Brigantine 2008

For the Grandparents...Lia's First Report Card!!

Yeah...we're officially popping our buttons...this happy little parcel sure helped soften the sting of adding another year to my age today!! My favorite part (and oh so accurate these days!) is the part about her reporting others who are not following the rules!! She's fairly intense about making sure Jim and I following the rules too...and sometimes I feel a bit sorry for her little stuffed friends...she runs a tight ship I tell you!! :-)

(click on the report card to enlarge it)

The "Funny Guy"...in magnet blocks

Lia received a wonderful Melissa and Doug Magnetic Pattern Block Set for her birthday. We love it so much, I have since purchased it for a few birthday gifts for other friends! Anyway...my normal practice is to keep up a rotation of toys...put some away and change them out from time to time. It seems to hold Lia's interest more and encourages her to attend for longer periods of time. I got out the magnetic blocks today and she enjoyed making puzzles all morning. Right before lunch she called me to come and see what she had made (Papa...she said this is the Funny Guy!) . The card on the left is what you are supposed to slide into the board and match with the magnetic blocks to complete the puzzle. Lia created her own "Funny Guy"on the magnet board, using the card as a model (with her own fabulous artistic license!).


The teacher in me says, "Nice work!"....the mom in me says, "She's a genius!!!"

Nobody Does it Better...

...or with such obvious joy and grace! We love you Daddy! Happy Father's Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

June 9, 2001 ~ 7 Years...and not an Itch in Sight!!

"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale."

Extended Family...the Circle Grows

Once, after I was lamenting the fact that we live so far away from our families, a co-worker suggested that friends can become your surrogate family. We have been blessed beyond belief with a tight circle of friends that have indeed become like family to us over the past six years. In addition to our adoption group, I have been fortunate to find a lifelong friend at work. Through Tracy, we were introduced to Patty and her mom. Abuela (grandma), as everyone calls her, immigrated to the United States from Ecuador, 6o years ago. Although her English is, at times, a bit difficult to understand, with Patty's help, we always manage to keep the conversation flowing and have many laughs along the way. Tonight we were the most honored guests for dinner at Abuela's retirement home. She fussed and fretted and made us feel most welcomed into her home. We got to meet her great-grandson, Torrian, who just turned 1! And best of all...Abuela has promised to take me to a Spanish grocery and teach me how to whip up some of her delicious Ecuadoran dishes! My favorite was the shrimp appetizer...just add popcorn!! Certainly a combo I had never had...but one I was very fond of!!

Summertime...and the Livin's Good!!

Lia REALLY enjoyed the ice cream we had to celebrate her last day of school! She was thrilled to watch some of her friends GRADUATE from Kindergarten (way to go Ava and Cate!!) this morning (of course...any occasion to wear a fancy dress is A-OK), and even took part in the ceremony by singing a ROCKIN' version of "I'm a Little Teapot" with her class. I know Lia will miss being with her school friends each day, but I am so happy that she will be back with most of them in the fall under the watchful eyes of Miss Denise and Miss Theresa. I LOVE that she will have the same teachers until she moves into the Kindergarten class herself (although I am glad I don't have to think about THAT for two more years!). Lia was the youngest in her class this year, and I am extremely proud of how she adjusted. She has grown so much, both socially and academically, but what I am happiest about is the fact that she loves going to school and learning. It was a good year indeed.

Weekend in Review

Our weekend was extremely productive, with a little fun thrown in for good measure. I was able to switch out Lia's wardrobe from her winter things to all of her fun summer clothes...now that summer actually seems to be arriving. While I was at it, I contemplated what kind of closet system we need for her room. I hope to get that done soon...how one little girl could have so many clothes is a bit of a mystery! It felt great to get SOMETHING organized. We are expecting her big girl bed this week. This is the one we ordered (with different bedding):

Yesterday, Jim spotted the perfect, antique dresser for Lia's room at an estate sale. It needs a lot of cosmetic TLC...but I am so looking forward to repainting it this summer. I knew it was the right one as soon as I saw it (and we got it for a song, which was icing on the cake)! A great "find' always makes me so cheery! I love a good project and I can't wait to get started.

Jim apparently missed the memo about Project Organization. He took Lia for a walk to a neighborhood garage sale and came home with Lia AND a huge, pink, inflatable trumpet in tow. If you have any good storage ideas for huge, pink, inflatable trumpets, I would be most appreciative. But check out Lia's expression as she lovingly caresses the huge, pink, inflatable trumpet. She. Loves. It. That expression is worth so much more than the buck Jim shelled out to bring that baby home. And hey...life really is a circus...and shouldn't we all be ready to join the parade??

Jim took advantage of the beautiful weather we are finally enjoying and washed his car. With Lia's...shall we say....help??? A husband cleaning and a little water play...just a few of the joys of summer!! Good times!

...and now back to my regularly scheduled break! Hope you all enjoyed the weekend as much as we did!