Random

Failed attempt to get some good photos of the kids.

Ethan and Colin had a great time fishing with our nanny, Melissa, and her husband Tim.

T-ball

Another t-ball season has come and gone. It went fast! Ethan did great. His hitting has improved tremendously and he's doing a great job of understanding the positions and going for the ball.

He got a trophy, but his favorite souvenir he took home from the last game. He was playing first base when a ball came hard and fast. He went for it, only to have it bounce off his glove and straight into his right cheek. He shook it off, but I think he's enjoying the sympathy/attention it's generating.

Now we're off the field and into the pool, at least until the weather gets cooler!

Can someone please tell me...

...who gave this one permission to grow up so fast? Why can't the baby stage last 5 times longer and the toddler stage be a little shorter? Although I am loving dressing a girl (adorable outfit care of Rob and Mandy...thanks!!!). At 10 months, she is busy, busy, busy. Working on tooth #5, cruising around furniture, emptying every drawer, taking 3-5 steps on her own, climbing up (and falling down) stairs, and holding her own against her older brothers. She says "uh oh" and knows signs for "night night", "bye bye," and "come here." (In the interest of full disclosure, they are all the same sign...you have to know context to understand.) She is a complete mama's girl, which means she hasn't quite figured out the system yet, because I predict her daddy will be the one who can't say no to her. We have spent the last 9 weeks dealing off and on with what appears to be severe asthma. After several doctor/ER visits (and an overnight hospital admission), an inhaler, our own nebulizer, an oral steroid, and an ongoing 6-week course of a daily steriod nebulizer treatment, we appear to have it (at least temporarily) under control. Poor thing is one tough cookie, and definitely not afraid to tell us how she *really* feels about the nebulizer. Stating the obvious, we are in love. We are 3 for 3 now with extremely EASY babies (and looks like we're going to be 3 for 3 with extremely BUSY toddlers). Ethan said, "I love baby Maddie." When I asked why he responded, "She makes everybody smile." She really does. Like tonight, on the way home from t-ball, while practicing her dance moves:

Hip Hop

Ethan had his second dance recital the day after his birthday. He's in an all boys hip-hop class. He did SO great. Not nervous at all and knew his moves. They danced to "Men in Black." We are so proud of him! We went out to dinner with my parents after to celebrate (the recital and his birthday).

Ethan's Birthday Party

We had Ethan's birthday party at "Wii Play" and celebrated with friends from school, church, and the neighborhood, along with cousins.

Lonna looked so pretty with her newly pierced ears.

First School Year Down...

Only 12 to go! That sounds like a lot (thank goodness).

Somebody's Six

Ethan woke up extra early this morning so excited to be 6 years old. For breakfast, he requested: a popsicle, a quesadilla, toast, and strawberry milk. We Skyped Grammy and Papa so he could open his presents. He had asked for cash (he's trying to save enough money to "buy a one hundred dollar bill") and also got some Bakugan, which he loves.

Today was the last day of school, so he got out early. Colin and Madeline and I picked him up and took him to Red Robin (his choice) where he was serenaded by the waitresses. Now we're playing Bakugan while Maddie and Colin nap. Tonight is his birthday party followed by a dance rehearsal (he's in an all-boys Hip Hop class and the recital is tomorrow). It's a busy and fun day.

Ethan's a great kid and we are so happy he's ours. He's great at math and building and is incredibly sweet. He doesn't need a lot of sleep, loves animals (especially ocean animals), worships his dad, adores his mom and baby sister, and is best friends with his brother about every other day. His teacher said they know they can pair Ethan up with anyone in the class because he will always be kind. I asked him to tell me his favorite thing to do, and he said,"going on trips."

Happy Birthday, Ethan!!