Yogurt Painting

I was down in the basement doing wash, and Brian decided that Justin would like some yogurt of his own. Probably because Justin was trying to eat his!!! He opened it for Justin, handed it to him, and gave him a spoon. I guess Justin was more interested in finger painting than eating! At least it was not on the carpet or furniture!

Second Tooth for Sean!!!!

Sean lost his second tooth last night - bottom right! I am so happy because the tooth has been hanging on by a thread for about a week now. It was so loose that it was no longer on the right side of his mouth, but had twisted over to the middle! It feel out while he was brushing his teeth. We are not sure if he swallowed it, it spit it down the drain in the sink! Good thing the tooth fairy doesn't need an actual tooth as proof!!!

before with tooth in the middle

after

Flag Football - Week 1

Brian had a great game today - two touchdowns and an extra point! He was disappointed that his team lost, but it was still a fun game to watch! He really enjoys playing and you can tell that he puts his whole heart into it when he is on the field. Oh, well maybe next week they will be victorious!

Tubby Time!

Justin is still loving his bath! Thank goodness the days of him screaming at the top of his lungs while I try to wash him are over! Slippery, soapy, screaming, spitting - not a good combination in a kid! Tonight he didn't even have any brothers cramping his style. He liked to splash and even got on his belly to "swim"! Justin blew bubbles in the water too - and didn't drink too much in the process!

Living History

Every Spring Brian's school does something the call Living History. It is done by the parents only, they organize and run the whole thing! A different topic is chosen each year - last year it was about New Jersey and this year was Ancient Greece! Parents get in groups of about 4-6 and choose a subtopic. Then you get assigned a classroom to use and budget. The rest is up to each individual group!

I volunteered to be in a group this year (and last year too) and our topic was Growing Up in Ancient Greece. We decided to divide our room into three stations - home, school, and play. I was in charge of the play station. I learned so much about what it was like to grow up in ancient Greece and I am sure the kids did too!

me on the right in the tunic/toga!

(Brian is in the Eagles jersey)

the home section (we had a tent and real food)

My Friend Has a Son!!!

My new friend H, who I met through our adoption agency was officially matched with a baby boy yesterday! He is so cute and I am so happy for her and her husband!!! Now I am even more excited to get my referral!!! I hope she starts a blog soon! (hint, hint)

Ugh!

Our social worker called today. I have to say my heart stopped as I read the caller id. But, she was only calling to tell us we would need to do a phone interview next month to update our home study. And I gave her our new e-mail address. So, no referral yet, just some housekeeping! I hope the next call from her will be the big one!!!

More outside photos!

Just a few more pictures from the great day of play!

Brian riding his scooter

JustinSeanBrianthe boys

Outside Fun!

The weather was beautiful today and we spent most of the day outside - which was good for the boys and for me! I got the garage cleaned out - now none of the children can get lost in there or get flattened by a falling object!

brothers

Can you eat a banana and ride a scooter too?

M&Ms Brianbubbles!

Flag Football Season Begins!

Brian kicked off the season with a skills challenge today. It is a bunch of short drills to allow the coaches to assess their teams, and the different abilities that the players have. Brian had a lot of fun and cannot wait to begin the games next week! He is on the Redskins!

New Kicks!!!

My mom took me to a running store today for an early birthday present. (May 21, if you have your calendars handy) I started running a few months ago, and have had a hard time with my ankles and knees hurting. I don't have the best joints, but still it seemed like I shouldn't hurt that much.

Well, a talk with a friend who runs marathons helped me so much! (No, I am not training for a marathon. I would just like to make it to 5 or 6 miles) Turns out if you want to be a serious runner, you cannot just pick your sneakers for color and price! Who knew? He told me to go to a running store and be fit for a pair of sneakers. He also said I was training too hard. I figured more is better to get you in shape. But like many things in life - less is more.

He gave me a training schedule and told me more info would follow when I got myself a proper pair of running sneakers! I had to text him after my first run. I cannot believe the difference that properly fitting sneakers make! The next day, my quads and glutes were a little sore - not my ankles and knees! Amazing. Truly amazing!

Hair Where?

Sean has been watching the NCAA men's basketball tournament, along with the whole family.

Sean -Brian, come here and look under my arm.

Brian - No. Why?

Sean - I want to know if I have hair.

