Diving in

Just weeks away from birthday number 6...how is that even possible?  Van is showing off lots of growing up stuff.  While swimming at our local indoor pool today, he watched a boy, maybe 9 or 10 tackle the diving board for what appeared to be the first time ever.  His dad and mom were encouraging, his little sister watched with delight and he made the jump and then made it again and again and again.  Van watched and processed and then "can I do that?".  His swimming has certainly improved 100% since last summer but I was quite sure he wasn't gonna really try that jump.  But we of course said "sure you can do that".  He waited and swam some more, jumped off the side some more and just kept his eye on the prize.  He did a couple practice jumps off the side in the deep end with daddy close by and then he decided he was ready.  Zak and I took our seats in the cheering section of the bleachers.  He climbed up and walked out and then stopped and waited and waited and waited.  His new "hero" jumper friend decided he needed another round so Van stepped off and let him go ahead.  I'm guessing that was the turning point for him.  He must have decided he had to do it, he could do it and he would prove it.  And he did.  5 jumps later, he was beyond proud and just glowing.   I am sure I didn't jump off a diving board that high till middle school.  So proud of how he is so willing to try new stuff lately.  So proud of his patience and his happiness.  No pictures of today's big event but I'm sure he will insist on video to prove it next time.

  

"Knows a lot about that"

The boys had lots of fun celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday last week.  We counted almost 15 Dr. Seuss books at our house and read them all and then of course we had to go to the opening of The Lorax.  There's nothing funnier than hearing them explain the movie to each other in their best "quiet" movie voices.

Snow and other fun

We've been having lots of fun lately just being home, being together.  Simple stuff that gives us lots of chances to talk about and be "our happy family"-Van's favorite phrase of late.

Picture Day for Handsome Zak

 Snow night in case the snow was gone by morning

 Van's first school "dance"...must have green hair and a best buddy 

 Van's class pet "Ribbit" spent a weekend with us and all the frog pals

The Greatest Show on Earth

We surprised the boys with tickets to the circus...their very first one.  I don't think they knew what to expect.  Zak talked about going to the zoo during the car ride downtown so I guess I hyped the animals a bit too much.  The pre-show that Ringling offers lets the kids go down on the show floor and meet the performers, participate in the action and see the animals up close.  That was fantastic.  Our guys chose not to join in on any of the group activities but they sat front and center for all of it.  It really gave us a chance to overcome that nervous energy that follows us to most events like this.   By the time we took our seats and bought our mandatory overpriced souvenir, they were ready for the action.  And what  action it was, almost two hours of fast paced fun and excitement.  They still haven't decided what their favorite was...Van is still talking about the elephants, Zak liked the fire hoop jumping  (no surprise there!) and of course the Dragon!
PS for all my clown-fearing friends, no clown phobias in this family but chinese noses aren't so well suited for that clown prop!

Brotherly love for Valentines

Just checked out Photoboother.com....fun!

My Funny Valentines

They are keeping me on my toes these days for sure...always on the go, always talking and almost always being silly.  Love, love, love my Valentines.

 Our awesome homemade glow stick Valentines 

 When did he get so grown up?

Our annual Valentine photo with love shirts from Fairy Godmother!

Pre-Valentine for Van

Van came home with a little note in his backpack.  It was from a girl in his class and it said XXX (protecting the name of the innocent just seems the right thing to do here) hearts Van.  It had a drawing of Van and XXX on the front and inside a picture of their apparent future house and some flowers.  Adorable for sure.  Even cuter, Van informed us that another girl actually presented him with the note on behalf of XXX.   Hoping heartbreak is not in our future.