Water Water Everywhere!

Lets face it my kids love water. My sister Holly gave them this giant beach ball for their birthdays. Zeb thought it was pretty wonderful! Kayleigh would run by the ball like a sprinkler and squeal. As a result Zeb learned to squeal too! After they got bored with the beach ball they headed to wash Holly's car. Zeb basically just played in the bucket of soapy water. Kayleigh washed the same place on the car about 15 times. I'm pretty sure that place will have some extra shine for a while. We ended our water fun with a ride down the slip n slide the next day. Kayleigh, being herself, did not want to go down the slide and hit the grass. However, Zeb thought it was pretty awesome. John would sling him down and I would catch him on the other end. He would attempt to crawl up the slide with very little success. It was a lot of fun!

Rock Band

We have been having a great summer. Kayleigh and Zeb are having a blast spending time with their cousins. We went over to John's sister Kelsey's house and played Rock Band. I have to admit I loved it! It is very addicting and some songs just bring back so many memories. Kayleigh, Sadie, and Ethan decided to have a round with Rock Band. Below Kayleigh is playing the drums. Unfortunately, she was booed off the stage for this performance however, she did fairly well with singing. We plan to head over to Kelsey's house for some more Rock Band before we leave.

We also spent some time with a family that has all red heads. I couldn't resist taking a picture of all the kids. It isn't everyday that you see that many red heads in the same room. I had heard a couple of years ago on the news that red hair was decreasing however, I have to disagree. I have noticed more red headed people/children ever since I have had my kids.

Zeb This Post Is For You!

Zeb, when we came to America in May the doctors told us that your head was misshapen and that you needed to wear a band/helmet for several months. I was of course worried about how you were going to react to it and if your sleeping was going to be effected. God is so good! You have adjusted to it so well. Now when we take it off you look at us really funny when you realize it isn't on your head. After almost a month of wearing your band your head has moved a total of 4 millimeters which is very impressive for your age according to the doctors. We are praying that your head will return to the shape it should be before we leave in August. We see God healing your head so quickly which is a huge answer to prayers. When you are older you will probably never remember wearing this band. We thought it would be fun to get it painted and keep it for memory sake when you are older. As soon as the doctors placed it on your head your daddy thought you looked like a football player and that is where our idea of getting you a Tarheels painting was born. You love to beat your head on things now because it doesn't hurt. I am fearful of what will happen when you don't wear the band anymore. I am foreseeing some pretty bad bruises. I love you so much and think you look so cute in your band!

Happy 3rd Birthday Kayleigh!!!

Happy Birthday Kayleigh! We love you so much and are so glad that God as blessed us with you. For your third birthday we had a small family get together. We decided on ice cream cake since you would rather eat ice cream than cake anyways. You loved it. You had a wonderful time with your cousins and family. You seem all grown up to me already. Sometimes I feel like you are 3 going on 23! You come up with some of the funniest things to say. I love to talk with you and really see how your little mind works. You are very logical and you want everything to make sense in your mind. Your new obsession as of late is flip flops or any shoes for that matter. Most of the day you are wearing other people's shoes around the house. Your favorite thing to do is to get in your Grammy's closet and wear all of her shoes. You have so much joy and love to give. We are so thankful for you.

This was your reaction after opening a new pair of your very own flip flops. Others would have thought you just won 10 million dollars. Oh, the simple things in life that make you happy.

Daddy's Post about the Band

First of all, when we were trying to decide what kind of paint job to get Zeb's band, it was pretty much a no-brainier. We perused the lady's website and looked at all of the options she could do, and a few examples of what she had done in the past. We saw it, a beautiful Carolina Blue UNC football helmet. Zeb knows no difference, but it sure looks a lot better than before. He continues to bang his head on anything and everything without getting hurt! He thinks it is hilarious. Once the helmet comes off, he sure will feel the beatings he is giving himself. We are so thankful that his head is shaping nicely. The last appointment we had, the nurse said that his head had grown 2mm, which was fast for his age. God is answering our prayers! Here are the before and after pictures:

BEFORE


Kayleigh and Zeb in the bath playing (without water)


Zeb taking it easy in the recliner

AFTER

Zeb in his new painted band!

Trains

When I think about how much trains have been a part of my life I am a little surprised. When I was little my grandmother lived about a block and half from some train tracks. Every time I stayed at her house and we heard the train whistle we would run up to the train tracks to see the train. Now that I have kids I am thinking back and I am really impressed that she actually ran with me all the way up there. Way to go Grandmother! Anyways, since we have lived overseas I have ridden in a train to go on vacation and also lived very close to some train tracks. Kayleigh has ridden the train in our city several times. Now that we are back in America we have more trains to ride. There is a local park near John's parents home that has a train that kids can ride around the park. Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the park riding the train and playing on the playground. It was a lot of fun. The kids loved the train.

Pool Fun!

Zeb and Kayleigh received a pool for their birthdays from their Aunt Holly so we decided to have a little fun in it yesterday. It is a pretty fancy pool because it also has a little blow up slide that goes with it. They had a blast! Zeb mostly splashed and since he is into pulling up on everything these days, he spent most of his time pulling up on the side and then plopping back down in the water and laughing. Kayleigh spent most of her time sliding down the slide and jumping up and down with her friend Mason. We hope to have more days of the pool. I'm still trying to figure out if it would be worth it to take this pool back with us to China. I'm pretty sure this is a bad idea. I haven't even asked John but I'm sure he will think I am crazy.

Pony Rides

Every Tuesday night at Chic-fil-a is family night. Chic-fil-a usually plans some activity for the kids. Last night they had pony rides! They also brought little baby chicks, a pot belly pig, and a donkey that the kids could pet. Kayleigh loved it! I was sure that she would be too scared to ride the pony but she hopped right on and had no problems. I am pretty sure she has never seen a horse before now. I am so thankful that we are able to do some fun things while we are at home.