And for the Grandparents.... a little video update

Here's a few fun video clips of Andrew

This video of Andrew was taken at the beginning of July. As I watch it, it's amazing to see how far he's come in just a month or so with his language. He now know most of the words to his favorite songs without prompts. Andrew LOVEs to sing and asks for song after song before bedtime. One of his favorites is the "family song" or "Families can Be Together Forever" I just love the sweet spirit that comes when we sing it and the true doctrine it teaches. He'll ask for it over and over again and it melts my heart to sing it to him.

Riding his car. We've had this car put together for about a year now and he really hasn't wanted anything to do with it. It's been way too unstable for him to push around and he has literally screamed every time we tried to get him to ride it. We'll, he's finally figured it out. Darn CP makes it so hard for the brain, muscles and the legs to coordinate and work together. This is a tough skill for him. He's starting to enjoy it! Yay!

Andrew is way into anything with buttons. Phones, remotes, etc.... He Loves playing with them and hiding them. He also Loves calling people. He asks to call Daddy or Grandma multiple times a day! I love to see him pretending....a hard skill I'm so grateful he is learning.

It seems as though most everyone is heading back to school and summer is over. A very sad thought. With no school-aged kids, I feel like we still have another month or so of summer left here in Texas! We've had such a wonderful time this summer, getting out and exploring. This morning we decided to head to the splash pad and take his walker. Andrew had a ball. I mean really, his two favorite things walking and water. He went non-stop for almost 2 hours. I had to pry him way because it was lunch time and then he threw the tantrum of all tantrums the entire way home in the car. It's been interesting having a child with special needs and taking him into public places with other little kids. Some kids are scared, others curious, most just stare and there are a few who are really sweet. The little girl in the video kept coming up to Andrew and helping him walk. It was darling.

We really don't venture to the park much. ONE because it's summer here and way to hot to enjoy it. and TWO because it's too hard for Andrew to walk around and explore with woodchips and all the other stuff they put down in parks. Plus, all the stairs just aren't very accessible for him to play on the toys. We found this park close by and the entire park is ramps and the awesome rubber padding that makes it very accessible for him with his walker....plus a splash pad to cool off a bit. A perfect combination for this little guy. We will definately be going back soon and especially as it cools off a bit!

Family Time

Have I mentioned how much we LOVE having visitors?
We had been looking forward to having Stephen's parents come visit us in June and were excited to spend the week with them. However, I think they were mostly excited to come to Texas and spend the week with Andrew. Yes, I know. We are perfectly okay with the fact that Andrew is the reason for Grandparent visits. But little did THEY know that we had convinced Stephen's brother and sister who live in Utah to fly down the same week and surprise them. His sister Erin flew in just a few minutes before them and just 'happened' to bump into them in the airport. Then a few days later, I snuck away and picked up James. It was a wonderful week and we played hard. We missed having the whole family together, but grateful for the time we got to spend with each other. Andrew loved all the attention and with countless people to walk with him...needless to say, he was spoiled. We always have a wonderful time with the Holden's we catch up on all the latest movies, play games, and laugh tons! We did manage to squeeze in a few other activities.

We spent a day at Six Flags which was a lot of fun! Even Andrew enjoyed a few rides.  With a few of them he claimed he was "all done" after a few minutes, but he sure did love riding in the old cars with Grandma.

The train ride with Aunt Erin was also another hit. 

The big kids hit up all the major intense roller coasters. This was a favorite of mine, but it just so happens that a few weeks ago some lady fell out and died on the Texas Giant. Yeah, I don't know if I'll try that one again anytime soon.

 We spent a few evenings taking walks around the nature preserve nearby. We had some nice evenings...for Texas in June. Although, I think they were dying of the heat coming from Michigan. We would go running in the mornings together and were lucky if we got out before it hit 80 degrees.

Andrew stole daddy's hat on our morning walk. 

Andrew managed to teach Aunt Erin all of his favorite games on the iPad. 

I just have to laugh at this picture of James immitating Andrew....Hil.ari.ous! 

 We also hit up the Fort Worth Zoo. I loved how up close we were able to get to see all the Animals. Andrew has been to the zoo a number of times, but now that he's older he was way more excited to see the animals.

And darling Erin, who is in the animation program at BYU loved sketching all the animals. She is amazingly talented. It was fun to see the other little kids come up and watch her quickly sketch and ask all sorts of questions.

One morning we decided to check out the new Perot Natural History Museum here in Dallas. It's only been open a short time, but it was awesome inside. Lots of hands on stuff...even for adults. It was fun to do all the touristy things when we have family in town. We loved having the house full and spending time with Erin and James.

And of course we spent lots of time with the Aunts! They are wonderful and we have loved living so close to them here in Texas. 

Then we were lucky enough for Grandma to stay an extra week! YEA!!! We did lots of relaxing and playing. Grandma got to join in for Andrew's therapy that week and see what we do each day for therapy. Andrew had so much fun with just one on one Grandma time! We were so glad that she'd want to stay. Andrew misses grandma a lot and asks to call her on the phone all the time.

Playing on the swings!

"Helping" Grandma with her Sudoku

 Playing a little hide-n-seek. A new favorite game of Andrew's

Reading books together. Grandmas are the best!