Fabulous Five

I have been on a blogging roll today. I just told myself this morning that I wasn't going to accomplish anything today that really needed done, but if I had some down time this afternoon I'd try to catch up on the family journal. This is my third and final post of the day. I do have to do some laundry tonight, or it threatens to overtake the house. I know I say this each time one of my kids has a birthday but where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday that we were moving into this house with a brand new baby. Somehow though that baby, Seth, turned five for real yesterday! Yep five--as in going to kindergarten next year five, learning to read five, helping with his baby sister five, growing up on me five!!!  Here's some of what Seth has been doing recently and then tons of pics from his big day.

Seth is such a cute big brother.  He's just a sweet kid in general.

Seth has played soccer this spring.  It seems like most teams at this age have lots of kids standing around and then an all star who runs and scores goals.  Let's just say that Seth's team lacked that all star!  They had lots of fun though and finally started getting the hang of it the last few games.  Seth was the kickoff and goal kick king.  Whenever there was a chance to kick the ball in he took it, and he can boot it a long ways.  In fact, his one and only goal of the season was kicked from the middle of the field and somehow went by each and every person and right into the goal.  He didn't even realize he scored, but it was pretty funny!  He really did have fun playing soccer but was definitely in it for the treats after.  He takes treats very seriously.

This past month I've had the chance to see what Seth has been learning for the small fortune I've paid on his preschool this year.  It has actually been really fun.  He's had the chance to do regular preschool stuff plus swim, play tennis, do tumbling and movement (that's code for "dance" they just don't want the boy's parents to freak out)!  This month he had the chance to "show off" at each of his classes so this is him at swim lessons.

Seth also "graduated" from preschool this year.  It was a cute little event where the kids sang their songs, got a scrapbook of pictures from the year, and ate cake.  Seth does not like to be the center of attention.  He can talk your ear off at home, but he doesn't like the spotlight.  He really gets funny when all eyes are on him.  At some of his show off days and at graduation, he was a little naughty for a minute.  It's like he doesn't know what to do so he just won't do what he's asked.  After a minute or so he conformed though and sang his little heart out.

Seth and his teacher Miss Koley.  She was awesome!

Sunday evening we had a little family dinner for Seth's birthday.  Grandmas and grandpas, TJ and Amy, and cousins were here.  The weather was beautiful, and the kids had a blast.  Seth had strawberries, watermelon, and chips on the menu so he was in heaven.

Dessert was a little harder.  I had a cake planned for his actual birthday, he doesn't like ice cream, and he's actually kind of picky about desserts.  I ended up with donut holes of all things...Seth loves a donut!  Amy mentioned seeing them on skewers and I happened to have some, so we improvised and Seth blew out a candle on his fruit/donut shishkabob.  He loved it!

Seth got lots of fun loot between his two parties.  He got a bazillion more Lego sets...gag for me, but he loves them and he is so good at them.  This kid definitely has a knack for all things construction, mechanical, motorized...he is a smart cookie.  We gave him a bike jump which he and his brothers and every other kid in the neighborhood have been enjoying quite a bit.

I told Seth as long as the weather was nice on his birthday we could have a water party for friends in the backyard--Seth's Splash Bash.  It turned out to be the hottest day of the year, and I think the kids truly had a blast.  It was very simple but fun.  They slipped and slided, jumped on the tramp with the sprinkler, and did water balloon games.

This was the "hot tub" they soaked in.  It is the world's smallest kiddy pool.  This guy in the green is our next door neighbor Jeff.  He and Seth are good little buddies.

The whole gang.

I did serve them watermelon and orange slices along with sugary drinks and snow cones!

Seth had a "sand" birthday cake in a bucket.  I realized as I actually put it together a much smaller bucket would have been better, but it was too late.  Oh well, it tasted good and the kids liked scooping it with the shovel...and it was super easy.

My big boy as we were getting things set up.

Seth is a big five year old with an even bigger heart.  He is very sensitive.  Sometimes we (lovingly) call him the St. Bernard when he just opens his mouth up and bawls and tons of drool comes out (like really a ton).  About 85% of the time these episodes have something to do with Luke.  Seth loves his brothers though and watching them play together does my heart good.  Just this morning Luke and Seth were together on the couch going over each page of Seth's preschool scrapbook together.  Now don't get me wrong he can be as stubborn as a mule and we have our moments, but I love this kid.  His bear hugs are the best.  I'm glad kindergarten is only a few hours a day because I'm not ready for him to be gone the whole day.  Here's to my fabulous five-year-old!

