Wordless Wednesday

Busy, busy, busy...

For years I've been watching my friends and neighbors with older kids run around like crazy after school and on weekends to get their kiddos from one activity to the next. When your own kids are so little, it's hard to envision doing it. But guess what, we're one of those families now. I literally walked out the door at 5:15 am (for a run) and have been going until now. Callie had her first soccer game this morning. Unfortuantely I missed it because Jack was in a parade and parents had to accompany their child. So Brian took Callie, I took Jack and the little ones and we headed to the parade. I thought I was prepared with water bottles, ring pops and apples, but...2 and a half hours later of bring in a stroller, that was certainly not enough. Carter and Anna were miserable by the end, crying, fighting, DONE! We rushed from the parade, which by the way was fun despite the length, and exciting for Jack, and headed to Jack's soccer game. From the game to pick Callie up from a birthday party. And home finally. I'm exhausted. This is it. We have entered the world of going, going and going. With 2 school aged kids there is no turning back and I still have 2 more that will eventually have activites too. This is going to give me a whole new appreciation for the time we have at home to just play and be together. And while it feels overwhelming and crazy, it's fun to see my kids excel in new areas and try new things. So were just going with the flow, just a faster one than usual!

Jack's school float.
Carter and Anna sat with Jack for a quick minute but were not allowed to ride on the float.

By some stroke of good luck, our float was parked behind the bubble bus. So while we waited the first hour to get moving, we had plenty of bubble entertainment.

Callie did great in her game and Brian got a couple of pics for me.

If nothing else, we will become one organized family keeping track of everything. No activites tomorrow outside of church, how blissful.

Anna adoption video!

I finally finished it. Anna's adoption video is done. I learned a lot making this, namely our video camera is older than our oldest child and not compatible with anything, and we need a Mac. But after much effort, I am pleased with the video. I let Anna watch it several times and got no reaction about any of the time in China. She was more concerned about naming all the people. I was worried she would feel some emotion about seeing her nanny and those first few minutes with us but either she doesn't remember or she is truly integrated into our lives and would need more actual video of her life in China to trigger memories. So enjoy the movie. I apologize for the length. It's 25 minutes long, primarily because I included about 10 minutes of footage of when she was first brought to us. I wanted my children to get to see as much of this as possible. For my RQ friends watching, I did take a lot of ideas and music choices from watching your videos so thank you for the inspiration.
Enjoy!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

First Day of Preschool

The big kids have been in school for a couple of weeks but today was the first day of school for Carter and Anna. Both are starting preschool. We have been talking about school a lot and both were very excited to go.
I really do believe that Anna is just as ready as any other preschooler. Her English is fantastic and going to school with Carter helps with any separation issues.
This was before we left the house.

Walking to the front door of the school.

One last pose kiddos.

And while they weren't paying attention (or so I thought) I snapped one last picture.

So what did I do ALL BY MYSELF for 2 hours??? I could have come home, done laundry, gone to the grocery, run errands.....but my friend mentioned I should do something just for myself this morning. The truth is, if I didn't do it now, I would never take the time to just relax. So I went and got a pedicure, read a magazine, and enjoyed a brief moment of silence. The kids were are smiles when I picked them up and school was a success. Looks like we all had a great morning.

Happy Labor Day

Happy 3rd Birthday Carter

My baby is 3. He is the cutest little stinker ever and I love him. Here are pics from his original birth day.

Carter's first birthday.

Cotton candy for his 2nd birthday.

And 3. We all say it, over and over, but they grow so fast.

Carter is full of energy, laughter, strong will, silliness, and one heck of a cuddle bug with his mama. I hope none if this changes.

And, he's got the best hair around.

Happy Birthday buddy. We love you.

First day of school....

well, it was last week but I'm a little behind on my blogging right now. The kids were very excited and it seems the only one struggling with this new schedule of having her big kids gone is Mom. Yes the only tears shed were mine. But, they have to grow up right?
Callie started Kindergarten and could not have been more happy to be at the "big" school like her brother. This is before school.

First time on the school bus! She is still smiling.

So Callie got on the bus, then we took Jack to school. He allowed me the honor of taking his picture on front of the school sign but when it came to walking him in....

this is as far as he wanted me to go. How this little mama's boy did not want his mama to walk him to his class is beyond me, but I respected his wishes and just blew obnoxious and loud kisses.

So, back in the car to meet Callie's bus at her school to get her off the bus and walk her into class. Parents of Kindergarteners do this on the first day. She's still smiling.

And, this little exchange was the end of my dry eyes. Callie and her daddy are a close pair and this picture captures a baby girl going off to school all day for the first time. I love this picture.


We made it in the classroom, Callie hung up her back pack, posed for one last picture and we all said our goodbyes.

So, Brian and I took the little kids and went home. Within one hour, the phone rings. It is Callie's school nurse. Hmmmm......is she still smiling. Just a little nosebleed and back to class. Another half hour and another phone call. Just a little anxiety but back to class. So who has the anxiety now, Callie or Mom???

But despite some morning jitters, this was the smile as she got off the bus at the end of the day.

Overall I would say that the start of the year was a success. Callie is happy and excited and liking school. Jack loved school to begin with so he is glad to be back.

And Anna and Carter are missing their siblings and very jealous of not being able to get on that school bus.

So with the big kids gone all day, what do we do with ourselves. Well here is a glimpse of one of our activities- body painting.

They painted themselves and each other.

Oh yeah, I did a little painting as well.