Initiation of Ten Smile Sunday!

Here are some of the many things that have made us smile recently:

1. Giggles and squeals of delight from Elias as he perfects his new walking skills. The past few mornings, he has awakened with a big smile on his face, wanting immediately to be put down, proceeding to walk as fast as he can through our house. I think he dreams of chasing his brothers at night and then has to attempt it in the morning!

2. Family time with cousins, great grandparents, grandparents, great- aunts and uncles. They boys quickly rebonded with cousin Aslyn . . . they easily entertained themselves and each other with games and pretend and simply running around. Great break for Moms and Dads! And Elias thought Odyssey was brought to be his personal playmate - squealing with delight when he saw her and trying to crawl into the swing with her . . . Although little himself, he LOVES babies!

3. The boys being a band . . . turn up the music and beat on your drums! Yes, all three join in this game! Sometimes they add dancing and singing, but it is always loud!

4. Aiden and Caleb's first rides on a go-cart (or "race cars" as the boys saw them) at Captain Mikes on vacation. Aiden says this and the beach were his favorite things about vacation! He was timid at first, telling mommy "you're going to fast!", but loved it by the end.

5. Caleb's love for a tiny orange plastic dog he acquired while on vacation. Unfortunately the dog faced it's demise in the lake with the fishies (he was accidentally dropped), and Caleb faced true grief! He was tearful and needed many hugs - - and reminisced about his dog every time we passed by the lake. He'll still tell you about his dog today!

6. Elias' method of handling any type of decline (stairs, curb, slides, slope of the sand towards the water) . . . he always turns around and scoots backwards! This was especially cute on vacation when he kept scooting down the sand, let his toes touch the water, squeal, crawl forwards, then repeating the sequence again and again!

7. The boys are developing a love for the water! Aiden has gained great confidence - with his floaties on. :) He can now "swim" across our friends pool . . . using both float ring and arm wings. Elias is a fearless fish! He loves to splash, blow bubbles . . . and even "slide" into the pool from the edge . . . going backwards and scooting of course! Caleb is a little more timid right now, but loves being near the water none the less!

8. The boys and Baseball . . . We are now owners of youth-sized aluminum bats, which turn into swords at times! But the boys love baseball - - Aiden is getting especially good at hitting the ball, Caleb doesn't even want to mess with the plastic bats anymore, and even Elias gets into the act - - he was trying desperately to pitch to his brother the other day. So cute!

9. Caleb's big-boy bed - - this event has been a litle while ago, but I never want to forget the sheer joy he had over his "new" bed! We transitioned it at nap time . . . he jumped in, crawled under the covers, pulled them up to his chin, and just grinned! Unfortunately, no camera was near to capture the moment, but it is etched in my mind forever! I think he took his entire nap smiling that day!

10. Elias has contagious laughter and precious squeals of delight for things that catch his fancy - - like animals of any kind! A walk through the pet supply store (just for fun - no we don't own any little creatures) proved to be noisy as Elias squealed at all he saw - - especially the fish and the bunnies. I think the employees there were glad to see us leave for the amount of noise we were making!