Once again...

...vacations bring out your independence and highlight your growth. On our trip to Phuket, Thailand at the end of October, you accomplished two major feats:

1. You learned how to swim - all by yourself and without your life vest! You jumped off the sides, dived to pick up objects from the bottom of the pool, swam the width of the pool coming up for breath multiple times, and used your hands and legs at the same time to propel yourself in the water. 

2. You stopped peeing at night! You are now in pull-ups, but don't even need them! You are just about ready for only big boy underwear at night - woohoo!

You had such a fun time playing with Malachi and you discovered that he loves airplanes, too. The pool was your favorite place to be, but at night, as we would eat dinner on the beach, you and Malachi would take out your construction vehicles and move the sand around. You would end up with the tiny rocks everywhere and we would often have to give you a second rinse before bed. 

You also loved making faces at Tadhg to make him laugh. You are still learning how to be gentle and how to move your body around smaller people so that you don't knock them over or accidentally hurt them. 

You loved following Tito Del Boy around the pool, hoping he'd play with you. And you loved attention from Tita Amy, too. 

One thing you hated on this trip was constantly having to endure the application of sunscreen. But, you knew the only way you could swim was if you accepted it, so on it went, despite the screams and cries. 

You also went to the hospital for the very first time, with a case of tonsillitis. You had a high fever and a sore throat. We caught it early and put you on antibiotics, your first ever, and you were back to your normal self within no time. 

The trip was super fun for the kids and relaxing for the adults. What a wonderful way to spend our last October break in Asia!