Oliver,

We started swimming lessons last night. Oh man. You are not a fan. You screamed the entire time. This place is rather intense, they take you out and let go of you and basically force you to learn to get to the side of the pool. It is definitely not easy to watch, but you have to learn how to swim in order to be safe in the water and near the water. Hopefully next week will be much better!!

We have made two trips since my last update. We went to Guthrie with Uncle Eric to visit Papa and Juju back in May. You had a great time! You did so great traveling in the car and were such a trooper during the trip. You helped me a lot with Eli, since daddy couldn't come with us, you were my "little man" for the trip. You really enjoyed getting to play with the old toys that Papa and Juju kept from when I was your age. It was a great experience getting to watch you play with those toys, knowing they hadn't been played with in nearly 20 years. You loved playing with Uncle Scott's dog, Happy. He was very friendly and you and him ran all over the yard playing frisbee.

I was in charge of crafts for our VBS two weeks ago, so you got to come and have your own VBS in the "2's and 3's" classroom. You loved it! You are really starting to voice your memories, including Bible stories. You can recall the story of Jonah and Ninevah, Zaccheus and the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem, dying on the cross, then raising from the dead. In fact, you came up to me the other day and said, "Mommy, did you hear about Jerusalem? Me: "What about Jerusalem?" O:" Jesus went there, riding on a donkey and the people waved palm branches at him. Then he died on the cross and three days later he rose again. And, the people shouted, 'Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna on the highest. Mommy, do you know what Hosanna means? It means God save us." Needless to say, I was floored! Your memory is absolutely amazing! I'm so proud of how well you remember stories. You remember things from your swimmming lessons over a year ago as well as things from our trip to Mexico last Spring. You love to read and you love to learn! I cannot wait to see what your life has in store for you.

You are such an amazing kid. I think God for you every day, if not more. He has blessed me so much by allowing me to be your mom. You are very, very strong-willed and independent, which poses various frustrations, but you are so loving and so sensitive. You have been such a great help to me with Eli. You are very respectful of him and you love him. You want to play with him all the time. You are quiet when he needs to go to sleep and you are patient when I need to feed him or take care of him one-on-one. I pray that you don't feel neglected during this time, but so far you have really stepped up and been an amazing helper for me.

We just recently got back from being in Winfield for for 5 days. You, of course, love being there and being spoiled by all of your grandparents. Grammie, yet again, had another bag of clothes she had purchased for you - all adorable. And, some new books. You had fun playing with your aunts and uncles and hanging out with your grandparents. We took you with Grammie and Uncle Cody to Tanganyka Wildlife park. It was awesome! The animals are not in cages, but in natural habitats, with moats and some fencing to keep them properly corraled. You had a great time! We got to bet kangaroos, feed a rhino, pet the bunnies and tortoises (your favorite part), feed the lemurs, and see brand new baby white tiger kittens! We had a fun time and you are still talking about it. For Eli's 6 mos bday you helped me bake him a chocolate sheet cake. You love to help me bake and I love to let you help me bake.

This summer has been busy, but fun! We've been swimming, to Deanna Rose many times, played at various parks and had multiple BBQ's. I am starting a new job in one week and I will miss our 7days/wk to hang out, but have found an amazing sitter for you! You and Eli will be taken care of while I'm at work the 3 days/wk. I'm looking forward to this time for both you and Eli. I know you will help take care of him and be a great helper.

Love you!!
Mommy :)
6/29/11