Updates...

The summer has been really busy so far and getting busier by the day. Here are some quick updates.

Ethan:

• Just finished his last soccer game today. He improved so much this year, we are both so proud of him. He is so much more aggressive and really gets after the ball.
• He has been spending most of his time outside in the sandbox, garden, woods, or on his power wheels four wheeler. I think he may be growing out of Thomas, he hasn't touch in about a month.
• His newest thing is to find ways to hook up all the wagons (all three of them) with Andrew's chains. He is getting very ingenious, Andrew says he is going to be an engineer.
• Ethan has also been to 3 Tincaps (local minor league baseball team) games this season. Two of the games were in a suite my dad invited us to and the last one was with our family and ABF class. He really enjoys the whole atmosphere of the game, home runs, food, and Johnny.
  

Elizabeth:

• I would say she is "almost" officially potty trained. She has very few accidents during the day and it is usually because she is too busy playing and forgets. She is out of pull-ups at naps and night. We are still struggling with poopy on the potty, but it is getting there.
• She is REALLY into princess. I think she just discovered it on her own. Well, maybe all the marketing of princess stuff has caught her eye. She still does love Strawberry Shortcake, especially the books and movies. Truth be told, I'm still a Strawberry Shortcake lover at heart and like watch the movies and read the books. Shhhh don't tell. Andrew on the other hand is ready to get some GI Joes in this house like yesterday.
• She is also talking alot better, even though it is still "Elizabeth" talk. She is so funny and just cracks us up all day. Her and Ethan together are just hilarious.
• She has also been spending most of her days outside. She just figured out that the power wheel is a blast to ride. This is the first really interest she has had in the power wheel, so Ethan has had it all to himself. Ahh the sharing begins.
  

Elisea:

• Elisea started walking about a month ago and hasn't looked back. She is starting to try to climb up on furniture more. Another monkey, like her sister.
• Poor girl has been plagued with ear infections since February. She has just gotten another one. We are treating this one and hoping for no tubes. The doctor thinks that if she can make it to 18 months the problem might go away. We are praying for this.
• Other then been extra clingy and a little more crabby (see above) she is just a sweet girl. She is a defendant mommy's girl, which is fine with me. The kids still just adore her and she loves them.
• Elisea has discovered the small inside slide. She can climb up to the top and down the slide all by herself.
  
• She had her first camping trip this month. We went with our friends from church and had a great time.
  

The 3 together:

• We have started singing hymns now at bedtime after we read the Bible. The kids love it. It is so fun to watch them dance around clapping and praising God. Elisea really gets into it.
• For the most part all three kids play together so well. Of course they don't always agree on everything, but they seem to really enjoy playing with each other. I'm so thankful for that, and I'm praying they will continue to have strong sibling bonds.