If it's not snow...

at least it's warm!  The kids played outside for hours (collecting sticks, digging in the mud, blowing bubbles) and then rode bikes for the rest of the afternoon!  Now, they are taking an early bath (see previous point about mud).  Thank you 56 degrees in January!

Coffee Break

I had on the news this morning as I was getting breakfast ready and organizing backpacks.  Grant, who never gets to see commercials thanks to Netflix and Tivo, was impressed with one commercial in particular--Folgers coffee.

Actual conversation:

Grant: Mommy, you need to switch coffees.

Mommy: Why, Grant?

Grant: Because those people are happy.

Ouch!

I Spy

Erin went to a meeting for those who volunteer in the 3-5 year old class at our church last weekend. (You can immediately pick these people out in a crowd because they look tired, are mumbling "The wheels on the bus..." over and over, and they are covered in a slight stench of pee.)

One of the other volunteers, upon discovering that Erin was Grant's mother, told her that a few weeks ago in Sunday school, they were playing "I Spy," a favorite game of Grant's. In the course of the game, the teacher said, "I spy with my little eye something...brown."

Grant threw his hand in the air, leaped to his feet and shouted, "I've got this one!"

Birthday Fun

I know it goes against most parental practice, but we have yet to have a big birthday party for Grant or for Grace.  I know I'll have to cross that bridge someday, but until I have to do so, Grant (and I) are both okay with small family parties.  We make sure Grant gets lots of special birthday love all week (from picking the weeks' dinner menus, to decorated chairs, to special trips to the frozen yogurt shop), but I'm just not down--yet--with the big, invite a ton of friends, spend a ton of money party.  My mom used to tell me that I could have friends over for a meager party... or, I could invite one friend to Disneyland, and we'd blow the day out!  She was smart--I took Disneyland (or Magic Mountain, back in the day) almost every single time.  Even when Grant and Grace are school-aged, I think we'll allow the kids a big birthday party every other year.  Go ahead, blast me now.  

But, for now, it was presents in the morning, dinner at the restaurant of his choice for dinner (he picked the Mayberry Cafe where the food is super mediocre but kids get a toy upon exiting), and a small family Star Wars party the next day!

We might have some adoption related news to share with you soon; we're just busy sorting out some details!

Happy Birthday, Grant

It's so very hard to believe that my little man is five-years-old today.  I couldn't be more proud of my loving, tender-hearted, loyal, affectionate, silly, wild, weapon-wielding little boy.

He is one of God's greatest gifts to me, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for giving me Grant.  I don't deserve him, and I know that I make many a mistake in being a parent, but I couldn't love him any more than I do.  He is one of my greatest joys. 

Five years ago today...

His first birthday...

His second birthday...

His third birthday...

His forth birthday...

And, today, Grant's firth birthday...

Happy Birthday, my sweet son. 

Say Hello to the Newest Member of our Family

When the FedEx guy knocked on the door (no, we don't even have a doorbell at our new [very outdated] house), I sprang up from my seat very excited to meet the newest member of our family: The Dyson DC33.

Our vacuum has been less than pleasing the last few months, so when Woot ran a special on refurbished Dysons, I didn't even blink.  It might have been hard to pay full price, but it wasn't hard to pay $200.  I cleaned one room (had just vacuumed the day before), and the canister was so full that I had to empty it before moving on to room #2.  I've never been simultaneously so excited and so grossed out in my life.

Needless to say, this one is a keeper!!!!!!!!

A Visit from Family

Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Richiepoo:  We love you, and we're still talking about you daily.  We are so thankful that you came to visit!  Please come again soon because we all miss you too much.  California is just too far away...   Love, Grant and Grace

Make it Stop

Please make the little Chinese girl stop talking in Yoda voice... all day long.  Cute at first... kind of crazy now.  "Eat these apples, I will!"