Sad Stats

No one looked at our adoption profile today.

I Seriously Deserve a Major Award

Yes, I sewed this quilt--with MY BARE HANDS! About a year ago, I was feeling sad for Sam who was using my old quilt for a blanket. I wanted him to have something that represented himself. Store selections are pretty crummy for boys--it's all sports or animals or baby blue. I knew he would outgrow a cowboy theme or car theme. But what to do? Then, last Easter he went shopping for an Easter tie with Chad and came home with a plain jane navy blue tie with tiny tiny green polka dots. I was like, "Really, this is the tie you choose?" And Chad said that was the one Sam wanted. "Polka dots, Mommy." Ah, polka dots. So, from there it was the great search for polka dot bedding. Nothing but babyish stuff. Same thing at the fabric store. Cutting this long story short--I found some polka dot sheets and Target, corresponded with matching fabric, let it sit on my sewing machine for several months and then FINALLY got my bum in gear. Was it easy? No. Will I ever sew again? Not for a long time unless it's for a baby blanket. Moral of this story--I REALLY REALLY REALLY love my kids.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Noelle Joy is now our ultra "happy" two-year old. To her, the world is a happy place. My sister asked her if life was happy and her response was "Happy!! ME!!" This our most loving, sweet, adorable, obedient daughter on her happy birthday. (please excuse the photos--my flash broke)

Noelle ready to go to church in her new birthday dress.

One of her gifts were pink and purple hot wheels which the boys immediately zoned in on and swiped from her. Don't worry, we swiped them back.

Snuggle time in her new big girl bed.

Cupcakes. I did my best.

I love watching kids as they anticipate cake. They can hardly contain themselves. Even better is the aftermath. Sam was laying on the floor spinning around in circles with his feet like a wild hyena brake dancing.

Making a wish.

This is Noelle's plate. She only wanted the frosting. Next year, I won't work so hard. I'll just buy a tub of frosting and hand her a spoon.

Spot of Tea

Whilst I was paying bills, Sam and Noelle decided to have an impromptu tea party. The ottoman made a brilliant table. Noelle's old bottles as well as straws were easily accessible in a bottom kitchen drawer. And the play teapot was procured from deep within the recesses of a toy basket in the playroom. I emerged triumphantly from my solitude to this jolly good time.

Why do both of my kids have their pants off? Good question. My best guess is that Sam spilled water on his pants and promptly took them off (he HATES any amount of moisture on his clothes) and then Noelle followed suit.

Science Is Fun!

Our friends, the Higgies, came for their 3rd weekly visit in less than a year (they just can't get enough us). So, we made our good ol' stop to the children's science museum here in town. Hmm, maybe it's the science museum they can't get enough of.

...She'll prick her finger on the spindle of a wheel before her 2nd birthday.

Up, up and away!

Hey Skeletor! Windy day isn't it?

Comedic Genius--hat and sunglasses on skeleton.

Sunrise. Sunset.

Sam is officially a Sunbeam. He missed the cut-off last year by 1 month and 2 days. But I was perfectly fine with that. Is it weird that I was a little choked up at this rite of passage? "I don't remember growing older. When did they?"

See the little girl to the left of Sam? That's Lucy. Sam calls her "Lucy Goosey" (he made that up all by himself). She's adopted too. Pretty much, adopted kids are the cutest kids on the planet.

Sam and his nursery teacher. Can you just feel the excitement? Really, it's kind of a bum deal because suddenly they take away snacks and playdoh and you have to sit and behave for 2 more hours.

It's a Snuggie New Year's

We rang in the New Year in true Snuggie style. Here are a few highlights from our New Year's Eve celebration. . .

Happy 30th Chad. My man is like a good hunk of Tillamook cheese--he only gets better with age. Thanks for making the delicious cake Becca. Chad was truly saddened that most of the kids wasted so much cake. He mentioned it to me . . . more than once.

Snuggie pictionary. Just like in the commercial folks. I would like to take this moment to note that the Snuggie is not what they claim it to be. It was near impossible to play pictionary, raise the roof on the couch, have a dance party in the kitchen, or dust in my genuine Snuggie. The dang thing keeps falling off. A sad but true reality, my friends.

Snuggies kind of look like prime cult paraphernalia.

Mike here is just WILD about his Snuggie. Note the eyes.