Swimming, Soccer, Ducks, Friends and Bubbles...

This weekend marked the last of this sessions' swimming lessons and the last soccer game of the season. We also had fun spending time with cousin Bret and his fiance Becca, our other "cousins" Miss Anne, John, Luke and Grace and of course, Bubie and PopPop.

Here is a shot of the kids before their swimming lesson. They have progressed so much in the past 12 weeks - Sela is no longer afraid in the water and will actually dunk under. She needs to work on her floating, but is learning the basics to be ready to swim. Nathan is also doing great. He is learning the basics to swim and loves to be in the water!

We were very fortunate to have the company of Bret and Becca this weekend. They joined us for lunch, a few games and a few books and accompanied us to Nathan's final soccer game of the season where he scored 6 goals!! Nathan still enjoys soccer and is already looking forward to next season. He even told me that I can have his old trophy because he has a new one now! I think I am going to need a big trophy case for this kid! As I watched the US National Mens Team play last night, I couldn't help but wonder if that would be my kid someday representing his country.

On Sunday, we met my dear friend Anne and her kids John, Luke and Grace in Baltimore. This is such a wonderful family and we always enjoy our time together. Here are the kids before we met for lunch at the Inner Harbor.

After lunch at the ESPN Zone, we took the kids for a tour of the city on a Duck Boat. This is a little bus that drives around the streets then goes into the water. I learned so much about the city and the kids loved the water ride, even though it was a long tour.

And of course, the kids needed ice cream after the tour!


To end the weekend, we had dinner with Bubie and PopPop, and then blew bubbles. A perfect end to a to a wonderful weekend.

My soccer player

Swimming Lessons and Party Clothes

We had a very low key Memorial Day Weekend. We spent a lot of time catching up on household chores and just relaxing and being together as a family.

The kids had swimming lessons on Saturday, they are getting so big and don't look like babies anymore!!
On Saturday we also had a party to attend to welcome Baby Brody to the family. I am sorry I forgot my camera and wasn't able to take any pictures, but here are the kids getting ready, showing off their party clothes.
Nathan loves this shirt I bought for him in Guatemala when he was just a baby. He found it in the back of his closet. And yes, he did wear pants!

I love these kids so much!! Just seeing this picture of their precious faces makes me feel happy!

School News

This week, I had conferences with both children's teachers. The teachers reported that the kids are doing well and right on target. I was so proud to hear about their accomplishments this year and how much they love to learn.

On Tuesday, Nathan was chosen as the star student. That day, he was the line leader all day and got to eat lunch at a special table with three friends he chose. I asked the teachers later because I was surprised that he didn't pick kids he often talks about at home, and they explained that they think he chose the three kids that were closest to him at the time!

As part of his "star" treatment, he was interviewed and his answers were displayed on the bulletin board. Here are his answers to the questions he was asked:

When I grow up I want to be......a soccer player
My favorite subject is ........housekeeping
I am good at .....playing baseball and tennis and volleyball
I am proud of myself because......I help my mom do some jobs and I recycle
What I like most about school is......playing with my friends
I am the star student because ........ I am so smart

My star:

Nathan with his teachers (and Sela):

Sela with her teacher, Morah Jennifer:

and her friend Hannah:

Finally, with her teacher Morah Jennifer:

Fun with the camera and our Visit to Grandma's

We had a very nice visit with Grandma Helen on Family Day (Sundays) after a very full and active day Saturday (swimming lessons, soccer game, chores, etc...). The kids love going there as they get so much attention and they get to see the birds and fish. Sela wasn't much in the mood to have her picture taken as it interrupted her book.... She wanted everyone to read to her including Grandmom's caregiver, Angie:

Nathan had fun with puzzles and putting the train track together with Grandmom's help.

After posing for pictures, he decided it was his turn to take a few. Here he is taking a picture of himself with Grandma!

And here is Grandmom waving to Nathan taking pictures:

He decided to take a few of other people too -

Finally, Sela agreed to have her picture taken with Grandmom

And then she wanted to take a few picture too...

Here is Aunt Teri's shoulder:

And Sela's shoe:

and PopPop's hand:

and Nathan's shoulder

Guess we are going to have to give her a few more lessons.

I want to wish the best to Grandma Helen on her upcoming move to Florida. Hope the move goes smoothly!! We will miss you Grandma!

A very happy Mothers Day

Nathan and Sela planned a very special surprise for me on Mother's Day. With Bubie's help, they prepared breakfast for me:Then, the kids woke me up in bed and gave me presents! Nathan made this book in school.

Sela painted this for me:

with bath salts inside!

She also made this beautiful laminated picture...the poem reads:

I miss you when we're not together,

I'm growing up too fast!

See how big I've gotten

since you saw me last

As I grow, I'll change alot,

The years will fly right by!

You'll wonder how I grew so quick,

when and where and why?

So look upon this handprint plaque

Thats hanging on your wall-

Then memories will come back to me

when I was very small.

Nathan made bath salts and soap in his class:

After a quiet morning together, we joined the rest of the family to celebrate Mother's Day at Bubie's house.

Happy Mother's Day mom!!

I feel so incredibly blessed to have two such wonderful kids. It is an honor to be their mother and to have the opportunity to watch them grow and be part of their lives!

I also feel incredibly greatful to my mother for all she has given me and all she has taught me. Mom, thank you for your support and guidance and most of all for your love!

In honor of my mother on Mother's Day, we sent baskets of food to the two mother's of the children we sponsor in Guatemala. Here is a picture of the kids with their mother and the basket:

I hope all moms had a wonderful and very happy mothers day!!

Weekend Fun

Our weekends are filled these days with swimming lessons and soccer games! LOVE IT!!

The kids completed their first session of swimming lessons on Saturday and both did very well and were very proud that their Bubie came to watch. They each mastered all the skills necessary at their level to progress to the next level. I am so proud of those kids and very happy that I found such a great swim school!!

Nathan had his first real challenge on the soccer field this week. After scoring 3 and 5 goals in his first two games, he only scored one goal this game and was quite disappointed with himself, especially because Bubie and Aunt Sherry came to see him play. He did try hard but the other team was bigger and faster. Nathan did play hard and managed quite well under the circumstances. Here is my little soccer player: and one of his biggest fans: (she was ready for the Derby!)

This child always has a smile on his face which is so wonderful to see!!!

I think he was doing yoga on the field (#6)

And finally, here he is taking a rest at the end of the game.

After the game, we went to lunch with Aunt Sherry:

Sela took this picture. I don't know how she did it, but I love the way it turned out.

The weekend did start on a sad note, when we learned of the news that Aunt Sherry had to put down her dog Cory on Friday. Cory was a wonderful dog and the most well behaved dog I have ever met. I am so very sorry for your loss Aunt Sherry, Uncle Saul, Seth and Bret! Cory will be missed.