Summer in a small town...

We live in a small town....where people know each other by name. It's a great place to live. Each year, the carnival week that preceeds the HUGE fireworks display is the first thing on Ellie's agenda. And this year, even Reid was getting in on the action. We love our small town!

We also love Grandma for taking Ellie and Reid on the Ferris Wheel....because Brian and I are too chicken to attempt it. Not height fanatics here.

Ellie stepping up to the plate this year and trying out the slide on her own. I think Brian is probably bannned from it. He took Ellie down and with his size, he got some major momentum going. I think he took out a whole lineup of kids waiting at the bottom of the slide for their turn! We were grateful that Ellie wanted to go on her own this year!

There she is on the yellow slide at the top. She LOVED it. And we loved watching her belly laugh the whole way down.

Ellie met up with a little girl from preschool and rode some rides together. As I said, in a small town, we all know each other.

Ellie and Reid on the helicopters. Reid loved watching his big sister!

More my speed.....the carousel.

Reid was just checking it all out.

The carousel was also more Brian's speed, I guess!

Nothing better than small town America in the summer. Now....off to pick some blackberries for jam!

Yes, I did...

Hey, when I find the pink Dora Little Swimmers in the size I need at the salvage place for $1.25 a pack instead of over $8.00 a pack....I BUY THEM UP! And yes, I dress my manly-child up in the pink Dora swimmers proudly. Here's some proof.....

Yes, I did this.....and yes, I am proud of my bargain buy! Did I put manly swim trunks over top the pink Dora swimmers to save Reid's pride??? Yes, yes I did. Did I contemplate just having him go in the pink swimmers for less laundry? Yes, yes I did.

Am I proud of my thrifty decision to have my hunk of a son wear the pink Dora swimmers? Why, yes.....yes I am!

Mohican Family Vacation Favorites

Family Vacation time! We were lucky enough to spend a week in a cabin with our family and Brian's parents. It was really a wonderful trip. It was perfect for the kids because they LOVE to be outside, and this was right up their alley. We are grateful for the time we had with each other and will look back with MANY laughs about our trip. Here are just a few of the highlights from our week away....

Mohican....Vacation Time! June 2010

A view from the lake of some of the cabins.

I just had to post this one! Brian spotted something outside our cabin and in the middle of a diaper change, Reid shoots up, hops on the couch, and stands right next to Brian. Reid can not miss ANYTHING....ever! So, there you go. No pants....no problem. He didn't have time for such silly things!

Brian made a swing for Ellie that hung from a large tree outside our cabin. She was about in tears when it had to come down when we left. She brought the stick (or bottom of the swing) home with us!

Reid was all about fishing....as long as he could wear the latex gloves. Not quite the outdoor-sy type like his big sister!

Pappy and Ellie fishing. She caught a bass and a bluegill while we were there. And of course, I didn't have my camera with me, but she was so proud of herself!

My monkey.

Reid just enjoying his time outside.

My nature girl. She was loving all the spiders that the woods provided. Here she is with her friend crawling up her arm. Wonder if I have a naturalist on my hand??

Ellie lost her second tooth while we were gone. Thank goodness the Tooth Fairy knew where we were. Ellie was pretty worried about that!

Daddy and Ellie on the go carts. It's a toss up to who was loving it more!

Mommy and Ellie go carting. I had to get in on the fun, too!

Pappy and Ellie....go carting some more! (actually Grandma took Ellie, too. But the pics I have of them came out all fuzzy....sorry, Grandma!) Reid was too young to go....but watch out next year!

Ellie with Brian on the pontoon boat we took out one day. It was so much fun!

Reid being extra ornery because he had a cup of water....and he was loving dumping it on the dry people in our group!

Ellie boating

Our family

Late night campfires were a favorite of the kids. Here they were getting comfy as Pappy made us a fire.

Reid "driving" the boat we took out one day with Pappy.

Ellie and Mommy on the boat.

Reid with Daddy watching some fast-action go-carting as Ellie was behind the wheel.

Ellie with Grandma Carol on the pontoon boat.

Reid and Ellie- what a great family vacation it was. We were blessed with good times, good weather, good health, and most importantly....family. What a wonderful trip it was for us all!

The camera is packed

Well, I have some great pics to post and was going to do that this afternoon....but realized that I can't because the camera is packed somewhere in the midst of my van ready for vacation. So, I will just wait until the week is over and vacation is done and REALLY post some pics. Blessings to all for a great week....and updates to come when we return home!

Looking towards Wednesday

We will be visiting our craniofacial team in full force Wednesday. I am quite anxious to see what our plastic surgeon has to say about Reid and what is in store for us next. I feel like we have had such a nice honeymoon period since we have been over a year now surgery free. I know that this will change at some point in time, and I guess it will be nice to see what our team has to say about the timeline for Reid.

We will be seeing our team in its entirety. So, I am gearing up for a long day. We won't get started until 1:30 (if they are on time **not holding my breath**), so I guess no nap for Reid until we get back to the car to drive home, which might not be until dinner time or later. I am anxious to see what our dentistry team, speech team, ENT team, audiologists, and plastics has to say to us. It should be an interesting day, and most likely, an exhausting one. I already made the decision that Ellie will be with my mom. There is no point in dragging her around with us, and besides, taking care of Reid will be a full time job in itself.

