1st Halloween

I would say that Halloween was a big hit with T&B! It was a completely new and fun experience for them. Theo was Michael Jackson and Blessing was Princess Jasmine. What can I say, these two love to sparkle!
I think the aspect of getting tons of free candy was a little more in keeping with their preconceived notions of life in America. They have been a bit disappointed finding out that Americans just don't have cell phones, cars, and nice homes given to them. They are always asking if things are for free. Well, for one night anyhow, FREE CANDY REIGNED!

Help for B!! Hooray

Well, I was very frustrated at the end of second grade, when B was so behind, so not making progress and I was told because she was an English Language Learner that she would not qualify for any resource or special ed for two years. I was also denied retaining her in second grade.

So, this year I started before school even started talking to her teacher about what I perceived to be my daughters needs. She listened! She acted! She referred, recommended, and recorded everything about B and her learning difficulties.

I got a letter from her doctor stating for the record her extreme ADHD and requested she be evaluated for special ed based on her disability and to have that take precedence over the ELL laws.

Low and behold, the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease!!! B qualified. She will now have 2 hours every school day of special focused education based on her academic needs, not her age!! I am so happy and excited for my girl!!!

It is coming together

So, this transition has probably been the worse on Zach. He doesn't handle change too well. This has been hard, because our vision of what was going to happen was that he and Theo being the same age, would become best buds.

The reality was different. These two boys have very different interests and while they seem to have developed a mutual respect for the others talents, it hasn't been exactly friendship.

Lately there have been some subtle changes: Theo begging Zach to come with him and his friends to the gas station for treats, Zach inviting Theo to go TPing with him and his buddies, more talking, more laughing, more private jokes.

Last night, very late into the night, I could hear the low rumble of Theo's voice coming from downstairs. I went down to tell him to be quiet and get some sleep, but I paused at the door. Zach and Theo were just gabbing away about friends, school, whatever.

I know it was a school night, but I snuck away, saying nothing. I could still hear the low rumble as I fell asleep, and right now the screen is blurry from happy tears. It is coming together.

One perfect moment

Yesterday, Theo was sitting at the kitchen table and leaning forward to do his homework. Sophie climbed up behind him, placed her blanket on his back, and leaned against his back. Then she rested her head on his shoulder and said, "Hi Theo."
"Hey, Sof," Theo said.
"Hi Theo," Sophie said again still resting her head on him.
There wasn't a camera near by and if I had run to get it, she just would have moved. It was a perfect, beautiful moment. I will see it in my mind's eye forever. Eight months ago, Sophie took one look at this big dark boy and screamed in fright. Now he is her brother. Could there be a happier ending?

Fish Heads and Chicken Bones

Theo and Blessing eat fish heads and chicken bones. Since I don't serve fish with heads, I have not witnessed the former, but Kyle and Zach have seen Theo munch a fish head at scout camp. And, when Blessing heard about it, she was jealous saying she, "loves the eyes!"

While the rest of my family reacts with different stages of amusement and/or disgust, I have tried to take it all in stride. After all, this is their culture or tradition or whatever. At least that is what I thought, until I overheard a little exchange between T & B. I wanted to write it down so I will remember it.

Theo doesn't eat chicken bones anymore. When Blessing asked him why he wasn't eating his bones, his response made me again realize the life my son and daughter have lived. He said, "I don't need to eat the bones anymore. I am not hungry."

What would I eat, what would you eat, if we were truly hungry? I wonder.

Wondrous Variety

This young lady was hurt when she found out that the boy she was seeing had a mom and sister that didn't like her, because she "looks too much like a cheerleader," and couldn't possibly be a "good girl."This young man is hurt when people comment that he is so short for his age.
This handsome fellow doesn't like being called fat.
And this beautiful young girl was told last week that her skin made her ugly.
At first I freaked that the neighborhood child was being racist, but after posting to the yahoo boards and getting some great responses, I rethought. Kids are mean. (Adults sometimes too!) They grasp for anything and everything that makes a person stand out in whatever the present company is.

My children, your children, you and I are all made exactly as we were meant to be made. To quote one of my favorite characters from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, "because Allah in his wisdom, loves wondrous variety."

Another Milestone (To me anyhow)

In 2007 we attended the balloon fest in Provo, UT. We had just decided that we were going to adopt siblings from Liberia, West Africa. We didn't know their names or faces or anything, but we knew then that we would find them.

