Nathan's Birthday Weekend

I can't believe my little boy is 4!!

Nathan is very different from most children. He didn't want a birthday party or a birthday cake! Instead, he wanted to go on a boat, so on Saturday, we went to the Baltimore Harbor and took a boat ride.

Here is my big boy in front of the boat:

And my little girl being sweet:This is the boat that was docked next to ours - check out the name!The day was hot and muggy, but there was a nice breeze on the water. Unfortunately though, it was overcast and very hazy. Ft. Mc Henry where the Star Spangled Banner was written:After our boat ride, we ate lunch/dinner at a restaurant on the Harbor and watched all the passing boats. The kids had a ball watching the pigeons and drinking their pina coladas!

On Sunday, we had family over to the house for a non-birthday party. Nathan was excited to receive even more gifts! Pop-Pop had taken him shopping a few days prior and let him pick out a fish which Nathan named "BROCCOLI" - I told you he wasn't a normal child! :)

Here he is opening gifts -Sela even received a gift too from Juhani and Sarah and was very excited about the stickers and bracelets.
This is what she did with the stickers when we weren't looking:

I don't know who was more excited when Nathan opened his gift from Laura - me or him!This was his very happy smiling face when he saw his brand new DC UNITED soccer jersey:And, since Nathan didn't want a birthday cake, we had birthday watermelon instead!Happy birthday Nathan!!!

FFF - My beautiful children

We got a late start this morning, and decided to take just a few more minutes to take a few pictures before leaving:

Playing at breakfast:

I love these kids so very much!! My heart is so full of pride, joy and love for them!!

Weekend in Cape Cod

On July 4th, Nathan and I traveled to Cape Cod to visit with Mary, Rob and Juliet and pick up Sela. We hadn't seen Sela in a week and both of us missed her very much. When we arrived at the Cape and Sela saw us, she jumped out of Mary's arms and squeeled with delight, "NATHAN", totally ignoring her mommy. It was heart warming to watch my kids hug and then chase each other around the car, but I needed hugs and kisses too!

Sela had obviously been spoiled rotten and was quickly learning about life on the Cape! She didn't want to come home, but who could blame her!

While there, we saw as much as the Cape as we could during our all too short visit. Mary, Rob and Juliet were wonderful hosts and have a lovely home. We look forward to visiting with them again. Here are a few pictures from our wonderful weekend:

Catching up

The summer seems to just be getting started, but a month has already passed. Nathan started swimming lessons last week. He enjoys the time in the water with the other kids, but I don't know that he is getting much out of it. Here is my bathing beauty getting ready for swimming lessons: Paying attention in class was difficult with 4 classes going on at the same time, and Nathan had 12 kids in his class!

My happy boy when lessons were over:
Last Friday, Mom and Dad left for a wedding in Massachusetts. On their way, they stopped at my friend Mary's house to drop off Sela. Sela has been staying with Mary, Rob and Juliet all week and has been spoiled rotten. Nathan and I will fly up tomorrow to go get her.

This Sela's first time away by herself with no family, and I understand that she is doing very well. She has always been very independant, so it didn't surprise me too much. I learned that she has been shopping, spending time at the beach house on Cape Cod, and wined and dined! I don't think she misses us too much and she may never want to come home!

Here is my little princess before she left:

and a few pictures that Mary sent:

Mary reports that the girls have been getting along very well. Here is my favorite picture of the two together:

Favorite Foto Friday #46 - SUMMER LOVIN'

It was two years ago this week that we were in Guatemala picking up Sela - that was true Summer Lovin! Here are few pictures from our trip:

Nathan checking out the cockpit with PopPop

Meeting PopPop for the first time and already in love!The new big brother feeding his baby sister:

Enjoying the pool with Bubie:

Brother and sister resting in bed together

In honor of my Father

For father's day, in honor of my father, we sent baskets filled with food and other household items to the fathers of the students we sponsor in Guatemala. This was such a thrill to see their father's for the first time and of course to see Miriam and Luis looking happy and healthy!

Fathers Day Swimming and Cookout

We had our first pool yesterday. We were invited to Aunt Sherry's and Uncle Saul's house for swimming and a cookout for Fathers Day. I am only sorry that we were not able to spend Fathers Day with my Father as he was on a camping trip. And yes Dad, one year, you will get breakfast in bed!! We love you Dad. Happy Father's Day!

Here are the kids getting ready for their day. Nathan was calling Bubie because he was sad when he learned she wouldn't be joining us:

Sely was happy to wear her flower dress:
Nathan has grown a lot since last year and was very excited to be able to stand in the pool:
The kids had a great time hanging out with family:

Happy Fathers day to all the Fathers and all the special "Fathers" in our life!