handsful

Two homeschool moms in our area must love to dance, because they’ve devoted a lot of their time to arrange fun dances for homeschooled kids in our area.  Abbey has enjoyed two of these so far, and tonight was Marley, Payton, and Ethan’s turn.  The Cherry Blossom Ball is their first dance.  They were excited, but a bit nervous too.  Randy is out picking them up right now.  I can’t wait to hear how it went!

Don’t they look nice?!  And, so grown up.

** Update:  They had a BLAST.  Marley’s comment:  “When is the next one?!?”  And, our boys were two of only FOUR boys.  They quickly realized that being nearly the only boys in a whole room full of girls isn’t such a bad thing ;)

Since our zoo trip on Monday, this is the only picture I’ve taken.  I was walking (probably running) by the window and the colors stopped me in my tracks.  God sure does paint a beautiful picture, huh?

This week has been one big ball o’ crazy.  Really, it has.  Everyday has had at LEAST 2 appointments/places to be/etc. and most days had more.  Thursday was the biggest juggling act, thankfully Randy was able to help out with that day.  This weekend, we’ve already had dinner with new friends (thanks, Bolt family!).  Saturday is the church BBQ and then Marley, Payton, and Ethan’s first dance that night.  Sunday is church, and then our much-anticipated family photo session that afternoon (no, I don’t have all the clothes yet, thanks for asking).

I’m a bit of a homebody…I like those days with nothing on the calendar.  Nowhere to be, no reason to check my watch.  Those days are rare lately.  And, with Dylan’s surgery looming (4/26, in case you forgot), I can see those “normal” days coming to an end at least for a season.

Looking ahead, Monday is a nothing day.  Whoop!  Can’t say that about the rest of the week, though.

So, all this to say, life ain’t slowing down anytime soon so I’ve just gotta pull the camera out more often to capture these days.  Like the country song says, one day I’ll miss all this.  The house will be quiet, and I won’t have anyone asking me to take them anywhere. I’ll read books, wash MUCH less laundry, drive a vehicle that seats a normal amount of people rather than 11, and will probably go a whole day without wiping up a spill.

These days are hard, I’ll be honest.  But, I wouldn’t trade them.

Today was an official Field Trip day for Generations Christian Academy.  We did not wear matching t-shirts or name tags and we did not walk in a single file line…like the million other school children we saw today.  Another perk of homeschooling, maybe?

Our friends, Kelley and her daughter Kylie, joined us today.  It was actually their idea to go to the zoo, and Kelley clued me in on getting a nature center membership that covered this zoo, plus a bunch of other in and out of state places, for a year.  There was about a $30 difference in price for a year, vs. a one-day ticket for our whole family.  That decision was a no-brainer!

Some pics from today…

This is how the littles enjoyed the zoo.  Randy’s dad and Kathy gave it to them yesterday as an early birthday present.  JUST in time for our zoo visit…how nice!  We got a ton of comments on it, and others asking where we got such a cool wagon.  My only complaint? It needs a brake…it’s hard to keep it from rolling on a hill!

Here comes a seal…Dylan loved how they kept swimming right by the window!

I don’t remember what they were looking at here?!  A bear, maybe?

Speaking of bears, they tried out the polar bear cave.  He was snoozing on a rock and didn’t seem to mind sharing.

Liking his first US zoo visit (we did the Safari zoo in China)

Another zoo fan!

Photo op!

Favorite thing I overheard today?  “Hey, that kid looks just like Justin Beiber!”  Heh heh…

Learning about chimpanzees…

and, posing with a monkey.

We stayed till they closed, and then drove the long 1 1/2hrs home.  We had a great day, but this momma is worn out!  I’m so tempted to call in “tired”  tomorrow ;)  Think I can get a substitute on this short notice?

Well, I’m a day late in getting this posted – a certain daughter of mine had my computer held hostage all last night.

As busy as yesterday was (running from 6am till 6pm!), we certainly remembered that we were celebrating FOUR months with Dylan!  Honestly, it seems like longer.  Was he ever not here?  His transition into the family has been extremely easy.  Sleeping  and eating issues are gone.  His english  is exploding and he talks in sentences.  He STILL weighs 27lbs. and not an ounce more.  Maybe he’s growing in height?  I’ve got to look back to his initial appt. to check on that.

