Some days don't turn out as planned....

.....they turn out better. Today was one of those days. Let me back up a day or two and explain. I decided June and I need to get out of the house and make some new friends, so I joined a local "Moms" group. The first outing I chose was this morning at an indoor "bounce" place. Well, as sometimes happens with 4 kids, one was sick and June and I had to change our plans. Since I was up and ready to go I started laundry early and June and I just played while TJ rested in the "man cave". June was a delight. For those of you with a two year old you know some days you can't wait until bedtime, but some days you just want to squeeze them all day, today was one of the later.

June has taken a liking to the Nutcracker Barbie video. Today she decided to wear her tutu, and Terminator sunglasses(upside down of course) while she practiced her ballet moves against the family room table. She also practiced her foot work while holding my hands and spinning in circles. After our dance time we shared frozen corn(another new favorite) while we sat on the couch. June also likes the book "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus"(thanks Uncle Jay and family). As I read the book she mimics my voice and the words she knows.....All I wanted to do was squeeze her! I guess the point is although I was disappointed we did not get to embark on a new adventure I was able to share some quality time with my sweet baby!

A week in review.......

Overall a good week. I had a great time at BUNCO and the boys are feeling much better. Even better, June does not seem to have caught the boys bug (knock on wood). We received a package in the mail on Friday from our cousin Becky, she has been working very hard to sew this adorable outfit for Lil' Miss June.....and boy does June love it. As soon as we pulled it out of the box June yelled, "Tute", which for those of you who don't talk June that means "cute"! We put the dress on and June was ready for a photo shoot. However, it was hard to get a good a shot of the dress because as soon as I pulled out the camera June dropped to her belly and posed with her hands under her chin. (I know, I have created a monster) Many thanks to Becky, we love the dress, pants, and of course the hair bow! I would have a hard time putting such a beautiful outfit together with duct tape and stitch witchery and construction paper....again, many thanks Becky!

We had a laid back weekend and mostly stayed around the house except for a few basket ball games and a birthday party. We woke up late today, well 8am is late for us. However, shortly after we awoke the door bell rang and lucky for us Poppie brought us doughnuts and muffins for breakfast. After a little visit he headed home.....thanks for breakfast Poppie. Shortly after breakfast it was time for Max's basketball game. I am sorry to say I do not think the NBA will be calling on Max any time soon. During one play today Max and his friend played rock, paper, scissors to see who should dribble the ball down court, needless to say they lost the game, however, I think quite a few people had smiles on their faces after that play:)

Tonight after dinner Russ gave June a bath and then we had a little play time. TJ and June were dancing in the kitchen and both of them had a good time. When June dances, she basically turns in circles, lucky for her, her big brother was there to catch her. Although these are not the best pictures ever, I love them because you can see how much fun TJ and June were having together.
Tomorrow is a big day for Max. Max will be getting braces next week and tomorrow is the day for spacers, molds, etc. Poor Max does not realize the candy restraints with braces....he will learn fast:) Have a great week!

P.S. I added a new link under favorite places...Bodacious Bling...there are some pics of June under the model section...a preview of June's 2nd Birthday!

Girls just wa*na have fun.......

After bath time tonight the boys and I arrived in June's room for a concert. She treated us to "Girl's Wa*na Have Fun" on the Barbie guitar. To get the full affect scroll down to the bottom of my page and turn off the playlist. June sings along in tune....if only we could understand what she is saying!

Hope you enjoy!!

Happy, Happy, Day......

Well, BUNCO went off without a hitch, sick kids and all. I think everyone had a good time....I even won one of my own prizes. However, the prize win is not what makes today a "Happy, Happy, Day" and no I did not win the lottery (I don't even play the lottery). After my guests left and I cleaned the kitchen (while listening to Dave on the I-pod of course) I put my computer back out on the counter top I keep it on. When I was done cleaning I checked my e-mail, and low and behold the picture below appeared!!!!

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND SUMMER TOUR DATES

For those of you who know me you know what this means to me...the highlight of my summer is always the DMB in concert on a hot night at Alpine Valley. Tomorrow starts ticket sales for the millions of us who belong to "the club". Like I said, "Happy, Happy, Day!" I can feel the hot sun already...only 5 months away.....

Could she get any cuter?.....

Well, could she? She just cracks me up! June is doing a good job of keeping herself busy today while I get ready for tonight. I have two boys home today.....UGH, UGH! Don't worry BUNCO friends they are quarantined in the basement:)

June has a plan....

June has a plan, I don't know what it is but she has one, she always does! While Jake was getting ready to head to the bus today June put on her coat, hat, boots, and gloves, grabbed two babies and was ready to go...

I have Max home sick today..UGH! I don't know if he has the flu or is overtired from a long "boys" weekend. Unfortunately for him I host BUNCO at our house tomorrow night and have a list of things to do to get ready....including all the laundry from "boys" weekend!

A week in a review............

