Back to School

The end of summer came way too quickly. I hate back to school time, but it is a necessary evil. The boys were excited to go to their new school. What we didn't know was that they were going into a brand new building that had been built over the summer. When we moved into the neighborhood in May, their school was a few older buildings. I drove by in July, and the old school had been demolished and a huge, new school was being built next to the old one. The boys felt comfortable knowing that everyone would be going to a new school, not just them. 

We were able to tour the school prior to the first day. The boys' favorite part was the playground which had several different sections to it. After school actually started, the boys' favorite part was the fact that breakfast is served in each classroom every morning for all the students. Silly boys.

Checking out one part of the playground prior to school starting

On the first day of school, Wes and Calvin were so nervous. I don't think I've ever seen either one be so nervous. It just made me want to break down in tears seeing them sit at their desks nervously. At the end of the day, the boys came home so excited. Wes had made a great friend, Miller, and they were inseparable for the first month of school. On the second day, Calvin had made a great friend, Seth, and they are still great friends now. Since then, the boys have found a group of kids that they play with each day at school, and they get to eat lunch together. Sometimes, we will have lunch with them which allows the boys to bring their friends and eat outside rather than the cafeteria. Their best friend, Sullivan, who lives down the street is also at this school and is in their group of friends. 

Their best friends, Sullivan and Seth (eating lunch outside with Grandma and Grandpa Allen)

More friends and an outdoor lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Fischer

Wes and Calvin absolutely love their school, and they have never had such a close group of friends in any other school. Their friends are so respectful, and we really like them too! A few weeks after school started, I ran into a mother than I had met over the summer. Her daughter was in Wes' class. This mother told me that her daughter had seen Wes sitting by himself on the first day of school (they could pick desks, and he picked a desk with no one around). The little girl knew that Wes didn't know anyone, so she left the group of desks where her friends were sitting, and moved her stuff by Wes so that he wouldn't be by himself. That story brought tears to my eyes. 

My nervous Wes

Sweet, nervous Calvin

We love their school. LOVE it. The teachers are great, and they seem to understand our boys really well. Not much has changed -- Wes has trouble sitting still, and Calvin is teacher's favorite and wouldn't dare breaking a single rule. Wes works super fast, and Calvin still has no sense of urgency. Third grade is hard, very hard. We have heard it is a transitional year, and then this is the first year in Arizona that students have to pass a big test at the end of the year to move on to fourth grade. So we are working really hard, and the boys are doing well. They have begun to love reading. Sometimes they will take their books in the truck, or even a restaurant, to read. Calvin is really into "Flat Stanley" books, and Wes loves "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Both boys have read almost all the books in those series. I am so proud of how well they are doing. And with how great things have gone at this school, it is more evidence that we made the right decision by moving to this area. 

Walking home from the bus stop

Enjoying yogurt for the first time after the school open house. They liked the yogurt (if it was topped with a lot of candy), but they still won't eat ice cream.

Wes and his teacher, Mrs. McLean

 

Calvin and his teacher, Mrs. Billings

Summer Fun

As always, we had a blast this summer. I went from working nonstop in the spring to becoming super lazy this summer. I slept in every day. We hung out in our pajamas most days. It was awesome. I was so depressed for school to start again.

Below are some pictures from the summer (minus the vacation pictures previously posted):

The boys went to a lego camp for a week. They loved it!

They are always playing with stuffed animals.

We had lots of play dates with friends this summer. We went to Makutu's Island (huge indoor slide area) with friends several times as well. Even though we moved away, we have stayed in close touch with our friends.

Swimming, swimming, swimming. We were at the pool a lot this summer. The first few times, Alemitu was in the baby pool. After that, she refused. She wanted to swim in the "big girl pool". While she has to be closely supervised, she can dive down for sticks in 3-4 feet of water (with a little push) and swim back up to you.

Raining in Phoenix is a HUGE deal. Wes and Alemitu were quick to run outside and play in it. Calvin wanted to finish his lego project first (of course).

When Calvin joined them, the boys thought it was freezing outside (July in Phoenix), so they put on their winter jackets.

Wiped out from another playdate. She always has that little Mickey close by.

Our 13 year old basset hound, Clementine, passed away. It was really hard. And now we are left with this big, dumb puppy who is trying her millionth time to fit through the cat door in this picture. She'll give up and just rest her head inside the room.