While we were at the fest we saw a family with triplets from Ethiopia. They were babies and we imagined what it would be like for our new children to have this experience. We knew they would be older and understand more than those babies.

Every year after that, when balloon fest time rolled around I would think about my two kids that were missing it yet again and feel a little sad. This year was different!! Here we are! Complete! Together! and finally experiencing this as a family united!!

This picture is going on the fridge!

Boating and being Brave!

Theo and Blessing are brave. They have been exposed to all sorts of new things in the last 5 months, but they are always game for the next adventure.

This week it was boating with the Garnetts. You would think that after getting thrown off this tube that they would have had enough, but both were ready to keep on riding.

Blessing practically strangled Ben she was hanging on to him so hard when they were thrown off. Kyle had to jump out and calm her down and help her back in the boat. But she calmed right down and was ready to go again.

These two are really brave!

Out of Patience

That is where I am right now - just outside of patience and headed for crazy! B woke up on one this morning. She is negative, argumentative, smart mouthed, rude, inconsiderate, and just an all around pain in the neck!

I have tried several times to reason with her, but she just seems to be getting worse with every passing hour. It isn't all directed at me either. Everyone in the house has gotten a taste of her attitude.

It isn't even 1:00 pm and the day is already seeming horribly long . . .

A Deeper Conversation

Blessing is so far a purely instinctual creature. She doesn't self examine or reflect on things at all. Last night, she had little break through and I was thankful to have a real conversation with her about something that was on her mind outside of food and what toy/item of clothing that she thinks she needs.
Blessing: Mom, sometimes I get mad and I am freaking out and I say something that will make you mad.
Me: That's okay sweetheart. We all say things sometimes that we don't mean.
Blessing: I don't really mean it. I am just freaking out.
Me: What did you say.
Blessing: I don't want to tell you (but obviously she did)
Me: Is it like when you say "I hate you?"
Blessing: I don't hate you.
Me: I know, but sometimes you say that when you are mad.
Blessing: I know. Sometimes I say I want to go . . . (she fades out)
Me: You want to go back to Liberia?
Blessing: (Nods with wide eyes and looks a little frightened) But I don't want to go back.
Me: I know honey.
Blessing: I was just freaking out
Me: It's okay

Bikes and bike parks

One of the biggest smiles I have ever seen on Theo's face was the one he wore riding up to school on his new bike. I had promised him a bike as soon as the weather got better and I must say buying that child a bike has been a really good investment if you measure the pay off in use and enjoyment.

Last week he discovered our local bike park with all of its jumps and hills and tracks. He came back at noon after a couple of hours with a big gash in his arm. I asked him if he had had fun before he got hurt. He told me he had gotten the gash when he first got there, but just stayed because they were having fun.

Right after lunch he was back out there with his friends. He came home later with more injuries, but the next day headed back, this time with Ben and Zach and some of Zach' s friends too.

Fat Wedding Day (giggle giggle)

Last night I was waiting for everyone to get home from baseball practice and B and I were watching "Say Yes to the Dress." A mindless half an hour of watching 2 or 3 brides to be try and find the perfect dress at Klienfeld's.

This particular episode was focused on plus size brides.

B is eating lunch right now and she just asked me if we can watch "Fat Wedding Day." I am pretty sure that is what she is talking about. She makes me laugh.

A Carnival and a Parade

Last weekend we celebrated our city festival called Pony Express Days, because we live on the old Pony Express route. Four houses up from us was a parade and at the other end of our street is a huge park that held an enormous Carnival and vendor fair for three days. It was nothing like anything T&B had ever seen. You can tell by their faces that they had a good time.

When we were down at the carnival with the little kids, the big kids would roam around with their friends. We ran into our neighbor one day, who had just seen Theo. He described him like this: "He was just standing in the middle of all the activity and gazing up at one of the rides. He was smiling and just shaking is head like he couldn't believe everything he was seeing."

I love these magical firsts!!!

An Egg Drop

There is a certain novelty to a US education that I don't think we that grow up here appreciate. Blessing's 2nd grade egg drop contest was a big deal to here that seemed to amuse her to no end. Her design: She wanted lots of cotton. We wrapped the egg in cotton batting, put it in a small zip lock, wrapped the ziploc in more cotton and put it in a large zip loc and then wrapped it again and put the whole fluffy mass in a small cardboard box. The result: a mass of yellow yolk dyed cotton in the middle. However, she was still smiling at the end.

