… and Hallow’s Eve. It’s been a happening month of pumpkin patches, festivals, fairs and such… We have been soaking up autumn (though often too short-lived around here!). Yeehaw, E got to wear his Halloween costume several times this year — our little Asian cowboy. :)

E is now all about anything with wheels: bikes, strollers, carts, skateboards, scooters, wheelchairs, cars. We got him a mini-skateboard that he’s been trying to get the hang of… The first night he showered and slept with it! Haha. There is a local skate park close to us and he can just sit and watch for a looong time. That says a lot for our wiggly, squirmy worm. :) And we went to Uncle Dan’s new race — E’s 4th 5K. Daddy and Mommy are now 2 for 2 as far as pushing him in the stroller. ;-P Talk about resistance training as he gets heavier.

He is gabbing and eating like a mad man! We had a brief Frozen/Let It Go phase but Daddy is glad that didn’t last long. :) The other odd fascination is KEYS… but not just any keys. They must be keys that are used by mom and dad. And so the toddler meltdowns and tantrums have commenced. Serenity, us! Holiness is not always happiness, yes?

It was kinda a sad day when we said goodbye to our second blue “fast” car in exchange for a more “utility” vehicle. At least Mommy didn’t cry like Daddy did when he sold his earlier this year! And anyway, Daddy did end up getting a new car shortly after Mommy… Boys and their toys. Things, though, just things. (Matthew 6:19). We like nice things but they are not our everything, amen? His kingdom (Matthew 6:33), our relationships, our son, our legacy; these we ask Him for our hearts to cry out for…

And tomorrow, we bet, we’ll start hearing Christmas carols and seeing holiday decorations… It inches earlier every year.

Illness with a child is the absolute pits… ESPECIALLY when they can’t fully communicate with you what’s wrong or hurting or uncomfortable. and ESPECIALLY when it’s something that you just have to let it run its course and nothing can really cure it. We’ve been grateful that E has been pretty healthy but sometimes, bam, a strain or virus comes along that his immune system says I WANT TO FIGHT YOU.

Oh, the weight of parenthood. But we were talking the other day… This mothering/fathering thing is also a refinement and sanctification of sorts. Are children a gift (Psalm 127:3) in and of themselves or a blessing in that they teach us and shape us and mold us all the more through various circumstances?

Tick, tock. This, too, shall pass.

Many more happy, silly, crazy days await. Soon our munchkin will be prancing around again with his usual antics and crash-and-burn energy… Hey, even gangnam style! :) Soon. Sooooon.

PS: His infatuation with bikes has intensified. Every day is a “bai-kiiie” day.
PPS: Oh and Mommy aged another year this month. :\ Uncle Dan was gracious enough to watch E while Mommy & Daddy grabbed a meal without food flying everywhere. :) Daddy bought Mommy a new car… and decided he might need one, too. Uh-oh! And the little one is soaking up car shopping. Double uh-oh!

But it’s almost September! Is it really?

The past few weeks have just been a gaggle of little things… mostly just hanging on to routine with an ever bubbly tot. Must not forget to mention: Elias has not one but two new cousins — Alexia (Lexie) and Alphaeus (Alfie). Looking forward to playing with you twinkies soon! :)

E’s latest obsessions are: dogs, bikes (he wants to ride EVERY day) and keys (and thus, cars). We got our 2nd salon haircut (bangs a bit on the short side!) and can now hold our breath for a few seconds underwater. Talking more… both in English and Chinese. Time to teach some manners as we’ve added throwing and hitting (practically everything) to our skill set…

Some other randoms… Farewell, Uncle Jong! ‘Twas nice to have you around this summer. We’ll see you when we see you. And… exciting new things happening with our church in the coming few months.

Oh, Happy Labor Day tomorrow! It’s been a weekend of both activity and rest… Play hard, crash hard. That’s our son alright. ;P

And finally, it must be shared that E can do a mean down dog. :) Daddy has coined another move that has been practiced by our flexible little “yogi” for quite some time: downward dog with ball scratch. Boys will be boys. Ask him yourself about that one. Or maybe he’ll wiki it.