An Afternoon At The Science Center

Grammy Sue gave us a membership to the Science Center before she left for Africa. We have been enjoying the time we have been able to spend learning and playing at The Washington Pavilion.

Alexa is ready to head off to space!

Shane and Emma are in the space ship ready to take off!

I love Shane and Emma's faces on this pictures. They are trying to figure out how the ball stays in the air.

They all had fun in the water room!

Shane's voice echoed through the 2nd floor for some time. He didn't care who was listening, he sang his heart out really loud!

He also tried some paddle music!

They hopped in the basket for a hot air balloon ride.

We watched a demonstration of the "Bed of Nails!" Shane was brave and decided to try it. He was looking a little nervous.

Look at those nails. I don't think I have ever seen him lay so still!

Shane and Emma played here for a long time. They were running around trying to keep all the balls in the air!

Alexa and Emma were off to the races.

I would have never guessed but the rock climbing wall was by far Emma's favorite. Every time I turned around she was back climbing the wall.

Alexa checking how high she can jump.

Alexa playing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" with her feet!

One of Shane's favorites was the Dinosaur exhibit. Shane got out his goggles and started to dig for bones.

What a great way to spend a couple hours of our day. We can't wait to spend more time learning and playing in the months to come.

Thanksgiving Day

This year we had a very relaxing, quiet Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving lunch with just the 5 of us at home. As we were preparing the Thanksgiving turkey I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that just a year ago we sat around the table at my parents and shared with our extended family that we were just starting the adoption process to bring a little boy home from China. A year later we are so close to bringing our little boy home. We have seen his face, we have fallen in love, we know his name ... now we just need to know what it feels like to hold him in our arms.

The kids love Thanksgiving food so were very excited to be part of the preparation. We had fun deciding how we were going to decorate the table. The girls first picked out fall flowers at the grocery store but as we were walking through the produce section all the pumpkins and squash grabbed their attention. They really wanted to do both but when I told them to pick the settled on the squash.

Alexa of course went into craft mode when we got home and she came up with some very cute turkeys as place settings. We brought out the good dishes and even had Sparkling Apple Juice. The kids were excited for a fancy lunch that they played a big part preparing for.

Yummy!

As we went around the table and each of us prayed about the things we were thankful for our new son and brother was on the top of every ones list. Shane was so cute he thanked God for his baby brother and made sure to ask God to make sure Max has a good day with his friends and that they take good care of him at his home.

As I looked around the table and saw the spot on the end that Max with soon fill it was so surreal to think this is the last Thanksgiving meal as a family of 5. We are so thankful for God's plan in bringing Max into our life. Soon our little man will be home to fill the 6th spot at our table and fill an even bigger spot in our hearts.

We headed to my parents in the evening for soup, sandwiches and dessert. The kids always look forward to going to papa and grammy's house and spending time with their cousins. I got a cute idea for turkey cupcakes from a friend.

Daddy helping Shane get his turkey put together.

All the kids were busy making their turkeys.

Alexa with her finishing touches ....

and the finished product.

What do you think? Do you think Bailey is enjoying hers?

Alexa and Darby enjoying theirs too!

The two blonde's snacking on their Candy Corn.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 100:4

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lordis a great God, And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Psalm 95:1-6

Preschool Feast

Shane's preschool had a little feast. Some of the classes were the pilgrims and some were the Native Americans. Shane was so excited about finishing the week of learning with a feast.

His favorite part of the story that he told me over and over again was how they were on this really big boat called the Mayflower and they probably got sea sick!

Shane waiting to eat with his friends.

Shane made his placemat that he ate off of.

Shane had a great time at his feast. I love how he embraces learning and life! I am thankful for how he has grown and matured this year.

He is having a wonderful year at preschool!

A Love For Reading

When things are quiet and these two are missing I often find them cuddled up in Alexa's top bunk. Alexa loves reading and Shane loves cuddling with his sister and listening.