Watch Out Kindergarten! Here He Comes!

Today I sent my little boy off to Kindergarten! I can't believe it. How did that happen??? Colby was really excited about school today. He couldn't wait to meet new friends and have some fun. He will be going to a before and afterschool program. I dropped him off and he was ready. He did give me an extra squeeze and kiss for good measure but that was it. "Bye Mom."  He was still all smiles when I picked him up after my first day at a new school too. He seems to have made a new friend, Ryan, and they both go to the before and after school program. He ate all his lunch, played on both playscapes, read a silly book about Pete the Cat Rocking his School Shoes, and drew an amazing little self-portrait. I am so proud of him. I can only hope his enthusiasm for learning and school continues throughout his school life.

Look Mom! No wheels!

Ok. I was almost ready to be strong and not cry as my little boy heads off to Kindergarten next week. I'm almost ready to admit he isn't a little boy anymore, what with his recent growth spurts and two missing teeth already. I was almost ready to admit it. But now this! Can it be! I so miss my baby boy but I must say I can admit I am so proud of all that he has accomplished. He really has become very independent and, yes, ready to be a big boy.

Colby has had his bicycle for three years now. It was his older cousin's and my sister Karin was amazing and gave it to Colby. He loves it and with the big yard and driveway, plus living on a very quiet street, now he has lots of room to ride. I have noticed that the training wheels really weren't working. One was down and helped a little but the other was totally bent backward and not even close to hitting the ground. I mentioned it to Colby that he was almost ready to take them off and his response, "Now Mommy?" What? Now? No! I told him later and hoped he would forget about it. No such luck. By late that afternoon he had Daddy taking them off as he sported the biggest grin ever. Oh boy! Here we go.

Both Mike and I really didn't think Colby would be able to ride. He hasn't shown much attention while riding his bike and I was worried about him balancing, especially as he looks behind him an awful lot. But, he was off and riding. And riding well. No major spills, a small scrape, but otherwise doing well.....so far! He now rides in our gravel driveway and in the corner of our street (we're at an elbow in a U shaped road). And he doesn't just ride, he rides FAST!!! I can't believe just how big he has gotten.....

We've Moved

I am sitting here at the computer in our new house and I still can not believe it. We did it! We have moved. It took a little prodding on my part, ok probably a lot of prodding but Mike agreed and we moved. We put our house on the market around Easter time and were pleasantly surprised when we got an offer. At the same time, Mike found a house that we liked. It was perfect timing. It was a long July packing and waiting on paperwork (a slight parallel to the lives we lived waiting for the adoption to finalize) but we made it through. We closed on our old house early afternoon and bought the new house a couple hours later.

The date was Aug 3rd and it was muggy and humid and totally hot outside. Thankfully we hired movers and they came in the morning. We had them hold our stuff overnight and the next day we were in. We still have rearranging, unpacking, and decorating to do. Mike already has plans to update the full bath and expand downstairs to make the kitchen and living room larger. Me, I have plans I'll sit on a little longer and then we'll see what happens. Maybe a little more prodding will be involved.

And now the fun begins. We registered Colby for Kindergarten! Yikes! Can he be that big already??? And I have to start getting back into work mode. Along with moving to a new house, I was moved to a new school for work. It was very unexpected and not something I am to happy about but the school I'll be at is nice and the staff is very friendly. But now I have to pack my office and set up a new one. Ugh! Thankfully we still have 2 weeks until school starts on the 27th.

So, here are a few moving photos. Once the house is a little more set up I'll post those picks. But feel free to come by and help us unpack!!

Our Mini Vacation to New Hampshire

Last week Colby and I went to New Hampshire. Mike had to work so this was the first time Colby went somewhere with ust one of us. We went for just a few days. My parents also went and they took two of my nephews, Keith (age5) and Alex (age 9). My mom and I brought the three boys to StoryLand one day and then the next day the boys stayed in the lake swimming and fishing with my dad. They actually caught a few little fish and 1 really big one! The trip was a nice reprieve from all of the packing. Speaking of which, we have a tentative closing on both houses on Aug 3rd. I can't wait. Living in this maze of boxes is driving me crazy! Plus the uncertainty of the move has really caused some acting out on Colby's part. So much is changing and he is taking it all in stride for the most part. But, I think he is nervous about it. Right now we live right up the road from Mike's parents and his mom watched Colby most days after school. I think they will both miss that time together a lot. We will definitely have to come visit both sets of grandparents a lot. And they can visit anytime too. We'll have a nice big backyard for cookouts in the summer and just relaxing. We're already thinking about a September party. Anyone want to come???

