Wow Time Flies

This is going to be a long one!

I can't believe that almost 3 months has past since the last post, I know I am not regular any more...but I at least update monthly. We have had a busy summer, both in the things we have been doing as a family, and me at work! As far as work goes, this has been the worst summer on record. I have never been this busy during a summer. I don't like it. It is our time to rest when everyone is gone, and it seems like we haven't had a break at all. But, let's not talk about that!

We started out our summer with Mark's big surprise party. He was actually totally surprised. I pulled it off! He turned 40!!! I can't believe we are that old. I planned a mystery dinner. It was GREAT fun. Everyone dressed up and really played the part, it was great!

The murder was set in a Casino, hence the background decorations! We had dinner and played the game. Everyone had a great time and we all laughed so hard! We will have to try this again some time...now that we know what we are doing.

Next on the agenda was Dylan's birthday. He turned the big 3. He is very into Diego and animals, especially elephants. So needless to say, our house is pretty much overflowing with elephants. I absolutely love this picture! Look at all the 3 year olds in it. Very typical from the screaming, to the whining, to the tongue sticking out....cracks me up. I think I got a better shot, but this was by far my favorite!

We had the party at Bouncin Craze, because he loves to jump on trampolines etc. Well, he hated the place actually...oh well, the other kids loved. He warmed up after a bit, but still, no jumping for him. It all turned out ok, he's 3, what can I say.

Next on the agenda was Vietnam Family Weekend Reunion. This is the annual get together for families who have adopted children from Vietnam. It is a time to meet each other, spend time with each other, and celebrate the children's heritage. It is always a great time and this one did not disappoint. We had a great time! It is great to see all the families each year that you "know" through the internet. We all lived each other's journeys. Of course his buddies were there and we took the usual 3 boys pic. Actually this time, Dylan was NOT the crier...imagine that. Of course to get them all to sit still like this, we had to bribe them with fruit snacks!!

They had dragon dancers Friday night and at first Dylan just stared at them...but they got too close and he just lost it. So he and I had to step out so he could calm down. We stayed in a hotel that had a mini water park in it. Dylan LOVED it. He was laughing, splashing, sliding down the slide, he wanted to stay in there forever. If anyone ever has to stay in Tulsa, you must stay at the Radisson if you have kids.

It was a quick trip, but a lot of fun.

Next of course was 4th of July. We were kind of low key for this holiday. We just went to mom and dad's. Had usual BBQ food and hung out with family. It was nice. Dylan hated the fireworks this year. My parents neighborhood was better than any fireworks show you could find in the metro. I swear these people must have spent hundreds and in some case thousands of dollars. We took turns sitting outside watching the show. It was awesome. On the drive home it was like a war zone...there was smoke every where. Guess we know and easy place to go for the future.

Most of the summer for Dylan has consisted of him sitting in the pool. He has one at our house and one at Nana's. He would stay there if we would let him. Kind of stinks for the person watching him...especially when it is 100 outside.

I was going to put him in swim lessons but I wasn't sure where to take him. So for next year that will be the priority....he loves the pool. At least for now, his taste change more often than most people change their socks!

Another new thing for Dylan is he loves stuffed animals. He now has a whole entourage that sleeps with him each night. His new love is Ellie the Elephant. She is a big stuffed gray elephant that his Uncle Steve gave him for his birthday. He hugs it and many nights you will see him with his arms wrapped around Ellie as he sleeps. It is really quite sweet. He climbs into bed and he looks for everyone. Blue, Ellie, Giraffe (rap as he calls it), curious George, Cookie Monster, Mickey Mouse, and Diego. He knows if someone is missing. I laughed at him one night and said, man Dylan your bed is crowded. He laughed and arranged all the animals around him as you can see. So of course I grabbed a camera.

It is funny, if you have followed this blog at all, you might remember he hated any thing furry or with weird textures. Now he loves all over them and sleeps with them. He has really come a long way.

In other Dylan news, he is current very into the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Quite obsessed with it really. He still watches Blues Clues and the ocassional Elmo and Diego. He loves to listen to books being read to him. One of his current fav's is Green Eggs and Ham (Daddy's Fav too). He still loves zoo animals, we have our own zoo at the house with all the plastic toy animals he has. He is still going to speech every week and is actually making pretty good progress. While he doesn't say a whole lot, he is saying more. Some we understand and some we don't. But he sure babbles a lot. Don't ask about potty training.

As for the rest of us. Store is going ok. We aren't getting rich, but we aren't in the poor house. So that is good. Mark is still really liking it and they haven't killed each other yet (family business) so that is good. As for me, I am trying to survive. This summer has been really tough. We have been so busy and school is ready to start next week. Needless to say...I need a break. But I won't bore anyone with that stuff. Well, if anyone still reads this...sorry it was so long! (it took me about 3 weeks just to write this post!)]''"''