Brookfield Zoo

Today we headed to Brookfield Zoo, it has been a while. Life has just been too crazy and there has not been extra time to go there. Finally, I feel like we are in a place where we will use a membership. Also, isn't it about time that Fisher see animals he used to see all the time in the wild behind cages? No, seriously, Fisher needs some exposure to different animals and to learn their names and all about them. Tate was more excited than anyone to show everyone around. We had a bonus of two darling little girls going with us. My friend is packing up to move so we took the girls to give her some time to pack up the toy room.

Posing by the lion!

The girls so excited showing their new friends around.

Harper made a new friend in moments!

Aren't they adorable?

EB and her friends.  So so cute to keep hearing them call, EB show me this.  

Up high!

Fisher is so done with having his picture taken but I keep trying.

Harper would pose for her picture all day long.

All 6 of them together for a photo by the fountain.

So fun each girl had a girl to paint their faces.

Harper.

Tate did his own.

Now to water plants.

Sneaking a picture of Fisher.

Fisher thought it was a hoot to run from tree to tree hoping I would not get his picture, little did he know I had the camera set for action.

The Peacocks were out, so pretty!

Not every day you see a peacock with all their feathers up.  The kids were so excited.

Harper was so patient and carried her so much of the zoo. 

EB, The Artist

EB worked so hard on the gift for her teacher, Mrs. Parratore. She was even more excited to give it to her. I love that EB put her heart into a gift for a very special teacher who always had a smile on her face and something wonderful to say.

Hello 7th Grade

Today was Harper's last day of 6th grade and she is now onto Park for 7th grade. I cannot believe my baby has grown so much. I could not be more proud of my beautiful girl who is so smart, kind and pretty.

Harper in Kindergarten with her 1st Library Card.

Harper

Harper

6th Grade Luncheon!

Harper leaves Ogden on Thursday and we thought we would have one last lunch together with her friends at home. Amazing how much they have all grown!

Table Group Shot!

Harper was so excited to do the chalkboard for the girls.  They are ready for Park (and Caroline for The Cove!)

Soccer Sunday!

Today was Soccer Sunday and Fisher got asked to play goalie on Tate's team. So fun to see the boys back together. Fisher got a brief break from goalkeeping and had a few brief minutes in the game. He did score a goal and it was a smooth fabulous one. Coach Dave told him only one goal. It was a tad hard for Fisher to show some restraint!

Is he flying?

Get that ball Tate!

Go Tate!

Thought I practice my focus waiting for action!

He caught!

Check out how big Tate is getting.  6 weeks with 1/2 the meds and he has grown so incredibly much and looks so healthy!

Way to settle that ball!

He put his all into getting that ball!

And over the top of the goal it goes!

This is the look a mom gets when she is in your face with the camera and you are FOCUSED on your game.

A Pile of Love

I walked up to see what was going on and Peter said, "I have a pile of boys." Tate clarified and said, "A pile of love."

A Mother's Helper

EB had her first job as a mother's helper and it was a great success. The girls hugged her good bye and she was giddy telling me all about it. I could not be more proud of her. She was just beaming! She could not even contain herself after she found out she got paid for it! That was the icing on the cake.

A little joy

Today was an unexpected day off from school because the power was off. The boys played hard, starting with Tate playing Basketball at 5:30 am and waking us up with the ball banging repeatedly. Fisher scored a goal in his soccer game and the day ended with this...

Harper's Movie Trailer

Harper is now 12 and there are not really a lot of "cool" things to do but text your friends and walk around.  Today was an unexpected day off of school due to no power and a few friends came over.  I was thrilled to see something so creative that they did.  I love it and hope you do too!

Tate gets Glasses!

Tate had a vision screening at school and failed his eye exam, not once but twice. We were shocked as we had no idea that he was struggling. When we asked him if he could see he denied anything was wrong with his vision.  He told Peter the machine just kept getting blurry.  

When Tate heard his vision was bad in one eye, he said he was getting a monocle.  He said this all while laughing.  As the reality really sunk in that he needed glasses he got a little sad.  I took him out for a donut (or 4 if you are Tate) after his soccer game and we chatted about him being sad and after his "snack" he was on board to go to the eye doctor and was getting excited about getting glasses.  

Eye Exam.

Struggling to see the letters.  

Glad to see he is still his silly self!

Tate looking super handsome and oh so much older!  Brings tears to my eyes seeing him look so old!  He is pretty excited to have gotten 2 pairs -- they are the same frames but one is black (with transition lenses) and one is navy (without transition lenses).  Next up glasses for soccer!  

How Blessed am I?

On this Mother's Day morning I lost sight of what is important because one of the kids got up at 5, another woke up crazy and before it was even 7, something had been broken, several messes had been made and it was not the day I pictured it to be. What I lost sight of was that one of the kids got up singing at the top her lungs Happy Mother's Day and another one covered me in kisses and each and every one dug out homemade cards and gifts to shower me in and rushed first thing to give it to me. That is what is really important. The love we all share. Also, I got to share the day with my mom who is a wonderful mom and Grandma.  Really, I could not ask for more!

 How blessed am I? I have 4 children, 3 are mine by birth and one is through adoption. Fisher has a mom in Ethiopia who loves him very much and we do all we can to have connect with her. We are so fortunate that we have been able to send her pictures and someone to see her and call her several times. I only met her once and she was so happy and relieved to know that Fisher was going to be loved. You could see her love for Fisher shine through. Fisher knows he is doubly blessed to have the love of 2 mothers, although he claims his mom in Ethiopia never ever yelled at him and reminds me of that often. Tate was so so excited to see Marta holding a picture of the boys together because he said now she knows me and loves me too! 

"Children born to another woman call me “Mom.” The depth of that tragedy and the magnitude of that privilege are not lost on me." ~ Jody Landers


 I love that we received these pictures and videos on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Marta holding her pictures of the boys.

Marta and Yosef, Fisher's oldest brother.

Marta with Fisher's Sister In Law and Sisters.

The road outside of Fisher's house.

The video of them laughing and sending their love to Fisher and hoping that we are all okay and they asked about Grandma and Grandpa as Marta knows that my mom gave her a special locket that was once hers and she wears it everyday.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day started out a little rough but after some fun in the sun and some pictures smiles were on most everyone's faces. Some taking pictures were much more cooperative.

Playing a little soccer before the picture fun begins!

Peter!

Peter and his girls

Grandma and the girls

Grandma and us!

Grandma and us!

So this is what happens when Tate's dosage of ritalin is reduced.  

Best picture of this series.

Fun to have all 8 of us together!

And another!

Peter!

Fisher

EB!

EB climbing the tallest thing she could!

Love this picture of EB -- this is the look she gives when she really wants something.  I think she has mastered.  The other 3 have yet to achieve such a pouty lip!

Tate trying to take off!

Peter soaking in the "fun".

Fisher!

Me and my loves!

Harper!