It's all in the eyes

OK, it is more than the eyes, they look exactly alike. Phoenix seems to be a cookie cutter image of Patrick. I did carry him for nine months, so I know that he is mine.

Playing in the bath

Phoenix and Daddy were playing in the bath and having a blast doing so. Check out Phoenix's cutie teeth too.

Picking Strawberries

Kira and Zoe were picking fresh strawberries out of the backyard at the Mahugh's. The girls were having a great time and they each ate a bowl full of strawberries after playing in the sprinkler for an hour. River played in the sprinkler, but didn't want the strawberries.

It's not working!!!!!

He can't quite seem to get the gate open... oh wait, there is no door there. He's a silly bug.

Trying to escape

Phoenix is trying to escape from Morie and Christy's yard.

Oh Happy Boy

This is one of my favorite pictures of Phoenix. We had a Young Families outing at Valley of the Moon park. He had never been in a swing before and his face just lit up when he started going. The picture was taken June 1, and it seems like he has already changed so much since then.

Shutterbug

Kira had her first week of Girl Scout Camp the last week of June. It was a photography week in which they explored elements of photography and what you can do with the pictures once you have taken them. They created a photo gallery and scrapbooks to bring home. On the last day of camp parents are invited out for a performance of skits by all the age groups and viewing the photogallery. The kids spent all week outside, rain or shine, at their campsite. Kira keeps telling me other things that they did; things that she had forgotten to tell me about because other things were more exciting. She met new friends, learned new songs and games, learned to jump rope, shoot a bow and arrow, practice taking pictures, cook out over a fire and make her own scrapbook. These are just a few of the things that Kira did during her week at Girl Scout camp. She came home every day with dirt everywhere and a smile on her face. Overall, I'd say she liked it. Now we are looking at the possibility of sending her to the last week of camp as well (theme of that week is treasure hunting). Kira equates that to her Geocaching eperiences.

Kira is separating...

For Kira's birthday, we asked for no gifts from friends and family because our sweet children are blessed with so many toys and clothes that our house is bursting at the seams. Kira had however outgrown her bike and given it to a friend of hers at church who also enjoys the disney princess themed bike. When looking for a new bike, Kira picked out a Dora bike, a Strawberry shortcake bike, and a Barbie Bike. All of these name brand bikes were being sold for twice the price as the regular pink bike with no stickers on it. I couldn't figure out what had gone wrong. I thought we had instilled in her to pick the best one for the money that we spend. After discussing it, we figured out that she has no concept of money except for that we buy stuff when it is "on sale." For friends and family that insisted on getting her something for her birthday, we asked for $3 wrapped up in a box, bag or envelope ao that we could teach our newly turned 5 year old about money. We have spent the past 3 months talking to her about the imporance of giving money to God, saving money in her bank account, and being able to spend money on things that she wants (in this case the bike). After counting all the money and separating it into 3 piles, Kira had one nickle left (seen here on the J square). She looked at me as if to say, "hey how did this not turn out even?" So I asked her what that money was for, and her beutiful 5 year old mind gave me a soul thrilling answer. "God gets all the extra money. He's the best."

Phoenix and his Goldfish

Goldfish number one has been chomped to bits in the mouth of this predator. Goldfish number two is lingering in the right hand curious of his fate and the disappearance of his friend from the left hand.

Phoenix is holding the wall while preparing for his attack on the camera.

Phoenix is on the move

On Wednesday, June 28, Phoenix took his first 3 unassisted steps at the church building. He is also standing more on his own when he gets distracted from trying to move around.

Trying to get a picture of him, right before nap, while he is standing by himself is rather difficult. First I distracted him with the goldfish, but then he wanted to grab the camera. He is still in the phase that if he wants to get somewhere fast, he drops to the floor and crawls. Goldfish in two hands didn't work as well either because then he just shoves it in his pie hole and goes for the camera with a mouth full. In any case, we have one picture of him standing by himself, but his eyes are closed (notice the goldfish in his hand). He starts out holding on to something (in this case the wall) and then lets go to stand on his own for up to 12 seconds. So here it is, our 9 1/2 month old becoming more independent.