Catching up!

I have no excuse for myself. Blogging can be a bit like maintaining a long-distance friendship. You know...if you wait too long then you feel stupid calling (or blogging) or you think that you need to do it when you have enough time and energy to give it what it deserves and then it just continues the cycle until you've lost contact...or stopped blogging. Wow, my analogy doesn't make sense even to me anymore but there you have it!

I'm just going to jump back in here. Yesterday Steve took the afternoon off and we all went to the museum as a family. I don't know about the rest of you but my kids have a tendency to fixate on stuff and right now (and for a while now) Eli is fixated on space and Noah is fixated on sharks. Grace is taking some time off fixating for the moment, I guess. So as a result of our passions for science and nature, the museum was a perfect choice for an outing.

We started our time in the "zib-zibit" (as Eli called it). According to Eli, the space exhibit is the ONLY zib-zibit in the whole museum. We tried to park space shuttles, crashed meteors into the earth, checked out the relative weight of things on different planets, built a star and watched a star be born in the planetarium. It was pretty awesome!

Then we went upstairs and explored in the discovery zone. They had this great fan table that you could use to make things like scarves fly. And we built things out of logs. And we checked out a real human brain. And we took apart a human body and put it back together. It was pretty awesome, too.

Then we saw Wild Ocean (an IMAX movie). It had the perfect amount of predator attacks for Noah without making Grace need to get up and start cheering for the prey (as she likes to do). Noah says, "In the middle there was a lot of sharks. And it was very funny because the dolphins kept on making this screeching sound. And it was very beautiful!"

Then we went to BD's for mongolian barbeque which was very fun and delicious. It was the perfect day off for all of us!

Eli on the news...

Here's a link to a video of Eli on channel 4 news. The story is about how the Arvada Center is beating the recession but they play a video of one of the songs from Miss Saigon during the story. http://cbs4denver.com/video/?id=62091@kcnc.dayport.com

Miss Saigon Photos

The Birthday Celebrations...

The fifth birthday was well celebrated! Today, Eli had a Chinese birthday party with a few good friends. They tried moon cakes, ate yummy Chinese food, tried Eli's favorite cookies from China, jumped on the trampoline and played in the hot tub. What more could one five year old ask for?

And last night, on the actual birthday (after Eli did his first performance) the absolutely amazing cast and crew celebrated Eli's birthday by singing the most beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday you've ever heard and eating cupcakes with him. Then he hammed it up for everyone and they all took pictures with him. It was amazing and very sweet and we're pretty sure he'll never have Happy Birthday sung to him like that again! If we look like we were just about bursting with pride in the picture that's because...well...we were! He was awesome last night and the show is fantastic! Can't wait to see it again!

Noah's First Soccer Game

Noah got to play in his first soccer game today and he scored his first goal. He had so much fun that he giggled through most of the game!

Eli is 5!

Happy 5th birthday, Eli! You are a treasure and a joy! I'm thinking today about the day you were born and wishing that I could have known you on that day, held your tiny little body in my arms and kissed your perfect little face. I'm praying for the woman who got to be the first to love you and the first to do those things, praying that she knows how loved you are, how cherished you are and what a healthy, happy, wonderful little boy you are. I'm praying for the women who snuggled you on that night and the next night and many, many more after that. The women who gave you your bottle and tucked you in your crib, who comforted you when you were afraid and taught you your first words. I thank God for their love for you. I'm praying for the woman who taught you to walk, who picked you up and kissed your boo-boos when you fell down, who loved you so obviously and so well. I thank God for the many mothers you've had. And I thank God that I get to be the last one, the one that gets to be yours forever. You are such a light in any group...quick to smile and quick to laugh. You are a friend to all and get so much joy out of everything you do. You are so smart and so interested in learning. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you, boy who is loved by so many across the world. We love you!

God talks...

Last night Grace and Eli were talking about lightning and where it comes from and why. After much attempted 7 year old explanation of what causes lightning and very little four year old understanding, Grace said, "Why don't you just ask God, Eli? He made it." Eli said that sometimes he asks God stuff but he can't hear him. Grace replied, "Yes, you can. But only sometimes his voice sounds like your thoughts. You know, like when he says to tell the truth or be nice or stuff." Eli thought that was probably right.

