Reston Zoo w Hani and Caleb

On January 20th of this year, Juhani and Sarah welcomed their first child into the family. Caleb is such an easy and happy boy and we so glad that the their family is back now and close so we can spend time together. We saw them in August on a trip to the Reston Zoo. It was a great place, perfect for kids! The kids loved feeding the ducks, goats, sheep and other animals and touching them all.

I was trying to take a picture of a precious goat that had taken quite a liking to me, but he moved as I was about to take the picture

Then he tried to eat my camera. This picture was taken from inside his mouth!

Caleb wasn't scared of anything, not the strange smells or sounds and even wanted to touch the ferret!

I think Caleb smiled the entire time we were there!

When we were done at the zoo, we visited with Laura and her handsome son Isaac. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

A year in Review...from what I can remember!

I can't believe that I allowed almost a whole year to pass without updating my blog. The kids are off to their first day of school today, so what better time!

On Sept 16 of last year, I lost my job. I had been there over 9 years and didn't see it coming. I know I should have, but... I wasn't prepared and it took me a long time to figure out how to cope and to accept the fact that I was unemployed. We have faced a few obstacles on the way, but I am happy to report that we are doing well and optomistic about our future! My friends and family have been incredibly supportive during this difficult time and I do count my many blessings every day. I am still looking for a job, but am confident that something will turn up soon.

Since I cannot remember everything that has happened over the past year, I am going back through my facebook posts, will include some great quote from the kids and a few of the pictures I have taken during this time.

Do you ever look at your daughter and wonder what is on her mind? I NEVER have to wonder with my daughter...Sela tells me EVERYTHING she is thinking!
· November 15, 2010 at 7:11pm

We had a yard sale in the fall. I was hoping to get rid of a few things in the house and garage and get a little extra cash since I was unemployed, but here is what I wrote:
‎15 minutes into the yard sale and I have made 3 sales- one was to Nathan and one to Sela- perhaps I should have explained the purpose of the sale was to get rid of all our stuff!
Needless to say, we didn't have much success that day.

what an exciting night - my baby boy lost his firt tooth!
· November 21, 2010 at 8:32pm

Nathan asked to borrow one of my books to read...the DICTIONARY! Guess you get smarter when your tooth falls out? (he has already taken my David Baldacci and James Patterson books to school for reading time!)
· November 22, 2010 at 3:32pm

Nathan just got his own e-mail address this week to practice his reading and writing. I am overwhelmed at the amount of mail he has received from family and friends who want to help him and wrote such nice e-mails. THANK YOU!
· December 11, 2010
If you want to e-mail Nathan: soccershoo@aol.com

Sela's quote of the day said after a hug with a boy in her class: "Your hug made my panties fall down."
· December 15, 2010

Sela celebrated her 5th birthday in January by wearing a witch costume to school! She also had a special princess day with Aunt Teri and went to the local Dinner Theater to watch Cinderella. The gift of making special memories together is the best kind of gift!

Sela noticed during breakfast this morning that she could see her reflection in her fork. She spent the rest of the meal admiring herself!
· January 11

Can't spend too much time on facebook - while I was trying to catch up, my 16 month old neice is ordering dirty movies on pay per view!
· January 17

In February, Nathan again jumped rope at the Jump-A-Thon for Heart. He dedicated it again this year to Bubie Ruby. So proud of my guy!!
Sadly on March 31, our pet fish Squirmy passed away - and don't worry, I didn't let Sela eat him as she had wanted! RIP Squirmy!!

Sela developed a HORRIBLE rash in April - was out of school for 5 weeks. Saw many doctors and specialists and even went to Johns Hopkins and NO ONE knows what it is. Thankfully, it eventually went away and she didn't have any other symptoms except itchiness!

The kids both enjoyed programs at the library during spring break - Nathan attended a program about his favorite book, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and won a full size cut out poster of the main character. Sadly it was destroyed this summer when a bad stomach bug hit the house! Sela went to a "Fancy Nancy" program and loved dressing up and walking the "runway" while having her picture taken!

