Happy Father's Day. We are STILL HERE! Busy, but here and doing great.

Hello again...after way too long.  C here.

Sorry for the big gap in the story - we are back (we never really left, we've just been a little behind the curve in getting it all written down here).

So much ground to cover...a lot has happened over the past few weeks, uh, I mean months.

School Success (Kyle's Graduation)

The Zoo

Our Florida Vacation

The Boys on TWO Wheels

Washington DC and the National Zoo with Aunt Meg and her Family

Easter

Grandmom & Pop-Pop's (Philadelphia) 50th Wedding Anniversary

Memorial Day in Michigan with the Wedders (all of them!)

The Please Touch Museum

and so much more...

I can't catch up in one post - but we'll load up with stories and photos to try our best over the next few days/weeks.

Ashley has continued to absolutely thrive - in every way.

Here she is recently at the Please Touch Museum (a great kid's museum in Philadelphia), where we (Ashley, Kyle and Dylan) had a really fun Play Date with Sophia (Ashley's friend from School) and her Mom.  She really enjoys shopping, especially when there are kid-sized carts!

Her English has really started to improve over the past month or two and she's very good at making sure she's understood.  Her Teachers at Goddard School tell us that she really enjoys being there and has made lots of new friends, like 'Bella (Isabella) and Sophia.

I should take my camera one day when we do the afternoon pickup.  I go to Kyle's room to get him and then to Dylan's room to get him and then we all go to Ashley's room.  Every day, without fail, as soon as she's see that it's us, her face explodes with the biggest smile and she usually let's out one of her trademark screams - just makes everything else seems so unimportant!

Speaking of School...Last week was Kyle's graduation from his Kindergarten Class. The teachers did an outstanding job of organizing the event and getting the kids ready.  They sang lots of fun songs and all got their diplomas in caps & gowns. We could not be more proud of him!

 

Here is a quick snapshot of Kyle and his two teachers, Miss Natalie and Miss Amy...

Tomorrow is the start of "Y" Summer Camp for Kyle & Dylan.  It'll be the first time they go anywhere except Goddard School.  Mom AND Dad will be doing the drop off tomorrow to make sure they get settled with their new surroundings.  The seem like they're really looking forward to it.  A few of their Goddard School friends went last year and had a really good time (and will also be going again this year) so they'll have a few friends this year.

Kyle and Dylan will be in the same group (the "Eagles") - Dylan seems just a tad apprehensive.  Just as important, this will be the first time at Goddard School without the boys.  Her school also calls their summer session "Summer Camp" and they always include a lot of fun things on the schedule.  I'm sure she'll be fine - the Teachers at school are so good - I'm sure that they'll keep her so busy she won't even miss them.

Back to Ashley...

She's determined to keep up with her geges (big brothers), and "Monkey-Do's" everything (bad as well as good!).

Her health has been generally very good.  We've seen her CHOP doctors several times since our last post and each time, it's more encouraging.  These have been really good weeks and one or two not so good weeks.  But, for the most past, it's been "steady as she goes" and this has been fine with us.  Lisa and I still need to "help" her every few days, but it's more manageable as we've gotten Ashley into a routine.  She even helps to get things set up...I'll leave the details to your imagination, but she's very pleased with herself when she helps.

Today was a great Father's Day, to top off a fun weekend.  On Friday night, we met up with Aunt Rita, Aunt Meg, Uncle Curt, Justin and Malissa for an ice cream run at Bruester's.  Yesterday, we went to a graduation/birthday party for Malissa - she starts College this fall at Florida Gulf Coast University - and Justin - at Aunt Rita's.  The kids had a blast playing in a sprinkler that Aunt Meg picked up.  We got a chance to visit with an old friend (of mine) from grade/high school - it was fun catching up... Thanks to A.R. for a fun day.  And today, we went to Grandmom & Pop-Pop's house for dinner.  It was our official good-bye for now to Aunt Meg and her Family - she's moving on to her new assignment in San Antonio, TX.

It's time to sign off for now, but I'll leave you all with these (and a renewed literary commitment).

 

Signing off for now.

More to come soon.

C