a few months made such a difference.  Overall, the teams had a lot more kids who were interested in the games, the practices went a little more smoothly, and there was very little crying involved.  As for Ryan, it seems he figured out what competition was all about and scored multiple goals in each of his games this year, ending the season with a 5 or 6 goal game.  It helps that he runs faster than most of the other kids, even with the ball in tow.

Observing nature at Hidden Pond Park

Last but not least, he finished preschool!  He really enjoyed his preschool experience.  It helps that he had a fantastic teacher, who told us without hesitation at his end of year conference that he is ready for Kindergarten this fall.  So...I guess we're definitely making that plunge.  Ready...set...go!