Cole, Alex, & Anna Grace

Monday, June 29, 2009

Cole's Birthday Party, Swim Lessons, & Anniversary

As usual, we have had a really busy week. Cole wanted to celebrate his 8th birthday before his best friend went to Russia for the rest of the summer, so we had an early party. I really love planning BIG parties for my boys, but last summer I told Cole that after his 7th birthday he would not have any more big parties for a while. At the time, I really thought that we would have the baby by now and we would need to limit some of our normal activities. Still, even though we still do not have a little sister in our house, we decided to have a small party this year. Cole invited 3 friends over for pizza and to a family-fun center with bumper cars, bumper boats, putt-putt...you get the idea. I let Cole pick out some decorations for the kitchen table and we kept things really simple. I honestly think Cole enjoyed this little party more than any of his big expensive parties that I have thrown! All 5 boys had a blast squirting each other with water on the bumper boats, playing arcade games, and climbing all over the "spider-zone."
Friday morning was the last day of swim classes. Cole's class did a lot of "drown-proofing" activities. One of the most challenging parts was when he had to jump into the pool fully -clothed (including long sleeve button-up shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes) and try to remove his clothes down to his swimsuit without touching the wall of the pool. At the end of the lessons, both boys received a certificate in a little awards ceremony.
Friday was also our 11 year wedding anniversary, so Mike and I went out to dinner. Uncle Kevin and Aunt Elizabeth came over to babysit the boys and took them fishing. They are the best! Mike and I had a really great evening without kids.

Our weekend also included painting Alex's bedroom and a shopping trip with Nana to get things for Cole's bedroom. Cole wants his birthday present to be a rock & roll bedroom. We did some shopping on the computer and then headed it out to pick up some framed posters and new curtains. I can't believe that Cole is almost 8 years old. In some ways he is still a little boy, but his interest in music is reminding me that he is growing up. He is starting guitar lessons tomorrow. We are just beginning with a month of lessons to see if he likes the guitar enough to stick with it. I will let you know how if goes. I have a feeling he does not know how much hard work it is learn to play an instrument!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Alex Gets Glasses

I took Alex to the eye doctor today. He had his annual check-up at the pediatrician several weeks ago, and they were concerned about his vision. We had an eye appointment last summer, and the doctor said he was very borderline in needing glasses. Now, it seems that one eye has gotten worse over the course of the last year. Apparently, one eye can see close up and the other one can see far away, and he is constantly needing to refocus. Hopefully the glasses will help with all of the eye rubbing that he does when he is reading. He was such a trooper during his exam, and I think he looks adorable in his new glasses. We went out for ice cream tonight to reward him for all of his hard work at the doctor's office.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Our Busy Week

This week has been both, fun and exhausting! The boys are taking swim lessons each morning. We also have vacation bible school every night until 8:30. I am having a lot of fun teaching the 2 & 3 year old class this year. I only have 3 or 4 kids in my class each night, but by the end of the evening after we make it home after 9:00 and finally get the boys in bed, I feel like I am ready to crash. Then, we get up in the morning and start all over again! Today is the last day of VBS, but we still have swim lessons next week. I am going to try to post some more recent pictures of the boys soon.

Friday, June 12, 2009

First post

I am going to try "blogging" for the first time. We have been waiting for a referral for our daughter for 26 months so far, and I know that we have a least several more months left to wait. In the mean time, I want to learn to blog so that I can keep everyone posted while we are in China. I really hope to be able to learn to post pictures and videos. I am not great with technology, so this is going to be a challenge for me! So, here is my first attempt at posting a message.