Turning Eight is Great!

My baby boy, Sullivan, turned EIGHT last week. That sounds so much older to me than seven, but it's STILL not old enough to be dating!

I picked him up from school this afternoon and following is our conversation:

"Hey, babe. How was your day?" I inquired.

"Good. Some girl in second grade asked me out today," he replied.

"She WHAT?!?!" I cried. And yes, I'm sure my voice did take on that maternal shrill tone.

"She asked me out," he replied nonchalantly.

"What did you say to her?" I asked. Please, God, please don't let him already be interested in girls, I pleaded silently.

"Well, I never talked to her because she sent one of her sidekicks to do her dirty work. Her sidekicks are always chasing me and Wyn around on the playground and we have to hide from them at lunch," he answered. And yes, he really used the word sidekick to describe this smitten little girl's faithful friend.

"But," he continued, "I told her no."

"And that was it?" I asked.

"Yes, Mom, I'm too young to date. I'm only eight," he answered.

Amen, baby boy, amen.

Little Miss Sassy

As reported by her preschool teacher ....

Oakley was sitting up on her cot last week during nap time. After she attempted to wake up one of her little friends for an impromptu conversation. During nap time when all the other children were sleeping soundly. This has been an ongoing problem at school. She never has a problem napping at home, but will resist it at school at all costs.

And she still REALLY needs her nap. On days that she refuses to nap at school, she looks drugged when I pick her up. And she's whiny. And she will totally meltdown if one of her brothers looks at her wrong. Or if she can't find her bunny. Or for no reason at all.

Anyway ... her beloved teacher, Ms. Kuk, told Oakley that she needed to lie back down on her cot and take her nap.

"I WILL ..... in a minute!" replied little Miss Sassy. (She might as well have thrown her hand on her hip.)

And although it may sound funny coming out of a three-year-old's mouth once, it won't be cute for long. So we had a discussion on the way home about being respectful to Ms. Kuk and remembering to say "Yes Mam," when she's directed to do something. And I remind her every morning that I expect her to take a nap when all the other children do, and to NOT wake up her friends.

So, while I'm not thrilled with her sassy mouth, I LOVE her sassy new haircut!

She's really proud of it and I think it looks adorable on her. Her hair is so thick and straight. We're going for a little swing bob that's stacked in the back.

I'm trying hard to let her bangs grow out, so we still have to pull them up in a bow, and the sides still have a lot of layers to grow out, but it's starting to take shape!

Bathing Beauty

Amazing that this little girl has developed such a fondness for her bath.

I recall in vivid detail the first time I placed her in a tub in our hotel room in China. She sat shivering, looking up at me with those dark, soulful eyes. She didn't know how to play with the stacking cups I placed in the tub, and although she didn't protest me soaping her up, she didn't enjoy it either.

After I bathed her, she stood immediately to get out and when I tried to coax her into playing with her toys, she just stared at me like I had lost my mind.

My, how times have changed!

Bath time now is all about:

trying out crazy new hair styles

blowing bubbles

making fish faces

swimming

playing toys

getting slobbery kisses from Scrabble

and staying in the water so long that her little toes wrinkle like raisins

Oakley loves her bath and her night-time ritual -- take a bath, brush your teeth, get your pajamas on, gather your blanket and your bunny, read a book (Huggle Buggle Bear is her latest favorite), say your prayers, and then its hugs and kisses galore.

"I need to kiss your cheek."

" I need to kiss your eyes."

" I need to kiss your lips."

" I need to kiss your head."

Yes, I'm well aware that it's a stalling tactic, but it's sweet nonetheless!

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a blessed, peaceful and prosperous 2008!

Oakley and Sullivan were both up early this morning, even though Sullivan managed to stay awake to ring in the New Year. Michael worked all day yesterday but was able to get home late last night ... with just 5 seconds to spare until the big ball dropped. We celebrated in true family-fashion by getting a couple of movies and watching the neighborhood fireworks show at 12:01am. We intended to rent a few movies, but pulled into Blockbuster just as they were closing (early, in celebration of New Years). We ended up having to purchase a couple of movies from that Big Box Store that NEVER closes.

We had a wonderful 2007 and the highlight was most definitely bringing our sweet baby girl home! Here's wishing us all a wonderful 2008. May God grant us peace and continue to place in our hearts the spirit of giving throughout the year!

On that note, one of my favorite organizations - Love Without Boundaries - needs your help.


Love Without Boundaries is a worldwide group of volunteers who have realized that people with a pure love for helping children can truly make a difference. They donate their time and resources in an attempt to brighten the lives of orphaned children in China.

