Too cute not to share....Happy Birthday Gramma!

This past Saturday was Gramma Sellars birthday, Ry shared a special birthday message with her from miles away!!!

Two of Ry's favorite things - cupcakes and balloons!

A duo of faves for Ry this weekend, Grandpa Jim came to visit and brought Ry a bag of balloons.  See the video at the bottom of Eric blowing up the balloon and then letting it fly around, not the best video but you can kind of see the awe and excitement on his face!  It was hilarious to watch him as he tried to catch it as it whirled around the room.

Our good friends Mike and Cara had watched Ry for us a few weeks ago and Ry really loved Mike (I think Cara was feeling bad as when they came over this weekend she brought a special cupcake for Ry and said it was from Auntie Cara, not Mike!) HA!!!  He sat with her and licked it, even gave her a kiss!  It  worked as when he woke up this morning he immediately asked for Cara. :)  Who says bribery doesn't work?!

Leaf Blower

About a month ago Eric took Ry to the toy store when I was out doing a girls afternoon.  They saw a leaf blower and Ry really wanted it but apparently was really wining so Eric didn't want to buy it for him. Eric told him we don't' get toys when we are wining and that they didn't have enough money.  The other day Ry found some coins on the counter and immediately started talking about the leaf blower and the money he had found to go buy it, he also talked about buying some candy?!  We decided that we would take him to Toys R Us to get the leaf blower as we knew he really wanted it and his behavior had been lots better.  Unfortunately when we got there the shelf was empty, you should have see the look on poor Ry's face....udder sadness and confusion!  Luckily they were able to locate one up in Scottsdale and we had time to get there before they closed.  Ry was adorable when the lady handed it to him.....priceless and so worth the drive and time to go get it!  (The things you do for your kids.......) he played with it (while in the box the entire way home!)  He was so patient as it was a long drive for him.  Look at all the fun he is having with it.

Bubble Baths

Ry and Eric kind of started this thing with tons of bubbles in the bath.  Ry requests bubble baths anytime during the day now and asks very politely and sweetly if you will come in the bathtub with him for some Mickey Mouse ears and a Santa beard, both things that Eric has taught him can be made with bubbles.

We got our boy back!!!!!!

Thank the Lord, we got our boy back (at least temporarily!!!!!)  Ry has resumed his normal, sweet self at least for the time being!  I am fully aware that anything could change within minutes and I am always fully prepared now when getting him from a nap or in the morning that I always run the risk of Rylan the Ferocious but it's a chance I will take. :)  Although the ferocious beast has left our home we have discovered a whole new independence in the past week or so....Ry wants to do EVERYTHING himself, "Ry Ry do it!" is a phrase heard numerous times a day - this is exciting as he is gaining independence and developing  - I guess it also means he is growing up.  This can be frustrating for Rylan and us as there are some things he can't do (cut cherries, steam broccoli, light the grill, yup - these are all things he wants to do so badly.)  Eric and I have really realized that we have to stay one step ahead of him always and keep on our toes, our Ry Ry is fast!!!

We have had a lot of fun lately......see pictures below.

One of many pool days.....LOVE the last one, he looks so relaxed with his drink and snack!

We have the perfect zero depth pools near us, they have fun sprinklers, splash pads, slides, and even a lazy river.  

My school year ended last week and we had an end of school year scavenger hunt.  I took Ry up for it as I was off that day but wanted to be a part of it and say goodbye to our class.  Ry loved all the excitement and kids.  He took their hands and went off to look for the treasures.  He also enjoyed watching our class talent show and having lunch with the teachers.  I think he was wiped out from all the excitement as he napped for over 3 hours (which never happens!!!!)

Mommy and Ry went our to dinner and had a sprinkle cookie for dessert to celebrate the start of summer vacation - Ry was really into licking all the sprinkles off the cookie.  FUNNY BOY!

 This past weekend the weather was in the 80's which was very unusual for AZ in late May, we loaded up and spend the morning at the zoo.  We got a real treat as the lions were roaring like crazy and it was awesome to hear!  We also got a great show from the chimpanzees who were climbing and doing acrobats for us.  Ry cracked up and thought it was hilarious! 

Mother's Day

Mothers's day was great, Ry was super cute and loved on me all day!  We had brunch at my parents house and the boys had a blast playing in the sandbox making us cakes with candles, tea and eggs.  Gramma scored some fun new toys at a few garage sales so Ry and Hayden loved that too!  

