My little guy decided to skip soccer this season and try basketball instead. He looks SO cute in his uniform and has been practicing a lot with Brian. He definitely needs to learn more when he is on the court, but he is doing great so far... last week he scored his first two points!
The gym had horrible lighting so I really could not get good photos, but here are two of him playing:
Today we had Esme's readoption hearing...met with the judge in her chambers. We decided to take Aislin and Declan with us to let them be a part of this special day for us! Everything went great - what a relief to have this done! Now all we have left to do (I think!) is to fill out Citizenship paperwork with USCIS and we will be done!
My uncle took this photo of Esme on thanksgiving... one of my favorites of her right now! I mean, really- don't you just want to kiss those lips and chubby cheeks?
We have been home for 3 months now. THREE MONTHS. Brian and I were talking the other night about how we went to Africa- it all seems like some huge dream now, crazy that we were actually there...it just doesn't seem real. Good thing we have this crazy, sweet little 14 month old to remind us how lucky we are :)
I have had this wonderful Anna Maria Horner fabric for a while now and I usually just like to stare at it :) But, last week I decided to just chop it up and make an easy patch-y quilt. So excited because I love this fabric line- it will be a fun quilt! Will post pics when I finish.
Declan tried to make his own countdown to Christmas, but wasn't very successful. Yesterday I decided to try to make a quick advent calendar for the kids- which I have never done before (we have never had one). So, after lots of time looking at the internet for ideas, I decided to just do it the easy and tacky way: buy some little stockings from Target ($2 for 5) and then throw some chipboard numbers on them (make sure they don't match to get the extra tacky factor) and then hang up with ribbon. Ta-da! Anyway, I filled them up with candy (of course), tiny toys, and little notes (go to the movies, visit Santa, stay up late, etc). I think it will be fun to watch the kids open the little stockings each day. Maybe one day I will make a really cute one, but not this year!
Well, I guess I have had an 8 year old for two weeks now since this post is late :) Let me just say that I cannot believe that my sweet little baby Aislin is 8. Really. Wasn't it just yesterday that she was learning to walk? eeps. She has grown up so much and we are so proud of her and love her so much- she really is just an amazingly compassionate, smart and loving girl.
For her birthday, she invited two friends to spend the day with her... they went to the nail spa and had pedicures, went to her soccer game, had lunch and went to the movies. She had a great day- it was a wonderful way to spend her day. We had a small family party for her, also, and of course aunt Linda and uncle Steve came up for the weekend. A few photos below:
having her pedicure
aunt linda
Dancing in her playhouse with her friends
at the movies (Esme went, too!)
the morning of her birthday skyping with her Mimi while she opens presents
we wanted to get her a charm bracelet- cute little Pandora one
cake! and yes, it is a hot pink and turquoise owl
my girl!
Well, since it has been a month since I have posted (oops) I figured I would go ahead and post an update. The kids are all doing great.. Declan just started basketball, Aislin is almost done with her soccer season and she just got her headgear off (yay!), my little sweet Esme is now 13 months old and growing like crazy... she is almost always happy, always friendly to everyone and always on the go. One of the moms at school called her juicy and I just laughed because she really is juicy.. chunky and you just want to squeeze her and eat her up :) Can you tell I love her? She is in love with her brother and sister, too- it is awesome to see how her face lights up when they are around! A few things Esme is doing...
She can say: thank you, gentle, bye, hi, dada, nigh-night, fish
She can sign: dog and eat (of course- the girl loves to eat)
She can wave, hug, blow kisses, take about 5 steps at a time
Some photos of all my sweeties below:
More later this weekend.. since I have a little girl who is about to turn EIGHT on Sunday!!!! eeps!!
I LOVE that they are all playing together.. Aislin and Declan set up this tea party with Esme (and her new tea set).. so sweet!
Also, how cute is she:
Last weekend, my sweet baby Esme turned one... we had a big party at our house to celebrate her arrival home as well as her birthday. She had a great time with everyone, she is such a social girl! She LOVED the cake and didn't hesitate to just dive in...I guess she will love the sweets just like her brother and sister (ok and her mama). She is doing so well here, it is amazing. I just can't get over how funny and cute and sweet she is! We are so lucky to have her in our lives.
Photos from her big day below :)
Birthday morning in her pj's
Such a funny girl!
she is wondering why 60 people are singing to her..
cake!
Aislin and Declan loved her face covered in cake!
This was before all the kids swarmed around her and opened her presents for her!
the kids with their Mimi
My mom is so pretty!
so is my aunt Linda! :)
Yep, I admit it.. life has been crazy since we got home. Having a baby in the house again has been exhausting, but tons of fun! It took me two weeks to get over jet lag and another week to really get into the groove with Esme. She is absolutely the cutest and happiest baby- so sweet and funny! Her little personality is just awesome.. I really can't say enough about her! She eats well, sleeps well (except for the past two nights!), she loves being around other people.. and she LOVES her big brother and sister. They are constantly all over her! I'm still trying to get our trip photos organized, but here are some photos of Esme the past few weeks!
hanging out in the grass for the first time (she has such cute expressions!)
eating food- she loves everything so far!
playing with her friend, Mia
she loves her daddy (and her bottle!)
crawling everywhere
hanging out with mommy
playing with daddy (brian is going to hate this picture because he really does not have three chins! love you baby)
pulling up and standing!! eeps, not ready for her to walk yet!!
