It's Savannah's Special Celebration

 Little Savannah and Clifford the Big Red Dog at the UCONN Children's Book Fair

 Creating a princess crown at the UCONN Children's Book Fair

 The princess in the finished product

 Princess Savannah and Biscut

 Savannah with the illustrator of Click, Click, Moo and other favorites.  She picked the book No Such Thing about monsters under your bed.

 Savannah and Rose Lewis signing her book "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes"  It was so special to meet her and her adopted daughter from China, Ming, who is now 14.

 Baby boy after his haircute drinking his milk from Starbucks in the car

 Mommy and Savannah time at Jack Rabbit after swimming

 1-2-3 jump.  She will jump into the pool now standing up.  Huge accomplishment.

 She swam across the therapy pool with a floatie by herself.  Usually even with a floatie she won't let go that long.

 This Fuji apple is as big as his face.

 Holding hands at the children's museum in West Hartford

 Excavating with Maggie at the dinosaur exhibit

 Seth loved the fish

 Savannah looking at some lizards and bugs

 Maggie, Seth and Savannah playing with the huge Light Bright at the Children's Museum.  I got her a Lite-Brite now.  What a great classic toy that was.

 Loving Chicken Satay at the Puhket, the BEST Thai restaurant in the area.

 He has a plan with the coasters

 To make them a train track

 Choo-Choo

 Gorgeous Girl on Forever Family Day with her new do!

 One of her presents was Baby Alive All Gone and two outfits.  She liked it in the store, but I ordered this one online to surprise her and whoops she only speaks Spanish.

 A new Barbie with three outfits.  Shopping Barbie!

 This is from Seth for his sister for Forever Family Day because he couldn't be happier that she is forever in our family.  She plays with the fishing game everytime we go into a store and it is on display.

 Savannah and her two Baby Alive babies. 

 Teaching Seth how to play the fishing game

 He did it and is very excited

He may play trains, but he plays babies too.

 Playing dollies with Savannah

 Savannah and her baby dolls

 Feeding her new baby who she named Chloe

 Savannah has moved onto Barbie, but Seth is mastering the fishing game.

Yesterday, November 14th, 2010 was 4 years since we went to the US Embassy in Guatemala, held up our right hand and swore on the holy bible to love, nurture, care for, parent, etc. Savannah Hope Brody for the rest of out lives.  Nothing could make us happier or prouder than having a daughter like Savannah.  She has always been the light of our lives and the joy in our hearts.  She is the most loving, caring, sensitive daughter and big sister.  She is just a genuine person.  She is beautiful inside and out and has the biggest heart.  We love her more than words can say and feel so fortunate that she is ours and we are her parents.  We did her big celebration last week in Boston, but we did not let this special day go by without acknowledging our daughter and all her wonderfulness!

On Friday she had her swimming lesson and then we went out to lunch.  Then on Saturday I took her to the UCONN Children's Book Fair with famous authors and characters and art.  It was wonderful and we met one of our favorite authors of adoption related children's stories and her adopted daughter from China.  She also made a crown and got some other signatures.  Then we went and got her a stylish new haircut which we all love.  We also went out for Thai Food where Savannah loves the chicken and rice.  On her actual Forever Family Day we were going to go to the butterfly conservatory in Massachusetts, but since Seth is teething it got really late when he got up and we had one of Savannah's longest time and best buddies come over and they were having fun playing.  So, after they played we decided to head over the West Hartford Children's Museum and the kids played, saw animals, excavated dinosaurs, and got to go to the planiterium which Savannah just loved.  She was amazed by the stars, moon, and planets.  She really absorbed it and was talking about the milky way.  When the museum closed we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then headed home.  We gave Savannah her gifts and she and Seth played until bath and bedtime.  She was so sweet sharing her new toys with him and teaching him how to play her new fishing game.  She is amazing. 

The 16th is her actually citizenship day when we touched down in the USA.  So, at school we are going to bring flag stickers and strawberries and blueberries to celebrate. 

Wiggling in Boston for Savannah's Special Day

 Don't know why, but my children love to sit in the fridge

 November 8, 2010--too early for winter

 On our way to celebrate Forever Family Day in Boston

 Seth insisted on holding Savannah's hand and only Savannah's hand this past weekend

 Beautiful girl dressed up forthe celebration of her special day.