Mom, Shannon, and I went and got pedicures and then laid by the pool for a few hours...it was a perfect day!  As another Mother's day passes I am again reminded of the true blessing that Rylan is, he is our world and we can't thank God enough for the miracle he is.  I feel incredibly blessed to be a mommy and even more blessed to be a mommy to such an incredible little boy.

Terrible Two's

So I don't forget......and so I can share with Rylan when he is older (perhaps the Daddy of a two year old!!)  I awoke one day to find my sweet, innocent little boy had turned ferocious on us!!  I have always heard about the terrible two's but had never lived them - WOW!  I want my sweet boy back....PLEASE!

I keep reminding myself, it is just a phase, its part of his development and growth - we will get through this. A short glimpse of what Rylan the ferocious has been like the past week.....

* refusing to eat for 24 hours
* I came home Saturday night from a girls night and Eric had a huge scratch on his face...apparently all Ry wanted to do was kick, bite and scratch!
* this morning I apparently didn't give him the right breakfast (even though he asked for a cinnamon bagel) it ended up on the floor with the milk right beside it
* Ry's teeth might rot out as the closest I got to brushing them in the last day was one side before he bombed the toothbrush at me and then picked it up and smeared the toothpaste down the cabinet
*Ry has discovered he can (almost) climb out of his crib and thinks it is hilarious to sit on top of the crib railing before bed/naptime and yell "neigh!, hee haw, giddy up horsie" as he pretends to ride the crib - we might be moving him to a bed sooner than planned (really want to get this on video somehow!!)
*He has been so nasty that Eric and I for sure thought he had an ear infection or something so took him in to the Dr, we were assured by the Dr he is healthy as can be and is just TWO!!!
*the stool we bought him to wash his hands and help out in the kitchen is now on top of the fridge as he thinks he can use it to get on top of the cabinets to get whatever it is he might want (knives!!!!)
*despite the evil doings of the day each night when I dance around his room with him before sleep he still tells me "I love you too!" and snuggles in with his loving pat pats and reminds me that underneath the ferocious he is still a loving, sweet little boy!!

We love you Rylan Henry (the two year old ferocious!!!)
To the moon and back!!!!

First Ever Frog Hunt

We had our first ever frog hunt tonight with some very special friends.  It is a family tradition for the Bemis family to hunt for frogs ever summer and tonight we got to join in on the fun!  I think we found 17 frogs within 30 minutes or so. The boys were hilarious, Mace and Rylan wanted to get so close and blow on the frogs?!  Ry insisted on wearing Max's baseball helmet while he hunted.  It was so much fun and we can't wait to do it again.  We also got some homeade, delicious Mexican food and margaritas for Cinco de Mayo!  

FUN NIGHT!!!!

Washing with Daddy

It was a hot hot day!  What better way to spend it than washing the motorcycle and tricycle.  The boys had so much fun washing their bikes together!  Eric even rode the motorcycle down the street so Ry could watch.  I had to hold him as he was so excited he kept wanting to run down the street after Eric!  I am not fond of motorcycles but think I might have to make some sacrifices for Rylan as he loves them already.

Mr. Potato Head

Rylan thought he was SO funny today while playing with his buddy Blake.  They were playing Mr. Potato Head and the entire time he wore these glasses!  

Pictures with Amy

Amy flew out from MN for Mommy's birthday weekend and while she was here she used her fancy camera to *TRY* to capture some of Rylan's smiles!  He was a stinker and these are the best she got, Ry doesn't have a lot of interest in sitting still these days!

When Mommy wasn't looking......

I walked away for maybe two minutes and look at all the fun Rylan got into!!!  He brushed his teeth, did his hair with Daddy's product, did his nose spray, and combed his hair!  He was all ready for the day (so he thought!!!!) He was too cute when I caught him, he told me exactly what he was doing and was so proud!  

Drawing with chalk

Ry and I had some fun drawing and coloring on the front driveway with chalk.  It is perfect in the afternoon (won't be for long) as it is shaded and much cooler.  We had lots of fun coloring shapes, rainbows, making tools and pizza.  
Yes - Ry is wearing a onsie in the pictures as he had just woke up and there was no need to change him back into clothes.  I do love onsies, just wish they made them in bigger sizes, yet another sign my baby is not a baby anymore!