Sela was cleaning her room when I noticed it had gotten very quiet. Worried, I went to her room and found her curled up on the floor sound asleep! 4-24-11

So incredibly proud of my boy for winning the "Principal's Award" and being honored at a ceremony in school today! 4-27-11

Nathan played soccer again in the spring and scored a hat trick in his first game of the season!

Nathan just came into the room crying, very upset. I asked him why and he told me that Sela was going to jail. After several more questions, I learned that Sela had been playing on the phone and the angry person she had called said she was going to call the police. I told him that we would call our lawyer, Cousin Bret and then Auntie Mary would bail her out of jail. I don't think they will do that again!
· May 4 at 7:12pm

On a beautiful day this spring, we went outside to take some pictures.

When I was done taking pictures, the kids wanted to borrow my camera to take some pictures of the neighborhood and this is what they came back with!

June was full of some very significant days for our family. My nephew, Harry James joined the family on June 7 and Sela graduated from PreSchool at Bet Yeladim.

Nathan read the book he wrote in class today. He dedicated the book to me because he loves me so much...how sweet. In the book he wrote about how much he loves when his Bubie comes to his school to help. They truly have a very special relationship.
6-8-11

The tooth fairy is going to be visiting our house tonite...my baby girl lost her first tooth!
7-11-11

Nathan celebrated his 7th birthday this year by going to a baseball game with family!

We had a wonderful summer TOGETHER!! I was sad to be out of work and not have much money to spend, but the time with my kids was PRICELESS!

Soon I will post about our trip to the farm with Hani and Caleb and our trip to Port Discovery with the Isabella family as well as pictures from the first day of school.

Great Summer

We had a wonderful summer, full of surprises and fun, but it all went by too fast!

The summer started with a wonderful visit from Auntie Mary and Juliet and then an amazing trip to Hershey Park with Aunt Sherry, Uncle Saul, Seth, Prisila and Cousins Bev, Fred, Cayla and Sarah.

Nathan's birthday party at the end of July was full of excitement. We had planned to meet at the bowling alley near Aunt Sherry's house and after bowling return there for cake. Unfortunately, minutes before the start of the party, a fierce storm went through the area knocking out power to the area for several days. Instead of bowling, the whole family gathered at Aunt Sherry's house with no electricity, but had a great time regardless. We enjoyed pizza and cake and lots of laughs.

Shortly after Nathan's birthday, he got the best gift of all - Hani and Sarah returned from Cambodia! They are now home for good. And, the best news of all, they are expecting. Nathan and Sela are looking forward to the arrival of "Baby Saucer" in February.

In August, we took our vacation. Nathan, Sela and I packed up and drove to Cape Cod where we stayed with Auntie Mary and Juliet at their beach house. Everyone should be so fortunate to have an Auntie Mary!! We had such a wonderful visit, we relaxed, destressed and enjoyed the company of our lovely hosts. The kids were unprepared for the beach - they were surprised to find the water was so cold and the bottom was rocks and mud. But, my kids were great and instead of complaining, had fun playing in the sand.

All three kids got along so well - there were a few arguements, but they were short lived and they actually behaved very well. What a welcome surprise for the mothers!

When we returned, we had yet another celebration - we celebrated Hollie's first birthday. She is such a happy little girl!

The kids started school on August 30. Sela was ready to go to kindergarten, but unfortunately, she is still in preschool.

Nathan is now in first grade, and although a little apprehensive about going, is adapting well.

Soccer has started and in his first game of the season, Nathan scored 4 goals! Sela has started gymnastics and amazed me on her first day with her strength and perseverance! We are looking forward to all the new adventures that lay ahead for us

Summertime = Pooltime!

We have been enjoying the pool a lot this summer and spending lots of time with family and friends. By far the highlight of the summer this far has been a visit by Auntie Mary and Juliet. Of course, we spent almost all of our time together in the pool!