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.

Fall, Fun, Friends, and Farm

 Savannah and Ava coloring in their matching Simply Love Guatemala shirts at the Guatemala Families of CT 3rd Get Together.  Thanks to Ava's Mommy Tina for organizing it along with Kelly.  Great Guatamommies and friends. 

 Seth having fun with the Guat-Tots

 Yummy cupcake from the Guatemalan Flag cake.  The blue icing is the same at in the flag.

 Mommy and Savannah in our matching shirts and Seth not looking up from his cake for a second.

 Monkey girl on the playground

 Loves tube slides now

 Miso Soup--my favorite

 Mommy and Seth sharing tempura shrimp

 Savannah and Seth sharing pineapple dessert at Chickurn Japanese Restaurant

 

 

 What a face!

 Seth has developed quite a sense of humor

 Playing together and laughing

 This is a boy who loves the bath

 Laugh in the bath

 All clean and wrapped up.  Savannah wanted them both to have a Little Mermaid towel.

 After bath fun

 Cycling Seth

 Savannah riding by herself

 Savannah made this at school and can sing a song naming the continents.  Pretty impressive for 4 years old.

 Fold n' Go Garage

 New Thomas the Train take along

 Doesn't get more cuddly than this

 Fall Fun at the Farm

 Savannah feeding the goats with her friend Kayleigh

 Enjoying the season

 3 friends in a wagon all looking different directions

 Seth, Kayleigh, and Savannah looking at the cows

 Up on the tractor

 Rich got a great shot of all of us on the Hayride (me, Seth, Jen, Dave, Kayleigh, and Savannah)

Playground fun after the farm

We had a fun filled weekend with friends and fall festivities.  First we had our 3rd annual Guatemalan Families Get Together here in CT.  There were 20 families (46 people) and we saw old friends and met some really nice new ones that live close by too.  My super sweet Guata-Mommy friends Tina and Kelly who I met through our Adoptive CT Parents Group organized everything.  It is so nice of them since it is a lot of work and time and effort.  They did an awesome job with crafts, stories, toys, food, and fun!  We can't wait for the next one.

On Sunday we went to the Old Cider Mill in Glastonbury with our friends with a little girl just about the same age as Savannah--Kayleigh.  Even though we don't get to see them as much as we would like, Kayleigh and Savannah gravitate to each other and pick up where they left off last time laughing and playing.  The weather wasn't ideal, but we managed to dodge the rain and be inside while and was raining and outside when it was not.  Luckily it wasn't windy, so the overcast weather was not too cold.  The kids enjoyed feeding the goats and the turkeys and seeing the cows, chickens, horses, and sheep.  We took a hayride around the farm and pulled the kids in wagons.  The climbed on the tractor and ran around a bit before we went to the playground and then for an early dinner.  We had a great day.

We have been enjoying the fall and having fun in the weather on the nicer days.  Savannah is doing great in school and learning so much  I am so impressed with her knowledge and enthusiasm for learning and school.  The change has been such a positive one for her. 

Seth is changing everyday.  He is learning so much, talking a lot and having fun with all the new experiences.  He is amazing.  His new favorite words and expressions are "More" and "Uh-Oh."  He also likes to tell me to "go" from the backseat at a red light.  No stopping for this boy.  It is go, go, go.  No is still his favorite word though.  He is enjoying new games like hide n' seek where he really hides and can find Savannah in two seconds (ok, maybe he is peeking).  He "gets" the game though.  I love the watch Savannah and Seth interact and their relationship grow and develop.  They have such a bond. 

We are headed to DC this weekend to see some special friends and for the big race--The Marine Corp Marathon. We will have "spook"tacular time celebrating Halloween in our nation's capitol (or close to it in VA).