The Family..

Since many of you haven't seen my children in years, I thought I'd share a bit about them.

Aidan has really flourished this year. He is doing well in school after a very rough start. He is now a leader in his morning class and assists the other children. His teachers are very impressed with his kindness and patience as he explains things to the other kids and helps them figure things out in the same way that the teachers taught him. Actually, his teacher said it was a little scary to hear him telling a child, "mm..mm..my. what letter does that start with?" and "You know this, I know you do." He is very interested in science, so his teacher actually changed the curriculum to add more science. He is also very proud to be a big brother. At his last parent teacher conference I was able to see his journal and every entry was about him, Ryan and Mara. The themes were things like "what are you thankful for?" He wrote he was thankful for Mom. Then, "what makes you happy?" He wrote "I am happy for Mara." He then drew a picture of Mara with a princess crown on her head because she is our princess. I can't believe how fast he's growing up, but I am proud of the person he is becoming.

Ryan has finally potty trained...for the most part. He still has issues with actually stopping what he's doing and getting there in time, but that will come in time I'm sure. Ryan's favorite passtime these days seems to be climbing. I watched him climb up the side of the swingset, drop down and catch the bar on the way down. He spent the entire day out doing that stuff today. He said, "I have to practice." I asked what he was practicing for and from what I can put together, he plans to be in a circus of some sort. We did just see Cirque du Soleil at Disneyworld so perhaps that was his inspiration.

Mara simply charms everyone she meets. She is 4 months old now and doing all the adorable baby things such as laughing, cooing and playing. She has finally succeeded in wrapping Daddy around her little finger, though Mommy reigns supreme...for now anyway. Both boys love her intensely and are very protective of her. I have turned around to find her gone on more than one occaision as Aidan has absconded with her. The two of them seem to have a very special bond.

Ammon just started a new route in the Oxford area. We are very excited as this gets him out of Dayton's west side and into a safe area. He is happy because with the new route came a new truck with air conditioning, automatic windows and even a cd player.

And of course there's me. Still rolling along here. Most of my life revolves around the above mentioned, but I wouldn't trade this for the world.