Commitment

This is the first year we have ever done swim team. Wow what a commitment! Practice every day , meets twice a week, voluteer jobs for Rick and I all while juggling the other two kids. Yes, alot of work but I am loving it. It's great exercise for Lance along with a taste of competition and the feeling of being part of a team. At first, the swimsuit was not exactly his favorite I guess because he was used to the whole board shorts thing. In fact, he cryed the first practice where he had to wear it! Today we had to be there at 7 am. After the cub scout picnic last night the kids went to bed pretty late so dragging Lance out of bed was not fun. I learned a great deal by helping run the time cards back and forth and Lance was hoping to beat his last time trial. I on the other hand am just happy to see him participating and enjoying the experience.

Nonna turns 90

This weekend we traveled to NJ to celebrate Rick's grandmother's 90th birthday. Even after the 4 hr drive, I was pleasently surprised at how well the kids cooperated. They has a blast with all of their cousins who they just don't get to see often enough. Check out how great Nonna looks at 90...

And she's gone!!

Well, this morning it happened. We knew it wouldn't be long. Yup, our little gymnast has masterred the crib jump! Kind of a bummer (I confess to sometimes leaving her there in the morning so I could suck down a latte in peace.) I guess shopping for new furniture will be fun but training her to actually stay in a bed??? AHHHHH.

Transitions

It took me a while to realize that this whole mommy thing really throws you. Just when you think you have it down with a routine of some sort or a pattern of some kind, life mixes it up. Kids are always changing schedules, entering new phases and it's up to us to be right there with them rolling and changing with it all. I always get a bit sad when this happens like last week with the end of Pre K. I'm not saying that I want to hang on to every second, in fact I am enjoying my kids more as they get older. No craving the infant phase for me that's for sure. It's just this little feeling that creeps up and reminds me that the life we have known for a short while is over.
This weekend was another reminder as I did the "clothes swap." This is when I put away the clothes that the kids have grown out of, hang some new ones or take out the ones that have been saved. These kids seriously have enough clothing to outfit a small city.



The bins are filled according to size and sometimes I make Lance draw something to throw in the box too, just for a laugh when I have to pull them out for Luca...



Lance has graduated from kids hangers to the adult size...



There is also a box with a few things that I just don't ever want to part with, the really tiny clothes, what they came home in and some of the boys matching outfits. Little shoes and stuff like that too.
As soon as I find the time, Lily's closet is next.

For Korea

Lily's 2 year old photos. Just some of the pics we are sending to her foster family for an update. Hard to believe the last one we sent was 6 months ago. Hope everyone had a restful memorial day weekend.

What a Week!

It started with Luca's 5th Birthday on Sunday. Rick's mom and grandmother were visiting as well. The rain was on and off but it didn't stop the party from happening.

How cool is that cake?






Then there were the end of Pre-K events. I volunteereed to make scrapbooks for the teacher gifts. I must have been insane since there are 3 teachers and 21 children. I ended up creating 63 pages! It's just that these teachers are so outstanding and so deserving of a special gift. On Thurs we had the end of year party and today was the family picnic. I have to admit a few tears were shed as we said good-bye to pre K. I will miss the drop off hugs and kisses and the looking back to me for a thumbs up as I walked away. The moms in this class are so cool and we actually really enjoy each others company so I will miss the chats at pick up. This year I found it amazing to hear such praise for my little Luca, how he listened and was such a joy all the time. This being because lately with me he is the devil! I was consistently impressed with what he was learning and so happy to have had these women in his life.

Breaking It In

Ok, so I haven't chosen my new lens yet. I have been on 100 photography websites over the last few days and still I am not ready to commit. For now, however, I have been so excited to use the new camera body that I have just been shooting with the old lenses, by that I mean around 4 yrs old . Please, please any suggestions, comments would be so helpful.