Every single night that we were home, the boys slept on the couch. Seriously, every single night. They love the couch. The night before school started we had to introduce them to these big pieces of furniture in their room called 'beds'.

Trying to get a nice photo of these crazies.

Alemitu wanted to start carrying a purse like mommy.

Helping daddy debadge mommy's truck

Neighborhood fireworks. We laid out on the golf course and watched them overhead. This was the longest fireworks show I have ever seen.

Of course, we went to see a lot of movies.

Adam took them to a dinosaur museum before school started.

Mommy's new monster truck. It was so hard to leave the Jeep family. So hard. But this has a lot more space with better air conditioning, and we were offered almost as much money for my Jeep as we paid for it from the dealer. We always were getting people wanting to buy it, but I think our mouths hit the floor when we realized they were serious and would pay well over blue book value. I have to admit, I do love this truck. (Sshh ... don't tell my Jeeps)

Happy Birthday Wes & Calvin

I cannot believe that the boys turned 8 this summer. I can't believe how fast they are growing up. I always threaten to ground them for life if they keep getting older. They don't listen. 

This year we celebrated their birthday a few times. We had a party for them in Hilton Head Island on vacation. We had a party at our house with friends, and they even had a couple of friends sleepover. We also went to a Phoenix resort that has a big waterpark with a few water slides. They loved every minute of it.

Calvin is just an amazing kid. He never, ever gets frustrated. That kid can sit and build legos all day long and never once get upset if his creation keeps breaking. Just the other day, Adam asked Calvin to put together an easel for Alemitu. Calvin went through the instructions, used tools like a screwdriver, and never once needed any help. He has the most patience of anyone I know. You'll never catch him breaking a rule at school, but you'll also never catch him finishing a test or assignment before anyone else. He told me a few weeks ago that he finished a test in the office that day at school "because I like to take my time and make sure I am right . . . unlike my brother Wes." And he said that comment out of the side of his mouth. The boys are so very different, but they get along so well because of that. Sometimes I want to set a timer to speed Calvin up (he wouldn't move faster even if our house was on fire), and sometimes I want to set a timer to slow Wes down (i.e. he can't finish taking a shower in under 30 seconds).

Calvin is a happy, healthy kid. He reminds Adam a lot of himself, and he looks a lot like Adam too. Calvin will always be completely honest with you without issue, but sometimes he will crack a sarcastic joke that will have me laughing for days. He is motivated and determined to accomplish individual tasks, such as lego building or rock climbing. At a recent birthday party for a friend, he was the first one to shoot up a rock wall before all of the others made it. He then went to a much harder wall and really struggled, but wouldn't give up until the workers made him come down. A few minutes later, he was working on that same hard wall again. Calvin won't do what is easy, that bores him. He likes an individual challenge, and he is really good at them.

At the rock climbing birthday party

Some things about Calvin:

What He Wants To Be When He Grows Up: "I don't know." I asked him this question about 5 times, and he thought about it all 5 times, but always responded "I don't know." That's my Calvin. Never feels pressure to provide an unsure answer.

Favorite Thing To Do:  Play the Disney Infinity game on Xbox. I've had to start putting a time limit on game play because both boys are so into this game. I recently told Adam that I've reached the moment when I feel like a 'mom' because I will put a time limit on game play, and then make them play outside for a while. When Calvin isn't playing the game, he is drawing the characters on paper.

Favorite Friends:  Seth (new school), Sullivan (neighbor/new school), and Hayden (old school)

Favorite Part of School: Recess and lunch

Things That Make Him Happy:  Playing with Todd. Todd is a stuffed turtle. Wes has a stuffed monkey. They treat Todd and Monk like their own children. Every thing they do includes Todd and Monk. Calvin also likes dancing, and he likes having hair with a long bang by his eye. He loves that bang and never wants me to cut it.

Things That Make Him Sad:  Not getting to play Disney Infinity whenever he wants. Then he gave an example, "Like when Wes is grounded, and so I don't play as much because I'll play with Wes instead."