Mother's Day

I'm way behind with my record keeping and some things will just have to go by the way side. For example, all the boys went up with Jer to the annual ward Father/Son overnighter...they had a great time. The whole family participated in Luke's school Panda Fun Run--both Luke and Seth got third place in their age divisions and were so excited to earn ribbons...that was great. I just can't let Mother's Day come and go though without making special mention of it. I felt extra blessed to be a mom this year, and I'm so thankful for the special moms in my life. Obviously I have a great mom and mother-in-law who love me and my kids, are incredibly supportive, and are great moms and grandmas. I spent a lot of time though in the few days leading up to Mother's Day thinking about two other women in my life. One whom I've only met a few times in person yet feel like I know so well and truly love and one that I will never meet...my kid's birth moms.

 I had the privilege of meeting with Seth's birth mom before he was born, in the hospital, on Seth's placement day, about a week later, when Seth was about six months old, and one last time when Seth was almost two and she got married. She is a beautiful, amazing person that made such a hard choice for Seth. Even though our face to face meetings have been few we share a very special bond and that is our love for Seth. She wanted us to be Seth's family and for his sake experienced lots of heartache saying goodbye. I am grateful everyday for her sacrifice.

 The situation with Leah's Chinese mom is obviously very different. I know nothing about her, and I will never have the chance to meet her in mortality. They say you shouldn't sugar coat things for adopted children or try to turn their story into a fairy tale. You're supposed to stick to facts. That can be difficult when the facts at face value seem cold and hard. The truth is Leah was raised by someone for about three weeks and then was left in a very safe, public place where she would easily be found and helped. She was in very weak condition. I do know that her birth mother chose to give her life and bring her into this world and because of that I have a daughter. I may never understand the circumstances and social pressures that lead a mother to abandon her child, but I would like to think the situation was dire and that it was with tears Leah was left behind. Whatever the reality is, because a woman half a world away gave Leah the chance to live, she is now my daughter. We couldn't love her more.

 My children have certainly taught me that biology is not the most important thing. Regardless of how my kids joined our family, they are my kids, and I'm so blessed. (Now if I could just remember that all the time--when mothering gets tough.) If you would have told me five years ago I'd be a mother of four I would have laughed...yet here I am!

Little Sister

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted about Miss Leah. As of today we've been home for two months, and it's honestly been kind of a blur. A good blur but a blur nonetheless. Leah has changed a ton the past month. She actually has some chunk on her...as in full on leg rolls and looks very healthy. She gets stronger and more animated each day. She has ten teeth now and does baby chatter a lot. She is starting to talk a little. She says bye-bye, uh-oh, mama, baw (ball), a version of hi and understands a lot. Not bad for a baby who never heard a word of English until recently. She seems on the verge of taking off verbally. She is also on the verge of taking off physically--this girl will be walking soon! The baby who could only sit up and roll over awkwardly is gone! Leah is very mobile by way of bum scoot. It's so cute and she goes everywhere that way. She can also now pull to stand and cruise all over the furniture. She can get to standing from the ground, but she doesn't quite dare to go beyond a deep squat. She just gets to that point, squawks, and gets all shaky and then sits back down. She can walk easily with her walker or your hand and will be doing it on her own soon.

 The other changes in Leah are more subtle. She cuddles more, she is so smiley and happy to see me in the morning, she lets you know if she needs attention, she has a little temper, she laughs easier, she smiles and dances to music, she wants to play with her brothers...she is gradually becoming a little girl who is loved. She has truly brought so much joy to our family. The other day one of the boys said that they loved Leah and Luke commented "well who wouldn't love her?" I definitely don't know the answer to that question. As I held Leah at church on Sunday she was waving and blowing kisses to everyone behind us, and I just couldn't get over what a sweet, loving girl she is. Check out her cuteness!

She's spent a lot of time in the stroller going to soccer games this past month.  She tolerates it.

She loves playing outside and being in the sand or water!

Future ballerina?

For some reason she was completely disgusted with the grass on her feet and sat with one or both (it was kind of a yoga move) of her legs up in the air for over 5 minutes.

When the boys loaded Leah and a bunch of her toys up and pushed her all over the house before church Sunday morning, Jer commented we may have a "pampered princess" on our hands in a few years!

Scrunchy face!