Happy 2nd Reunion!

We had our second annual reunion with the three families who traveled to Vietnam in 2007 together. We had our reunion in Washington D.C., Aug 7 - 10. I can't believe it's already been a week since we returned from Washington.

We really had a wonderful time and we miss the families a lot. I have a feeling we will miss the families even more as we get to know each other better. The older siblings already have nicknames for some of the little ones.

It was really hot in D.C. that weekend but we managed to still have fun. We ended up throwing a party in one of the hotel suites. We ordered food in and all the kids got to play (hard) and really get to know each other. Even though they won't remember this reunion, it will be more fun as they get older and start to remember each other. Heck, they were asking for each other by name a few days after we returned to our respective homes. I was editing the pictures on my laptop and Ava pointed at the screen and said their names. Maybe I should have a large print of the babies (who are not so little any more) made and hang on the wall so Ava can say their names every day ;-)

Here are pictures from 2007, 2008 and 2009 (in order). Our babies are growing up right before our eyes!!

Newest member of the family

I think Ava was introduced to dolls when she was one and a half years old and she really didn't show any interest.  That has changed recently.  Now when she sees her dolls, she will mimic all the  Mommy behaviors.  She will burp, hug and feed the baby.  She even brought the baby to the dinner table.  Ava doesn't sit in her booster seat any more so she is able to get up from the table to get her baby.  

Stunt Guy

On one of our evening walks, I discovered that Sebastian could do tricks on his razor scooter.  I didn't know how long he's been doing this but I certainly was amazed.  He may not like jumping in pools but he doesn't mind jumping off sidewalks and do balancing acts.  

Taking a break to watch the water flow downhill through drainage system.

She walks with tall stick

Sometimes Ava has a mind of her own and when she doesn't want to do something, she'll let you know with her body gestures.  We wanted to go for a walk after dinner one evening and she didn't want to go in her stroller.  She saw her brother on his scooter and she wanted to walk too.  The problem is when she takes a stroll, she wants to push the stroller or she wants to go in her own direction or she takes her sweet old time.  A thirty minute walk turns into a one and half hour walk.  We tried to coax her into the stroller and this is what we get.....
I love the two action shots below..it totally cracks me up every time I see it.

Getting in the stroller is one thing, getting strapped in is another..

Swim or Dive?

Sebastian has been swimming for almost three years now and he's still has a fear for deep water.  He can paddle and jump in the pool, just as long as his feet touches the bottom.   The last time we went to the pool, I asked Elizabeth to show Sebastian how to dive in the deep end.  He wouldn't jump three feet from the ladder.  He did a cannon ball into the pool instead.  Elizabeth was there to guide him.  Well he climbed on Elizabeth's back and nearly drowned her!  That was the end of the swim/dive lesson.  We haven't gotten enough pool time this summer I'm afraid. 

Potty Training (a sequel to Potty Camp)

Sebastian and Elizabeth had made a comment the other day about how they haven't visited the "big pool" this summer. They are referencing the olympic size pool that is located on the state park near our development. So I decided to take them on a Saturday afternoon. Michael stayed home while Ava was taking her nap. I was lazing by the poolside when my iphone went off. Michael had sent me a text message and this is what it read....

Before you get overly joyful....Ava has gone number one and number two only once on the big potty and not on the same day. So we have quite a hurdle to go over. But we celebrate every little moment!

Ava's new transportation

Michael usually does the grocery shopping on the weekends and takes Ava with him. This time I took Ava grocery shopping. I think she has seen Sebastian stand at the end of the shopping cart too many times because now she wants to stand on the shopping cart. She threw a fit when I told her she should sit IN the shopping cart. So something that should have taken forty minutes, became over an hour shopping excursion. But look at that happy face!