Children of Alstonia

Edwin is getting the major independence, spunk, and attitude of being almost 2.

Hello, Handsome!!

He is the sweetest and most thoughtful little kid. He is so much more naturally giving than Katherine. Edwin is always thinking of others, and when he sees something that belongs to another person, he will immediately return it to them. A few days ago Kate was taking a nap, but she had left her Christmas blanket in the living room. Edwin found it on the couch, said, "Kate!" and immediately picked up the blanket and toddled it into their room where he piled it on top of his sleeping sister. It just melts me to see him love others so much!

Edwin is saying lots of words, and starting to string together two or more words at a time. His favorite phrases are, "Let go!" and "Don't count!"
His is also really good at yelling, "No!" "Wait!" and "Lights!"
Edwin says, "gekku" (thank you), Margo, Kate, Cheese, baby, Milk, "watta" (water), "beekee" (blanket), door, car, truck, hello, and bye-bye. He knows lots of body parts and regularly points out our eyes, ears, "mouse" (mouths), and cheeks. He also says, "gassy" for glasses. :)
One of the cutest word mix-ups that Edwin does is moving S sounds from the beginning of words to the end. Like instead of STAR he says "tars", and instead of SNOW he says "nos".

Edwin will urgently get my attention for things that he MUST show me right away. He will wave his hand toward me wildly, yelling, "MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!" and then when I say, "Yes, Edwin. What do you need?" He will point to the Christmas decorations and say, "Tree!" :D or he will point to his toys and say, "Legos!"

He also is a spontaneous hugger. He will come up to me and Jon while we work in the kitchen and hug us around the knees from behind, or really anywhere he can wrap his little arms. I just love this kid! He likes to be everywhere that I am, even if that means lying on the floor next to my feet while I do the dishes.

Edwin still sucks his thumbs quite a bit. We haven't found out how to break that habit entirely, but our pediatrician also said not to worry too much unless he does it past four years old.
Edwin has also entered a phase of licking things for fun... my pants, the wall, basically everything.

He likes to do things for the "gross-out" factor, and when he knows I think something is yucky he will giggle his little head off and do it over and over again just for my reaction. I try to ignore him, but seriously how can you not say, "eww, stop!" when he licks lotion off his hands or tries to pull used food (or worse) out of the trash?? He also thinks it's fun to put all sorts of things in the toilet... *sigh*

Edwin can run, stack blocks, LOVES to dance, and carries his baby blanket around with him everywhere.

He just could not possibly get any cuter. He loves to laugh with Kate and look at books (especially at bedtime.)

He is starting to get a good sense of humor, and we're getting better at finding out what makes him laugh most. That little smirk in the picture at the top? Is because I got him to say the word "toots" HAHA.

***

Kate is a crazy little 3.5 year old!

She is almost done with nursery and will be starting Sunbeams in January. It is the first Junior Primary class for the kids at church turning 4 years old in the coming year.

Kate is a chatterbox! She loves to tell me stories, she is getting a great imagination, and she confidently introduces herself to everyone we meet. She is even brave enough to talk to the cashiers at stores we visit because she wants to get treats. ;) I love hearing her conversations with Edwin. Usually she asks him ridiculous questions and he just answers, "yes" to everything she says. HAHA

Kate entirely dresses herself (with minimal occasional help) and still lets me do her hair.

Currently her favorite movies are: Home, Robin Hood, and Alice in Wonderland

She is a voracious reader and has "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" memorized. She knows her whole alphabet and can spell out words. It's been amazing to watch her grow! She gets really excited reading every letter she can find.

Kate's latest funny phrases include: "Dang it!!", and "That's my favorite!"

She is still super into everything artistic and loves to color every day. Sometimes on things she shouldn't...

Can you see the hand-tracing?? It is simultaneously frustrating and also makes me really proud HAHA

Kate loves playing with her friends and gets really excited when people come over. She also loves watching it snow, and asks if we can go play outside every day. She wants to build snowmen, and make snowballs, and walk in the crunchiness.

Since finals ended last week, our major project is POTTY TRAINING. We signed Kate up for preschool which starts in January, and she is so excited! She tells me that she is going to "little school" and that Edwin is going to "little work". :D We're definitely in the big girl phase, and hoping that she will soon be a responsible big-girl-underwear-wearer as well.

UPDATE: So far this week has gone well! (knock-on-wood) she has only had a couple accidents and is consistently in big girl underwear all day. :D Fingers crossed that it just keeps getting better from here!

Kate is very aware of Christmas this year and keeps asking how much longer until we can open all the boxes under the tree. We have been so blessed by friends and family shipping us fun things. Kate and Edwin run to the door every time they hear a package drop and diligently put it right under the tree. It is so fun to share the holidays with them. :D

We are so thankful for these bright and wonderful kids and all they teach us every day! 2016 is going to be THE BEST!