Balloon Animal Fun

At the church Halloween party, one of the missionaries knew how to make balloon animals and he made them for the kids.  

We thought this fishing pole was pretty impressive.  

Colin asked for a classic!

Costumes!!!

Here are the boys in their costumes for 2012.  A treasure chest and Tigger!!!

Cutie Colin

We went to Korean BBQ and the server LOVED Colin.  He was trying to use the chopsticks and having trouble, so helped him out.  

He wanted some rice and she sent him away with some more.  Here he is showing it off.  

Argh!!!!

Skippy Jon Jones!  He loves him!

On Colin's actual birthday we went out for ice cream with friends.  Thanks, Dori!

Sweetness!

I thought this was so cute! Love my boys!

Beautiful rose from our garden.  

The last of Colin's PT

When Colin turned three at the end of October (yes, that is how far behind I am) he aged out of qualifying for early intervention at the regional center for physical therapy.  He had his last session on his third birthday.  When he was evaluated by the school district (which takes over at age 3) they saw him they looked at me as if to say, "Why are you here?"  He put on a stellar performance of running around and telling the name of the street we live on (which I didn't even know he knew before that, thanks preschool!).  At the school district they are looking for things that would prevent him from getting his education and being able to function at school.  They did admit his core is a bit weak and he may have a some slight difficulties in gross motor, but he would still be able to get an appropriate education.  So needless to say, he did NOT qualify for services, which is a good thing.

Practicing the trampoline, trying to jump on one leg as well!

Practicing kneeling and standing on a squishier surface.

Practicing balance and working those core muscles!

Reach!

His last day of PT on his third birthday.  They said he could wear his costume, so Tigger it is!

Physical therapy helped Colin a lot.  He took his first steps at 20 months while doing PT and was a full time walker at two years.  I don't know when he would have hit those milestones without it, probably at least several months later.  The therapists he worked with knew how to motivate him to work like I couldn't at home.  Thanks to all who helped him get to this point!

Getting ready for Halloween

We made salt dough pumpkins!

Ta da!

I made a cheesecake for my dad's birthday (his favorite) and let the kids pic decorations. 

I saw this in Family Fun magazine.  They are milk jugs with battery operated tea lights (their suggestion was white Christmas lights inside, but the plug would be an issue).  I made the faces here.  

I made Gavin's costume.   

I carved this pumpkin for the contest at church.  I let Colin pick what I did.  Can you see what it is supposed to be?

I wanted to have Gavin carve his own pumpkin, but it was still too hard for him this year, so I had him draw what he wanted me to carve.  This is what he came up with, of course! It's Thomas!

I had Gavin draw his own "ghosts." Look what he did... (of course!)

All together!

Cutie Colin

Colin playing with my giant Piglet that is as big as him!!!

Colin meeting Uncle Lee and Aunt Staci's dog, Triton.  

School and Osito

The teacher sends home classwork at the end of each day.  I saw this one and I decided to see if Gavin could read it.  He looked at it and said, "Yo veo un neko." (Japanese for cat!!!) 

Gavin got to bring home his class bear, Osito.  

Along with that, he got to write a page in Osito's journal.  

The boys loved posing with Osito.  

Japanese school work. ひつじ(hitsuji--sheep) and いぬ (inu--dog)

Some of Colin's preschool work.  

Gavin was supposed to paint a jack-o-lantern at school and look what he did! Hahahah!

Japanese School う　for うさぎ(usagi--rabbit)