As I said in my Valentine's post, we had a "girls" weekend and "boys" weekend, respectively. The above picture is Junie with my Mom and my Aunt. We had a really great time! Friday, we went shopping and out to eat for dinner. After June went to bed we watched one of my favorite movies, "Memoirs of a Geisha". Not only is it a beautiful love story, the cinematography is breathtaking. Saturday, we did some more shopping in a small town square filled with all kinds of specialty shops and restaurants. My Aunt headed home Saturday afternoon. June had more playtime with Nannie and on Valentine's Day evening no dates for us. Mom and I shared our evening with a frozen pizza, a glass of champagne, and another movie! The boys suffered along without us too.....

Russ, my Dad, and the boys are having a great time. They have checked in a few times and will be heading home tomorrow. TJ is probably having the best time because he was able to drive his own snowmobile this weekend.....UGH, they are all growing up so fast!

I had a chance this week to catch up with my friend Wendy, she was in town for a few days and was able to stop by for an hour or so and visit with Junie and I...thanks Wen! Other than that a pretty slow week around here.

June continues to keep us hopping at her lighting speed, she is definitely a busy girl. She is always coming up with new ways to entertain herself and me. One day this week I walked in the kitchen to find her with the fridge door open pulling pieces of salami from a deli bag, sticking the salami to the cabinets, and of course, licking the salami and eating it off the cabinet.....way to go June. Never a dull moment:)

Have a great week!

Happy Valentine's Day.....

Happy Valentine's Day to all....June and I are enjoying a girls weekend while the boys have a boys weekend up North snowmobiling!

Photoshop fun.....

The more I learn about Photoshop, the more I realize there is to learn. This example uses a whole bunch of new skills, stamps, opacity, and clip masks. I am an amateur and love to look at all the examples on the digital scrap booking sites....the whole time I wonder....How did they do that?

Juiciest fruit in the world...

And the juiciest fruit in the world is......WATERMELON! Thank you to all who voted to help Max with his question. Max, however, was pulling for the peach which came in a close second to the watermelon.

A week in review...

Well, I guess I will start with the pictures, because that is what most of you want anyway....We started off our Saturday with a basketball game. Jake had a good game and June had the chance to watch her brother play ball. Right, watch, she was up and down the bleachers and visiting with all the people. Needless to say she enjoyed herself!

Jake running down court.

Max and Junie watching the game.

June decided to play ball with the boys Saturday afternoon...with a little help from Dad...SWOOSH! Watch out Yao Ming, here comes June Shao!

A little brotherly competition on the driveway.

June and Dad deliver the mail via the Disney Princess scooter.

This week was not to busy. I am, however, getting Spring fever. I love the first snow in Winter and I am always ready for it to go, and I am really ready for it to go this year. Unfortunately for me we have a good 4 months left until it is nice and warm here:( The boys had a short school week due to parent teacher conferences and next weekend they have their annual "Boys Weekend" at the cabin. I am looking forward to a clean house for a few days and a weekend with my Mom and Aunt. I am sure I am missing a lot from this week, but it has been a long day. We started a day with a sleepover friend for Jake, my parents coming to watch June during Max's B-ball game, and me heading to work all before 10am....

Hope you all have a great week!

P.S. Don't forget to vote for the "juiciest fruit" poll on the side bar...only one day left!

Special Posts....

Many of you have followed our blog since the begining and, of course some have not....I have added a "Special Posts" link on the side bar that tells a little more about our story. There is also a link to Gracie's blog that starts all the way back at the begining of our adoption story in 2005.

Max's question of the day....

I had removed the side bar element "Max's question of the day" because he was running out of questions. However, he had a good one today. What is the juiciest fruit in the world? Well, we decided we needed a poll. Max listed his choices for juiciest fruit and you can vote on the sidebar, you can even vote more than once if you can't decide!

Life on Wisteria....

Follow this family while in China...today is there "Gotcha" day!

A week in review.........

Well another one comes and goes....this week was rather uneventful, I like them like that once in a while! The boys are doing well in school and our after school schedule is not to bad this time of year. Max is continuing with his guitar lessons, he does not practice as much as he should, but he is improving and doing well. Max also received a "Helping all to succeed" award at school for cleaning up a mess he did not make.....he must have learned from me because that's pretty much what I do all day.....clean up messes I did not make:)

June always keeps me on my toes. This week she has taken to climbing anything, and I do mean anything. She uses the drawer pulls on the cabinets as a ladder and she pushes anything she can stand on to places she can not reach. She enjoys pressing all the buttons on the thermostat and has even turned off the heat. She has also taken a few good tumbles this week testing out her climbing skills, luckily she did not get hurt or hold her breath! Tomorrow June will have her teeth cleaned for the first time. I am hoping it will be an uneventful visit since she did so well when she chipped her tooth....I will post if we have any undue excitement at the dentist.

Not too much else going on around here, I think I will join the testosterone in the family room while they watch the game....hope everyone has a good week!