Congratulations Heidi!

I found a fun surprise in the local newspaper this morning.  They had a special section where they listed all the students in the district who had all "A"s for the end of the year and here was Heidi's name!  Congratulations!

Summer Program

So far we are having a great summer.  We are staying in town all summer so we have to come up with some kind of schedule to keep the kiddies active and busy.

Heidi went to her theatre summer camp recently (I'll post that later) and Phoenix has a Mad Science camp coming up in July.

Right now, we are in the middle of swimming lessons.

This is Adam's first lesson without mom and he is doing a great job.

I'm amazed at what a little positive peer pressure is doing.

He is jumping in the pool, blowing bubbles and getting dunked.

Phoenix is loving swimming lessons.  

He has become a really good swimmer and lost his fear of the deep end (as you can see here).

Heidi is growing stronger and stronger at swimming.  

She says that she loves the feel of the water on her face.

With all the kids in the pool at one time I get to sit back and relax.  My friend, Rachel, is at swimming lessons at the same time so it has been nice to have a friend to hang out with.

Our other summer activities include a morning walk to the mailbox/playground.  We get out before it gets too hot and get a little exercise.

We've signed up at the library for the reading club.  We love all the prizes for doing something we do anyway!

The mall has free kids movies in the morning so once swimming lessons are over, we'll try those out too.

I've been taking the step aerobics class at the YMCA and really enjoying it.  Plus, the YMCA's children's activities are so good that we are doing something fun for the kids too.

The kids earn screen time (TV and computer)  by earning tokens.  We started this last year on the recommendation of my friend, Joy, and really loved it.  The kids earn tokens by practicing piano, reading for 20 minutes, and doing their workbooks.  The kids love to collect the tokens and just get out of the habit of watching TV so they spend their time more creatively.

These workbooks that we got are really wonderful. They are bright and colorful and let the kids practice their skills in an interesting way.  Phoenix has the book for going into 2nd grade and Heidi has the third grade book.

7th Birthday Festivities

Phoenix's birthday has been well-celebrated. We started last week at Ty and Karmen's house (Cortis' brother & wife) for a uber-celebration of the 5 birthdays that have occurred in the last 2 months. Monday was the big day and we celebrated as a family. We went to the pool and then out to dinner at Applebees. The kids love birthdays at Applebees because of all the fun singing and embarrassment. Wednesday saw the karate class sing to Phoenix and then today we had a "friend" party.

I loved this party. Phoenix was old enough to have a swim party (ie him and the guests were not likely to drown every minute). We had it at the local city pool.

Here is Phoenix going down the big water slide. The doctor measured him today at 47 1/2 inches which made him 1/2 inch too short to go down the waterslide by height. He had to pass a swim test which was swimming the 25 meters of the pool. It was a long way and he had never swam so far. Last summer, he was afraid of deep water and wouldn't swim away from the side. But he did it. I swam in front of him for moral support but he swam the whole way.

Birthday Cake. I usually make them myself but I just couldn't this time. Thanks HEB. It was delicious and super easy.
The party goers. This is everyone but Devon (who has an immune system disorder and couldn't go swimming. Devon and his family showed up for cake and was allowed to dip his feet in the pool. When he left, he was drenched but the doctors did clear him for chlorinated splash rides for his Wish Trip to Disneyland so I hope he'll be OK.)

From left to right: Alex, Phoenix, David P., Adam, Heidi, William, David A.

Phoenix and David P.
Phoenix and David A.
Heidi.  Heidi was an amazing swimmer today.  She swam 4 laps of the pool!  So that is 150 meters.  She had never swam the length of the pool before so 8 lengths was really impressive.  
Alex
Cortis and Adam
Selene and Adam
Adam
Heidi coming down the slide.
Phoenix on his birthday with his new game system Didj. (It's educational!!)
Phoenix with his grandparents gift.
His stash.

Phoenix Turns 7

I can't believe my little baby boy is 7.  Phoenix has been so much fun and he's such a cool kid.  His mind goes at 100  miles an hour.  He still loves airplanes, which he has since he got his first one when he was one.  

Here he is when he was first born.

We were all pretty impressed.  You can see big sister Heidi (just 19 months) is really into him.  They have been good friends.
My cousin, Jennie, took this photo at his first trip to the pool.  He didn't like the pool then but he does now.  Last summer, he overcame his fear of deep water and now he swims like a fish.
He started out with big blue eyes, but now I claim that they are like mine and are hazel.  Here he is 5 months old.
At 1 1/2, he was a Jedi for Halloween. Now, of course, he loves Star Wars.
We took the kids to the beach over Christmas when he was one.  It was pretty cold.  He wasn't too interested in the water so he marched up the sand and watched us crazy people playing.  
He loved airplanes so much that his Opa was able to arrange a special tour at the Cessna factory for us.  They normally don't let kids go at all (or the public), but the Cessna guy was impressed with stories of Phoenix and airplanes.
Phoenix at 3 1/2.
Phoenix at the Alamo.  Age 3 1/2.
A week before Adam was born, we heard about this cool airshow in Temple, Texas.  After mapping it, we found it was just less than 1 hour from the show to the hospital (in case Adam decided to arrive a little early) so we hopped in the car and had a great time.
Phoenix in the kindergarten Transportation parade.  He is sporting his Grandpa's pilot hat and an airplane made by his mom.
Phoenix has been taking karate for 1 1/2 years.  It has yelling and kicking, what more does a boy need?
I'm so happy to have Phoenix in our family.  He is a sweet, lovable boy.  He loves his family and we love him.  

Rocket Day!

I think we should all pause for a moment in appreciation for my kids' school and their support of what must be the awesome-ist activity ever devised for a 6 year old boy.

Rocket Day!!!!

So here is Phoenix with his home-made (primarily by his teacher but decorated by him) rocket.  Seriously, they take the entire 1st grade to a local park and let every kid shoot off their own rocket.  Phoenix LOVED it.

Phoenix as spectator.
Brother's eating lunch together.  Can you feel the love?
I had this shot all set up.  Phoenix on the left, the adult helper in the middle, and the rocket on the right.  Then just as everything was starting up, the adult stepped in between me and the rocket.  So Phoenix's rocket is the one that takes off behind the adult.