Just a few NH pics:

Fun Summer Photos and an Update

It's been a busy and HOT summer so far. Colby and I have gone to the park, swimming, and the movies. We went to see Madagascar 3 and Colby hasn't stopped singing Polka Dot Circus and Move It since! All while we are packing up and getting ready to move to our new house. I can't believe we actually are moving! Things are going well, we are told, and the closing on both houses should be the end of this month. So here I sit surrounded by boxes, newspaper, and bubble wrap. UGH!

For our fun family day to celebrate "America's birthday" as Colby refers to the 4th of July, Mike, Colby, and I went to Mystic Aquarium. We had taken him there for his 3rd birthday but hadn't gone since. He loved the beluga whales and penguins. But I think his favorite was the sting ray tank. Colby and I even fed the sting rays!

And now on Sunday Colby and I will be taking a few days to go to New Hampshire, Lake Winnipasaukee. My family has a house on the lake there. My mom and dad are going too and they are taking 2 of my nephews, Alex (age 9) and Keith (age 5). My mom wants to bring the boys to StoryLand. We brought Colby there last year too. Mike has to work though so just Colby and I will be going. Probably from Sun to Wed. It will be the first time we are separated as a family. Colby has had sleepovers for a night but it's never been him with just one of us. I'm a little nervous how he will react but I think having his cousins there will help.

And in other news: not only am I moving to a new house, I was just informed that the superintendent has moved my teaching position to a different school. So now I need to pack up my office and set up in a new school. Not really happy about it. I really enjoyed my other school and the people I worked with. I don't like change and moving to a new house is enough change for me. But, we'll see what happens I guess.

So, here are some great photos from our summer so far.

4 Years Ago

4 years ago today Mike and I made our way from Yekaterinburg to Kamensk, a 2 hour drive during which our coordinator was stopped by the police. We met the most adorable little boy, complete with a curl in the middle of his forhead. That day would change our lives forever. The moment I knew there was such a thing as true love at first sight. Gotcha Day wouldn't be for more than 7 months later and we would finally be home as a complete family on 2/21/09 but 6/24/08 would be the day we saw our son for the first time.

Where Did May Go? A Really Big Update

Ok. I just noticed looking at this today that I never posted in May. How did that happen? I can't believe a whole month went by and not one single post. That has never happened before. Ok, so a pretty long update on what has been going on.

The end of the school year is fast approaching. I have been busy at work with end of the year testing mandated by the state, as well as final paperwork and meetings. I can't believe Colby will be done with PreSchool and on to Kindergarten! Where has my baby gone! Oh right, he now stands 44 inches and has lost a baby tooth already. And he is READING!!! And not just baby books either. I am so proud of all his hard work this year. Colby was even chosen as the Student "Wolf" of the Month for his class in April. So cool!

We have celebrated Colby's 5th birthday, Mother's Day, and my ?? birthday. We went to the CT Science Center for Mother's Day. Grandma Donna and Grandpa Tom brought us all to the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) for Colby's birthday. Colby was so excited and he enjoyed his Johnny Rocket's milkshake and special birthday song sung by the waitresses! We also celebrated Memorial Day with 3 picnics, and my cousin Chelsie's college graduation. In the next few months we will celebrate my nephew Keith's 5th birthday, my niece Lizzie's 3rd birthday, and my cousin Stacy's wedding. A busy but exciting time!

AND, after much nagging on my part, oh at least a few months worth, I was able to convince Mike that it was the right time to find a new house. The housing market isn't great if you sell, which we are, but to buy it is a bargain. So in May we were looking at new houses and trying to sell ours. It worked! This past week we found a buyer and we found the house that is right for us! It isn't too far from where we are now, but it is out of the city and the property is amazing. It borders a Fish and Game Preserve. 3 bedrooms, a good sized kitchen/dining room, and 2 smaller living/family rooms. I'll also enjoy the extra bathroom. But the best feature is the yard and large deck. We hope to expand a little and I want a large front porch but we love it. The closings are in July. I'm not sure how we will close on our house here and the new one the same day but I guess it will all work out. Just another adventure for our family. Thankfully it is in July when I am not working at school. Anyone want to help pack and help us move???