Yankee Doodle...

We were recently told that kids these days are not familiar with the nursery rhymes we all learned back in the days when we were kids.  Not wanting to believe the "myth" I asked the boys recently to recite some nursery rhymes. 

It was, using a term from this day in age... an epic fail.
When we asked about Mary Had a Little Lamb... the boys thought the verse was... "Mary Wanted Some Ham"  and when we asked about Jack and Jill, they thought the saying was Jack and Jill went up the road to get a bucket of water... Jack rolled down and carried his crown and Jill came walking too.

and when we got to the song about Yankee Doodle, Jarrett about had a heart attack.  As Jarrett began to sing the words to Yankee Doodle the boys interrupted him and said, "Dad, that's not right... thats the Barney song.

And from that moment on it became Jarrett's mission to teach the boys the real words to the Yankee Doodle jingle...

I'll let you decide how Jarrett's efforts are paying off...

Guess the myth might actually be the truth.

Until next time,

angie

Thanksgiving feast...

Last Tuesday at Gabriel's school, his classroom had a thanksgiving feast.  It was adorable as the kids learned about the first Thanksgiving and how the Pilgrims and Indians celebrated together.  To honor the first thanksgiving parents were able to come in and celebrate with the kids.  The kids had worked hard to create costumes and then dressed up as Pilgrims and Indians and ate their feast together.

On the way home from school that day Gabriel was telling Michael all about their feast and about the first Thanksgiving.

"Michael, did you know the Indians and the Pilgrims ate lunch together?"
"Why Gabriel"
"Because they wanted to have a feast"
"Why"
"Michael, I don't know, they were really hungry."

Interjecting, I asked, Boys what are you thankful for?

Michael: "I'm thankful for God."
Gabriel: "I'm thankful the Indians can have normal food now."
"What?" I asked...   "Gabriel, what do you mean normal food?"
"Mom, you know, the Indians had to use a bow and arrow to get deer and it took a long long long long time... now they can have normal food like chicken."
"I see Gabriel."

I asked, "So that's what you are thankful Gabriel?"
"YES mom, wouldn't you be more happy to have chicken instead of hunting a long time with a bow... Mom you'd be starving."

I'm so glad out of the many lessons he could have gotten from the story of the first Thanksgiving, that the message of food convenience came through most clear.

Until next time,
Angie

Thanksgiving...

For the second year in a row I feel truly blessed and am more thankful than words can addequately describe.  I can honestly say I now know what it feels like to have my heart overflow with love, happiness and to truly feel as though you could not ask for anything more in life.

On Thanksgiving morning I sat in church with the three men who complete my life and I thought about how the pieces of this great puzzle in life must be perfectly to make such a wonderful picture that has become my life.  If I hadn't married my high school sweetheart, if we hadn't move to Arizona, if we didn't endured such a difficult health challenge in 2007 and if we didn't struggle for so many years to grow a family, this puzzle could look so much different.  And the same questions for our boys' life.  What if their birth mother hadn't decided to bring them into the world?... what if the foster family and case workers didn't pick us to be their parents?... what if we had not... and the questions could go on and on.

Just three years ago I remember the holidays as a challenging time because it always brought up difficult emotions and feelings that certain pieces of our life was missing.  Don't get me wrong I will always be forever thankful for my wonderful spouse, but we both knew, something was missing... now we know who.

Being a family brings with it its daily struggles, and streses as we race from here to there and make sure the daily responsibilites of each person are taken care of.  Sometimes, make that a lot of times, it can be very easy to forget about just how many simple blessings we are given each day.   For example... the random "I love you Mom!" from Gabriel or Michael when they want to say something but can't think of anything else but that.  Or the embraces, hugs and kisses when I didn't even ask for them, just because the boys need the reassurance of our touch.  Simple gifts and I try to remind myself that soon enough they will be teenagers and too cool to show affection to their parents.  In the daily hussle and bussle that is this life... I remind myself just how lucky I am to have this puzzle.

Thanksgiving is a holiday we should strive to celebrate everyday of our lives.  I've said it before and I'll say it again... in the words of Sara Evans... I have been blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving...

Until next time,
Angie

A year ago today...

A year ago today we officially became a family.  It was a day I had dreamed of for many years and it was more special than any dream I had ever had.

It's hard to believe a year has passed by so quickly and now I'm convinced the saying "Don't blink or you'll miss it" is true.

