KY State Fair

Daniel loves to ride the rides and eat junk food (who doesn't?) and I love to look at the decorated cakes, photography, and ugly lamp contest.  We both enjoy the balloon animal display, the BMX show and watching those hilarious ducks going down the slide over and over.  We make a good fair going team!  If only it weren't 96 blazing degrees!!

Third grade is going amazingly well.  I was really worried about this year and how he would do as the work gets harder and harder.  So far, so good.  His teacher is amazingly sweet and we might still be in the honeymoon period but it's going well so far. 

We've been going to counseling to work on Daniel's self esteem and his melt downs and anger when he gets frustrated.  I don't know if it's helping him or not, but it's been totally eye opening to me.  When she says things it makes total sense but I just didn't think of it that way before - of course crying as a baby and not having anyone come to comfort him would make him think there is something wrong with him.  It makes sense when she puts it that way.  Even though we know that's not the case, he needs to work through that and believe it himself. 

Some things that we can't fix with counseling, I know the Lord can help him resolve.  He has a plan for Daniel and we can trust that His plan is good.  Despite the things we're still working on, I can't tell you how many times Jason and I marvel to each other what a sweet boy we have.  He has completely changed our world and it is such a joy to be a part of his adventure!

First day of THIRD GRADE!!!

I can't believe Daniel is a big third grader.  The years are just flying by and he is growing up so fast.  Here is a photo recap of this week's events.....

School Orientation:

At his desk:

Meeting Mrs. Mitchell:

First day of school:

With his teacher:

He wanted Chucks for his back to school shoes (I love it!):



And now for the annual 'First Day of School - look how much I've grown' montage:

These photos don't really do it justice.  He's grown 10.5 inches in the last three years.  It's amazing!  At this rate he'll be over 6 foot tall by the time he is 16.  Wow!  He is so big and yet still mom's sweet boy.  He'll still come to me and say, 'Mom, big hug!'  He loves to give hugs and snuggle.  Whenever we sit together on the couch, to watch TV or read - he is just glued to my side, buried in my armpit and I love it!  Such a sweetie!

Diving

Today Daniel and I went swimming with our friend Ms. Peggy.  He had never jumped off the diving board before, but today he decided that he was gonna give it a try.  We practiced jumping off the edge first - into 8 foot deep water - and then swimming to the ladder.  Once Mama was sure he could do that without assistance, we were off to the diving board.  Here is the first jump, so brave!!

After a few jumps, each one getting more and more confident then he was ready to go for the fancy spin...

And then after about a dozen jumps off the low dive, he runs over and says, 'Mom, I want to go off the high dive!'  Well sure, go for it!  I didn't know if he would really go through with it or not but sure enough, right up there and off the end.  No fear!

Look how high!  It was so great.  I was really proud of him!  (I took a video on my phone.  If I can ever figure out how to transfer it, I will share it with you.)  He must have jumped off at least 50 times.  He loved it!!  He'll sleep good tonight for sure!

July 4th

I meant to upload this a month ago...

Bubble boy