We went swimming both Saturday and Sunday, and these days we stay in water longer and get more exercise.  The boys are definitely more comfortable in water now, and they can play freely around in the pool.  This weekend we spent quite a long time playing Monkey in the Middle with a small ball, and both of them had no hesitation swimming to get the ball.  The boys have been getting me excited to swim and stay in water as well.

    While we came out for a break on Saturday, Connor stepped on a wasp and got stung on his foot.  He was screaming with pain.  I quickly googled what to do; I took Connor to wash off with soap and water, then we got a bag of ice from the lifeguard.  While Connor was icing his foot, Logan decided to go back to the pool on his own.  He just casually floated and swam from one end to the other end.  Stuart and I are very happy that the boys are more efficient in water now.

    Logan has been very into the Fitbit since he got it for his birthday.  He wears it every day; he initiates challenges and invites all of us including Dora and Gloria to them.  Logan is definitely motivating some of us to get more steps.  Connor had been envious, but he just watched all of us talking about our steps and challenges patiently.  Finally on his birthday, Connor got his as well, and he just stepped right into our friend circle.  On the first day, Connor ran back and forth in our bedroom at the end of the day to make sure he made 10K.  Since then, he has been getting many steps, has already surpassed my weekly count and won some challenges.

    On Monday, Logan had his third orthodontic appointment where they placed the expander in the upper palate.  This appointment was an hour long and both Stuart and I were nervous about how Logan would tolerate it.  Stuart prepared Logan’s tablet with some shows in hope to entertain him during the procedure.  This was my turn to accompany Logan, so we said bye to Stuart and Connor once I arrived to the office.  Once Logan sat down at the dental chair, I hooked up the video for him to watch.  I did not want to be in the way, so I sat on the side bench to observe from a distance.  Logan was reluctant to let the staff do the cleaning and later for the orthodontic to fit the apparatus in his mouth, but he was following the instruction.  I occasionally saw Logan’s hand in the air or try to stop them, and I heard Logan making some uncomfortable noise, but at least he was letting them work on him.  Whenever he got up to go rinse his mouth, he looked sad and exhausted, but whenever possible, he would watch his tablet during breaks.  When the orthodontist returned to glue on the apparatus, I worried that Logan would refuse and they had to redo the glue, so I decided to go hold Logan’s hand.  He allowed them to put in the expander, and we were close to be done.  After the staff cleaned off Logan’s teeth, next it was my turn.  I had to learn about all the do’s and don’ts, how to clean his teeth with expander, and finally how to expand the device each night.  Logan wanted to go home, but fortunately the tablet was able to entertain him while I listened to the staff.  At the end I also made one turn on Logan’s expander before we could finally leave to go home.

    One thing I was not previously informed was that they placed a plastic extension to one of his bottom teeth to help avoid cross bite with the upper palate.  The tooth is very obvious and it took Logan awhile to get used to it and close his bite properly, but it will only be there for a couple of weeks.  The rest of the afternoon, we had to have Logan learn to talk and eat again.  We are very proud of how he tolerated the whole procedure and he has been dealing with the device in his mouth without too much complaints. 

     Connor was looking forward to turning 7.  As soon as he got up on Tuesday morning, he jumped up to our bed to let us wish him a happy birthday.  Next he wanted to open his presents, and he managed to wait until after breakfast.  He had already opened the presents from friends on Sunday after the party, and on this day, he got to open the ones from the family.  Connor was happy to receive the present from grandparents and the one from Logan, and from us, he was excited to get a Fitbit.  After this little birthday celebration, we all had to get ready for work and camp. 

     I came home from work early, and Stuart had just picked up the boys from camp.  Connor was so happy to show me the Fitbit he was wearing which was set up by Stuart during the day.  He was thrilled to invite all of us along Dora and Gloria to be his friends, and he started stepping away.  After allowing the boys to play some video games, we all headed up for dinner.  Connor was playing with the kid puzzle from the restaurant.  He was working quickly solving all the puzzles as he said he is a big boy now.  We all enjoyed the dinner and Connor was given a birthday cookie which he loved as well. 

    After we returned home and before we wrapped up the day, Connor wanted to play outside with his friends.  By the time we brought them in, Connor already had 8000+ steps.  He was so motivated and kept running back and forth before shower time.  At the end, he did it and got 10,000 steps.  After reading time, Connor reminded me that I had promised a long time ago that he could sleep with me on his birthday.  So with Connor happily sleeping on our bed was how he ended his big day.

   Connor was so excited for his party on Sunday; he was happy to have friends over and especially to play games.  He and Logan were all planning on what games they would be playing.  Before the party, all four of us helped with some preparation; we cleaned up the house and backyard, blew up some balloons, later Connor and I decorated the backyard.  As the party time approached, the boys got more excited, and Stuart got more nervous if the game truck would arrive on time.  Five minutes before 11am, the truck arrived.  The guy was quick with set up and the game truck was ready.  Within minutes, the friends started trickling in; finally ten boys joined Logan and Connor inside the truck to play.  Most of the parents just chatted briefly and took off.  The boys all situated comfortably inside the air conditioned truck playing games, and the truck guy was helpful interacting with them.  Stuart and I along with Ted just hung out in our living room looking through the window to watch for any action from the truck.  During the two hours, while I had offered drinks and snacks a few times, only Connor and Maxim had come out to the backyard for a snack break.  Right before the end of game time, Ted and Marcus had to leave early, and Logan and Rohan also were done and ready for food.  The rest the boys wrapped up their game time soon and we took a group photo before migrating to the backyard.

    The kids got some pizza, popcorn, chips and fruits, and situated in the shade to have a lunch.  Next we sang Happy Birthday to Connor, and it was cute that they all sat closely together on the coach to enjoy the cool ice cream cake.  After everyone ate and during the last 15 minutes of the party, Stuart was a bit stressed trying to keep the kids occupied.  It was a hot day and we did not prepare with other activities for the kids to do.  So they just went around playing tags, later with the few water guns and Stuart also prepared a few water balloons for them.  I also gave them the goodie bags a bit early to keep them occupied.  Right at 2pm, the rest of the parents came for pick up.  Rohan was staying behind, and after we said bye to other kids, Connor, Logan and Rohan went inside the house to cool down. 

    This was a nice party and Connor seemed to have a good time.  Many kids also told us that they really enjoyed the game truck.  Stuart and I quickly cleaned up and chilled out in the backyard with a beer.  Stuart also took a nice nap on the couch.

   Last month I found out that I received a high Member Patient Survey score for 2016 (95%) but I could not attend the luncheon celebration as I was off that day.  Last week I was given the little framed certificate.  This reward definitely means a lot to me!