It seems like yesterday we sat in the courtroom with our stomach knotted in excitement that it really was happening. How thrilled we were that so many of our family and friends were there to celebrate with us on such a momentous day.  It seems like yesterday you were looking so sharp dressed in those cute suits and running all around the courthouse from activity to activity and how great you did when you spoke your name into the microphone after the judge asked you for your name.... Gabriel Joseph Haskovec... Michael William Haskovec.

It seems like yesterday, but in fact it has been a 365 yesterdays. 

A year ago today the law officially recognized us as your parents however it sometimes seems like we've been a family from the very beginning.   We feel truly blessed to be your parents and we hope you will always remember you are the answers to our prayers, and the true love of our lives.  Simply said, we are blessed because of you.

Happy Adoption Day Gabriel and Michael... we love you always,
Mom and Dad

Our first carved pumpkin...

Last year for what ever reason, we never got around to carving our pumpkins.  However this year we made up for it and spent the afternoon before Halloween carving our "scary" pumpkin.

Here are a few photos to highlight the boy's first experience....

Dad and the boys getting ready to start.  By the way the boys do normally wear shirts around the house but being the one who does the laundry, I asked them to take theirs off so I wouldn't have to try and scrub pumpkin stains out of their shirts.  We have enough stains without adding pumpkin to the mix.

Michael got to cut out the shape of the lid of the pumpkin would have.

He was very determined to make it perfect!

Then Dad removed the lid.

And the boys got ready to pull out the "slimy" seeds.

Michael was all about it, Gabriel on the other hand was a tad more hesitant to stick his hand in the stinky and slimy pumpkin.

but eventually he did.

and they both had a lot of fun pulling out the seeds.

Michael really enjoyed it!  Here he's making a scary face to match his slimy hand.

After we had cleaned out the insides, Gabriel went to work drawing a face on the pumpkin.

He also tried very hard and wanted it to be perfect.

Carving our first pumpkin as a family was really enjoyable.  Maybe the boys will look back and think, "Mom did you have to take a picture of every little thing we did together for the first time?" And I'll proudly answer yes.  I'm not sure they'll ever understand how much these silly little firsts mean to me.  For a long time, I wondered if I'd ever get to have the chance to share "first" moments.  For that reason, all of the times that are our "first (fill in the blank)"  are extra special to me.

Until next time,
Angie

On to the next holiday...

The boys love Halloween and now that the holiday has passed, they are moving onto the next one.  And just like all of the stores and TV commercials, the boys too have skipped right over Thanksgiving and moved right onto Christmas.

Just yesterday, Michael and I were walking Jack and throughout the neighborhood Michael was walking around caroling the song "We wish you a Merry Christmas" to everyone we met.

The "versions" of the holiday songs they sing are just too cute and for that reason I had to record them to share with you.

So here's the latest holiday songs you can find around our home...


Gabriel singing Jingle Bells...

Michael singing, "We wish you a Merry Christmas!"

And "Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer"

If only there were more (or any) Thanksgiving songs we could teach the boys. 

Happy Holidays to all!

Until next time,
Angie

The best pre-school teacher!

I've blogged about this before but I have to give kudos again to Ms. Stacey.  In our eyes, she's one of the best pre-school teachers in the world!  She is a wonderful teacher who motivates the kids, helps build their confidence and gives them as much love as they get at home.  What more could a parent ask for from a teacher?  We feel lucky that both Gabriel and Michael have been in her class.

One of the things I appreciate about Ms. Stacey is that she takes the time to get to know each child as an individual and adapts her teaching style to compliment their needs.  With Gabriel and Michael being almost exact opposites in their personalities and likes, I wondered how it would be for Michael to go into her class.  I'm happy to share that Michael is thriving and learning just as much as Gabriel did. 

And not only does Ms. Stacey take an interest in the boys and their activities at school, but she cares about them and their activities outside of school.  In fact the boys have shared with her that they are in baseball and soccer and immediately Ms. Stacey said, "Can I come to watch your games?"  I wasn't sure right away if she was serious or just being polite, however after asking me multiple times for their schedule and game times, I got the message and gave it to her.

Just this past weekend, Ms. Stacey showed up to watch both Gabriel and Michael's games.  The boys were thrilled and it was obvious they were proud in having her there. As soon as Ms. Stacey arrived at the park and Michael saw her, he went running across the field, through another teams active soccer game, ran up to her and gave her a huge hug.  And Gabriel, in between each innings went straight to Ms. Stacey to give her a hug. 