The Schedule...

I decided just to post the Miss Saigon schedule in case anyone is interested in going. The tickets are selling out really quickly...we got the last 4 for his first performance...so if you'd like to go, get tickets soon! These are the performances that Eli is scheduled to play Tam. However, they have two kids coming each night in case one freaks out (genius!), so no guarantees. But so far he hasn't freaked out so here's hoping!
Sat. Sept 12 @ 7:30
Sun. Sept 20 @ 2:00
Sun. Sept 27 @ 2:00
Thurs. Oct 1 @ 7:30
Sat. Oct 3 @ 2:00
Fri. Oct 9 @ 7:30
(If they decide to extend the run, Eli will have two more shows the following week.)

Tam!

This post has been a few days in the making (in my head) because I just don't really know how to post about it. So I'm just going to write because I have a feeling that this is going to be a big thing in Eli's life and I want to document it. So here goes. In May I got an audition notice for Miss Saigon from the Arvada Center, a professional, regional theatre in our area. They needed small, 4-6 year old Asian boys to play Tam in their upcoming production. I thought about it and talked to Steve and we thought Eli wasn't ready emotionally or even developmentally for something like that. So we passed.
This summer he LOVED being Crickee in Mulan, Jr. He loved everything about the production...every rehearsal, every dance, every scene...loved it! But he's only four (five next week!) so when I signed Grace and Noah up to do Beauty and the Beast this fall, Eli was too young. He was bummed but understood and we went on our merry way.
This week I got an email from the director of Beauty and the Beast telling me that they were looking for another little boy to play Tam at the Arvada Center and advising us to jump at the chance for Eli. Still I was unsure so I prayed about it, that the door would very clearly be open or shut, and called the Arvada Center. They asked us to send in a photo of Eli. Obviously I couldn't take a new one (due to the eyebrow incident) so I sent them one from camping this summer of a very muddy, happy Eli. They called us right back and asked us to come meet with them. And when we did they decided right away they wanted him. That day they measured him for costumes and he got to see all of the props and secret backstage stuff. He loved it! So...that long story to say that Eli will be one of six kids playing Tam in Arvada Center's production of Miss Saigon. What an amazing opportunity for him! More to come about the process and schedule and such. We don't know which of the 40 shows he'll be doing but if you're interested in seeing it, let me know. Wow. Okay, I think that's it for now.

Ice, Ice, Baby!

Eli is a curious sort. The sort that pushes every button he sees and turns every knob...I'm sure I've mentioned this before. Well, he took his curiosity to a whole new level this week when he...dum, dum, dum...shaved off half of one of his eyebrows with Mommy's razor. We were so glad that he didn't injure himself in the process (although a little painful nick might have been a good deterrant from future experimentation). So here he is in all of his 80's Vanilla Ice glory...should be a cute school picture this year!

So it begins...

This year Noah is in morning kindergarten, Grace is in 2nd grade and Eli is doing three afternoons of preschool a week. Besides a few minor gliches, they had a great first week of school. Grace is in class with two of her best buddies, Noah LOVES his teacher and the feeling seems to be mutual and Eli gets to follow in his siblings' footsteps and be in the famous DeAnn's class!

I only cried a little bit after I left my second born at his first day of kindergarten. Noah came home the first day a little sad after his first experience with "I'm not going to be your friend anymore!" from a boy in his class after Noah stepped on a spider. But the rest of the week was great for him and the friendship seems to have mended itself though I'm sure Noah will be careful around that friend and spiders from now on. Eli had a great first day especially since his buddies Sam and Owen are in his class this year. And Grace came home with a report that they had THREE RECESSES! and that she got to see Noah outside during the first one. Eli is loving having Mommy all to himself in the mornings and Noah likes having Mommy all to himself three afternoons a week. So...beginning of school success!

Roughing it!

Putting up the tent...

Playing in the "suck sand" (as the kids called it) and fishing was definitely a highlight!

