Kindergartener!

Logan was definitely ready to start Kindergarten! After a whole year of watching Nathan and Evan get dropped off at school first as part of the morning routine, Logan couldn't wait to join the "big leagues"!

There was only a couple of minutes of hesitation when we were getting ready to say goodbye on the first day of school. But as soon as Logan saw a familiar face (fellow student of Montecito that happened to be in the same Kinder class), Logan said a quick "Bye mom" and was off!

Hamster joke

The boys have been coming up with their own jokes about Hammy.

Nathan first started with:

 - What is Hammy's favorite tool?

 - A hammer.

Logan then quickly replied with:

 - What is Hammy's favorite food?

 - A hamburger!

We all had a good laugh. Not bad for an almost-5-year-old!

Preschool Graduation

It feels like just yesterday when Loggie attended his first day at Montecito one year ago. He has now officially graduated from preschool!

Logan has been looking forward to this day for a while. The pond room teachers and students prepared for many weeks and transformed the play yard into a "safari", with monkeys hanging off trees, alligators (made out of egg cartons) in a pond, and jeeps made from big card board boxes. There was a music performance and teachers led the children to sing several songs, magic show, and of course dessert potluck at the end.

When asked what he misses most about Montecito. Logan said: "The parties!"

Hospital Visit

A particular sweet moment when the boys and I picked up James from hospital. Logan's fascination with raising and lowering the hospital bed brought a smile to James' face.

Love Letter

My first "I love you" letter from Logan, complete with hearts!

Logan often comes home from school with letters he's made. He especially enjoys putting them in envelopes (and licking the envelope to seal it). 

Montecito

Logan has been at Montecito pre-school for over a month now. I was originally worried that it would be a big transition for him from Google's Children's Center, but little fella adjusted in no time!

In the last couple of weeks Logan has been really into making his own picture books. Everyday he comes home from school with a new book. It usually has a few stamps, stickers (lately has been fall themed) and colored pages.  We would make up stories as we read them together.

He has also become more interested in writing letters. Earlier today he asked how to spell "James" so he can make a drawing of Daddy!

Painting

Logan has never been as interested in painting, so I have to get creative in order to get him to draw/paint.  Last weekend Logan came up the idea of drawing STAR WARS logo, so I made a stencil for him and he covered it with watercolor. 

"Baby human"

Logan has a very strong sense of identity that his role is being the baby of the family.  He loves seeing baby animals in books / movies.  After watching "March of the Penguins", he pretended to be a baby penguin for months and would hide under a blanket and jump out of his "egg".  He has cycled through being a baby seal / dog / bird / panda / turtle, and come full circle to be a "baby human".

I'm partly to blame since I'm always telling him "don't grow up Logan, stay a baby forever".  Now he has this fear of growing up.  He has even claimed he's going to stop eating so he doesn't grow any bigger!

1st dental visit

Logan's first dental visit (with Dr.Lee) and little guy did great!  (The TV in the ceiling helped quite a bit too).

Experiencing rain

After 2 consecutive years of drought, California got some much needed rain this winter.  Logan loves putting on his rain gear and looking for puddles to step in, since it's such a rare occasion!

Logan Downunder!

Some highlights for Logan from our New Zealand + Australia trip.

1. We took Air New Zealand throughout the trip and Logan really enjoyed the flying experience.  There were enough kids shows on the personalized entertainment console to keep him amused, he loved the food but the candy before landing will be what he remembers to most :)

2. Seeing real kiwi birds run around in simulated moon light in a kiwi house in Rotorua, NZ.  Couldn't take any photos of the real kiwis so photoshop will have to do:

3. Meeting all his cousins for the first time.  Logan got quite spoiled being the youngest:

4. Visiting the iconic Sky Tower of Auckland.


5. Given a special tour of Auckland Waste Management site for hazardous chemicals where uncle Daniel is a site manager.  Logan got to see all sorts of machinery at work:



6. Watched a kids' show at the Sydney Opera House... and falling asleep half way through!

7. Enjoying a croissant for breakfast in the mornings, and "fluffy/babycino" at coffee shops.

8. Climbing structures at various parks and playground.

9. Seeing a 4-week old baby tiger sleep peacefully next to his care taker.

10. Logan got a "baby tiger" of his own afterwards and that became his favorite toy for the rest of the trip.

11. Celebrating 3rd birthday with extended family:

12. Enjoying playing with sand on the beaches in Surfer's Paradise:

"Let's hide"

Logan's bedtime routine consists of reading a book, have a drink of water, and hiding!  He feel most secure with a blanket/duvet over his head.  Doesn't matter how hot it is he will still want to be covered from head to toe before he falls asleep.  Interestingly once he's asleep, he kicks his blankets off and often stays that way through out the night.  For me, the best way to know he's ready to go to bed is when he says "let's hide Mommy!"