Jarrett and I feel truly blessed to have had her as a teacher for the boys.  I told Ms. Stacy and I honestly believe it that I think we have her to thank for one of the reasons why Gabriel loves kindergarten so much.  She has instilled a love for learning, a passion for doing one's best and a sense of confidence in his abilities that carries him through each day at his new school.  We are truly thankful and as I think about it... I can't recall any of my past teachers coming out to watch me in my activities... I think the boys are right when they say, "Ms. Stacey is the best best best teacher!"

Until next time,
Angie

Nana and Papa...

The boys are blessed to have their Nana and their Papa here in the valley and lately they've been able to spend some great moments together.

Here are a few snapshots to forever remember the great times we've shared...

Nana and Papa came down to watch Gabriel and Michael's first games of the season...

And they went all out for Halloween!  Gabriel loved the fact that his Nana and Papa dressed up for Halloween that he wrote about it in his journal at school.  He said My nana dressed up as a nice witch and my papa is a knight!



And even on Gabriel's birthday they came down both Saturday and Sunday to spend time with him.

Jarrett and I are very thankful that the boys have grandparents here that they can see on a regular basis.  We were both blessed to grow up close to our grandparents and want the same for our boys.

Until next time,

Angie



Swimming in October?????

Last week Michael and I spent the day together cleaning the house and catching up on errands.  The truth is errands and cleaning really aren't that much fun for a 31 year old, let alone a 4 year old.  Michael was tired of the boring day and was letting me know all about it.

"Mom, I don't want to clean anymore. I want to do something fun"
"Michael why don't you go out back and play with your toys, it is beautiful out." and to my surprise he followed my suggestion and went out back.  No more than 5 minutes later he came back in the house with a determination and a goal he was going to do what ever it took to accomplish.

"Mom, I want to go swimming. I'm so hot, can I go swimming?"
"Michael it is only 77 degrees outside, the water is cold.  You can not go swimming"
"Mom, PLEEEEEAAASSSEEEE can I go swimming.  I promise the water is warm.  I know"
"Sorry Michael, it is too cold."
"No its not"
"Yes it is"
"No it isn't mom, I know."
"Really Michael, how do you know?  And my answer is still no"
"Mom, PPLLLLLEEEEAAAAASSSEEEE can I go swimming?  I'm so hot."

and so on and on and on and on we went about the conversation of swimming.  Finally more than an hour and a half later and with no backing down on his end, I finally gave in.

"Michael, you go get your swimming suit on and you can go swimming.  Then you'll see just how cold the water is."

Less than 2 minutes later we were out back, me with jeans and a mid-length sleeved shirt on, him in his swimming suit.  With out a minute of hesitation he ran and jumped in the water only to come out with his eyes twice the size they normally are and his mouth wide open releasing a huge gasp.

Is it cold Michael?

"No" barely able to respond between his teeth chattering.

Thinking I had won the battle I asked if he wanted to go back inside.

"Michael should we go in now?"

"No, Mom, I said I want to go swimming."

and so I let him do it.  While I watched in awe as he swam in 66 degree water and laughed, giggled, snickered, and shivered.  He loved it.

Nothing like just running and jumping... in case it isn't obvious, Michael is our risk-taker.

Lovin' every minute of it!

He was having so much fun, I don't think he even noticed how cold he was.

And after we picked Gabriel up from school, the first words out of Michael's mouth was, "Guess what, Gabriel, I got to go swimming today?  Gabriel looked at me with great surprise and asked, "Really Mom, its too cold."  I responded to confirm his statement and then he decided he wanted to go swimming too.
So after homework, the boys got to go swimming.  Gabriel decided I was right and the water was a bit chilly.  Even after that he still got in.

Who says you can't go swimming in October, even October 28th isn't too late in the season for our little guys.

Until next time,
Angie

How can it be?

How can it be?

Really, I've been asking myself that question daily.

How can it be?

It just seems like yesterday you made my dream come true.

How can it be?

Your eyes, your happy expression and your continuious love from the first moment we met and with each new day.

How can it be?

In a way I still feel like you should still look like this...

How can it be?

That you've grown into such a wonderful boy who brings us continued bliss...

How can it be...

That we were so lucky to be your parents.

How can it be?

That you're turning 6.

How can it be?

That we love you more and more each day.

Happy Birthday our darling Gabriel Joseph!

We love you yesterday, today and forever,

Your mom and dad

2011 Halloween

It seems time is slipping away from me and the time to blog gets shorter and shorter with each passing day. I'll still attempt to catch up on what's been new with us and how the boys have been spending their time the last few weeks.

Just as last year, the boys were super excited about Halloween.  We put out decorations in early October, read Halloween stories, went to see Spookley the Square Pumpkin (which is a great movie/book by the way) in the theater and we played some Halloween games with some friends.