A Special Normal Evening

Blessing and the whole second grade did wonderfully at the second grade patriotic program. Chloe, Theo, Grandma and I attended, while Kyle, Zach, Grandpa and Sophie attended Ben's choir concert. (Divide and conquer is the motto when you have 6 kids in 3 different schools - next year it will be 4 different school -yipes!)

Anyhow, the program was beautiful, inspiring and Blessing seemed to be surrounded by friends. It felt so normal and nice. Afterwards, we all headed to the new local ice cream parlor to celebrate Ben and Blessing's success. Blessing ran into a friend there as well.
On the whole, a pretty simple evening, but it sits well in my heart and mind because even though we had to split up for a while, it felt like we were pretty unified as a family. It made me happy.

The letter S

Kyle is good. While I just understand what Theo and Blessing are saying and go from there, he takes the time to work with them so other people will understand them too.

The latest focus is making sure that they don't truncate the end of their words. It can provide some comical situations. This one occurred when Theo wasn't making his plurals clear:

Kyle: You have to say the end of your words. You have to pronounce the s at the end of words.

Theo: I "dooz!"

"Swee swee narabell" and "Thank you Mary Tarry"

Blessing has been singing. The first line is from Disney's Cinderella "Sing sweet nightingale." I recognized the tune. So, that helpedme know the words.

The next song was a mystery to me. Who is Mary Tarry? I keep asking myself as she belts it out as she swings on the backyard swing set. I knew she had learned it at school, but I couldn't think of any historical figure with that name.

Luckily, J came to visit the other day and they were singing it together. "Military" the word is military and it is being sung at the 2nd grade patriotic program this week.

I am glad that Miss B doesn't let words get in the way of her making a joyful noise :)

I can insult my mama, but you better not!

So, after almost four months of really frightening stories from mostly Theo, but Blessing as well, Benjamin mentioned in conversation that he didn't want to ever go to Liberia.

That set off a big defense mechanism in Theo and he proceeded to say that the US was the stupidest country he had ever been in and that he hated it here. (When Theo argues, you have to realize he goes down to about an 7-8 year old mentality.)

I sat him down and explained that Ben loved him and that everything that Ben knows about Liberia has been taught to him by Theo. I repeated to him his comments about beatings, being hungry, being robbed, childhood prostitution, human sacrifice, being forced to do adults jobs for minimal pay, workers stealing the toys that were meant for the children, etc. . . I then added that to a 7 year old like Ben, that that would sound like a scary place.

I suggested that he tell Ben something nice about Liberia. His response: "They have nice people, and supermarkets and people have businesses there." Not exactly a travel brochure. He then decided to tell me that it was all a lie; that none of what he has said in the last 3 1/2 months is true.

Well, I am really not sure how to deal with this. Of course what he has been saying (with the exception of the human sacrifice thing) has been widely reported by more than just my 12 year old. I have always been very careful to focus on the positive of T&B's country of birth. None of these negative views have come from me, but I don't know that going into denial over where he came from is exactly a healthy answer???

WHAT!!!!

I went to a meeting this morning with T&B's teachers and the ESL district leader. I was hoping to get some answers on whether or not we should push on or retain, particularly Blessing in her current grade.

To my continued frustration, B's teacher feels like it is too difficult to test B, because once she hits a topic or subject that she doesn't know or understand, she shuts down. Okay, so, I ask the teacher to use her powers of observation and tell me if she thinks that B is even close to being at the academic level she should be at for the end of second grade.

The disturbing answer: Out of 30 kids in her class, she thinks maybe 6 of the children are at the end of second grade academically.

WHAT!?? Is this as disturbing to anyone else as it is to me???

Frustrated!

I am at a loss.
I am running into dead ends as far as answers go.
The public school is not meeting Blessing's needs. This is evident by her consistent behavior issues in school. She had one good week and I though that maybe she had overcome a barrier. However, last week she had "strikes" from her teacher 4 out of the five days and this week she started Monday with three strikes and has gotten one everyday since, except for today.

It is normal for ESL students to have some acting out difficulties because they are in a situation where they are not understanding for 6 hours. That is why they have ESL programs. Her school does not have an ESL program in place.

