Easter

Cute Kids!

What a great day! Unfortunately, the weather didn’t get the memo that we were doing Easter a week early so it rained and our egg hunt was held indoors. At my parents’ house, every child must hunt eggs and by child, I mean anyone born after 1980 must hunt eggs. For a few years the teens fought my parents on this but I guess, they needed gas money and since the eggs hold money, they comply.

Mia didn’t really care about the egg hunting much. Mark helped her find her eggs and she liked that they made noise when she shook them.

Happy Birthday Mark!!!

Feel like a historical reporter these days - I'm backdating blogs again.

Mark turned 9 years old - it's really hard to believe he's been around 9 years. It's not that he doesn't act his age or anything like that - 9 years makes me feel old in SO many ways. But it's not all about me - actually, it's rarely about me - maybe I should dedicate a post to me... LOL

I am so very proud of Mark and how he transitioned from the youngest child to big brother. He adores Mia and is so patient with us as we have adjusted to parenting three!

Mark is my "WHY?" child. "Why?" mostly relates to the system. Why do we go to school? Why is it boring? Why don't you home school me? Why don't we get every other day off ? Why is summer break so short? Why don't we get a fall break? Why do you have to work? Why can't we go on vacation? Why can't we eat McDonald's and Papa Johns every night? Good questions, really - I just don't remember ever asking them. He will have an amazingly fun life, I'm sure. It's ok - as long as I'm not financing it!

At one point he was ready for every adventure. He has become much more careful lately after several ER visits. I'm kind of glad about that because he averaged one per year...at least.

He loves soccer, basketball, football and of course, video games. He is a crazy goalie who will dive after any ball and he's pretty good at it. Fast sports are definitely his forte. This kid is not signing up for golf or baseball anytime soon.

For his birthday we took a handful of kids to see The Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie. He loves the books and the boys had a great time. They were so good. If you haven't seen the movie, I thought it was cute for that age and Chris said it was long. (1 1/2 hours) At one point, the older brother wakes the younger in the middle of the night telling him he overslept for school sending the younger one scurrying around getting ready. I see that prank in our future...but I bet the younger one pulls it on the older one.

As you can see, he really liked his gift unlike the year we bought him golf clubs - oh dear...

Moves Like You've Never Seen!

Mia continues to be constant motion. She's also a lot of fun.

I took her to a movie and she did ok although I prefer she stay at home on my movie dates with Mark. It's very important that all 3 kiddos get 1-1 time with Chris and me.

As far as work - I am working one day in the office and staying caught up from home the rest of the time. I get that question a lot.

Sleep - I'm afraid to even type this thinking I may jinx it - but sleep is so much better this week and last. She wakes up but is starting to roll over and go back to sleep vs. crying/whimpering until we reassure her or give her the bottle.

Bottle - It's her friend from her Thailand home. She loves it. She's slowly becoming friends with the cup from her American home. I'm not rushing it.

Dance moves have progressed from "the bounce" to the bounce, sway, head-bop, random arm movement with circles. The girl loves to dance! It doesn't hurt that we are always playing music.

She is starting to talk more - a lot of babble plus the normal words. She says PLEASE very clearly although most people mistake it for screaming. It goes like this - raise eyebrows, wide eyes, open mouth wide and a very loud, ear-piercing screech escapes her mouth. She does that anytime she wants something so she must think that is "please", right?

Don't take your hands off your pizza or it's hers. She will flat out grab pizza and take off with it.

She would live outside 24/7 if she could. Loves it and screams "PLEASE" at the door if anyone goes out without her.

She's sneaky...and that's going to cause us a lot of problems down the road.

She is her brothers' biggest fan giving them hugs and kisses and cheers from the sidelines.

Every aisle at Home Depot earned lots of loud OOOOOHs.

Bows are not necessary accessories. She likes them but I think she'd prefer to hold them. Here's a shot I managed to sneak before she ripped the headband off her head. I've tried all kinds - same results.

She mimics me. Holding her finger up to her mouth and SHHH!

As you can see - she is progressing like any almost 15 months would! A little rascal!