He is so smart, so fun to play board games with, so easy going when playing with friends. He loves all things tools, loves to watch his dad mow the lawn, and loves projects. He has no fear of water at all and loves swimming pools. And water balloons - he could pop them all day and never tire of them. He is getting to be pretty good at riding his scooter and loves collecting sticks outside.
Ryan has quite the sweet tooth (those genes probably come from his mom, or maybe it is a learned thing from mom). His favorite treat is - well, anything sugar. He loves Lunchables (probably because they come with an Oreo). :) He loves tomatoes (especially cherry tomatoes) and cucumbers, and you had better make sure you get pickles on his Subway sandwich. I think he eats a banana almost every day - definitely a favorite fruit - although he really loves watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberries.
Lately Ryan loves "The Magic School Bus" (usually his favorite DVD is whatever we have checked out from the library currently). He also loves Land Before Time Dinosaur Movies, Heffalump (Winnie the Pooh), and Berenstein Bears. His favorite books are probably Curious George, although he really loves books, as well as stories from the Friend Magazine. He is a pretty good reader and reads stories to himself now. He pretty much taught himself how to read, although of course I played sight word games with him and he got to play a little Star Fall on grandma's I-pad. He also loves buttons (and pushing them) - it doesn't usually get us into too much trouble. :) Mechanical/physical buttons that is - not mom and dad buttons, although he likes to push those too. :)
His favorite activities lately are play dough, slime, board games, and playing with friends. He likes to hang out with mom too. Yay! So thankful for that! We have lots of fun together! I try to spend some special time with him while Elise takes a nap - it doesn't always happen, but it is so fun when we play Sequence for Kids together, Safari Dominoes, or read books together. He has a best friend who is moving this week but I am certain he will make more close friends. He really does love friends. The other day Ryan invited Elise to have a pretend picnic with him. It was so cute to see them sitting on the Futon together pretending to have a picnic. He is a good big brother and I am proud of the progress he has made in sharing.
Ryan is also really good at service. He loves to help daddy buy me flowers. He also takes the newspaper up to the porch whenever he sees one on the sidewalk. And lately he always wants to be the one to say the prayer. He prays specifically and remembers lots of people who have special needs. He really does have such a tender heart.
I love you, Ryan!!! You are amazing and we are so happy to be your parents. Thanks for being the sweet, tender-hearted, fun boy that you are! We love you!