So, I have been trying to coordinate a home school situation, but am not getting a lot of cooperation at the district or on a private level. I keep running into educators that tell me, "we cannot retain her because of language."

So, now I have demanded testing, which frankly should have been done months ago! She is not just having language difficulties. She does not understand the subject matter. She is not on grade level with her skills, and frankly she is socially quite behind as well.

The teacher argues that she is tall and it would be awkward. What?!? We are so concerned with "no child left behind" that height is a determining factor in selecting an appropriate grade???

So, I suggested to Blessing that she might have a better time if I schooled her at home, but she says she would miss her friends. Argh!

I guess I have not found the right solution. My biggest prayer is that a spot will open in the charter school that will allow her to be social with children her own age and do academics on the appropriate levels for her skills. Their ESL program is also in place and functioning.

Easter

So, this is T&B's first Easter in the states. They had dyed eggs once before, when an adoptive parent had gone in at Easter time. The idea of decorating with glitter and wax was new, as were the plastic eggs filled with candy and small toys. We don't do the Easter Bunny. We never have. I think that dude in the suit in the mall is pretty much terrifying and I don't like the focus being taken away from Christ.

Me and Miss B

I am usually not in pictures. I am a behind the camera gal. However, every time the camera is out, Blessing wants a picture with me. My husband doesn't do this, nor any of my other kids. So, here we are at my mom's doing Easter eggs: my pretty brown girl and her frazzled looking mom. I guess she thinks I look pretty good :)

A Precious Conversation

I have had much more opportunity to talk to Theo and Blessing, than anyone else in the family. These conversations have been very special to me. The subject matter has run the gamut from Michael Jackson and movies to their difficulties in Liberia and their spiritual questions and beliefs.

It has helped us to bond and I am so thankful that they are open with me. This past Monday there was yet another precious conversation, but this time Theo was talking with Kyle and Zach. The topics were faith, scriptures, prophets, and the Savior, but this time I was just a listener as Kyle enjoyed that experience with his two oldest boys.

The conversation was so enthusiastic and open and very lovely to hear. I hope they all enjoyed it as much as I did. The Spirit was definitely in attendance and I am so thankful for that experience for them.

I dreamed of this picture and snakes in a restaurant

So, four years ago, when we decided that we were adopting in Africa, I saw this picture in my head one day at a restaurant with my family. I looked across the table at my two boys, Zach and Ben and saw the deep brown face of my someday son in between them. The other night, we took the kids out to eat at the Mayan restaurant and I snapped this picture. Good looking boys.

On a funny, making the transition to America note: the restaurant is a very Disneyesque type of place. Going in is like entering a rainforest with all the animal noises, a waterfall spilling down a huge rock face and big trees with fabulous tree house type landings at different levels. There are fire dancers and cliff divers and thunder and lightening simulations.

Theo and Blessing were amazed at it all. Sometimes it is a little hard for them to distinguish between fantasy and reality. During one of the shows, Theo leaned over to me and whispered, "Mom, do they clean this place out every night, of the snakes?"

A Friend of Her Own!

Theo has had no problem making friends, but my bubbly girl has had a harder time. Perhaps it is because she is a bit loud and quite unsophisticated compared to the second grade social set.

I was so sad the other day when I took her to her dance class and she was excited when we ran into a girl from school. Blessing waved, called to the girl with great enthusiasm, and ran up and gave the girl a hug. It hurt my heart to see the little girl squirm and roll her eyes.

Enter J, our neighbor who is also a classmate, who is also in her activity days group. She doesn't seem to mind Blessing's loud and happy ways! It makes me happy that Blessing has a friend

These Two

There have been a lot of problems between these two good looking guys. They have butted heads more times than I can count. However, these are also two of the kids whose relationship is coalescing.

They hang out together. They both like sports, the outdoors, and going and doing. I think one of the reasons this brotherhood is finally working is that Ben so badly want to be a big kid and to be included in big kid things. He perceives Theo as a road to the big stuff.

Theo is used to being the big man at the orphanage and is used to playing with younger children. He says that he wants to play with kids his own age, but when I talk to him about his school/friends life, I can tell that he is often confused by their behavior and choices. The truth is that in many ways, Theo is on Ben's emotional level in many ways.

So, they are both meeting each others needs in some ways. Squabbles will of course continue, but I do have hope for this relationship!