A new favorite activity…sitting on the edge of the sink and washing dishes.

A few more observations…

* He says I love you – “I lub oo”  – Lainey taught him that one.

* We were at church yesterday, waiting to pick up Abbey and Ethan from their student council meeting.  We were on the playground, and there’s a small climbing wall.  Lainey started up, and Dylan wanted to try.  I immediately told me no, he just wasn’t ready for that. Before I knew it, he was at the top (with me “spotting” him).  I have to learn NOT to lower my expectations of him.

* The other day, I was holding him and he accidently bumped into my chin.  He immediately asked “ooh ok mommy?”  and kissed me. And, this morning he wanted a sip from a water bottle.  I was worried he might spill and he said “I not spill it, I be tareful”.   Interactions like that are becoming common…I love how we can communicate so much easier now.

* A lot happens next month, specifically his surgery on April 26th.  We’ve already been talking a lot about his “new leg” and wearing “two shoes”.  When I took him back to the surgeon last week to check on his broken femur (healing perfectly, by the way), he asked if we were there for his new leg.  If we mention going to the doctor for anyone, he asks if it’s for his new leg.  He’s anxious, though I realize he doesn’t know specifically what’s about to happen.  We plan on getting together with our friends, the Gambils soon.  They have a 5 year old daughter with an amputation/prosthetic leg.  I want Dylan to see and get a better idea of what’s coming.  We’re blessed to have friends willing to share their experiences with us!

So, our next Gotcha Day update will be at 5 months, and Dylan will have had his surgery.  He’ll be BACK in that lovely spica cast, too. Looking forward to that!  (sarcasm…)

Happy 4 months, Dylan!

…only I have to FIND the pieces first.

We’re having our family portraits taken this coming Sunday.  I’m really psyched about it, and stressed to the max…all at the same time!

The gal at www.mycharmingkids.com is driving into town to take them.  Check out her site…her whole family (they have 5 little kids) is taking to the road in an RV this spring and she’s doing photo shoots along the way.  Incredible.

We went shopping today to try and put together outfits.  We’ll use a combo of things we already have, and a few bought things.  See the plaid?  Those are Ethan’s shorts…the whole color scheme is coming from those shorts.  I was unsure how to go about clothing 8 people in somewhat coordinating clothing WITHOUT going the white shirt/jeans route.

MckMama (that’s what she goes by on her site) had her admin send me some links to help, and the biggest suggestion was to start with ONE item of clothing and build around it.  Hence, the shorts.  There are various shades of browns, blues, white, black, red, and even a little pink.  So far, everything is in the browns and blues.  We’ll choose either the red or pink for other items, depends on what we come across as we continue to raid closets and shop.

I had all the clothes we’ve currently chosen on the floor, arranged with tops and bottoms to see where we were.  Then, I made notes on what colors/patterns might work on the rest.  Doesn’t this sound fun?  I don’t think so either.

Why can’t there be people stagers?  Stagers make houses attractive to potential buyers by putting together the perfect furniture and accessories.  Isn’t there someone I can call to DRESS us?!?  ;)

Signs of spring.  Bumblebees are zooming around all the newly blossomed flowers.  The annoying black ants that love our front walkway are back.  (anyone know how to get rid of big, black ants?!?)  Our nebulizer machine is doing overtime, with Ethan’s asthma hitting him hard.  Others are sniffing, allergies gone haywire.  The good, the bad, and the sneezy.

We’re definitely spending more time outside.  This time of year in Florida, we’d already be sweating.  I’m enjoying the nice, slow fade into spring and eventually summer.  Is it just me, or does Lainey look almost pre-teenish in this picture?!  Eeek.

Someone swished his tootsie in Lake Norman for the first time this past weekend.  I held on tight as we stretched his leg into the water…he seemed to have no fear of falling in!

I hope he loves the water this summer.

The kayaks got dusted off , with the boys taking a spin.  They even jumped in the water….brrr.

We’re feeding seed to all the birdies and Mr. and Mrs. Duck daily…several times a day.  Marley stays on top of it all.  Afterall, they are HER ducks.  She thinks they are.

Despite the negative parts of spring, we’re squinting our way through it.  Dodging bees, grabbing tissues, and watching as the world explodes with color.