Gym rats.

We were so thankful to receive a cash gift that allowed for us to put the girls into a gymnastics class this Winter.  Both girls took a class when they were 3 1/2 years old and just loved it.  Obviously, Selah's first class was just 6 months ago but for Sofia it had been four years.

The classes began at the end of January and concluded this past week. Sofia attended a class on Thursdays for 6-8 yr. olds and Selah took a class on Fridays for 3-4 yr. olds.  Coach Rick taught both classes.

Selah really impressed us with her skills balancing on the high beam, cartwheels and almost handstands.  She also has this fearlessness to try anything.  She was so cute to watch.

As for Sofia, a couple of weeks ago Kevin and I were presented with a big decision.  Coach Rick said that Sofia was doing well, is quite strong and has the "right" body type, so he encouraged us to put her in Junior Trainers.  Thankfully the gym owner allowed for us to do a trial run last week without pay.  Kevin took her to one class and I took her to another.  We were both amazed at her no fear, desire, and more importantly enjoyment of learning more difficult skills.  

So as of next week, Sofia will be going to gymnastics two times a week in a class that is purposely training her to eventually compete.  Her teacher will be Coach Jeanne.  Coach Jeanne said it is a commitment and in about a year they take the young ones to a meet where basically everyone wins.:)


The best thing about this gym, the owners are strong believers and so are many of the coaches.  We are so thankful for The Gymnastics Factory and will see how the Lord uses our time spent there.

#1 reason for owning a mini-van.

Room to take neighbourhood friends to church.

St. Patrick's Day in the city.

One word.  CRAZY!!!!!

A front page article in this morning's paper was titled "Perfect Storm" in regards to what our public servants might have to face tonight.   And if today was any indication, then they are definitely facing a storm tonight.

What are the elements?  First of all, it's St. Patrick's Day in Chicago.  Chicago has a rich Irish heritage and today the city was once again hosting a parade down Michigan Ave.  This parade had been nixed in past years because of excessive public drunkenness.  Added elements:  it's a Saturday, many college students on Spring Break, and the topper, GORGEOUS Summer-like weather.  Today's high was 85 (we broke a record today).

So, of course, this year of all year's is when we decided it would be fun to go downtown and see the infamous colouring of the river green (didn't get a pic).

We arrived in the city just as the parade was ending.  My goodness.  It was a sea of green.

We dove in and with Isaiah in a stroller and the girls holding daddy's hands, we swam with and against the stream hoping to capture a family picture at The Bean.

Well, that wasn't going to work.  Just a few too many people milling around and many of them quite intoxicated.  Real family friendly you know.  We even witnessed an ambulance arriving with a stretcher to take away a young lady who had passed out on the lawn.  Now mind you this was about 1 in the afternoon.  When the girls asked what happened we explained that she hadn't drank enough water.

From The Bean we headed to Daley Plaza.  The kids loved sliding down the Picasso sculpture and looking at the fountain of green water.

So while we didn't eat cornbeef and cabbage or have a leprechaun visit us, we sure had a fabulous time hanging out with our family.

Crackin' up.

Show your crack and you get a couple girls to crack up. 

Isaiah is quickly learning how to entertain his sisters with "boy humour".  Not only does he pull his pants down, he pretend burps, and makes everyone aware when he toots.  


He does crack us up with some "clean humour" like when he says, "Knock, knock" and that is it.  He's also a very entertaining dancer.

He's a bruiser.

He's a bruiser that boy.  Our son, Isaiah. 


About a week ago, Isaiah was playing with his fire truck, somehow fell, rolled onto the truck and immediately acquired a bruise under his right eye.  A couple of nights later, he and Selah were playing tag and bam! Isaiah tripped over his own feet and landed on the corner of the end table.  I am so thankful there was no blood.  But man o man, a bruise immediately formed on the eyelid of his left eye.  Over the week it has gone from blue to purple to yellow/green.  The girls think it looks like he is wearing eyeshadow.


These pictures aren't the best but I still wanted to share.  You see, God is good.  We all get a bruisin' but God heals!!!

Still stacking.

Five months later and he is still stacking cans.   The stacks are getting taller as so is Isaiah and another difference is that he has now taken to counting the cans.  It's so cute to hear him count "...one, two, three, five, six, eight, nine, ten!"

P.S.  Another difference from five months ago is his hair.  See how bald he was in the last post regarding stacking?