Perfect shopping cart

Last time we went to Trader Joe's Logan had a ball:

"Baby" Logan

At well over 2 1/2 years old, Logan is talking up a storm and getting so heavy now (30+ lbs) I can barely lift him.  Yet he insists that he is still a baby, and claims "baby" status anywhere he goes.

While grocery shopping the other day he finally got his wish of sitting in the infant shopping carts.  Even though his head is sticking out way over the top of the cart, he claims he is "very comfortable".  He was super pleased with himself the whole shopping trip and kept announcing "I'm a baby."

Logan has conflicted feelings about growing up.  On one hand he very much enjoys his youngest status in the family and wants to be a "baby" forever.  On the other hand he is jealous of special "big boy" privileges that Nathan and Evan gets.

When asked how old he was, his answer is usually: "I am 2; when it's my birthday, I'll be 3 and I'll go on the roller-coasters!"

Logan's rendition of "There's a Hole in My Bucket"

"There's a hole in my bucket" is catchy song/audio book.  Logan has only listened to the CD a few times and quickly became a favorite.  Today he started singing it to himself while lounging on the couch.  Glad I was able to capture some of it on video!

  

Mid-year conference

We had Logan's first mid-year parent-teach conference yesterday, and our little guy is doing great!  Some interesting observations by Logan's teacher Courtney:

• Logan is the class "greeter", loves to say "hi" and "bye" to people that enter and leave the classroom. 
• Great at gross motor skills (tumble play, loves being outside, especially in the sand)
• Need to work on fine motor skills (such as mark making and eating with utensils).   Now that I think of it, it's true Nathan hasn't shown much interest in drawing/painting and he normally prefers other activities.  We will just have to start drawing more diggers!
• Good eater (tries everything)
• Good napper.  Logan's naps are usually at least 2 hrs, probably to compensate for lack of sleep at night since he likes to stay up late with N & E.
• Social: since Logan's the youngest in the class, he's become a good observer and learns a lot from the older children.  He's very interested in babies and loves it when a younger sibling visits the classroom.
• Focus: he can actually sit through 20 minutes of morning meeting which is pretty good for his age.
• Logan's favorite day of the week is Tuesday, because that's when teacher Mat comes to the classroom for music class!  A few months ago I happened to sing "Yankee-Doodle came to town" to him for the first time, and he exclaimed: "That's a Teacher Matt song!"  I think I scored some major points that day :)

Look at me mom!

Like many other boys his age, Logan very much knows what not to do, but likes to break the rules anyway to test our limits.

One example is his stuffing his mouth so full of food he can barely chew it.  Being the youngest of 3 boys I think he's learned to eat fast before all the good stuff is gone.  He loves to show us his mouthful of food too to get a reaction.

Therefore when he first read the "No, David No!" book, he was able to relate right away.

One puzzle to rule the all

An impulse buy at Diddam's for me turned into a favorite toy for Logan.  The construction truck theme is of course right up his alley, but this is a really well made puzzle and difficulty level (12 pieces) is just right for him.  He's done it enough times now he has even formed certain habits.  He likes to make the yellow bulldozer first, then blue cement mixer, then red dump truck, and lastly green excavator.  Now if only we can get Logan to clean up after himself...

"That's gross"

Logan is starting to form his own opinions on culinary taste.  One day James was feeding him some left over spaghetti and meatballs (which Logan loves), but James decided to make himself a meatball sub/sandwich.  After hearing what James was about to do, Logan immediately said "That's gross, dad!"

Sandpit

Over the winter break James made a sandpit in our backyard.  It's officially for all 3 boys but Logan is getting more enjoyment out of it by far.  He loves to play with his diggers and dump trucks in it, and pretends to make cake and smoothies.  Despite the cold weather he loves to sit in the sand with his bare feet, and asks one of us to sit with him.  Thanks Daddy for the awesome sandpit!