Summer's over ---

Well it's been a busy last couple of weeks of summer. The kids have been spending time at the pool and with their friends. We went to Ohiopyle to see the waterfalls and to Idlewild (a small kid oriented amusement park). Eyob learned to ride his two wheeler without going to the emergency room. That kid has NO fear. The first week he ran into the house repeatedly(the house is not that hard to see) and would say quite enthusiastically, I DID IT!! Of course he could not understand why I would not allow him to ride on the road. Today was the biggest day of all, it was Eyob's first day of school and he did great!! The teacher said he had an awesome day and was so excited to be there. I'm hoping that the structure and routine of the school year will be good for Eyob. The flexibility of the summer has allowed for some great family bonding but I long for the regular bedtimes and schedule of the school year (I'll be equally happy to ditch the schedule next summer). Here are some picture from the last couple of weeks.The kids at Cucumber Falls in OhiopyleThey had a blast playing in the waterOur first graderThe kids at IdlewildElla as a princessEyob having funIzzy being IzzyOur baby and grandmaElla was not thrilled with this rideEyob eating breakfast on the first day of school
Eyob was getting a little nervous right before we went into class

Look mom, no training wheels!!

This week was a big week for our oldest son. Patrick learned to ride his bike without the training wheels. He had tried at the beginning of summer but his new bike was a little too big so he has refused to ride his bike at all this summer. He did not want to ride it with the training wheels because he was too old and he didn't want to ride the bike without training wheels because it was too hard. I quess he finally decided this week that he was going to do it because on Sunday he agreed to try with Eyob's bike. He was beginning to get the hang of it and could ride a few yards but he still needed me to help him. On Tuesday he decided to try Izzy's bike. He took off the training wheels, got on it and rode it, by the end of the day he could ride his "big" bike and as of today he was riding all around our very hilly neighborhood. Patrick practicing on Eyob's bike

Patrick now a pro on his "big" bike

Eyob trying too, he could go a few yards but quickly asked for his training wheels back(the protruding tonque shows how hard he was trying)

Izzy looking sweet

Ilana hangng out in the swing while we practiced

Eyob swinging. Now I know this picture is blurry but I included it because Eyob is pumping. When we were in Ethiopia Eyob was REALLY good at pumping. In fact he would not let me push him. I remember wishing he wasn't so good so I could help him. He was really very independent there and did not let us do much for him. Well when we got home and he saw Izzy getting pushed he wanted pushed too. For the last two months you would never know he could pump himself but this week he decided he could do it again. He acted like it was his first time. "look at me, Mom", he called.