Happy Birthday Aaron, the big Six

This is a great picture of Aaron, because it's just like him ~ hair tussled, dirt on his shirt and a smile that can't be contained on his face. There's also giggles just flowing. Sometimes he gets going and he just can't stop. Of course that he's playing in water and outside, two of his favorites, just add to the fun.

We try to do the birthday person's favorites on there special day. So here is Aaron with one of his favorite breakfast ~ waffles with whip cream. He really loves whip cream, a fairly new addition to his favorites list. He also is thrilled with blowing out candles, so he did this at least three times before we actually ate breakfast.

No Aaron day is complete without balloons, the bigger the better. He is crazy about them. He also really enjoys Curious George and finds great humor in the monkey's antics. So a giant Curious George balloon, just seemed perfect.

What's more fun than licking the cake batter from your own birthday cake.

We opened presents and tried them all out. He had lots of fun. He enjoys things that move, twirl, make music or roll. It's so much fun to see him having fun checking out new things and really enjoying being the complete focus of everyones attention. You could tell he felt very special.

The finished cake, complete with George, which Aaron found very exciting. And of course more candle blowing.

He loved being sung to and applauded our efforts very enthusiastically.

He was so funny about wanting me to make sure I saw him with his cake, which of course he loved ~ another favorite ~ chocolate. That's my boy!

He's had lots of pictures taken of him, and has started to find humor in trying to move so I have to "catch" him to get the picture. I was successful here, though I now have many pictures with missing body parts.

A pinata~ a perfect combination of many things that Aaron loves ~ Curious George, candy, dangling ribbons, and it can spin or twirl.

It's hard to believe that my little guy is 6. He keeps us busy and on our toes, laughing, inspired, and feeling well loved. I jokingly tell friends that though I'm getting older, Aaron is keeping my reflexes and peripheral vision youthful.

In thinking of him on his birthday, I thought I'd share..........

Some Things I've learned from Aaron:

*the unexpected can be much better than what you feared

*different can be wonderful

*hard is a way to things that bring great rewards and a sense of the worthwhile

*joy and contentment are a choice we can make (Aaron seems to be both with such ease)

*seemingly small and simple can be amazing

*we can communicate lots with no words

*unconditional love can be so easy and free

*forgiving quickly, not holding onto anger or frustrations is something we should all strive for, though Aaron has mastered this rather quickly

*we miss lots of joy and excitement by overlooking the small things~ rain on a window, butterflies, the feel of sand in your fingers, the amazement of a floating bubble or balloon, the awe of a lightening bug at night, it's a shame we grow out of this

*the value of working hard to learn things that others take for granted, this is different than working hard at something we can do that just requires time and effort, but working hard and showing determination when trying to do something you can't yet do

*failing at something, just means trying again a little harder

*the things the world views as measures of success and accomplishment are fleeting , the things that last - being loved and loving others, caring for others, the ability to show compassion, being content but still striving for better, finding joy in the everyday, feeling a sense of belonging in a family, feeling that you have a purpose even if others don't always understand

*some folks see us and I know feel sorry, badly etc, but the truth is the extra effort we have put out for Aaron, is far surpassed by all that we have gained by having him in our family

*challenges are really just opportunities for God to show up in big and small ways

*hugs are undervalued, one given well can relieve most daily ails

Horseback Riding

The girls are taking horseback riding lessons. They are having lots of fun and finding that riding is much harder than it looks. The lessons involve not only learning how to ride, but also how to take care of a horse. They have learned how to groom, feed, bathe and tack (put saddle etc on). The beginning of each lesson involves them grooming and tacking their own horse. They are currently learning how to trot. They need to ride in the saddle a certain way and use their legs to let the horse know they want to trot. They both are working hard and doing well.

The farm is located just outside Harrisonburg. The scenery is just beautiful. Here is the ring where the lessons take place. The are many cats, dogs and other horses that the boys love to watch and pet during the lessons. One of the farm cats just had kittens. The tiny litte fur balls completely captivated Aaron during the last lesson.






Lauren and Hannah each grooming their horse. They have a different horse each week, though they each have their favorite that they hope to ride.

Getting the horses going.

Here are some vidoes that Ken took at the last lesson.

A walk in the mountains

The kids and I decided to take a picnic lunch up to the Shenandoah National Park, about 20 minutes from our house. There is a really nice visitors center, and some Ranger classes at a place called the Big Meadows. It is a very large meadow near the top of a mountain. It is full of wildlife and plant life as well as remnants of the people who used to call this place home before it was made a part of the National Parks. We went on a short hike and took a ranger class on "Photography in the Park"

Just some pictures of the views.






Like I've mentioned before, the deer are wild but used to people. Hannah got this shot of a deer in a small field just outside the visitors center.




Here is the Big Meadow. As you can see, there are lots of deer hanging out. Aaron became quite captivated by them.

And started running towards them. Just like Aaron, full of uninhibited curiousity and complete joyful abandon. Unfortuanately, the pictures don't have sound, so you can't hear the delightful shrieks of excitement and laughter, but you can imagine.

A watchful mom???

And now we know why. Eagle eye Lauren spotted this new fawn in the tall grass just off the walking path. It was an amazing and precious sight.

We learned from the Ranger that mommy dears give birth in the tall grasses and then wander off, so as not to attract predators to the new baby. The fawns are born without a scent so they can't be detected by other animals, so the mom won't stay close for long in order to protect the fawn. But as we saw, she is still watching closely.

Happy Birthday Caleb!!

Hard to believe that one year ago I was calling Ken on the phone at 1am (me in NC and he in VA) saying " think you need to come home". His response "are you sure?"

My dear friend, Leslie, took me to the hospital a few hours later. Ken arrived in time to welcome his newest son. Of course, lots happend in between

Here we are shortly after his arrival.

Already a year later, hard to imagine. It's been a busy year.

Caleb wakes up happy and ready to go each morning. His hair is hilarious and always looks crazy in the morning.

Here's a look at how he spent his First Birthday!

My first gift was this ride on zebra. I really liked it, it bounces, goes around and plays music. My brother Aaron also really liked it.

I had a puppy party. I just love dogs, both the real and the stuffed. I was very excited about this big puppy balloon. Well the balloons in general were really fun.

I wasn't sure about all this gift unwrapping, but once I figured it out, it was really fun. Who can resist paper. I really liked the bows, pretty tasty. Though everyone else wanted me to get what was under the bows and paper.

I love gadgets ~ phones, remotes, keys, tools. My sisters gave me some gadgets of my own. I also got some other fun things to play with. My brother liked helping me check everything out.

I discovered that cake is really yummy and very messy. But chocolate .....yummmm!

What a fun and exciting day. I'm tired. So the day is done and now I'm One!