Happily Ever After...

A BAG PARTY!!! Who even knew that grocery store bags could elicit such giggles? Or, that you can play hide and seek with them? (Although they aren't very good at hiding.) Those silly bags kept them busy for hours yesterday, and they came home from Art and Music today begging to have another bag party. Who am I to say no to free entertainment? Party on Girls, party on. Oh the joy in her face right before she throws them in the air! ( Please don't judge on the enormous amount of Tar-get bags. They had a great stock up sale, and who am I not to stock up ??)

Is it normal for 3 and 5 year olds to have stage names ?  Because not only do my 3 and 5 year old have stage names, they CALL them their stage names. How do they know what a stage name is anyway??? As soon as they dress up in any attire(other than street clothes) they begin to refer to each other as their stage names. They are too funny! So, without further adieu allow me to present- Showty and Annevia! Doesn't Showty look smashing in her sunglasses?!? I particularly like the lovely belts they made out of necklaces. Could they have just created the next bedazzler craze? Hmmm... maybe not. Who knew little girls could be so much fun?!?

Guess who really loves her puppy? He can't even get a break when he is in his cage. She finds him and keeps him "company." I think he loves her too. Or, he is plotting his escape. I'm not sure which one. I wonder where she gets her love of dogs. Maybe, just maybe could it be from her brother?

                                             .... to an adoptive family. 1) "Were they a package deal?"  2) "Are they real sisters? They are? Really ? What a blessing they have their REAL sister." 3) "Can I go get me one of them too?" (Just a reminder,I do live in GA folks.) 4) After repeatedly saying they're beautiful, and having a 5 year old tell you her beauty comes from her heart, you say, and I quote: " Well, you are beautiful on the outside too and that is what counts." 5) Frantically pointing to a multi- racial adoptive family, and exclaiming loudly, "My daughter loves to look at girls like those .  Look Honey, see those Chinese girls? Look at their eyes." 6) "Oh bless your heart. Nobody would have wanted a child with such extensive medical issues. You must be a saint to take her." (This was said in a Dr.'s office IN FRONT OF MY CHILD!!) 7) And let's not forget the pathetic attempt at humor: "Which ai...

We really didn't think that Gianna would be able to attend ballet anymore with her restrictions. I have spoken with her sweet teacher, Miss Sarah, via email and she is not at all daunted by having Gianna in her class, so we decided to give it a go! I decided to put her back brace on her to limit torquing and twisting. She also knows that when they touch their toes, she touches her knees. It never ceases to amaze me that she knows she has limits and for the most part, she adheres to them with little prompting. This is her "I am completely beside myself with excitement" look. And who could miss her "Come on Mommy let's GOOO!" look She has never met a bubble she didn't like! Look how high she can raise both arms! So thankful she didn't need physical therapy to be able to do that!! Aria has a very sweet class this year too. She is with her wonderful teacher Miss Amanda, and  the girls in her class are all such little darlings! I don't think that Gian...

Aria is in the first grade and this year, we are not using a DVD program. The repetition was very frustrating for her but she is thriving with the one on one time with Mommy as her teacher. We know that our little princess needs to be challenged socially, so we have enrolled her in a few different extra-curricular activities. This week she began Music and Art at a very large church that caters to homeschool families like ours. She began her day like this: Gianna, however, began her day like this: Not having her own backpack nearly sent her over the edge. I am a  such a sucker for the school girl outfit. She is the cutest!!  Laurel is wondering if she can suck her thumb when she goes to school. Who could tell that sweet face that she can't??  Not me that's for sure. Gianna recovered after she got her lunch box. Forget the backpack- she gets FOOD!!! First day for our bestest friends too. Aria and Savannah are in the same art class together. Joel is taking a "Just for boys...

Our oldest son turned 23 yesterday. It's so hard for this mama to believe.  You blink, and they are grown men. Well, except for when they are humoring their little sisters.... Aria's pick for her "Yo" was an army themed party. Think she wants to ship him off?? You have to admit, he is a VERY handsome soldier! "My name is Yo, and this is how I roll." He was such a good sport! And so were all of his friends. What a great group of kids, ahem, I mean, adults. Happy 23rd birthday Son! We are so thankful to the Lord for where He has brought you and where He will take you this year!