Brian - laughing hysterically

Me - Sean you don't have armpit - not for about 10 years.

Sean- Just check!

Sean - Dad do you have hair under your arms?

Brian Sr. - Yes. (and shows him)

Sean - Does Mommy?

Brian Sr. - Not when she shaves. (thanks dear)

Sean - I want to have hair there!

Later I caught him on the sink in the bathroom with his armpit about two inches from the mirror. He was carefully searching for some sign of hair! Then Sean sees me and says, "Mom! I think I see one!"

I know I say it all the time, but this kid never ceases to amaze me. And he always keeps me on my toes, that's for sure!

Certified Coaches!

Brian and I attended a three hour seminar that is required in out town to coach youth sports. Brian is going to assist his friend who is a coach for baseball. I have no jobs as of yet, but figure it is a good idea to have. It never expires, and so is there if I ever need it!

Happy 2nd Blogaversary!!!

I started this blog two years ago!!! I cannot believe it! And while I find it much harder to keep up with the posts now than I did then, it is still so much fun! The memories are priceless! I hope that it is around for my kids when they are older so that they can relive all the memories.

Visit from an old friend!

Brian's college roommate came for a visit from Virginia today. Lemuel is a lot of fun to have, but since he is single and without children, I definitely think he is ready to go back to his peace and quiet after a few days! He does have a huge sweet tooth, so the boys are always up for his trips to the bakery! Freshly made donuts!!!!

Brian's 8 yr. Check-up

All is well with Brian! He was so good at his appointment and even talked to the doctor. That is a huge step for him. He is very healthy - weighing in at 56 lbs and measuring 50.5 inches! He was not happy at all about getting the chicken pox booster vaccine, but after it was over, he agreed that it was really not that bad. As I said on his birthday - I cannot believe my baby boy is 8!

March Madness

Only a few days left to pick your brackets! Brian usually does one at work, and we do one for fun as a family. It is fun because with the crazy upsets, even the kids have a chance of beating the adults!! I picked Louisville to beat Duke in the finals, but I never win, so don't count on that happening!

St. Patrick's Day Bash

Fun, fun, fun! Last night, friends of ours had a St. Patrick's Day party! I find the irony so funny in having an Irish party on Friday the 13th! There was a lot of good food - and alcohol! We will leave out the fun details and just say it is a good thing we walked to and from the party!!! A special thanks to my Mom who babysat until 3 am! Yikes!

Leprechauns!!!

The boys - and a few friends of theirs - did a scavenger hunt today! I have to admit that I was more excited about it than the boys! It was set up around town and each of five clues led you to the next one. The first three were fairly easy and the last two took a bit more thought! We were the winners and Brian Jr. actually found the pot o' gold hidden by the leprechauns! Candy and chocolate for the kiddos, Guinness and Bailey's for the adults! Yum!

O-R-E-O

I made the mistake of leaving the Oreos out on the counter, apparently too close to the edge. Justin must have increased his arm span recently when I was wasn't looking, because I was sure that they were back to far on the counter for him to reach! When I think about it, he has been getting all kinds of things off of the dining room table too! Unless he has suddenly acquired some kind of super powers, my baby is getting taller!

For some reason, Oreos bring out the worst in my kids. I have pictures of all three of them getting into trouble with Oreos at one time or another!!!

one for me, and two for me...

um, Hi Mom?You do not see any cookies,

move along

(trying his Jedi mind tricks)okay, one for Mom

Sean's Mystery Reader

Brian Sr. surprised Sean today as the Mystery Reader in his class today. Sean's teacher sent home a form at the beginning of the school year to be a mystery reader, and then assigned parents and grandparents a date to surprise the kids. Since Sean had recently lost a tooth, Brian read a book about a shark losing his first tooth!

Ten Months of Waiting!!!

I cannot believe it has been ten months, well a few days ago it was, since our home study was approved!!! It seems like forever, but at the same time, the months have passed so quickly! I am so anxious for a referral, but at the same time know we have so much to do before she comes home!

I want to get Justin moved in with Brian and Sean, so we can turn the room from boy to girl. I also think that I am going to let the boys have the master bedroom - one more closet but the square footage is about the same as their room now. And the master bedroom has no carpet, so we will have to get that done too for the boys!

