Where did everybody go?

First day of school
Jacob, Joseph, Mikaela, Maimie

School started with a half day Wednesday and full days on Thursday and today (except for the heat schedule). Mikaela and Jacob are at the junior high and Joseph is enjoying his first few days of "real school" at the grade school.

Joseph in front of the grade school

Maimie and I can't believe all the time we have together! Maimie has been a bit clingy and must surely be wondering where everybody has gone. She continues to ask where Daddy is several times a day and wants to "talk" (listen) to him on the phone.

Where did everybody go?

Maimie continues to add new signs to her vocabulary, but few new sounds. She has started to sign "yes" and say "yea" with it. Some of her new signs include: cat (she says "meow"), dog, tree, flower, bird, water, juice, thirsty, applesauce, salon, library, car, shoes, want, wait, candy, playground, fish, ice cream. Maimie loves to help with laundry and vacuuming and wiping up spills. She often tries to help dress herself and helps put her lotion on. She gets excited about making her own food choices, eating ice cream, and getting her toenails painted.

Joseph's 9th birthday

Joseph with his cake

On Friday, 10 August, big brother Joseph turned 9 years old. We celebrated with an army birthday party at home. We had a shooting range, obstacle course, water grenades, silly string wars, and some pool time. What fun!

Friends and family

Jacob taking aim

Maimie and Joseph

On Saturday, 11 August, Maimie turned 22 months old. Before we know it she'll be celebrating her 2nd birthday (but her 1st birthday home with her family). She loves playing outdoors even in the extreme heat. I guess she's used to the tropical weather in Beiliu City. She gets cuter every day and her big sister and brothers are so good with her.

Our brown-eyed girl

We can hardly believe the summer is coming to an end. School starts on 22 August this year. Joseph will start at the grade school, and both Mikaela and Jacob will attend the junior high. Wow, does that ever make a mom feel old...
Dad rigged a fountain into our backyard pool yesterday. It really cools the water down and feels great at this point in the summer. It's around 100 degrees out today. Maimie enjoys the pool, but isn't fond of the water from the fountain dropping on her head.