Steve engineered a contraption to give the dogs more leash but they just kept tangling up anyway.

Steve turned 42 while we were camping. What a fun way to celebrate!

All tuckered out after all of that roughing it!

It was a great camping trip. The highlights for me were Grace saying, "This is so NOT this century!" about the outhouse, watching Steve and Noah fish and listening to the kids giggle in the tent and while they played with the "suck sand." A great time was had by all and we can't wait to go again next summer!

Selective Hearing?

Eli used to be our best listener...I mean if we said it, he did it. He's a pleaser anyway and he's a really easy kid (for the most part). But lately, like in the last few months, he kind of developed what I thought was selective hearing. Like, I would call his name in the store and he wouldn't turn around or I would tell him to go brush his teeth and he wouldn't move. It was getting a little bit...frustrating.
I don't know if I blogged about this or not but poor Eli had a REALLY nasty ear infection (I'll spare you the details but...yikes!) a few months ago. That combined with having one of his ear tubes fall right out of his ear initiated a visit with his ENT today. I really thought it would be a no-big-deal appointment. Eli's ear has been fine since the infection and, although his hearing has seemed a little selective lately, he seemed to be hearing just fine. And he is, mostly, but after two and a half hours at the ENT we discovered that, due to the hole in his ear drum, he is experiencing mild hearing loss.
Guess maybe he really couldn't hear me some of the time...huh. The ENT says Eli isn't off the hook, though. It's just a mild hearing loss and he can hear my voice but just may not understand what I'm saying sometimes. And he thinks he'll probably make a full recovery and that the hole will heal by itself. So until then, he'll just need to clarify what he doesn't understand.
On another positive note, they were amazed at Eli's speech. They haven't seen him in about a year and couldn't believe his progress. WAY TO GO, Theresa!

Eli's Head Strikes Again!

Tonight Noah's front tooth, which over the years has required a great amount of maintainance and care, met its doom by crashing into Eli's head. I don't know if you remember but that is exactly how Grace's stubborn front tooth came out. I think Grace and Noah owe Eli a percentage of Tooth Fairy money!

When Noah was a little less than two we were playing at the park and he tripped and fell on the climber. When he stood up all afraid and bleeding, we discovered that 1/2 of his front tooth was gone. The dentist has built and rebuilt and fortified that tooth many times over the years. That tooth has received much care and lots of prayer that it would make it until he didn't need it anymore. And after months and months and months of being loose and just weeks from Noah starting kindergarten, the tooth has made it to the goal!

The haps...

Just in case you were wondering, here are the amigo haps for last weekend:

• two Mulan performances -- when you're dressed like a sassy, fire-breathing dragon or a lucky cricket and get to do your thing in front of an audience...SUPER fun!


• Wedding...the musical (which, sadly, I missed because someone needed to help the dragon and cricket) at which Steve and Noah got to listen to some amazing musicians and Noah got to entertain the reception with his break-dancing. (see photo) :)
• BBQ in Cheyenne...so nice to see the fam and especially Susie who was home for a wedding. VERY fun. I love to watch the kids play with their awesome aunts and uncles. Uncle Dave and Eli seem to have an especially special little relationship and love to color and build together. Dave also spent a lot of time teaching Noah how to skateboard. And Aunt Dena always lets Grace play make-over all over her head and face...nothing like using lip gloss for all forms of make-up. How'd it all come off, Dena? Plus Sicken and BlaBla are always good for secrets and giggling. They had a great time playing soccer with Uncle Don...they're all awesome! I don't know about you other moms but I am a BIG fan of anyone who loves my kids!

As for me, I'm a bit tired. I forgot how very exhausting it is to manage kids backstage...and even more so when they have absolutely no reason to listen to you except that you're a grown-up and somebody's mom. Plus my tiny cricket sometimes gets tired or confused and must be searched for. But they are loving it and having so much fun! Deep breath...three more shows this week!

Buffalo Bill Days!

