Olympic Dreams

Today, we started our Olympic fun.  We made torches out of paper, markers, and stickers (and have flashlights for night Olympic fun to put inside them) and had a torch relay down the street with Mom singing this in the background as the kids lighted each torch making their way to the house, "Olympic Stadium."  (Thank goodness that they aren't so old to be embarrassed by this kind of fun.)

We had a couple of running games in the backyard . . . and then came in to eat "Olympic Pizzas"  .  .  .  I think that all of our other Olympic games that aren't televised will have to be in the swimming pool.  It is hot outside.
The kids love watching videos from previous Olympics, of course!  I think I am projecting bias when I say that they like the swimming races the best.
The kids were all "awarded" medals for their participation in our Day 1 Olympic Games.

Chills and Thrills: Hello, Beautiful!

I has been ages.  Seriously!

We've had mountains of great times with family since I last posted.  Several business trips for Erik.  The boys are like little men.  I mean it.

We are well.  It is hot, but we are keeping busy.

Our biggest achievement thus far is swimming.  Lots and lots of hours in the pool and at swimming lessons.  Today, the boys learned the dolphin kick.  Yes, they think they are studs.  And, they are right.  Evy is pretty much ready to swim his 25 meter swim test in freestyle.  He is such a good listener and tries to follow each and every instruction given.  Merritt is not too far behind him in effort . . . still needs some support when he is in water taller than he is and is trying to go full freestyle. . . but he is fearless.

I'm still injured.  Going on 6 months now.  Yeah, I am tired of it, too.

Everett is such an earnest boy.  Today, I asked,"Evy, can you help me?"  He bounded into the kitchen and responded with,"Mom, I'll always help you!"

Merritt is on fire with the talking.  I'm sure he'll graduate from his special education speech services when they see him in September.  It is quite exciting!  His sense of humor is just coming out so well and he is working hard to be just like his big brother.

Erik has been around a bit . . . Romania, Italy, Germany, and China.  I can't wait to post a picture of the sweet leisure suit I got from him!

Other things:

• We were able to visit family and friends in Austin. 
• So fun to see my sister Mandy and her family while she was here in Texas! 
• And we had a great 4th, a great birthday, fun father's day .  .  .
• And I have revamped my pantry to eat more in line with foods that my body agrees with . . . and I am amazed at how awesome that is going.  It was hard and is still hard to change some things and learn to make new things, but it is going well, and the boys have been great sports in learning to eat cauliflower rice.  
• I sang a duet in church on Sunday. 
• CHIGGERS are very, very bad this summer.

Looking forward to sharing pictures!