School Boys

Sam started Kindergarten yesterday! For weeks I have been stressing over the "big day"...it came and went and we survived! He did great and seemed to really enjoy it. I cannot believe how grown up he is!!

Today was Micah's first day of preschool. He could not wait to get there! My independent little man didn't even take time to say goodbye...he ran full speed into his new class!

Picnic

This week we took the boys on a picnic by Fort Adams. It was such a beautiful night and we had so much fun...

Sam flew kites with Grampie...

Micah made himself at home in the outdoors...

And the view was amazing....

New Friends

Cory just started as a student at the Naval War College. He was selected to be one of the American representatives in the International Class. This class consists of 48 officers from 41 countries. Most of these students have traveled here with their families; most of the families have never been to America before, and most (spouses and children) speak very little English. Over the past month our family has had the opportunity to meet them all and socialize with many of them. We were chosen to be "sponsors" for the families from Sri Lanka (there are 2 families; one has 3 children and the other has 2). Being a sponsor means that we are here to answer questions and help the families get settled into their life in America. We have been able to get to know them personally, and Samuel and Micah have had so much fun meeting and playing with our "new friends". It is amazing to me to watch the 7 children interact; while they can't communicate verbally just yet they are constantly learning from each other and growing as friends through simply playing together. It is such a wonderful opportunity for the boys to see that in spite of our vastly different backgrounds and cultures we can all learn so much from each other...

These pictures are from a birthday party we were invited to for the oldest of the Sri Lankan children. Lakindu turned 9 on August 10...the boys and I had a blast with the children and the wives in attendance.

The birthday boy...Lakindu.

Samuel and Micah with our new friends from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Columbia...

Fishing with Grampie

Samuel's 5th Birthday

Sam turned 5 this past week... I am still in shock as to how fast those years have gone by. He is growing into such an amazing big boy.

He decided he wanted to have a painting party this year. We had a beautiful day and he had so much fun with all of his friends!!