 I just love her building with her dress overflowing the blocks

 Construction girl at work and dressed appropriately

 Hard hat Seth.  Who says that seeing is a requirement

 Loved the bubbles at the Children's Museum

 Look at smiley boy

 Even if he is taking off his socks in the car, the laughing is a lot better than crying

 Savannah laughing too

Dancing at her school's Hibernation Festival.

 

 Making a yarn doll at the hibernation festival

 Making a Bean Bag at the Hibernation Festival

 Savannah's number one goal is to be able to get across the monkey bars

 Who's that?

 Train table at the Boston Children's Museum

 Savannah's excellent choice for a celebration

 Across the Boston Harbor

 Playing at the world's best restaurant that gives a bucket of toys and has a train table

 In case you are not familiar, that IS Maury Wiggle, that close.

 Savannah loved the ballerinas at the Wiggles and did all the ballet moves with Dorothy

 Wiggling at the Orpheum Theater (which is 100 years old or seems to be) in Boston

 Boston Common

True Love--So glad you are our daughter and Seth is so thankful you are his sister

November is a very special month for us.  Not only is it National Adoption Month, it is the month Savannah officially became our daughter and a US citizen.  The day we went to the embassy and took the oath to be her parents was November 14, 2006 and we landed on American soil on November 16, 2006.  We had our "big" celebration a little early, because that is when the Wiggles happened to be in Boston.  Savannah was the world's biggest Wiggles fan between age 1 and 2 1/2.  Now Seth is a fan, but not like Savannah  was.  Savannah doesn't admit that she still likes it, but she does.  She has a ball in the Wiggles area at Six Flags and LOVED the live show.  She likes the music and dancing.  She danced and sang and had a smile from ear to ear.  Seth sat mesmorized and did not move for an hour a half.  We stayed over and the next day Savannah chose to go to the Boston Children's Museum, which was a very good choice since it is the BEST children's museum I have ever been to (and I have been to quite a few).  It is a combination museum and science center and everything is hands on.  There is so much to see and do.  There is a whole physical fitness area where you can climb, jump, and dance, a countdown to kindergarten section, a construction zone, art, bubbles, cars, planes trains, and an exhibit about Japan (which I loved, but is geared toward a bit older children).  There is also a large area for children 3 and under with a soft play area, huge train set, and age appropriate toys.  They also have shows, which we did not get to go to.  I would like to go back on a weekday when it is less crowded.  It was so much fun and enriching though.

We stayed in Cambridge and went to North Cambridge for brunch after driving around Harvard and MIT.  I found the best place to eat with children on the Internet.  It was called the Full Moon and it has a train table, kitchen set, play area and they put a bucket of toys on the table.  It was also covered with paper so they kids could color on the table.  It was fantastic.  What a BRILLIANT idea!  There was also an awesome toy store right next door where Savannah picked stickers, princess dress up, and play doh and Seth of course picked--Trains.  The kids also got to walk around Boston Common and play on the playground there.  Unfortunately the swan boats and carousel are closed for the season.  Before we left Beantown, we met up with Papa, Sheila, Sheila's brother and sister-in-law and her niece for dinner since her brother lives right outside Boston.  It was nice to meet them. 

On Sunday Savannah's school had the 15th Annual Hibernation Festival which is the school's biggest community event.  It is open to the public and free and has live music, arts and crafts, food, fun, games, etc.  We went last year when we were looking at the school and it was a gorgeous 70 degree day.  This past Sunday, mother nature did not cooperate as much and it was overcast, windy and cool.  However, they moved the music inside and everyone enjoyed dancing, doing arts and crafts and eating some yummy food.

On Sunday for her actual Forever Family Day we are going back to Massachusetts to the Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield.  She loves butterflies and has wanted to go for awhile.  After that we will eat dinner at one of our favorite places at Yankee Candle.  We will send stickers and treats to school on Tuesday for citizenship day in red, white, and blue. 

 I cannot imagine life without our wonderful children who make our lives and our family complete.  Remember one of my favorite adoption quotes, "Adopting one child will not change the world, but it will change the world for one child."  In our case, we experienced that miracle twice and feel so fortunate and blessed.   