There is a new giving challenge on Facebook being sponsored by the Case Foundation. The charity that gets the most unique donors each day wins $1000, and the charity that has most unique donors total by February 1st wins Fifty Thousand Dollars. Yes, FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS! Your $10 contribution could have a HUGE impact on these children. Please give to LWB and help them continue their work to help children in urgent care. Help them win $50,000 to help meet the needs of orphans in China.

Happy New Year!!

O' Christmas Tree

I'm late, I'm late and Christmas is just 9 days away!! I'm behind this year, but I'm making progress. Our Christmas cards are made, but not addressed; shopping is still incomplete, although I did put a big dent in it this weekend; the dreaded Christmas card photo shoot took place this afternoon; I'm just about finished decorating; and the pecans for my Bourbon Balls are marinating as I type.

We FINALLY got our Christmas tree Friday night and decorated it on Saturday. So there IS light at the end of the tunnel. And the light in Oakley's eye's speaks volumes.

She is overjoyed with our tree and I think she's already memorized every ornament. She goes round and round the tree as she repeats, "Don't touch it .... just look." Last year we celebrated Christmas without Oakley, knowing that she was halfway around the world, without her family, and without knowing what a very special day it was. It was a difficult holiday for us, but we found comfort in knowing it would be the last Christmas she would ever spend alone. Words can't describe how wonderful it is to have her home with us this year.

I must admit that adding another child to the mix made our annual Christmas card photo shoot a little more interesting. Oakley was dressed and ready long before any of the boys, so I positioned her in front of the tree to get some solo shots. By the time her brothers were ready, she was done with the photo shoot and more than ready to move on to something else ... lunch, in particular.

Bless her heart, I bribed her with a sandwich and chips, and she managed to find a few more smiles. Amazingly, I was able to get a few photos with everyone's eyes open, and everyone smiling (albeit some of the smiles were obviously forced!)

I haven't decided which shot we'll use yet, but I need to get busy if I want to get them in the mail before Christmas!! Care to let me know your favorite?

Next year I vow to have a professional photographer take our Christmas card photo. I don't think I've used a professional photographer since Sullivan was just a baby! It's about time.

When Bad Hair Happens to Good People

We were preparing to head out to dinner and I asked Sawyer to go upstairs with Oakley and fetch a bow for her hair. They were gone for a while and this is how she looked when she returned.

Sawyer, of course, was all smiles. He's no stylist, but you've got to admit, he's got flare:).

Oakley LOVED her new look and was more than happy to pose for some photos.

Yup, Sawyer continues to be her hero!! When we pick him up from school each day, she greets him with a smile and a "Hello! You're my friend." And she never fails to ask him how his day was.

I love looking back in my rear view mirror to see them holding hands -- their mutual affection is so evident.

Ahhh ... it melts a Mother's heart!

Thankful

I'm a slacker. I can't believe I let an entire month escape me with no post!! I missed Thanksgiving and our 6-month GOTCHA anniversary. We've been crazy busy, but I apologize for not posting an update last month. I'd be remiss, however, if I didn't take time to share how THANKFUL we are to have our sweet girl home.

Thanksgiving took on a whole new meaning this year and it often overwhelms me just to look at Oakley. She is absolutely amazing in every way and as I experience each holiday and each event through her eyes, I count my blessings. She reminds me daily to remember what's really important -- the love of family, the grace of God, and the tenderness of a child's heart.

She's so appreciative of all the little things and she was beyond excited as I decorated the Thanksgiving table in anticipation of sharing a wonderful meal with our immediate and extended family members.


I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love our family traditions -- watching the Macy's Day Parade in our pajamas and cooking our favorite dishes with the sound of football games in the background. I love that Sullivan ventures out mid-morning to find the brightest red leaves to adorn our table, and I love spending time with family. It's low-pressure and lots of fun. And this year, Oakley's excitement was icing on the cake, or whipped cream on the pumpkin pie! Yes, she really loves all the hoopla surrounding each holiday, not to mention the food. The girl still REALLY loves to eat!

"Soooo pretty, Mama. It's gonna be FUN!" she exclaimed repeatedly as she helped me set the table.

And with Christmas just around the corner, you can only imagine how she reacts to all the Christmas lights, the holiday music, and the general hustle and bustle. She knows Jingle Bells by heart and sings it non-stop .... non-stop. Michael decorated the front of the house with wreaths on the windows and twinkly lights on the landscape shrubs. She tells him daily what a good job he did.

We visited the mall, and much to my amazement, she climbed right up on Santa's lap, gave him a big hug, and asked him for a baby doll. She was thrilled with the little coloring book he gave her. She talks about him like he's a long-lost friend. And I guess he is.

As we prepare this season to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I thank Him for His presence in our lives, I thank Him for my wonderful husband, my beautiful boys, and my precious little girl.