I have been doing a bit of nesting. I have either given away or thrown away a ton of stuff in the last few months - and still have so much to go through! The preparation to add another kid is going to be a lot of work, but certainly well worth it!

Sean's Chocolate Donut!

I think Sean would do just about anything for a chocolate donut! He was so excited to have on this morning that he asked me to take pictures of his donut! And no, even at age 5 - and a half - he still doesn't mind chocolate all over his face or hands!!! That's why we call him Pigpen from Peanuts!

beginning

end

Hair cuts!

All of the boys got hair cuts yesterday! Brian just got a trim - he likes his hair a bit longer now. Sean got the usual crew cut. And Justin didn't get a crew cut, but it is much shorter than it was. The poor kid had hair in his eyes all the time, so he was quite overdue for a cut! He did really well and didn't cry as much as I thought he would. I am the one with tears in my eyes because he looks so much older!!! I think it looks pretty good though - I have a few small areas that need to be evened out a bit, but there is time for that!

before

after
after

Another Beautiful Day!

My mom and I took the boys to another playground today. They sure had a lot of fun! Justin is such a daredevil on the playground equipment. He never wants any help and is so trusting that he can just climb and leap and someone will catch him if things go wrong. He goes down the big slides by himself and screams if his brothers try to help him.


At one time they were all going down the slide together and landing in a big pile at the bottom. Justin went first, Brian and Sean landed on top of him. I thought he would come up crying, but no all that came of his mouth was laughter! He tries so hard to keep up and be one of the big kids!

Stomach Bug Update

Sean is finally feeling better, Justin did get sick a few times, Brian has been fine, I have had a loss in appetite and been tired, and Brian Sr. finally got it tonight! He had been spared the last two times the rest of us go it, so I guess his number was up!

It is tricky for Brian to get the stomach flu though, because he is a diabetic. He cannot just go to bed and not eat for 24 hours like most people. Even when he feels sick, he still has to try to sip soda or something with a lot of sugar in it. He was up most of the night....getting sick, drinking soda, and testing his blood sugar!

With Spring approaching - hopefully this is the last we have seen of the stomach flu! We all got it a few times last year too. But I cannot remember the last time any of us has had a good old fashioned cough and runny nose. It is so much easier to deal with that - and the clean up can't be beat!!!

Snow Pictures

Just a few more photos of the snow - and some ice!

Roc licking the snow!

March Adoption Update

Ugh! No good news again this month. Our agency has received some waiting child referrals but has not really seen any movement in the regular program. They are still working on the same month that they were working on in January. I really hope that there is a lot of movement in March! We are getting so close, and setbacks are so hard right now. At least today I am one day closer to having that picture than I was yesterday! I am still hopeful for a May referral but in all reality unless things pick up a lot in the next few months, it could be June!

Justin is 22 months old!

My baby boy is closing in on two - and too quickly for my liking! Justin is such a fun kid! He really loves his brothers. He is a wild child - I would not be surprised to see him competing in the X-games when he is older! He loves to play hockey and golf - and he has a great golf swing! The follow through on his swing is amazing!

Justin is still really quiet and has not added very many words since last month. He does speak a little more often, but for the most part is still a very quiet kid. He enjoys playing outside, jumping off the couch, wrestling with his brothers, eating M&Ms, throwing balls, and cuddling with his blanket! (Um, does that sound too much like a personal ad?)

His appetite is much improving and he now eats pretty much everything that we do - except for peas. I cannot seem to get any of my kids to eat peas though. Any ideas? It can't be the color green, because they all love broccoli. Go figure!

Snow - finally!

Okay, first I apologize to all the people on the east coast that thought winter was over. Yes, it was me. I caused this snow storm. I complained just a day ago about how we got no snow again this winter. And about how my kids didn't get any use out of their boots and snow pants.

You see, that makes me mad. You spend good money on these winter necessities, and they never get to use them. And by next winter they are outgrown!!! Ahhhhhh! This was the second year in a row when it snowed only a few times. And the snow that we did get, well, it was barely a coating. At least the gloves fit from year to year. And the hats too!

Justin

Brian
Justin wasn't a big fan

(maybe because he refused to wear gloves!)

Seanlove this one!

March!

Wow, I cannot believe it is March already! I know February was a short month, but still! I am happy time is passing because we are getting closer to meeting our new addition, but also sad because my baby boy is nearing 2 years old!!!