the boys are growing up

Well, I have recently been reminded over and over again how much my boys are growing up. All of my boys... Even my biggest boy, Richard.


Richard turned 30 last month on Jan 24th and we had a party for him that weekend. It wasn't a surprise party because I don't think that ever could have worked. Richard is my biggest helper and I never would have been able to get the house "party ready" without his help. Plus, how would I have explained all the food... beer, chips, and 15 pounds of pulled pork!!!! He's too smart to miss that clue!!! He loved the party. Thanks to everyone who was able to come. Sometime the next week he thanked me and said that I knew him better than he knew himself. He never would have asked for a party, but he really had a good time! Richard's mom put together a wonder photo album filled with pictures of Richard growing up. The best part of the present was the captions that explained what was happening in each picture. I noticed one that showed Richard at his Eagle Scout ceremony and commented that Richard looked sooooo young. They said, "Yeah. He was 15 - that's half a lifetime ago!"

The whole family at Richard's party (photo by Gordon's Photo Booth)



Now for news about the little boys (or Small and Medium as we call them when we talk about them in their presence...)

Josh started going to gymnastics at The Little Gym in January. I had been thinking about sending him to gymnastics since he started bouncing from the coffee table to the couch into a handstand. He would stay upside down with his back leaning against the couch to watch his TV shows. He is a fun kid. He is so light and just jumps all over the house and us. Since we are inside a lot in the winter, it is a good opportunity to get the crazies out and burn off some energy. We are not pushing him to be the next Olympian, so we picked a gym that is noncompetitive. His teachers, Miss Page and Mr. Kevin, are married and are the owners of the gym. We went for a trial and they got us hooked. I look forward to it almost as much as Josh. He asks me almost every day if he is going to gymnastics.


Josh's other big news is that he started preschool! He goes to Cornerstone Christian Preschool which is located in a Methodist church about 5 minutes from our house. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon for 2 1/2 hours. He just started last week and his teachers say that it seems like he has been there from the beginning. They are having their Valentine party on Tuesday and we have been working on writing his name on a dozen valentines. The only letter that is legible is o. We have 4 more to sign before the party!

Josh - fingerpainting

Lucas is as wonderful as ever! He just turned 11 months old this weekend. He recently learned to clap and can climb up an entire flight of stairs! He now has 4 teeth and ate his first complete meal with the family (turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans) last Thursday.


Lucas - first haircut


(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

Does all of this growing up mean that I am growing up too?