Where to start...

One of Anna's favorite ways to get her sandwich.

Anna: she's getting to be quiet the little lady. Talking is one of her favorite past times and it's fun hearing her try new words (and getting them right most of the time). She's an avid reader and LOVES to get new books (library visits are very common at our house already), and she'll hound us to read to her every opportunity she gets. She's also learning how to play Hide and seek, and although she's a better finder than hider, I'm sure it's not far off. Candy land (Thank you Max and Peggy Sue!) was also fun with her, but it's now boxed up for the move.

She still has a very hard time playing by herself, and ends up looking at books if she's told that she needs some time to herself. "Anna, you need a little time alone...please go play by yourself." If this is followed by quiet, she's most likely found herself a stack of books and a quiet corner.

Anna is also becoming acquainted with the Disney princesses and although she really only knows Cinderella's story best, she can name the rest of the princesses with out difficulty.
All in all, it's easy to see her as a three year old...because in many ways she is already.

Saying "hello" to the baby in the mirror.

Ben: Oh boy, do we have a busy little man! He's not walking (very close, but not yet), but that really doesn't matter. He crawls himself ALL over the house and we've had to start closing doors to keep a better eye on him. We've found him splashing in unmentionable places, pulling all the toilet paper off the roll, emptying the dressers/ toy baskets/ linen closet/ laundry basket etc. If there's something inside, it's coming out! He is successfully signing at mealtimes "all done, more" and we're working on "please", all in an attempt to lessen screeching.

We still love to see his smile light up with the accompanying dimple and Anna even gets into making him smile if she finds something that entertains.
Yup, he's almost one and we can believe that too (well, except the fact that this past year has gone by way to fast)!