Oh and we also went trick-or-treating... I'm not sure if it was the boy's costumes or what, but man did they score a ton (and I mean a ton) of candy.  Since we limit their sugar intake to one or two pieces of candy a week, Jarrett and I both have decided we need to find a good way to make most of the candy disappear.

Here's a few shots of the boys in their costumes... Beware... of the dark side...

Their power is strong.. they even convinced their dad to be their Imperial Walker.

Until next time,

Angie

Fall Break...

In October Gabriel had a 10-day break from school for Fall Break.  Given that most people do not get a Fall work break, we asked my parents and Grandpa Ray to come out to Phoenix for a visit (and to help us watch the boys while they were not in school).

Although they were here for 10 days, it was a very busy trip and I'm not sure who was more tired at the of their vacation.  I have a feeling, it might have been the grandparents. :-)

The boys loved having Grandma, Grandpa Chip and Grandpa Ray come to visit and they loved getting to go biking, playing baseball and soccer everyday.  Even though it was in the mid-90's everyday of their visit, for some reason they spent most of their time outside.  There were trips to the park, trips to the grass across the street, and literally hours upon hours of time spent in the garage.  There were so many games made up in the garage, the boys now consider it yet another one of their "play rooms".

I guess we were so busy that I failed to bring along my camera to most of the events, but I did manage to capture a few highlights of their great trip here...

There was a trip to the zoo...

 and some special caulking and organizing jobs in the garage...

 a trip to the Museum of Natural History

 many hours of playing ball in the garage...

 some baseball and soccer game watching...

 a trip to Jerome and the mining museum...

 some blowing of some dandelion flowers...

 brief glimpses of brotherly love...

 some posed pictures from the city of Jerome...

 some homemade Halloween wrapping paper projects...

 more "special projects" to be completed...

 and a few moments of just relaxing and enjoying each others company...

 and it wasn't just the boys that received a lot of attention... some lucky dog got so much attention, he was dog tired at the end of their trip too.

And as Gabriel and I dropped them off at the airport at the end of their trip, it was sad to see them go.  Gabriel sobbed the entire way and said, "Mom, they can't leave, I'll miss them too much."  I tried to reassure him that they'd be back soon.  Thankfully they are coming back for Christmas and we couldn't be happier.

Thanks Mom, Dad and Grandpa for all the help you gave us while the boys were on break.  Not only for the help with all of my "special projects" but for also wearing out the boys. 
Until next time,
Angie

PS:  I told you they have endless energy!!!! I think you believe me now. :-)

Scenic pictures

A few weeks ago we went to the Arizona Museum of Natural History and at the museum they have pictures of some of the most beautiful place in Arizona.  I told Jarrett I'd love to have some of these pictures on our walls and that we should someday go to the actual place where these photos were taken.  To remember what they look like, I took a couple pictures...


Isn't this beautiful?



And the colors in this picture are just amazing!

 And then there was this picture...

Guess who decided he wanted to be in the picture? I just love his cheesy yet surprised expression.

Until next time,

Angie

Backyard buddies...

Now that the weather has finally cooled off, the boys have been spending more time in the backyard playing.  When they are not throwing all of their balls over the back fence and into the neighbors yards, they've been using their imagination and playing all sorts of games.

Just recently I caught them in the act of trying to scale the pool fence or in their terms "practicing climbing a mountain". I watched for several minutes out the back door, taking pictures as evidence and then finally, when I decided that they were more gutsy than I thought they would be, I intervened.  When I asked them to not do that, they said, "Mom, what's wrong, we won't get hurt, we're trying to climb a mountain. We're practicing..." 

I have to give them credit, they are pretty good at using the resources they have...

Michael you stand up here, and I'll throw up the rope so you can tie it okay?

Like this Gabriel?

Okay Gabriel I'll get down so you can tie it...

Michael, I mean get all the way down so I can show you...

Gabriel, I think Mom is watching us...

No she's not Michael, Mom's in the house

Okay now let me bring this chair over here to help you... Yea Michael I'm holding the table so it doesn't turn over.

Oh I have an idea Gabriel...

you push me up and hold me against the fence, I'll try again to tie the rope...

Even better Gabriel, if I sit on top of the chair on top of the table then I'll really be able to climb over the fence.

I guess I'm not tall enough if I sit, I'll just have to stand on top of the chair on top of the table turned on its end.

And that's when I couldn't stand it anymore.  This is the point where Mom barges into their plan and ruins all of their fun.

Here's the evidence to proove it...

until next time,
Angie