Toddler activities

I have been trying to find little things for Alex to do that will help him learn and stay occupied.  So, this a.m. I made a little pom pom push through tub.  It took all of 3 minutes to make.  Anyway,  I showed him how to do and it was really excited.  He has to push the pom poms through the holes in the little tub.  I went to get my camera and snap a few pics.






So, after a few minutes, Alex asked Mac if she wanted to try.  He pushed the tub over to her and she said sure she would.  It was sweet, the two of them working together and even more important that Alew wanted to share!  Anyway, he runs out of the room and then comes back with this.

 

He went to get his camera and started taking pictures.  Mac and I were cracking up - he is so cute and smart.  He just adds so much to our family.  We love him!

POOR THING - but he wanted me to get a picture - I'm sure one day, I will be in BIG TROUBLE for this - but now, it's just funny.

A little bit of Alex

Yesterday, I had forgotten to get McKinley's strawberries in the car for her Fruit of the Spirit party, so once I dropped her off at school, Alex and I ran into Kroger.  As I am looking at the blueberries (yes, I changed because I wasn't going to have time to wash and cut with Alex up at the school), Alex decides that HE wants to look at berries and throw them back down in the bin.  FIRST mistake on my part was that I didn't get a cart.  I was literally walking into to get berries and then check out, so a matter of a few minutes mind you.  Anyway, I told Alex that he couldn't touch the berries, to please look with his eyes, he then decides to hit me in the face and start screaming.  I looked at him and told him that hitting me wasn't okay and that we would need to say I'm sorry. He started going absolutely crazy.  Hitting and screaming as loud as he possibly could.  I'm sure the meat guy at the back of the store could hear him.  Anyhoo - the poor man in his twenties, kept stacking the same nectarines over and over again because I'm sure he felt a little awkward.  I told Alex that we would have to do a time out right there.  I put him under the bin of berries and then turned the corner by the mini oranges.  He is screaming at the top of his lungs telling me NO!!  I DONE!  I kept ignoring him, holding my own.  His time was up - I asked him to come to me and told him that he needed to apologize.  He said, NO!!!!  I done!  And then HIT ME AGAIN.  So, as I am talking to him and having him sit in timeout yet again, this time by the oranges, a lady who works somewhere in the store approaches Alex, and says, HEY!  (she is trying to distract him, which was sort of thoughtful and would have been okay, EXCEPT I am CLEARLY disciplining him.)  I sweetly looked at her and told her that he was in trouble and having to sit in a time out.  She looked at me apolegtically and then walks around to the other side of the apples and walks up to me.  She said she was sorry, that she was just trying to distract him thinking if someone else was noticing him throw a fit then he might stop.  I appreciated that, but that just isn't Alex.  He doesn't really care how he looks to others, (especially a stranger.) - Anyway, it was a pretty awful 8 minutes or so.  I did what I had to do, but sure hated it.  BUT,  in reality - it won't matter where I am, I will still be in charge. And sooner or later, he will realize that.  So, I apologize to whoever happen to see me in the Kroger produce area. And I apologize to whoever had to hear Alex scream at the top of his lungs in the WHOLE Kroger store, but rest assured, I was taking care of it. 

August 2011

Bless His Heart.

I hated to do it - but this has gone on since July 8th or so - I had to buy a TENT to go over his crib.  He was a little scared tonight - but only cried 5 minutes - so I guess it wasn't too bad.  Anyway, he was in a toddler bed for a couple of months - then we went on vacation to my parents - and then to Chris's parents - then when we got home, he didn't want to be in his big boy bed, so we used the pack-n-play for another week - then it had been a FULL.MONTH.  I don't like kids being in a pack-n-play more than they have too - so we put the side rail back on the toddler bed.  If he was just staying in bed - that would be fine.  BUT, he has been getting out of bed and causing my nights to be VERY STRESSFUL and not at all relaxed!  He was getting up for nearly an hour every night - it was terrible.  So, we got the tent - I put it on the bed, he went to sleep in 5 minutes - it was worth the $60 - EVERY.BIT.OF.IT!

Here's such a sweet picture of him - I just love his sweet smile!




SECOND GRADE!

I can't believe that Mac is starting second grade tomorrow.  She was soooo excited to learn that she would have Mrs. Carol Adams as her teacher.  She asked me how the first day of second grade was going to be and I told her - "fabulous!" and her reply was - "especially with Mrs. Adams!"  She is going to have a great year!  I am excited for her to be with some new friends.  Although she was a little disappointed because this is her first year without her best friend Abi in her class.  They were both very sad!  We will have to make sure that we have lots of play dates!  I know that she will be stretched this year and challenged with Mrs. Adams and I look forward to her growing and maturing into the little girl that loves her Jesus so much.  I can't wait to see what she will come up with next - what chapter books she wants to read and how she will help others in her class.  She is definitely a little nurturer and wants everyone to get along.  My prayer this year is that she will be who Jesus wants her to be and be a friend to those who need one.

