We have been very busy since I last wrote. I meant to do a post last week, but couldn't manage to find the time. Two weekends ago we had two parties we attended. Axel went to a fun Lego party for his classmate James and then we went to Annika's graduation party. Here Axel is playing one of the games.
Axel, James, Claire and Jamison were a team for all three Lego games. I got a group picture of their team as they won "who could build the tallest tower" game. As you can see from this photo Axel grew so well this year he caught up to both Claire and James, who were about an inch or so taller than Axel at the beginning of the year. That is exciting because he is no longer the smallest child in his grade. He is still one of the 5 smallest, but we are no longer keeping track as Axel has learned size doesn't matter. He can do anything he sets his heart on.
I thought it was funny that James also built the number 6 out of his Legos. James and Axel had a lot more in common than I knew before the party.
Luckily, James had a play structure in his backyard so Phoenix was well entertained the entire party.
Here is the birthday group. I like this photo because you can see the wide range of heights in the 6 year old bunch. The three children on the right who are taller are all 8 years old, but the rest are Axel's age except the boy in the glasses who is James' brother who is 7 and the tall cousin in the back.
It has been two weeks since Phoenix's cast was removed. The morning of her cast removal she decided she was ready to be potty trained. She was extremely motivated because she wanted to go swimming. She is mostly potty trained now and consistently goes number one and two. She struggles with relaxing on the toilet so her bowl movements are lucky to be once a day. She likes to be in control so it has been a challenge to potty train her. She spent a lot of time crying in her crib the first week. The second week has been easier but there are times when she still refuses to go. Luckily, she has Axel's and Daddy's camel bladder and can go hours without going. She is still wearing a diaper during naps and bedtime. She is a very sound sleeper. I am curious as to when we will be able to transition her out of diapers all together. Our first agenda is mastering the day time use of the potty and buying her a big girl bed. Hopefully by the time the big girl bed arrives she will be ready to start holding it at minimum through her nap times.
I love this picture below. Phoenix adores Axel and Axel adores Phoenix. Phoenix has to do everything Axel does, even pretend to sleep like him.
Axel started swim lessons last week. Here Phoenix is entertaining herself during Axel's lesson.
Axel is now in youth level 2 class where he is starting to learn free style. He gets the concept of the arms very well. What he really needs to work on is his kick. Once he has his legs to help propel him he will be quite the little swimmer.
Last Friday morning we headed to Arizona. We had the smoothest trip there. Everything was extremely quick. We arrived at Kendra's more than an hour earlier than we expected. Easton and Axel got along very well. They essentially played Legos the entire time.
Phoenix was mesmerized by Layla's toys. Here Layla is showing her how Elsa sings.
Keith and I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with Kendra, Bronson, Aunt Ginny and Uncle Steve. Kendra is exactly how she has always been. She is the most confident, beautiful disciple of the Lord that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Her joy of life and the Holy Spirit flow out of her so much you can't help but love life in her presence. Keith and I can't wait to visit again.
Phoenix and Axel had to much fun they both were fast asleep when we left at 4pm. Phoenix was asleep within the first minute and slept over an hour and a half.
Axel took about 10 minutes to fall asleep and woke up 10 minutes later when we arrived at our hotel.
On Friday evening we enjoyed a nice meal with Keith's Aunt June and cousin Jake. On Saturday morning Aunt June, Jake and his girlfriend Sarah joined us at Butterfly wonderland.
It was an awesome experience to be in an atrium filled with thousands of butterflies. My favorite butterfly is this blue one that Pheeny is looking at.
Aunt June made a special friend.
After 10 minutes, or so it seemed, the butterfly that was so intrigued with Aunt June decided to give Daddy's hand a try. Daddy said it felt odd having the butterfly crawl on him, but it was definitely a cool experience.
I love this picture of the Szolushas!
On Sunday we went out to breakfast for Father's day. Daddy is getting a kick out of the tie that Axel made for him. On it he said that Daddy was 21 years old and that he had golden hair. Boy, did daddy like to read that!
How I love my handsome husband. I have been impressed with his growth through the years and how much he loves being a father. He really is an amazing father to our children!
After breakfast we tried to go for one last swim before checking out of the hotel. Unfortunately, the pool was infested with bees. Because I got stung the day before we decided not to take anymore chances since Keith is allergic to bee stings and we are unsure if Phoenix and Axel are. Instead, we decided to find a park to play at. We lucked out at this small little park. We managed to last nearly 40 minutes before the 100+ degree temperature got to us (this was at 11 am).
We spent the afternoon at Aunt June's house enjoying more quality time before we headed to the airport. We were super bummed to discover that our flight had been delayed over two hours. To fill the time we strolled through our terminal looking for a yummy treat. Well, the only place that had a yummy treat was McDonald's. Axel and Phoenix had their first McDonald's experience with huge ice cream cones. They both devoured the ice cream cone. We eventually got home just after 11pm. The kids were exhausted as they both stayed awake the entire day (except for Pheeny's 20 minute cat nap in the car on the way to the airport). They were so tired that they slept in until 9 and 10 am. Phoenix then went down for a 3 hour nap just 2 and a half hours after waking! They are finally caught up on sleep 4 days later.
The big news today is that we are saying goodbye to Rishaan and his family later this evening. I have so many emotions built up I know I am going to need to let it out. I find it funny that I feel so much pain and sadness in my heart for the loss of Axel's best friend for the past 4 years. I can't remember grieving or sadness with the many moves and changes in school that I had through the years, so why I am so worried and said for Axel? I guess I don't want him to feel the sadness so I am projecting the sadness onto myself. Well, with goodbyes always come growth. Only the Lord knows what is to come so I will delight in today!
God Bless!
