A is 3!

Today, May 6, 2012, A is 3! He has lived here with his big sister D for 373 days and I have loved every day of it. Last year we shared his birthday with D because they arrived so close to their birthdays we didn't have time to have separate parties. Not this year! D's party is over and now it is time for the spotlight to shift to A! We had a pool party for him on Friday. Yes it was only May 4 and we had a pool party, oh the joys of living in central Texas. The weather was sunny and hot and the pool felt wonderful. A asked for monkey cupcakes, so monkey cupcakes he got. We also took sugar cookies to his school on Friday so he could share with his friends. The pool party was small with some close family and friends since we had to do it on a Friday night because of his family visits on the weekends. I wish we could have had a party on Saturday so we could invite his friends from school, but oh well, it was a lot of fun and he loved it (the only thing that really matters). He was one tired little boy when we drove him to meet his biological parents late Friday night for his weekend visit.

A,
You are the sweetest, silliest little boy I have ever met. You are seriously the best toddler I have ever seen.  Your smile lights up a room and is so contagious. People tell us all the time how beautiful you smile is. I think it is because when you smile your whole face lights up and smiles, not just your mouth. You are all boy! You love to play soccer, play in the dirt, look at motorcycles, firetrucks, monkeys and bathroom noises :). I absolutely love to hear you talk. When you first came here you could say 2 words and bark like a dog, now you speak in whole sentences, tell us about everything (even things from a few months ago), name all of your colors, and make your opinion known. I love how when we ask you "are you Kristy's or JaJa's?" you answer differently almost every time, although I think JaJa is really your favorite. You try so hard to be just like JaJa and it is absolutely precious. You adore your big sister and follow her everywhere, even when she doesn't want you to. I pray that you keep your joy for life as you grow up and that my sweet little boy grows up into a sweet young man. A, you make us smile everyday and we love you so much.

Here are some pictures of the goodies from the week. Again, I so wish I could show you pictures of him. The look on his face as he was opening his presents was wonderful.

Animal Cookies for School

Monkey Cupcakes!!

I love you my little monkey!

D is 8!

Today is April 26. D is 8 years old! She has been in our home for 363 days as of today. Last year she didn't get a party with her family because she was supposed to have it the weekend she was brought to us. We had a small party last year with a friend at the lake that we threw together last minute and shared with her little brother. This year the party was all about her! I loved getting to plan her birthday party and trying to make it special and memorable for her. We had a slumber party and she invited a few friends from school. The girls were super excited to come, one even chose to come to the party instead of going to her grandmother's that night. D requested a "strawberry cake" which to her means cake, strawberries and whipped cream. She loved the one that we made for her! The girls played outside, played games, made tie dye pillow cases that I painted their names on, and stayed up late watching a movie. It was so fun to listen to her giggle and play with her friends. I love that she has good friends here. I so wish I could share her picture here so you could all see what a beautiful little girl she is.

D,
You are an amazing little girl. I love your laugh and silliness. You are incredibly sweet and love everyone. You are a great big sister to A and are always looking out for him. You are smart and you love to see us smile when you are proud of your grades. I love that you now make all A's and love school. You have come so far in just 1 year. You have lost your front two teeth just in time for your 8th birthday and the way you look at us when we call you captain toothless is priceless. I pray that you continue to grow up into a beautiful young lady, inside and out. You have a heart for people and I hope that you continue to have that compassion. Watching you turn from 7 to 8 has been such a blessing to JaJa and I. I know that God has big plans for you and that you can do anything with His help. We love you our silly little toothless girl.


Here are some pictures of the pillow cases we made. I can't show her whole name so I will show a friend's name instead.

Before Tie Dying

Tie Dye Fun

Up close of the butterfly

HAPPY 8th Birtday D! WE LOVE YOU!