Rough Morning

This would not be an accurate record if all I wrote about were the highlights of this transition. There are many wonderful things that happen everyday, but I wouldn't fool anyone, not even myself, if I said this is always easy.

Blessing was on one this morning - she was very belligerent, wouldn't listen and would smart mouth me and yell "I know" or "I am," when it was quite obvious that she didn't and wasn't. It worries me because she was so awful and disruptive at school on Friday that they sent her home. I hope the teacher isn't in for a rough day. I left a message on her phone telling her to call me if things got bad. I pray I don't get a call, but I am bracing for it.

One of the issues with adopting a 12 year old boy is that they think they know everything. It is hard to correct certain behaviors without Theo getting a bit defensive. This morning it was trimming his toenails in the kitchen without a garbage can to catch the clippings. I try and pick my battles. Should I ask him to do that in the bathroom, over a garbage can, or both? I picked the garbage can to start with, "Please do that over a garbage can, Theo." He looked at me, nodded, and continued doing what he was doing!!! Kyle stepped in after that.

The other day I made breakfast: German pancakes - the kids all LOVE them!!! I asked Theo to use a fork 3 times before he actually complied, but I got the stink eye first.

I am sure this is tough on them in a lot of ways. Things that are important to us (like using the garbage can instead of the floor for paper and wrappers) have not been a priority for them. I am sure sometimes they feel like there is a new rule every time they turn around. However, we have missed 8 and 12 years of teaching them how to be acceptable in society. That's a lot of catching up to do. Like all children, they are very receptive to the privileges of their new lives, but not as keen on the responsibilities. . .

Some Happy Times

We took the kids to an indoor poor on Saturday. Theo said he had been swimming before, but it was a completely new and very loved experience for Blessing. Doesn't she look like she is having fun?
Hanging on to Chloe for dear life:
The kids are also liking the backyard now that the weather is a little warmer. Hooray for a slide and a swing!!!

More "Suffering" in Liberia and the Joy of Making Money

Two nights ago, Theo started the conversation with, "Mom, many children are suffering in Liberia."
I asked him about what kind of suffering he was referring. He proceeded to tell me that many girls are forced by poor families to have "boyfriends" when they are only 12 years old and that then by 15 they are having babies. He added, "So, children are having children."
I asked him if the girls are having boyfriends for money and he said yes.
I then told him that was called prostitution. Sadly, he was familiar with the word.
He asked me if there is prostitution in America. I had to tell him the sad truth, but I did tell him it is mostly illegal and that for some women it is actually a choice . . .

After that he asked me about how old people have to be in America to have girl/boyfriends and I told him that in our family we don't even date until we are 16. That was bit of a shock for him.

On a good note, Theo felt the joy of earning money for some jobs he did for me the other day. For a kid who has never seen a vacuum, he does a thorough excellent job!!! $5.00 made him grin his head off and wiggle with happiness as he said, "I have never had $5.00 in my life!!!!"

I am off the hook!

So, we were watching American Idol this past week and the beginning has a big entry for the judges now. In walks 41 year old Jennifer Lopez. Like her or not, you have to admit she is beautiful. So, I comment, "that's what I want to look like when I grow up."

Theo pipes in with "No, Mom! That woman is NOT a mother. She does not look like a mother. You cannot look like that."

That does it, doesn't it? I am off the hook. I do not have to nor should I look like Jennifer Lopez. What a relief!

P.S. Theo also informed me that night that his favorite shows are Extreme Home Makeover, American Idol and The Fat People. (That would be Biggest Looser.)

4 out of 7

Theo had a soccer game last night. His team won 7 to 3. Theo scored 4 of the 7 points for his team!! Go Theo!!!

Do You Remember Punky Brewster?

Here is Blessing strutting her stuff in her Hip Hop class. She is quite a mover and shaker and has a lot of spunk and rhythm. She is also usually smiling from ear to ear, but this part of the choreography she is supposed to be looking kind of street tough.

Do you love the socks? Blessing has her own sense of style and color and I let her roll with it. I also secretly love it! Do you remember Punky Brewster?

This made me happy :)

I went to put laundry away in the girls' room the other day and this is what I saw: my two baby girls playing as sweet as can be with their Littlest Pet Shop toys. How cute are they???