We have been attending speech services through our local Early Interventionists which is going well. We only go once weekly for 30 minutes. Reid's articulation and vocab are NOT being worked with. Isn't that amazing? My husband can thank me for that one. With my non-stop talking, Reid has no choice but to learn to have his voice heard, and he had done very well with that! Our therapist is only working on oral motor issues with Reid presently. He drools so much and has very little control over his tongue and cheek muscles. So, we are working with all kinds of fun oral motor exercises. I am anxious to see what our speech path. thinks when she sees Reid. Having multiple opinions is so nice at times, but I am just hoping they are in agreement with each other!

I pray for a good day Wednesday with little (I'm not expecting a perfect day) issues from Reid. I pray for our doctors, nurses, and craniofacial team to guide us in the direction that is best for Reid. All in all, I am excited for them to see what great progress Reid has made this year. When I spoke to our speech path. through our team she asked me, "Is Reid talking in short phrases?" Oh, boy......will they be surprised or what? Reid is more like talking in paragraphs! looking forward to Wednesday...and we appreciate your prayers for Reid in advance!

Preschool Years

It's unreal to me that Ellie's preschool days are over. OVER. She has bigger fish to fry this fall...Kindergarten! Unbelievable. As I was going through pictures today, I thought I would put a little tribute to Ellie's preschool program. I have been very pleased for both years that Ellie attended. Her teachers were wonderful, and I really was impressed with the growth I saw from Ellie.

I didn't realize it at the time, but what a little peanut she was when I sent her off on her own to begin preschool. Too sweet. I am hoping that Reid will get the walk the same halls as Ellie did for preschool, but there is a chance that he will receive services through our early intervention program which would put him in another preschool. We will cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, I just want Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Harrison to know how honored we were to get to know them and thanks for allowing Ellie the opportunity to learn from two of the finest. Hard to believe that we will be school shopping not only for my supplies this summer....but for my kindergartner's supplies as well.

Here she is! Ellie beginning her school career. First Day of Preschool-September 2008 (4 yrs.)

Graduation from Ellie's first year of preschool with friend, Sarah. May 2009 (4 1/2 yrs.)

Graduation Day from preschool- May 2010 (5 1/2 yrs.) Look at the growth just from one year to the next!

Ellie with some of her best friends from school...Wyatt and Rachel.

Another great friend of Ellie's, Thatcher.

And yet, another great friend from preschool and church, Noah.

Mrs. Thomas, Ellie, and Mrs. Harrison. These 2 ladies will always hold a special place in my heart....for they cared for a very BIG piece of my heart for 2 years. I thank you.....and will treasure the memories you gave Ellie, forever.

Farming Time

What a fun day we had today. I took the kids to a teacher friend's house (which happens to be a FARM) for some fun. You have to understand that Reid about has a coronary when we go by Lowe's, and he sees the tractors. To see the REAL deal today up close and ride in them was heaven to him. Ellie enjoyed the wide open spaces and the running room. The kids had a great time with their new friends Brooke and Chet (who both happen to be within months of our kids birthdays). It was a perfect day and a great way to start off summer vacation!

Reid was nowhere to be found in this picture. He was amused by the cows and would not come stand with the other kiddos. Here are Brooke, Ellie, and Chet.

Brooke was happy to show off one of her 3 barns filled with cows to Ellie, and Ellie was amazed at how many there were!

Reid checking out the cows up close. However, he was calling them horses for the majority of the time we were there. I guess these city kids need more country time!

When one started Moo-ing, that would get Reid laughing. He was scream..."AGAIN" over and over again. He thought this was too funny.

My Ellie taking time to pose for the camera.

The scowl face. I think he was wondering where all the tractors were. He had had enough of the horses....I mean cows at this point.

See that little mud streak on his left leg? Well, that mud turned out to not be mud at all. Reid decided that it would benefit him if he held his shorts up on that leg in order to not get them dirty. Really? My son worried about not getting dirty? This was a first. We did have to bring out the wipes and clean him up because he was not happy about the cow "stuff" on his leg.

Ellie and Brooke held hands much of the day. New friendships are so fun!

Combine time! Reid was definitely having a panic attack at this time....there were so many tractors and equipment that he didn't know where to begin!

Jerry (my friend's husband) was nice enough to give Reid a ride, which he LOVED more than words can even express.

And there he is...in his glory. I think he would have sat here for 3 hours if I would have let him. He thought this was the ultimate!

Chet and Reid making "vroom vroom" noises in the combine. All boy for sure!

Can you spot Reid in his bright green shirt? Look how small he is. Or, rather...look how BIG that machine is! Reid again in his absolute glory.

Now inside the machine. Buttons, knobs, levers, and switches. I am sure when Jerry goes to use this piece of machinery something will be messed up from all the "work" Reid was doing!

From afar I took this picture of the girls happily balancing along the boards near the cow barn while the boys sat and "drove" the combines. How different my little girl is from my farmer boy...and I am so blessed to have them both. What a fun day of farming and friendship. So glad summertime has arrived!