Favorite Movie/TV Show: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, specifically Leonardo

Dream Place to Live:  In a house with stairs

Wes is just as amazing. His imagination is huge. He always likes to be in character (whatever character it is at the time). He can trash talk my parents in games, but he doesn't ever get upset for losing. (He does try to cheat though. Adam blames that on his Grandma Allen.) Wes is a tough kid. He wrestles hard, but he likes you to wrestle back hard. We will often punch each other in the shoulders pretty hard when we are playing. A few weeks ago, Adam and Wes had a big wrestling match. Adam started spanking Wes and asked Wes if he knew what a spanking was. Wes said, "Yeah, it is what mom used to get when she got in trouble on her birthday." Okay, so he isn't very clear on the difference between a punishment spanking and birthday spanking. However, the next day when his friend was over at our house, Wes announced "My dad was spanking and hitting me last night!" His friend was quiet. Thank goodness I was in the other room to inform Wes that he needs to state we were PLAYING last night. Wes had no clue he was saying anything bad. Oh dear. CPS will knock on my door any day now. 

Wes is a fun kid, and he is so curious about everything. He still has anxiety issues over time, dinner, and plans, but I have seen quite a bit of improvement the last few months. He is dealing with some stomach issues that we are working out with his doctor. Other than that, he is very healthy. Wes is a tank, but the doctor said due to the fact that his growth chart has remained completely consistent, then this is just his genetic make-up. Adam calls Wes "Jerry Junior" (my dad) because Wes looks like my dad (and me), and he acts like him too. Wes is definitely from the Allen side of our family.

Wes (Jerry Junior) and Grandpa (Jerry) going on a big drop zone ride. No one else would join them. Wes doesn't know the meaning of the word "caution". That kid has no fear.

Some things about Wes:

What He Wants To Be When He Grows Up:  Live in the forest like a monkey

Favorite Thing To Do: Play Disney Infinity

Favorite Friends: Sullivan

Favorite Thing About School: They serve breakfast in the class.

What Makes Him Happy:  Seeing Monk (stuffed monkey)

What Makes Him Sad:  When Monk is getting washed

Favorite TV Show/Movie: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Dream Place to Live: In a forest

I am so proud of my two boys. Here's to another great year ahead. But stop growing up!!

Our New House

We love our new house and neighborhood. This was the best move we have ever made. In spite of moving to the city, we have the closest neighborhood feel that we have ever had. I am constantly running into people at stores, school, etc. that we have met since moving here. I find myself saying "what a small world" often.

Most people that live in this area are here to stay. They have found their dream home, and it isn't what we are used to in the suburbs with people moving all the time (including us). The boys have found great friends at school, and a best friend their age that lives down the street. Their friend, Sullivan, is at our house most days (or the boys are at his house). Sullivan is the nicest and most respectful 8 year old child I have ever met.

I cannot say enough great things about this neighborhood and community. We love, love, love being here. I also didn't realize how much I love mountains. Our community is surrounded on 3 of the 4 sides with mountains. We are anxious for the weather to cool down so we can go on the many hiking trails. When I am in my kitchen, I look out my window at the mountains. There are mountains everywhere I look, and I enjoy their beauty daily.

Even though our house needs a lot of remodeling, we still love it. We have finished the first phase of major remodeling, and we hope to begin the next phase sometime in the spring of 2014. In the meantime, there are a ton of small projects to do around the house that also keep us busy. This house and neighborhood are just so comfortable and inviting. I never thought moving INTO the city would provide such an amazing atmosphere. We just love it so much!

Below are some pictures:

Built in 1969

Kitchen Before. The stove was circa 1969 I think. It was connected to the microwave, and the microwave had dials on it. Same with the wood paneled dishwasher.

Kitchen under construction. New doorways cut into the dining room (office now), and old doorways widened.

What the kitchen looks like today. The height is only 7 feet, so we removed the upper cabinets. You couldn't see anything if you were standing by them because they blocked your view. We hope to replace the cabinets in 2014, and fix the ceiling lighting space sometime this year.

Part of family room looking into the dining room. Before picture.

Adding a wall and doorway into the dining room and turning it into our office. Cutting out a window between the living room and family room so that you can see straight through our house out to the golf course and mountains.

Family room After Picture. Partial railings were removed, walls were changed, shutters were added.

Living Room Before Picture

After picture. Wall cabinet removed, window cut out in left wall, partial wall removed splitting this from entry way, carpet replaced with wood tile. The carpet was new, so we transferred it to the hallway and removed the old tile there.

Another photo. The chess table is Adam's deceased grandfather's. Adam used to try to play chess with his grandpa. I believe his grandpa had re-built that table after it had been on a train. His grandfather had worked for the railroad.