Teddy Bear

Theo: I could tell people I am 16 and they would believe me.
Me: Well, maybe 14, but I don't know about 16.
Theo: Yes, mom, I could tell them I am 21 and they would believe me!
Me: Theo, you do look older than 12, but you don't look that old.
Theo: Yes mom. I do. (brief pause) Mom, do you have Teddy Bear?
Me: A Teddy Bear?
Theo: Yes. May I have a Teddy Bear for my bed?
Me: Yes Theo. I think we can get you a Teddy Bear. (smirk in my head)

A Question of Ethics

Ben told me yesterday that his friend found a working cell phone on the street. When I asked him if he had found the owner, he told me that his friend had just smashed the phone on the road. I told him I thought that was not the right thing to do.

Well, Theo piped in with the opinion that Ben's friend should have kept the phone. I told him that the friend should have tried to find the owner and returned the phone. Theo thought I was crazy. "No mom, if you find a phone, you should keep it."

What followed was a conversation on honesty, integrity, and doing what is right no matter how small it may seem to you.

His point on the matter, was that it is different in Liberia because not everyone has a phone. So, if you find one, you should keep it because you need it. I as an American could afford my ethics, because I had everything.

In the end I had to ask him if someone left their car somewhere with the keys in it, did someone else have the right to take it. He said no. I added the fact that the person taking the car didn't have one and really needed it. Then would it be right to take the car? He still said no.

The difference in his mind was now the size of the object being taken or kept. So, we talked about the commandment about stealing and I asked him if he thought Heavenly Father had a different commandment based on the size of the object. He finally conceded the point and said that to God taking or keeping something small or large is the same.

We ended with one last example. If he lost his soccer ball, would he want it returned or kept by the person who found it??? I think I got through . . . at least I hope so.

Are you hearing what I am saying????

"STOWT" Can you guess what this word is to Theo and Blessing? I'll give you a hint: You have it at breakfast. This is their word for toast. Now I need to let you know that they never had toast in Liberia. This is a new food and a new word to them. I say toast, they hear Stowt? Ain't life grand?

"Who beat him?" and "You stuffed my gut!"

The other day, Ben did not behave well at school and I reprimanded him - which in our world means we had a little chat. He was feeling bad and was crying when Blessing came in, "Ben is crying," she stated and then questioned, "Who beat him?"

I explained to her again that we don't beat our children. To which she replied, "I know. You are a good mother." That made me happy.

However, the beating issue is at the core of some problems that we are experiencing. Theo has made me aware that beatings were frequent and severe in the foster home and they were often given with little to no provocation. According to Theo they often raised welts on his skin. This makes me absolutely sick!!

One of the problems that arose in school the other day was Blessing punched a child that made her angry. This is how she has been taught to deal with anger. It is not and acceptable way to handle things. I was hopeful, after I asked her if she wanted to grow up to be like "Aunty F," the woman in the foster home that carried out many of the punishments. She gave me an emphatic "NO" and began to cry. I explained that we need to start now while she is young to not hit, so she will not hit little children when she is older. She seemed to understand.

The other problem is trying to find discipline that gets through to the kids when they need to be corrected. At first they really didn't respond to things like time outs, because they have been a little hardened by their experience. But, things are getting better. They are apologetic quicker and try to be better even with the less extreme measures. They are really both very good kids at the core and are capable of responding to loving discipline, maybe not as fast as I would like, but they are learning.

Last night, I made a mini Thanksgiving dinner for Family Home Evening. At the end Theo informed me that I had "stuffed his gut." He then added, "Thanks mom." Today after dinner, homemade lasagna, the kids were all praise for the meal and Blessing informed me that, "Yes, you do a good job!"

I don't know why, but when she says things like that and the good mother comment, I just tear up. It gives me happy milestones along this very unique journey :)

Mostly Smiling Faces

So, there have definitely been some rough moments these last few weeks, but I just went through my camera and noticed a lot of smiling faces. It made me realize that the good is really outweighing the difficult.
First: Below are pictures from the Planetarium:


Next we have some shots of making Valentines and Valentine boxes:
Here is a good example of a bad hair day that I was complaining about, but we are still smiling :)
Here are the kids playing dress up. Yes my son is dressing up too. Three happy smiling faces.
Finally, here is my very naughty 18 month old. Doesn't she look happy and pleased with herself in all of her naughty-I-am-exactly-where-I-am-not-supposed-to-be glory? Life is good. Hard moments, but pretty good!