Birthday Pictures and an Update on the kids

Here are some photo's of Ricky's birthday party. It was just a small party with family. He definitely enjoyed his cake as you can see! By the time he was done he needed a bath and his high chair needed a scrubbing.

Emily is doing great. She is number 1 in her class for reading. She has already met her goal and the quarter isn't over yet. I cannot keep up with her and her reading. She is in 3rd grade reading at 6th grade level. This sometimes presents challenges because I have to make sure the books are appropriate for her. She was also voted on by her classmates to be YellowJacket of the Month. Basically students vote for the person who has a good attitude, helps others and does well in school. She is learning about rocks and minerals in science, and Indians in her Focus (advanced placement class). Finally, she has started her academy soccer. She had to try out for this and be accepted based on her skill level. She is probably one of the youngest on her team of under 10 year old girls. Right now there are two teams the A team and B team. Emily is on the B team - it is hard to go from superstar on the rec league to being just good on this team. Emily has to step up her level of skills in this new league. She is having fun and that is what counts. Her last practice we saw some new skills emerge - her coach even came up to her and told her this is what he needs to see out of her.

Ricky is doing good as well. Boy is he a handful. Bill and I are exhausted. He is 100 percent go from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to sleep. We cannot wait for 8 pm to come each day! He is trying to talk his words include

Sit, Hat, Hot, Eat, Socks, Book, Banana, Night Night, Bye bye and Hi. Of course he says these words his own way but I can understand what he means.

We went to the cleft team today. Ricky is headed back for surgery already. The surgeon is being aggressive with him because of his age. Ricky's soft palate (all the way in the back) has opened - we knew this. Plus too much air is getting out of his nose. So they are going to lengthen his palate. Not sure yet when this will be done but we are looking at December.