Ella lost her first tooth

Our five and a half year old delicate Ella looks happy here, but there was quite a lot of trauma leading up to her FINALLY letting, or rather, enduring, daddy pulling out that little tooth. It had to go because, as you can probably see, her big girl tooth was not waiting so patiently. Now hopefully that new tooth will scoot forward into its long term home.

Inspired

I've never been a fan of glitter and glue and messy crafting with kids where you make junk that you don't know what to do with. That's why we have been loving this website for art project ideas lately! Check out artprojectsforkids.org

Here's a picture of our Rainbow Collage-

Teshome's Birthday

March 13 was Teshome's 6th birthday. Usually we let the kids have a "friend party" when they turn 5, but since he wasn't home yet, we decided he could have one this year. So on Saturday we had a bowling party. It was cute and hilarious to watch 9 boys ages 4-6 bowl together (and Peter).




Then after the party we took our boys out for pizza.

On his actual birthday, Nana came over and got McDonald's for lunch and brought cupcakes for dessert. The kids spent hours outside playing baseball. For dinner we had Teshome's request, homemade pizza. Then he opened his present from us- a firefighter and policeman costume.

Injera Love

Here are some pictures of our Ethiopian Feast last week. Teshome was grinning from ear to ear as he expertly ate his injera and tibs.

Last Wednesday

We enjoyed a day at a nature museum in Chicago with some friends. Including the children getting SOAKED playing with a hands on exhibit about locks and canals.

Tutu Cute

For a little Valentine's Day fun we gave the girls each a tutu.

One Year Ago Today...

...Pete and I were in Ethiopia facing a judge, waiting to hear the words, "he is your son." What a way to celebrate Valentine's Day!! Today we remember that special day and praise the Lord for how far He has brought our family in the past year. We are so blessed to have these six precious souls to love and guide and nurture in the love of Christ our Saviour!



here we were visiting the Bethany office after court



we waited at a coffee house for the judge's ruling, along with the other couples who attended court that day




a couple of days before court was the first time we met our son

Tonight we are going out for Ethiopian food to celebrate!!

Have a Heart

As we finished up our Apologia lessons on the heart, the children worked in pairs to create their "heart model" out of graham crackers, marshmallows, and frosting. Then they worked in pairs to eat their project :)

Thirty Something

Well, Friday was my birthday.

The day was pretty normal except for the fact that we had gotten a big snow storm the day before. Since the kids have all been just longing for snow (especially Teshome), I declared it a snow day and they played outside for HOURS.



Peter and Kate had to take a break and come inside for their piano lessons and then they were back out in the ridiculous cold to build forts. In the afternoon we headed to the YMCA for the homeschool gym and swim and my elliptical time. In the evening we went over to Pete's parents house where his mom had made us a delicious meal and I received a couple of new baking pans and a wonderful African cookbook that I have wanted (and had checked out of the library atleast 4 times).

Saturday morning I had a lovely (and early) time of knitting at Starbucks with my friend Andrea. The next stop was Target by myself- fun! At home Pete and the kids played in the snow and did some chores.




Pete also went to the grocery store with all of the kids (just for a few things) and then came home and baked me a rich and yummy super duper chocolate cake which we ate after lunch.


(and no, we did not eat taco sauce on our cake :) )

Then our babysitters extraordinaire, Joel and Carrie, came over for the rest of the day while Pete and I spent the afternoon at the boat and rv show in Chicago and then when out to eat. All in all, a sweet birthday weekend.

And now I will try not to lament the fact that I am closer to 40 than 30 (big gulp!) and take joy in the following poem from Peter's card-

Looking Back on 2011 in pictures

January
I turned 34.




February
Pete and I traveled to Ethiopia to meet Teshome and attend court to officially adopt him




March
This was a slow month for us as we were sort of waiting around for news on when we could go back to get our son.
I had "tea and poetry" with the girls.




April
Pete went back to Ethiopia to bring Teshome home. Ella turned 4.








May
My friend, Brooke, came for a visit from South Carolina with 3 of her 7 children. The girls (my Kate and Maddie and her Emma and Lily) had great fun on our train ride and day in Chicago.








June
We had fun camping in Michigan. Kate turned 8.






July
We enjoyed a couple of days at a friends' cottage. Charlotte was potty trained.







August
Peter participated in a pie eating contest at the Lake County Fair. Maddie turned 6.







September
Our "baby" turned 3 and declared that she doesn't need her beloved "pipeys" anymore and gave them up cold turkey.







October
We went to Michigan for the day for our annual visit to my grandparents where the kids enjoy fishing in Great Grandpa's ponds.





November
My family came from Michigan to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Here I am with my mom and sister.






December
Peter turned 10, celebrating with cousins, Curtis and Clayton who share December birthdays. Pete turned 33.

Putting in the Garden 2011

Roma and cherry tomatoes, basil, thyme, dill, cilantro, bell peppers, jalapenos, zucchini, and yellow squash. Yum. Here's hoping the japanese beetles stay away and we have better yield from our garden than last year! And that some very eager helpers don't get too carried away when it comes time to "weed" the garden!