Summer swimming

 

 

Last week, my sister MaeLyn and her boyfriend Aaron came to visit.  It was a fun week and with temperatures way over 100, we spent a lot of time in the pool.  Here are a few photos from the fun that was had...

When they weren't floating in the pool, there were water gun fights.  Thank goodness Isabelle was done swimming for the day as Aaron commandeered her floater to use as a shield.

It seemed to work very well.  Meanwhile Isabelle had fun watching them and playing with her baby doll.

And Michael had fun too.  Here he is showing me how wet he got with the water guns and how dad's water shoes fit him (perhaps a tad big).  I guess he must have forgot he was already wet from swimming. 

 

It was great having MaeLyn and Aaron visit and for a few days we got to spend quality time.  There were so many moments that made me think about last summer when we got to spend many weeks with them, and although we wish they were here for just as many this summer, we are thankful for the 7 days we got to spend.

 

Until next time,

Angie

Michael's artwork

Earlier this spring Michael, (Michael's artwork), was selected as one of only 2 pieces of artwork from the Kindergarten class at his school to be honored at a district-wide art show.

 

We were, still are actually, very proud of Michael for being selected, and were so happy to go with him to be recognized for his work.  Sometimes being the middle child, he doesn't always get the attention his older brother and younger sister get, so it was nice to have an evening that was all about him.

 

He was very proud too and it was so nice to see him celebrate his accomplishment.

 

Here are a few photos of Michael by his masterpiece.... a shape cat.  He could only use circles, squares, rectangles and triangles to make the picture.  We think he did a great job.

 

 

Congrats Michael.  We love you and are so proud of you!

Until next time,
Angie

Me me...

I'd like to introduce you to Me Me.

Here's Me Me  in time out.  Notice she doesn't really get the point yet.  This is after I found her standing on top of our glass coffee table throwing her books off one at a time.

Yes, she may look like Isabelle but we've decided to start calling her Me Me.  When she's not walking around the house shouting Mama she's instead saying Me Me.  Yes it is her new favorite word, actually sentence and it is very clear what she wants.  Whatever she is chasing after, pointing at, or trying to rip from Gabriel, Michael, or even Jacks hand (paws) is what she wants.  By firmly saying ME ME over and over and stomping her feet, it is clear she means business. 

I think Jarrett and I realize we are in for a whole new world with having a little girl.  People keep telling us raising a girl is a whole new ball game and we are starting to realize what they mean.  Perhaps it is that she is only 1.5 years (even though I hope we've entered the stage of the terrible two's already), How can she get any more crazier?  It is clear she is starting to develop her own personality and desire to always get what she wants.

 Just this past week, I was so lucky to get to experience a complete melt down at the mall.  I hope other parents can relate to this level of melt down.  I wouldn't let her "play" on the escalator so she decided to scream from the top of her lungs, arch her back and become limp like a soggy bun, the trick she often uses to get down from being held.  As I put her down to hopefully have the screaming stop, she threw herself on the floor and had a complete kicking and screaming fit.  Awesome. As I looked around to see the other parents, grandparents and store workers looking at me; you know, with that look of, "Can't you please do something about your terribly behaved child?"  I could only smile.  I guess that's the self-protective way to avoid the embarrassment of the situation.  So smile I did, as Aaron just a few feet away joined in and just laughed.  Thankfully the melt down ended a few minutes later when we were able to escape the mall.

While they say each day is an adventure, raising "Me Me" definitely is.  It is true that we never know what she's going to get into, demand or share with us each day.  And while the repetitive Mama and Me Me can get a little numbing, we love her more with each fit and can't imagine one day without her.

Until next time,
Angie

(This post only took me thirty minutes, about 20 minutes longer than it should have.  Between stopping Isabelle from trying to high kick Jack, throw his food across the floor and her hitting the power off button on the computer so I had to start all over, I figure 30 minutes is pretty good.  Now I must go because she's carrying around my phone and I've learned the hard way a tile floor and an I-phone getting thrown on it don't mix well).

The trio...

Before Isabelle, the boys formed a band they called, "Bieber Boys"  Now that Isabelle is around, of course she insists on being involved in their group. 

This past Thursday the kids were looking for something to do when they decided to form a band and have a concert.  Originally it was only suppose to be Gabriel and Michael but when Isabelle decided she had to be involved, and by involved I mean the main center of attention (no surprise right), they agreed to let her be the lead singer.

I proudly present the trio band that's been regularly preforming at our house it seems daily, since Isabelle figured out she likes to her her voice.

And now, I happily share our newest family band, name... TBD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA52bug-LgE

Until next time,
Angie

Father's Day...

A friend, who also happens to be an adoptive mom said it perfectly.

 

Proof that fatherhood doesn't require DNA

The boy's first picture with their dad.

And their first of many visits to the park.

Dad meeting his daughter for the first time.

It didn't take long til she had him wrapped around her little finger.

We are very lucky to have a dad who does so much to take care of us.  He works hard to provide us with all we need, he gives us more love than we could ever ask, and as a kid at heart, he the first choice as a person to play with.

We love you dad and wish you a very happy Father's day!

Gabriel, Michael & Isabelle

What's that smell?

As I sat in our living room last night with the calming silence of three sleeping little ones flowing over the house, I couldn’t help but stop and smell the roses.  Although many many days in our house are spent with chaotic races from school to work, and school to sports, and sports to home,  and moments of panic as we realize homework was left incomplete, and even worse library books lost and snacks forgotten, I have come to realize I’m living my dream.  This is the dream I’ve longed to live as a very little girl and now as a grown adult.  The fact that my children bring so much happiness to us and to each other is icing on this never-expiring cake.  The fact that my children rely upon each other and love each other, give me such great hope for them when they are grown and I may no longer be at their side to help them.   It brings me such happiness and peace to know that my children are family as family as can be.  And family in the sense that stands by, rescues and loves no matter what.  How lucky can a mother be, to know that her children are friends and will be each other’s biggest cheerleaders.  Just happiness and roses, that’s what I smell. 

Until next time,

Angie

Wordless Wednesday... the flowers

Take time to stop and smell the flowers,

for if you do,

you'll see bountiful blessings all around.

 

 

 

until next time,

angie