Big Boy Bed

Another masterpiece by the woodworker/artist himself... Lucky little Lance had this amazing loft bed complete with climbing wall and his chosen favorite colors (red and lime green) crafted for him with love by Daddy.  He's been sleeping in it for a few months now and when it's not nap or bedtime, Lance and Kiran can often be found playing in their new lair.  

Haircuts (long overdue)

First Cut for Kiran (bang trim FINALLY) and the shortest yet for little Lance.

Before:

After... much improved!

Lance had a moment after he saw himself in the mirror a few hours after the cut and was worried that he had lost all of his curls.  I guess he was as attached as we were.  Anyway, he looks adorable and like I told him- he can grow it long again if he wants to!  Thanks to Mandy for once again being such a loving, patient hairdresser.  The boys look great.

Before:

After!

One and a Half!

We celebrated Kiran's one and a half year birthday on Sunday with some cupcakes and birthday hats.  As per McLaughlin tradition we all got to tell KK what we love about him.

Lance: "I love that KK plays reeeeeaaallly nicely."

For me, I love Kiran's hilarious and incredibly expressive facial expressions and the fact that he is always up for any activity, as long as the rest of us are doing it.

And from Daddy, he loves that Kiran is always smiling and always happy. 

At 18 months old, Kiran is running, climbing, coloring, painting, dancing, and trying his best to keep up with his big brother.  He's chatting up a storm- his favorite phrase is probably "Hiiiiiiiii, Mommy!" "Hiiiiiiiiii Bubba!" "Hiiiiiiiiiiiii Daddy!"  He wakes up every morning and immediately asks where Bubba is.  He truly loves Lance.  He loves to eat and especially loves to help himself to snacks in the kitchen.  Kiran loves trains and cars and most of all animals.  He plays happily by himself with the little barn and animal figures talking to himself as he goes.

Little KK  is so fun loving and sweet and is learning how to hold his own as the little brother.  

We love you Kiran Whitney James!

Beach Days

The weather these past months has been amazing.  Lots of clear, hot days that call for a trip to the beach.  It took about a year after Kiran was born but I am finally comfortable taking the boys to the beach solo (although the schlepping of gear and kids is sometimes crazy).  Days like these make me wonder how we could ever consider living anywhere else...

Meet the Cast of the Cat in the Hat... and friends!

Halloween at the Harmeling's!  It was our third annual celebration and we dressed as the crew from the Cat in the Hat show because it's Lance's favorite show at the moment AND because the boys have the perfect hair for their costumes!  We were joined by the Rubbles, the Blue's Clue's crew, Elmo, and his spooky mommy and daddy.  It was a wonderful celebration with lots of treats, games, and fun.

Preschool!!!

It's been over a month now, but Lance started preschool at Malamalama Waldorf School back in October and he loves it.  Lance was SO excited to start school and greets each school day with the same gusto he had on the first one.  He's making buddies and has officially ditched his nap on school days.  It's been a learning process for Stef and I as we adjust to letting go of some of our parental control and trust that yes, he is in good hands even if they aren't our hands, and giggle privately at some of the eccentricities that come along with a Waldorf school in the middle of Puna.  All in all, Lance is in a beautiful setting where the kids sit around a big square table at mealtimes with real glasses, silverware, cloth napkins, and flowers on the table, play in an amazing play yard and classroom, create some seriously beautiful pieces of art, and get to be kids all day every day.  More to come on the preschool experience, I'm sure!

The Grand Finale

We finished our Florida visit strong with a fabulous day at Disney World's Animal Kingdom.  For all you west coasters out there, the time of poo-poo-ing Disney WORLD because it isn't the original is over.  This place is amazing!  The Animal Kingdom is like a zoo on steroids, a zoo gone Disney, an amazing way to see all the animals we get to see in books but never in person.  It was amazing!!!

Lance claims that his favorite part of the day was riding the "train" (tram) from the parking lot to the park entrance.  Okay!  My favorite part was the Jeep ride through the African savannah and I also loved the treks through Africa and India.  You really have to see it in person to understand how amazing this place is, but here are a few pics from our busy day.  Papa and Grandma Kathie braved the park with us and even watched the boys while Stef and I enjoyed a water ride together!

best part of the day!  tram ride!

well, okay I do look like I'm enjoying myself on the tram too...

underwater viewing area for a hippo- we could see him above and below water and watched him come up for air a few times!

getting into the mood in Africa

 

ROOOOOOOAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!

Braving the rope ladder at an incredible playground in "Dinosaur Land"

exhausted at the end of a FULL, fun, day

Next time, watch out Disney World!!  We will be staying for at least three days and will hit several parks!!!  A special THANK you to Auntie Jane for letting us stay at her cozy, kid friendly home while we were in Orlando.  And a huge thank you to Papa and Grandma Kathie for being such energetic, willing, and easy going grandparents.  Our time in Orlando was made that much more special thanks to you two!

Gainesville and St. Augustine

The second part of our Florida trip was all about the Harmelings.  We spent time with Papa and Grandma Kathie, Jimmy, Alexis and the cousins and even had the chance to meet our first grand-nephew and see his proud mama Deanna.  

Stef toured the boys around all his favorite Gainesville haunts.  We went to the UF Natural History Museum and toured the amazing butterfly exhibit, saw alligators at the lake on campus, watched thousands of bats flood the night sky, hit up Westside Pool AND Westside Park, and even stopped by Littlewood Elementary and got the boys t-shirts.

check out the size of that butterfly on Lance's waist!!!

From there, we headed east to St. Augustine and lived it up for a few days at the beach.  We loved touring the fortress (Lance especially) and taking in the incredible beauty of the area.  Best of all was all of the special time shared with family.  The boys finally had the chance to bond with their big cousins and we got to see our nieces and nephews that live too far away!

Can't wait to see you all soon!!

Three Years Old!

Our little lion is three years old!  Lance is curious, sensitive, enthusiastic, inquisitive, fiery, and so much fun to be around.  It was an action packed birthday that included a trip to the park, a visit to the turtle sanctuary, dinner out with his first cotton candy experience, cruising the mall with Dylan, and cake.  Lance loved it ALL.  He is so proud to be a big three year old- just ask him... He'll tell you!  "I'm THREE!!!"