A partial view of the boys' room before we moved in. Baseboards have been added since this picture was taken.

This type of built in cabinets/closets are found in both the kids' rooms, the guest room, laundry room, and hallway. I love having the storage space! This photo is from the boys' room before it was painted.

Alemitu's room

Another view

This photograph doesn't do the artwork justice. We had a friend (another adoptive mother) create this work of art of Alemitu's room. The art is textured. Alemitu's name means "she is the world". So underneath this dress you can lightly see a globe. The beads on her necklace are real as well as the foil for her crown. I am in love with this piece of work.

View from my front porch looking down our street.

Happy Birthday Miss Mitu

Happy 3rd Birthday!

It is amazing that Alemitu turned 3 this summer. Not an "I can't believe she is already 3" kind of thing. More like an "She isn't 16 yet? Really?" Oh boy. Every day I ask myself "What is my life going to look like when she is a teenager?" I mean, just last night she told Adam (who was sitting on the couch joking around with the boys) to "Relax. Just don't freak out." Oh and the other day when she was lecturing me about how her teachers told her that cutting hair with scissors is bad. After I tried explaining to her that it is my job, so it is okay if I do it, she said, "Blah, blah, blah. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you . . . " and so on. My birthday was 6 months ago.

Or the time when we were at the doctor, and the doctor was opening a sterile pack of instruments and Alemitu looked at them and said, "Wow. I did not see that one coming!" She is full of phrases. One of my favorites is when she slowly says, "That. is. AWESOME!" Some of the phrases are used appropriately, but most of them aren't. It cracks us up. When she gets in trouble, we are always trying to hide our smiles because whatever she did to get in trouble was pretty funny. This girl is just full of energy. All the time. She brings so much happiness to our family.

At her 3 year old checkup, we passed a huge milestone. She no longer screams at the top of her lungs at the doctor's office. This was wonderful, and the nurse and doctor both commented on it. Thank you television show, Doc McStuffins! Because of Doc McStuffins, Alemitu was loving the doctor. She even cried a few days later because she went with me to my doctor, and she wanted to be the one getting a check-up, not me. This was wonderful. Unfortunately, she had a really painful and traumatic procedure done 4 days later, and I don't think Doc McStuffins can fix this one. I don't blame her. Poor girl.

Happy girl at the doctor

Another happy doctor picture 4 days later at Good Night Pediatrics -- unfortunately, minutes later she would begin screaming nonstop for about 20 minutes. She had no idea what was coming.

The doctor was really happy with her health. She is 37 inches tall, but weighs only 27 pounds (fully clothed with shoes). She has only gained a couple of pounds since last year, and is in the 5-10 percentile for height and weight. However, the doctor is not concerned. Even though he is aware that our biggest parenting challenge is trying to get her to eat her food, he says that her features are petite and she appears healthy, not underweight. I was thrilled to hear this. 

Alemitu is still getting spoiled by her brothers constantly. Her brothers have nicknamed her "Miss Mitu". I love it when one of her brothers will say, "I just love that she is in our family." Or "I never even thought we'd have a sister, but she is so funny."The downside to this is that she will throw a huge tantrum if her brothers don't do what she demands, immediately. Her time spent staring at the corner is usually a result of this.

THINGS ACCORDING TO ALEMITU

Age: 9
According to Alemitu, she is 9. When she was 2, she knew her age every time she was asked. Since she has turned three, she consistently says she is 9 and will often get upset if you correct her. 

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite show: Doc McStuffins and My Little Ponies

Favorite songs: ABCs and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Favorite food: Sausage, chocolate, and cupcakes

Favorite toys: Her brothers' old little Mickey Mouse stuffed animal. We can't go anywhere without it. She also loves playing with her megablocks. (Big legos)

Favorite friend Boyfriend: She announced to me and Adam separately that she has a boyfriend. Who? Carter. Her cousin. Why? Because he dances with her.

Favorite thing to do: Dance. Sing. Cuddle.

One of several birthday cupcakes in Tennessee

Birthday kiss from friend, Ty

She was SO excited for her birthday this year. She kept saying she wanted a party. We had a small celebration at home. Then we had a celebration with our friends in Tennessee. Then we had another celebration with Sabrina's family in Hilton Head Island. I think she definitely got her party.

 

My big 3 year old

She picked out her outfit for school. When she wears Adam's old hat, she tells everyone to call her "man" rather than Alemitu.