Halloween in Washington DC

 Welcome to Beautiful National Harbor Maryland

 Kumi giving Seth a hug

 Watching the show at the Children's Museum

 Happy Halloween 2010

 Pooh Bear at the Mall

 Poor and Eeyore

 Pooh in the stroller trick or treating at the mall

 Ring Around the Rosie with Shane, Kumi's Daddy

 Pooh Bear

 The US Capitol

 Ready to Trick or Treat

 Rich's postcard photo of the capitol

 Me and My Cuties at the Capitol

 Savannah's Favorite

 There's she goes

 Mommy and Nansy at a very tall monument

 Washington Monument

 Capitol in the distance on the mall

 Family photo on the Mall in Washington DC

 Daddy and his kids the day after running this city--MONUMENTAL!

Seth appreciating the Washington Monument

We had a glorious 4 days in the Mid-Atlantic region exploring MD, VA, and DC while Rich ran the 35th Marine Corp Marathon.  He did an awesome job at 4 hours, 36 minutes.  He had to run slowly and pace himself to avoid injury, so he did great and got to enjoy the sights too.  It was a very crowded field, so you could not go too fast anyone and the pack never really broke up.  This is his first marathon since Seth was born and he was not trained like he was for his last two marathons, but still was a winner in our book (all the time).  We were really happy because we got to spend quality time with our dear friends Misty and Kumi, who we love like family.  We even got to meet Misty's husband who we had only met via Skype from Japan.  We were so touched that he drove to DC for just a few hours to meet us despite a very hectic work schedule.  He took time out so we could all spend Halloween together.  He is as nice and warm and friendly as the rest of his family.  We love them all and can't wait to see them again.

After a long drive filled with traffic from South Jersey on we made it for dinner to Falls Church Virginia , where we were staying.  Misty and Kumi met us and hung out for dinner and then the kids played.  Luckily our hotel was in walking distance to some great restaurants.  The next day we went to National Harbor, Maryland.  It was so beautiful there with upscale restaurants and shops right on the Potomac.  There were places for the kids to run around and a sand sculpure garden where the kids ran and climbed.  We went to the launch pad for the new National Children's Museum which is opening in 2013 but they had toys and games and art for free and a storytime with an illustrator who dressed up as a blue moose and danced and sang and drew with the kids.  Then we went to Ketchup for lunch, which we thought was a burger joint, but ended up being much nicer and very yummy.  After lunch the younger two napped in the stroller and Misty, Savannah and I took a nice walk around the harbor, took photos, and shopped and then went to a coffee shop before meeting up with Rich who came back from the Marathon Expo over in DC.  We avoid the city due to a rally with two comedians that are very popular on Comedy Central.  Once Rich got back we drove back to Virginia and had dinner at Uno. 

The next day Rich was up at 4:45 a.m. for the marathon and left before the crack of dawn.  I hung out with the kids and went to Starbucks and to get some groceries and then Misty and Kumi met us for lunch at the most amazing Thai restaurant ever.  It was delicious.  The kids played and then Seth went for a nap and Rich came back and we later met Misty, Shane, and Kumi at Tysons Corner Mall for trick or treating and dinner.  Our children transformed to Eeyore, Pooh and Lilo and went through the mall and got some treats until the mall was closing and then we had dinner.  Our wonderful time together came to a close all too soon as we said good bye until we meet up again.  I feel so fortunate to have such special friends in my life and the miracle of adoption brought us together and we have a bond and closeness and just get along like we have always known each other and feel so comfortable.  I am so glad we were able to meet up in DC and share this time together. 

Before leaving town on Monday, we stopped in downtown Washington, DC so the kids could see the Mall and the monuments of DC.  Savannah saw the White House from the car and then we walked the mall and she saw the capitol and the Washington Monument and some of the buildings of the Smithsonian.  She also got to ride the Carousel on the Mall.   Seth slept for most of it, but Savannah loved it.  We had an uneventful ride back with no traffic and smooth sailing.  We stopped in White Marsh Maryland to get a late lunch and they had some NICE shopping there.  Next time we will have to spend more time there.  Then took a pit stop at my dad's to let the kids play a bit and grab a bite to eat.  We got home close to 1 a.m., but it was worth it.  It was a great weekend.  Now we are headed to Boston on Friday to see The Wiggles and start Savannah's Forever Family Day and Citizenship celebration.  Her acutal day is the 14th and 16th respectively.  And then we will got to NJ for Thanksgiving and San Diego the week after that and then we are staying put for awhile except for skiing, says Daddy.

On a funny side note, I took Savannah with me to the polls today.  I told her when I picked her up from school that we are going to go vote.  When we got to town hall she said, "Where's the boat?  I want to go on the big boat."  Well, Savannah, so do I, so I guess another cruise is in our future.