Playing with a Tiger

That's right! Today, we took E to Zootastic in Troutman, NC to the "cub experience." We spent the morning playing with an 8-week-old tiger cub named Spar. There are some moments in life where you feel like an awesome mom. Watching your kid giggle while playing with a TIGER CUB is one of them :-) The three of us had a wonderful time feeding, playing, and cuddling with this striped cutie. After the cub time, we took a tour to see some of the other animals. This was E's first time at a zoo and he really loved it!

Meet "Spar"

 SO Excited!

Yes, it was a great day! I love seeing the amazement and wonder on my little boy's face when he experiences things for the first time. Thanks to E, the staff at the zoo also learned the ASL signs for many of the animals. They are expecting to have a lion cub in residence soon and a new cub experience, so we will have to check back to see when we can do it again. How fun would it be to have a Daniel and the Lion's Den Bible lesson and follow it up with time with a real lion cub?!

Water, Water Everywhere!

 The final day of VBS is water day at our church. We bring a fire truck and they raise the hose high into the air on the ladder and spray down creating a HUGE shower of water for the kids. Don't worry, they pull the water from the river and it is not wasted. E's face was priceless when he walked out and saw the cascade of water. He put his hands in the air and said, "OHHHHHH!" He was the smallest one out there that decided to get into the spray. The other toddlers were more content with the puddles off to the side. As I have mentioned before, this kid has no fear.

Within the first minute or so of running into the water, E was knocked to the ground by an older kid that was not watching where he was going. That's just kids. They get excited. The bump knocked E on his booty and the momentum threw him on back so that he bumped his head on the concrete. After a short, 30 second cry, he was ready to go again, but this resulted in my husband and me "boxing out" around E and looking like crazed basketball guards in an attempt to prevent E being run over again. We laughed later at the concern that we may have taken out someone's kid if they had hit him. We were in full Mama and Papa Bear mode! I try not to be overprotective, but toddlers and hard surfaces are just not a good mix ;-)

Oh "Two"dles!

Today, my baby turned two! We had a Mickey Mouse themed party with family and a few great friends. Thank you to everyone who came to help us celebrate our wonderful little boy :-) I am running very low on photos because, in my craziness, I grabbed the camera, but not the camera's battery. Thank goodness for smart phones!

 We began the birthday morning by letting E run in and see his present from mommy and daddy waiting for him in the living room. E loves all things art so he now has his very own art center.

Cupcakes, fruit, Chick-fil-a nuggets, chips, candy, ice cream, and popsicles created a great party spread. Many thanks to my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, mom, and best friend who all helped me to prepare everything so quickly. The great thing about a summer birthday is the abundance of delicious fruit in season!

Mickey party hats for the little ones seemed like a good idea, but E was only interested in trying it on for a minute. It was cute while it lasted.

E really scored some great gifts! Clothes, cars, trucks, art supplies, building blocks, water sprinklers and college fund money were just a few of the fun things he received. One very brave and loving friend gave E his first drum set. He seemed get the hag of it immediately. After finding his groove, he even decided to jam with his eyes closed and his rock 'n roll face on. You may be able to hear him add in a bit of singing lol.

Proud Mama!

E had his therapy review yesterday to evaluate his progress and set new goals. E has only been activated with his CI for six months. After the evaluation, his voice and listening skills ALONE scored him at a "hearing age" of one year and eleven months!! E turns two tomorrow and it is amazing that in only six months, he has caught up to his real age even though his "ears" are only six months old :-) His therapists are thrilled and so are we. The evaluation did not even take into account his signing skills which are stellar and way beyond his verbal/listening skills. I am so proud of my smart little boy!!