The amigos got to be in the Buffalo Bill Days parade this morning with their gym. So fun to do cartwheels to applause and oohs and aahs for their cute little gymnast selves! And Grace got to do the parade twice! Once with the Salvation Army and once with 5280. Then we all got to eat turkey legs and tons of other super yummy fair junk! Love it!

Thankful Thursday...by Grace (she typed it! )

I am thankful for...
My mommy and daddy who love me.
A good home to live in.
Kind friends and family.



Grace

The Clean-Up...

The kids show off their hard work -- 8 bags of leaves and apples picked up!

(And eating well-deserved popsicles!)

HAIL!

We had a most ginormous hailstorm last night. At first we thought it was just some very extreme and crazy wind beating the tree limbs against the house. Then it sounded like bullets hitting the windows. Scared little Grace ran into our room and we grabbed the boys and headed for the basement. Eli and Noah slept through all of the cacophany and rushing to the basement. While they were sleeping on Eli's bed, Noah threw up all over himself and Eli's bed. (The poor kid has been pretty sick the last few days.) Both Eli and Noah slept through that whole ordeal (I don't know how -- Grace was close to throwing up just from being in the room!). Then Noah slept through the shower to rinse off the nastiness, the putting on a clean pair of pjs and the going back upstairs after the storm passed. And Eli never woke up through the whole event. Grace, on the other hand, was very much awake and had a hard time going back to sleep from imagining all of the horrible things that could have happened. Sometimes that vivid imagination is more curse than blessing.

We didn't have very much damage in comparison to others who lost all of the windows on one side of their house. We just have a lot of yard salad right now...which I am heading out now to clean up.

Gracie D the Singer

Gracie loves to sing! She sings in the shower, she sings in the car, she sings when she plays, she sings when she does chores (mostly because one must pretend one is Cinderella to make chores fun)...she sings all of the time. And now, after auditioning a few weeks ago, Grace gets to sing in the Colorado Children's Chorale! Congratulations, Gracie! (http://www.childrenschorale.org/)

photo is Grace before her audition

Eli's Baptism

Today sweet Eli was baptized. He has been wanting to be baptized for a few months now and went to our pastor, Mimi, to talk about what baptism means and what happens when you are baptized. She talked to Eli about how being baptized is becoming part of God's forever family just like being adopted was becoming part of our forever family. Eli was so excited! He memorized a Bible verse..."I am devoted to you. You are my God. Psalm 86:2" and was excited to share it with the congregation.
The baptism itself went awesome. He was a bit nervous and was fiddling with his fingers and forgot the first word of his verse. But he jumped right in with a little help and was very attentive to everything everyone was saying, to answering the questions he was asked and to listen to the congregation answering their questions. He smiled about the water running down his little face and soaking his collar on his shirt. And he smiled as Mimi prayed for him. And after his baptism he got to sing in a choir with the other kids from Vacation Bible School in his costume. What a very special day for a very special boy!
The most touching thing about the whole service for me (aside, of course, from watching our sweet son be baptized) was looking out into the congregation and seeing several people wiping tears away as they committed to helping raise Eli in the faith. I love being part of a small congregation, a small community, that really knows and treasures our children! (more about that later...I've been thinking a lot about the great things about being a part of a small church...blog to follow...)
Afterward Eli said "when they were watering my head it feeled like I was taking a shower. It was all wet and warm. It felt different in my heart. It felt like it was like a birthday!"
Happy "birthday", sweet boy!

Noah's First Missing Tooth

My First Wiggly Tooth by Noah
My dad was yanking on it and I cracked it and my dad pulled it and it was out. But not very big...small. It was my first bottom tooth. I'm going to show Grammy and Papa Joe. It is under my pillow.
By Noah the (self-proclaimed) awesome blogger

Thankful Thursday...by Eli

I'm thankful for our whole earth. I'm thankful for our whole city. I'm thankful for our whole family. Thank you for our special day. Thank you for my whole kids...my whole brother and sister. And thank you for a great God. Thank you for our special week. Thank you for a good special month. Thank you for letting us have our special stuff. Thank you for letting us keep the house and thank you for letting us buy the house.

Love,

Eli