"Toy Story"

Several months ago some friends sent Cohen a DVD of Disney's "Toy Story" which fast became one of his favorites. Interestingly, the movie is quite an emotional rollercoaster for our son, who we affectionately refer to as having a "tender heart." Cohen giggles and laughs and watches with rapt attention virtually every DVD he has--this one beinng no exception. However, there is a scene in the story where the character "Buz Lightyear" discovers that he is, in fact, and toy and cannot, afterall, actually fly. And Cohen responds with tears every time. When I first discovered my two-and-a-half year old son with tears streaming down his cheeks I was horrified that he was so sad and thought I would never let him watch the movie again. However, he actually loves it, and when the roughly 30 seconds of melancholy music is over he laughs delightedly at the turn of events in the movie and is once again giggling away throughout. So we've taken to sitting with him during the "sad" part of the DVD and holding his hand and assuring him all will be well...and Cohen is now at a point where he can get through the movie without crying.

Well, in a subsequent package, we recieved a "Buz Lightyear" costume that we had been saving for a special occasioin. After the boys went through a horrible week of sickness we decided just an ordinary day was that "special occasion" and brought out the costume, much to Cohen's delight.

Presenting...Buz Lightyear!

We "flew" around in circles...

...until we were too dizzy to walk!

"Flying" with Daddy was even GREATER fun!

Christian watched all the fun in his Opa's arms. (Stefan's father has been here visiting us).

Cohen shared his "hat" with Christian.

All worn out! Not to mention sweaty from wearing a costume designed for October weather in the US on a hot March evening in Africa!

First Birthday

On Saturday we celebrated Christian's first birthday! We took the boys to the ocean in the morning and let them play around in the muddy water--they loved it!

And what's a trip to the beach without tasting the sand?

After naps the boys taste-tested fluffy blue frosting as I iced the cake.

We invited our neighbors over to celebrate with us and the kids had fun making forts out of the sofa cushions and playing with baloons.

Christian "lasted" until about 7 pm at which point we cerimoniously produced a cupcake with a candle, took a picture, and promptly put him to bed. The rest of us partied on.

This first birthday is not just a celebration of a year in a child's life, or even a celebration of the having survived all sickness and made it to the first year (a real cause for celebration in so many developing countries) It is, afterall, also a celebration of the PARENTS having survived baby's first year--ever a reason for a party if there was one! We are so thankful at God's sovereign placement of this incredible child in our home.

Daddy's Hat

Christian loves to play with his daddy's hat.

We're still not sure where the blue eyes came from. But they're always sparking and and sparkling and mostly they're just darling.

Snowing

Just kidding. It isn't really snowing here.

But the boys devised a plan to play in the "snow" never-the-less. I walked into their room to a "winter wonderland" the other day. By their expressions you may be able to imagine our dialogue...

("Cohen!")
("What did you do?!")

("Just look at this big mess you've made!")

("Yes, and you too, Christian!")

("Seriously?")

Cohen seemed to pick up on the fact that I wasn't really excited about their grand idea. Christian, however, played on in oblivion.