Treasure Train

This weekend we went on a geocaching train ride. It was really great! Daniel was so excited about it - he kept talking all week about the Choo Choo Train. Usually we don't like caching in a herd, but it was well planned out. They let people off in groups so it wasn't too crowded. We decided we were enjoying the train so much that we didn't get off at all of the stops, we stayed on and enjoyed the ride. It was a beautiful day in Versailles!

ABC

Sorry this is so dark - it was early in the morning. I am still learning how to use my new camera, but I thought this was just precious!

Chase and Daniel - best buddies

Pop got a real treat this weekend - 2 nearly full days of male bonding time with the boy. Mom had euchre with the girls Friday night, so the men of the house went to Daniel's first-ever football game. They met Uncle Ken and Chase at Vietnam Kitchen (one of Pop's favorite places) and then headed over to Holy Cross to watch the home team take on Christian Academy. After a little while, Daniel got fairly bored with the game since football is hard to follow and it's difficult to see where the ball is from the sidelines. Fortunately, though, Chase was there to rescue the evening and kept him entertained.

I must say that I marvel at how those two kids have bonded. Chase is truly one of Daniel's favorite people - he LOVES him dearly and is always excited to see him. Chase is so good to him - he really watches out for our little guy and goes out of his way to spend real quality time with him. It's thrilling for me to see those two boys being such good buddies and it truly warms my heart.

On Saturday night, we met Omah, Foffee, and Chase at Salem Speedway for the ARCA races. This was Daniel's first "real" race (I'm not counting the Jeffersonville Sportsdrome). I was quite surprised that Daniel remembered meeting Frank Kimmel and going to his race shop (see the post from 5 months ago). His memory is uncanny. He said, "Pop - look race car! Daniel sit in race car!" as we passed Mr Kimmel's hauler. Amazing.

Anyhow, overall Daniel enjoyed the races, but the best parts were seeing Chase (again) and eating all of the snacks and popcorn. I asked him afterward if he liked the races and he emphatically said, "YES POP!" I asked him if he wanted to go again sometime and he said, "Yes, tomorrow!" If he only knew how many races were in his future....

Still Here!

I know, I know, long time no post! We are doing fine, just BUSY!!! Jason and I collapsed on top of our bed on Sunday afternoon and he commented, 'Remember when we could just lay down and take a nap on Sunday afternoon?' At least I think that's what he said. I was trying to hear him in between, 'Mom, what about play? What about Daniel play blocks? You could play with me. Mom? What about play? I want to play. What about Daniel play blocks?' No problem with English - he can get his point across, that's for sure! He may be missing some of the filler words but he is totally speaking in full sentences and very well. He has started saying, 'Cool!' (he picked that up at school for sure!)

We think back to BD (before Daniel), when we were preparing to go to Ukraine. I thought I wanted 2 kids. I prayed, 'Lord, whoever you have for us will be great but Oh, by the way, I would really like 2 kids - 1 boy and 1 girl.' Well, He sure knows what He is doing! I can't imagine if he blessed us with 2! 1 Daniel keeps us hopping. He is so full of energy! We are constantly on the go, on the move, playing, playing, playing. Of course, if we had another - he would have a playmate. It wouldn't have to be mom or pop! Although, surprisingly enough - I am pretty fierce with a light saber!

Last week, when I was taking Daniel to school we were talking about our week. (it is a constant discussion! That's all I hear, 'Mom - what tomorrow? And then? And then?) So I was telling him - 3 more days of school and then 2 days of no school.

He says, 'And then mom, all done school?'

'No!', I say. 'This is what we do - 5 days of school and then 2 days of no school, 5 days of school and then 2 days of no school - over and over.'

He goes, 'Awwwww man! Why mom, why?'

:) It's going to be a long 13 years!! He likes school - he would just rather play all day! (yeah - me too!)

Happy Birthday Aunt Carleen!!

I am so glad we could be there to help you celebrate 74! We love you!!!

Grandparents Day!

Today was grandparents day at Daniel's school. I think he was the only one in his class with all 4 grandparents there. Thanks for your love and support! We love you Daniel Fan Club!!!

Goofy and Elmo

Yesterday Daniel got up, came into the living room, looked out the window and said, 'Look mom, it's goofy'. 'Do you see Goofy out there?' I ask. 'No - not see Goofy, it's goofy.' So of course, I had to go look. Goofy, Foggy - he had the letters right!

Every day when I drop him off we go over the rules for school. He says, 'No hitting, No throwing, No touch kids, No screaming, listen Mrs. Parr, and No touch kids with Elmo.' Well, Elmo, Elbow - he has the right idea!

We visited with relatives over the holiday weekend and they hadn't seen Daniel since the wedding in July. They were marveling at how much he has grown and how much his English has improved. We are with him every day and don't notice as much, but they were amazed. He's come a long way! I will have pictures as soon as I can upload from my camera!

We had a follow up home study appointment last night. Is it wrong to feel resentful of this? I know, I know - they have a huge responsibility authorizing people for adoptions. But we can't help but feel like, if we were his birth parents - no one would look in on us, count our smoke detectors, and peer into my medicine cabinets. It just seems like an insult. The appointment went fine. The lady was really nice. Of course, I felt compelled to clean the house from top to bottom, chase away all the dust bunnies, make the beds (you know, all that stuff I do EVERY day, yeah right!). It was really just to check in with us and make sure everyone is doing OK. It was fine, but we have another one in 2 months! Geez! When do they stop peering over our shoulders?

I just need to count my blessings. If this is what it takes to be his mom and dad - then we will do it. I just can't imagine life without our sweet Daniel!

New Camera!!!!

Jason got me a new camera for my birthday and I am having a great time learning all about it. I just figured out how to download photos tonight so here are some cute ones....

Behavior update - we got all smiley faces today!! Things are improving! We still get frowney faces sometimes, but the report changes each day. We don't have repeat infractions. Every day is something new. When I drop him off in the morning we go over the rules for school - no hitting, no throwing, don't touch the other kids, no screaming, no elbows, listen to the teacher. Each day we have a new issue. Sometimes I think they are being too strict - talking in the bathroom? dancing in the lunch room? I mean, he is 5 after all. I can't jump on his case for everything! I want school to be a good experience. So, we focus on the positive and as long as he isn't choking or hitting - I am happy!

He is a typical kid. He is constantly asking Why? Why? Why? Last night when I put him to bed he was asking Why? Because it's time to sleep. Why? Because it's late. Why? So I explained to him that while you are sleeping you are growing. You need to sleep so you can grow big and strong. I never realize what things fly over his head and what will actually stick. This morning, as soon as he got up he was telling me, 'Mom, I'm growing!' I said, 'Oh! Did you grow while you slept?' He says, 'Yes, I'm growing. Look at me! I'm BIG! And.........roller coaster!' He really can't wait to be tall enough to ride the big coasters! What a crack up!