Pictures to come tomorrow - and I'm sure a good story.

 She hasn't fussed at me yet for getting a picture here the first day of school, but I'm waiting. :)

This is Mrs. Carol Adams, Mac's new teacher - she is super fun and crazy.  They will have a blast this year.

Mac and Abi have been best friends as long as they can remember.  It was always easy to have one of them over at teh other's house.  Her Momma and I just always clicked and had/have many of the same values.  So, is the natural progression of friendship.  I know that not being in the same class this year will be an adjustment, but they will both grow into who they need to be.  We love Abi and can't wait to continue to watch their friendship and love grow for one another.



When I asked Mac how her first day of school was, she said it was a little crazy.  But, she really couldn't give me an answer as to why.  She said that Mrs. Adams told jokes and that she was funny.  They got to go to Music and PE on the first day!  She was excited about that.  Mrs. Keese will be gone for a month or so, she had a stint in her heart put in and we are praying for her each night.  Mac's prayer last night was that Mrs. Fulmer (computer teacher) would have "time" for them today.  She is one of the high school teachers that helps, Mrs. Diles (the high school librarian) get the textbooks checked out for the 7th - 12th graders.  This task is NOT easy and is VERY exhausting!  (I was Mrs. Diles for the first 2 weeks of school last year.) whew!

July 2011

Play Dates

We have had quite a few play dates this summer.  With us not living in a neighborhood, we have to schedule times for us to be with friends.  So, here are a few picture of us with our friends.

June 2011

 Softball Fun!  We had lots of fun hot sweaty nights at the ballpark this summer.  Alex went to about half the games - but a lot of them were starting past his bedtime - so we had him in bed a few nights when we went out.  Mac had a blast and really enjoyed learning more this season.

Coach Tricia  and Coach Andrew Baker (we went to college together and his wife, Amy and I played each other in club ball each year!)

Top row:  Mac, Alaina, Nino, Kaitlynn, Claire and Maryella
Bottom row :  Kennedy, Sofia, Allie, Elizabeth and Alivia

SOFTBALL Fun!
I wasn't going to coach this year, I was only going to take pictures and watch Mac play... but the night of tryouts, Andrew found me in line and asked me to help - because his assistant had to back out.  So....  I let Mac pick out the color of the shirts (first green, last year was pink and this year, purple.) -  We had lots of fun and she is getting better.  This is my absolutely favorite sport, so I hope she continues to play.    And don't think I am forcing her to play any of these sports - she asks to play - so I will encourage her.  Love.my.girl.

May 2011

April 2011

 I just love this series of pictures that Cheryl took!  So much emotion that day and this says it all.

First official picture of our family of 4 in the eyes of the court - not of our hearts of course.

 So glad my sisters could join us today - Somi and Jenny!!!

Two of my best friends and prayer warriors through the 2 year process!  Couldn't have done this as easily without them!  Kerry and Jennifer

 Casey and I were just a "little bit" excited about today - we went through all of the adoption stuff together and our two little ones have the same Adoption Day -  special little buddies - A and A.

 My family that came to be with us for the adoption -I was so excited to get to spend this special weekend with them!

B-Mom and Papa after it was over - they were trying to get Alex occupied while we did some more paperwork.

 Judge Edwards asked McKinley what she thought about getting a little brother - and her answer was so precious - she said, "He's a very nice little brother and I love him!"  Everyone was either giggling or crying - so.very.precious.

Our families will always share this special connection - having adopted A and A the same day!


Mac's FIRST SWIM MEET 

 This is picture is completely embarassing- but I was way up in the stands and didn't have the correct equipment - oh well.  This is Mac diving in for her first 50 meter freestyle race. She was doing so great - was in 2nd or 3rd place and when she got to the end of the pool to do a flip turn and then go back - she got out.  SHE GOT OUT.  Everyone else kept on swimming the race and Mac got out - and walked around looking back at everyone else in the pool - it took her a little bit to realize that she hadn't finished the race.  I was in the stands crying - I felt so bad for her. But she finally realized that she needed to complete the race, jumped back in the water and come in NEXT.to LAST.   Of course, she was disqualified but she finished!  I was so proud of her.  Bless her heart - after it was over - I asked her why she did that -she said - she thought it was a 25 meter and no one had told her.  oh well.  Everyone cheered her on. 

Here she is after the meet - she was so proud and sooooo exhausted!  She ended up getting a 3rd in the backstroke.  This is her BEST stroke.  She does like it - but prefers the freestyle stroke. (doesn't everyone?)