Charlie Turned 4!!

Charlie celebrated his 4th birthday on March 17! He was so excited to have his birthday and he really "got" it this year. We had a nice family party for him and had some playgroup friends over to celebrate as well. He is really into Cars (the movie) and loves Lightning McQueen so he got lots of Cars stuff!

Cast On, Cast Off

Charlie broke his left middle finger in Feb (it just bent back when playing with CJ). The doctor put him in a big hand cast because he said Charlie would be able to riggle out of anything else too easily. Charlie was very good when getting examined, xrayed and having the cast put on. Except, when it was time to leave he cried "OK, you can take it off now!" Try to explain 3 weeks to a 3 (almost 4) year old! Well, 3 weeks later and it came off! Amelia got to come with since she was home sick from school.

Sledding!

Sorry, you have to hear my silly laugh as they crash!

SNOW!

Here are some pictures of the snow in our neighborhood. The kids have had so much fun playing in it...building forts, tunnels and sledding. I think it we got 18-20 inches!

Halloween Has Come and Gone

I never posted pictures of the kids in their Halloween costumes. They were very cute...all of them. CJ was a civil war soldier, Amelia was Cleopatra, Clara was a gypsie, and Charlie was Thomas the Train. Amelia looked incredible as she was able to get her face painted at the neighborhood halloween party...they even painted a really cool green snake on her arm.

Happy Adoption Day Charlie!

It is so incredibly hard to believe that we met Charlie one-year ago tomorrow (Sept 21). If the rest of my life goes as quickly as the last year, I am going to be hitting 80 in no time. I admit the year wasn't quite as I had anticipated with my mom's illness and death. And, I think I wasn't all here for Charlie (or the rest of my family) for a while afterward. But, I feel the fog lifting and I feel more in control of my emotions. Oh, our lives are very chaotic and hectic, but our lives are very full and fulfilling.

We celebrated Charlie's adoption this weekend since Pete had to leave for a trip today. Here are a few thoughts about Charlie then and now.

Last year he called me "ayi" (auntie)...this year I am "mommy" (or more appropriately...mmmooommmyyyyy...hear the whine??)

Last year he didn't really know how to kiss or hug...this year he loves to do both.

Last year he didn't know how to go up and down stairs....this year he flies up and down them.

Last year he cried at the sight of our dog...this year he pets her, helps to feed her and even commands her to sit.

Last year he threw about 5 (maybe more) gigantic temper tantrums daily....this year we get a good one only every couple days (that's progress in my book).

Last year he had to line everything up in a row or he'd get freaked out....this year he throws his shoes in a big pile with the rest.

Last year he would hardly let anyone touch any of "his" things...this year he almost always shares (with some prompting).

Last year he knew only China....this year he has been to Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, Delaware, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Minnesota, California, and Nevada.

Last year he seemed pretty clumsy...this year he can run, jump, ride a scooter, ride a bike with training wheels, kick a soccer ball, swing and lots more!

Last year he didn't speak a word of English....this year he never stops talking English.

Last year he didn't know God...this year he goes to church every week, says prayers before meals, and even went to Vacation Bible School last month.

Last year he didn't know a family's love...this year he likes to whisper in our ears "I love you."

Last year he didn't know what it was like to have a family...this year he has a mommy, daddy, brother, and two sisters that will be his FOREVER!

We love you Charlie and can't imagine our life without you!!

Charlie on his new bike

Celebrating Charlie's Adoption Day with Friends (and Chinese Food, of course)

Charlie's Cake (it says Happy in Chinese Characters...at least we think it does)

First Day of School

The kids are all back to school now. I have an 8th-grader, 5th-grader, 3rd-grader and a preschooler! Wow! This was the first year I really wasn't ready for them to go back. I really enjoyed our care-free, no schedule summer. We weren't home alot over summer as we spent about 5 weeks at the beach and took a 2-week vacation. In between there was Vacation Bible School and Lacrosse Camp (for CJ). So, I was enjoying being home and hanging out at our neighborhood pool.

But, the kids were actually excited to go back. Clara was super happy because she is in several classes with her two best friends. CJ just loves school in general so he was happy. Amelia loves to be with her friends at school. And, Charlie just joined in on the excitement and was ready for his 3 afternoons a week of preschool (de-boo-yo as he calls it).