I've given up on trying to come up with titles for each blog - my creativity gene was given to someone else! These are just some fun pictures of the kids - Scott (our manny) took some of them while I was at work and I get a kick out of seeing what goes on when we aren't here. We had some exciting news this week when I was contacted by a writer for several magazines - one of which is a great Adoption Magazine. She has been following the blog since I had something published in the magazine a year ago and would like to work on an article with me that looks at adoption from the perspective of children. The article will likely include Molly and Peter but will use different names. In addition to that I was also asked to share some information at a National Adoption Symposium in May. I may have to back out on that because of Peter's 1st Communion but if possible - since it is a paying gig - I would try to do it. I think it is in Las Vegas and if the timing worked out they would also pay for Bob to fly out - we'll see!

Apparently the girls play video games when we are at work.


Ellie Bean dancing on her knees!

Scott took this one of Annie - not sure what was going on!

Auntie Karla had pizza at her house the night Grammy and Papa came home so that all the kids could see them. Because of the snow we had the added excitement of having Gabrielle, Jordan and Kyle there! It was a blast!

Gabrielle and Katie

Molly, Abby and Gabrielle had a blast together and they get along SO well!

The boys, on the other hand, refused to cooperate for a picture! Good thing they are adorable right?

Grammy and Lizzie bonding!

Lizzie gets a turn with Papa!

Tyler showing off his shirt from Naples.

This was Molly's shirt from Papa - he thought it was hysterical because she is NOT trouble!

The kids loved their candy from Grammy and Papa!

I mean - their Alligator Poop!

Jordan was not sure about eating Alligator Poop!

Lizzie-bug having fun with Katie's toys!

I can't believe that our little Katie is almost 2 years old!

Ellie could not get enough of Papa while Annie refused to sit with him or talk to him. I think she is punishing my parents for leaving her for so long!

Ellie just kept going from Grammy to Papa and back again - she was perfectly happy being held all night!

That's about it for now. Aunt Renee is coming over for the UCONN game tomorrow and I am looking for a good recipe for Vegetable soup. The boys are easy - a crock pot full of chili keeps them happy! GNM - ILY!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I think that I should have been a kindergarten teacher because I truly love any holiday that gives us a chance to celebrate ANYTHING! Valentine's Day was on a Sunday this year and the kids had the next day off so we were able to actually get out and have some fun at KidCity Museum in Middletown but first there were baskets of fun to open. I am assuming that my kids will read this much later in life and will not be dissillusioned by the fact that the Dollar Tree was a well placed store - we can walk to it. For $10 I manage to make up pretty neat little baskets for all five kids with trinkets, candy and hearts. They love it and I am a hero for a few hours as they all load up on sugar and put stickers all over each other! Bob got me a beautiful charm for my Pandora bracelet, the kids got me beautiful flowers and made me beautiful cards - it was pretty pathetic how spoiled I was on such a small holiday but I am not complaining - only waiting to see what Saint Patrick's Day brings!

Lizzie was afraid that Peter was trying to make her share her stuff with him!
Yes, Bob and I got the scissors and markers out the night before and made traditional - if not simple - Valentine's for each of the kids! Ellie had no idea what to do with her stuff but recognized the candy right away!

A close up of our handiwork!

Lizzie is such a gentle little soul - she kept taking everything out carefully and then putting it all back in just as carefully. She must have done it ten times and each time she looked at each item and smiled!

Annie slept late after a long night at Auntie Kate's but she got right in on the action - binkie and all!

Lollipops!

Molly and Peter are such good big sisters and brothers - they make everything so special for the little kids!

The Lollipop Lips were a definite favorite !

Annie loved her own notebooks - just like the big kids!

Lizzie was literally - this is no joke - the only one of the kids who could keep the giant lollipop in her mouth with no hands - she has a whopping mouth!

Molly and Peter each picked out flowers for me and were so excited that they hid them and had them ready on Valentine's morning!

The big kids spent lots of time at KidCity when they were younger - they are getting a bit on the big side for it but could not wait to take the babies there. We decided that Valentine's Day was as good a day as any to go check it out and Molly and Peter did not disappoint. They could not show the kids things fast enough and thought everything the babies did was adorable. They just could not understand why all the other people there were not watching our babies, too. Ellie was at a bit of a disadvantage not walking still so she needed help participating in some of the things but Annie and Lizzie had a blast climbing stairs and getting in and out of the tight spots and tunnels. Everytime we wanted to go to another room Lizzie would scoot into a really small place so we could not reach her and smile at us! Peter organized every room - matched items together, cleaned - you name it he took charge and got it done - now if only he could do that at home!

After KidCity it was off to Friendlies for a Valentine's dinner and then up to Auntie Kate's for some more Auntie and Uncle loving! Auntie Meg, Uncle B and Uncle Colin doted on the kids and played with them until BOb and I finally gave in and let the big kids stay and took the three little ones home to bed. Peter and Molly eventually came home at 11:30 pm - no joke! They have more of a social life than I do! We had a wonderful weekend and a great Valentine's Day! Best news of all - Grammy and Papa are FINALLY home and all is well with the world - at least our world! GNM - ILY!