Summer's End

As our last full week of summer vacation comes to an end, I am trying to squeeze in some of the "summer" activities with the kids that we didn't get to yet. One summer tradition for us is the zoo. We usually go multiple times in a summer but this year we didn't make it. We picked a great day to go. The zoo wasn't crowded, it was a warm summer day and we had lots of fun with one of Chloe's best pals who came along with us.

Chloe starts school after Labor Day and we are planning on having lots of fun celebrating summer's end (if Hurrican Earl doesn't spoil it for us).

Golf Fever

"Some dude gave me a golf ball!" Chloe announced as she walked back from the 6th green. That "dude" was PGA golfer Ryan Pa*lmer. Matt and I were more impressed than she was. We carefully guarded the ball during the rest of our family outing to The Ba*rclay's golf tournament today.

Golf has been on the brain for some time now. I've been volunteering and assisting in planning for The Barclay's since April. I volunteered as a committee chairperson for the event. It turned out to be a lot more work but a lot of fun too. I volunteered last year for the tournament but only worked as a regular volunteer. This year I decided to step it up a notch and take on some planning responsibility. In doing so, I would earn my charity, the Jun*ior Le*ague, a larger donation from the tournament. And, I have to admit that I was a little proud to see my name on the big board at the tournament as a Volunteer Chairperson. Chloe was impressed, finding my name on the board and declaring me famous. Hardly, but it was cute.

We spent the day walking around, sitting in the shade and following a few of our favorites. Chloe got to play two rounds of miniature golf in the spectator village. She's convinced herself she's a scratch mini-golfer and its time she move on to "the real game" as she stated. And, she wanted to jump in feet first to the big game of golf, demanding Matt take her to get her swing analyzed while we were at the tournament. Unfortunately, the wait was 45 minutes and we knew Oliver wouldn't be patient as we waited for his sister to have her swing critiqued and edited. We got a melt down from Chloe but we were able to make her happy again with the promise of hitting golf balls some time during the next week.

Chloe is enamoured with golf now. She wants her own clubs and she wants Matt to take her to the driving range not later in the week but like right now. Oh, she also wants me to keep volunteering for the tournament so she can be a standard bearer at the tournament. I love the enthusiasm.

I wish I had photos from the day and of Chloe squeezing up to the ropes with her Daddy to view the players but, no cameras or cell phones allowed. We plan on finding Chloe some junior golf clubs this week, so I hope to get some photos of her at the driving range with Matt.

Readoption---the Not so Easy Way

Oliver came to the U.S. on a visa that requires we re-adopt him in the U.S. and then file for his citizenship. Part of our adoption agreement with our agency was that we would re-adopt Oliver within a year of bringing him back to the U.S. It sounded reasonable and do-able.

We didn't have to re-adopt Chloe in the U.S. She came home on a different visa and was granted U.S. citizenship when she landed on U.S. soil. This readoption process is new to us but we have been told that it can be done on your own without an attorney, which is what we have opted to do.

About a month after we returned home I made some calls and found the correct agency/department in our county that handles adoptions. I was told we couldn't file to readopt Oliver until he had been home 6 months. Each state handles their re-adoption/adoption processes differently and NJ prefers a child is home 6 months before you file to adopt. It can be filed before the 6 months, but it takes several court appearances and more money and homestudies--in other words, they try to make it a pain so you don't do it before 6 months.

In July, I contacted our county surrogate's office, received the instructions and began preparing the items needed to readopt. Talk about more paperwork, more notary fees, etc. We also have to relinquish original documents from Ethiopia that we aren't willing to part with so we have to contact an attorney to certify that we made copies of original documents.

A photo of the 2 lbs. of adoption paperwork and legal filings we have to complete for Oliver's readoption.

In other words, this process isn't as cut and dry as we thought it was going to be and now I've learned that court hearing for readoption are being scheduled three-months out!! I'm kind of panicking now, worried that we won't make the 1 year cut off.

We also thought we would go ahead and readopt Chloe while we did Oliver so she could have a U.S. birth certificate. We learned that we can't readopt her in NJ because when we adopted her we lived in Texas and our homestudy agency is in Texas and in order to readopt in NJ, they must be a licensed NJ adoption agency. I'm still waiting to hear back to see if it can be done, but right now, we are proceeding with just Oliver's readoption. Can't anything be easy?

Look Who's Walking

and boy is he!! He started full-fledged walking while we were on vacation. He's very independent and wants to do it all on his own. Try and pick him up and interrupt the walking and you're going to get a tantrum (and you can hear the pitch in which he screams in this video--that's only an appetizer).

A local children's shoe store had a sale that began on Tuesday and we went to get Oliver his first real shoes. I think we may be banned from the store for life. By the time I made it to the register I had a scratch on my arm and my hair was disheveled. I looked good compared to the poor girl who helped fit Oliver's shoes. He wanted to cruise the store, not be held down and have some foot binders placed on his feet! He's worn Ro*beez and apart from ripping them off every chance he got he never actually walked in them. His first shoes have a flexible sole, but he doesn't like the feel. I have to keep reminding myself it's just a stage and he'll grow out of it before I know it. Until that time, I may be hiring the high school wrestling team to come and help me put his shoes and socks on. Lord grant me strength (literally).

Soiled Linens

A Completely Random Photo taken on vacation, but I thought it was better than the photo that should accompany this blog post--Someone really likes yogurt.

As fate would have it, the stars aligned and lady luck walked away. It began when we returned from vacation with loads of laundry to discover a broken washing machine. We made an appointment to have it repaired--first available date is this Saturday. Sensing my inability to clean soiled fabrics, my children turned on some primitive wiring in their brains and began spewing bodily fluids.  Drastic times call for drastic measures and a new repair company was called---one that handles emergencies. They arrived this morning and I greeted them covered in vomit (a gift from my son). I'm happy to report that the washer has been fixed and my children also appear to be on the mend.

I remain holed up in my basement, catching up on laundry. Oh washer, I never thought I would say it, but I missed you.

A Kneeboarding Film by Chloe

Chloe filmed Matt kneeboarding during vacation. We didn't know until we watched that she added the opening commentary.

Summer Vacation

We're back from vacation. We spent 11 days in the Finger Lakes of NY. We left on Thursday, August 12 and returned today. Matt had a Po*rsche club race at Watk*ins Glen the first weekend and the rest of the time we spent boating on Lake Seneca, visiting the glass museum in Cor*ning, wineries and keeping Chloe entertained (which is hard to do). Our vacation began in the rain and ended in the rain. In between the weather was beautiful.

Chloe etching a glass at the Cor*ning Glass Museum.

We camped in our RV. Two cars, two parent, two kids and two dogs and one boat. It took some driving and planning, but we managed to get all of us and our toys to the Finger Lakes. We took the boat up to a marina on Lake Seneca the Saturday before we officially went on vacation and Matt took the boat back to the marina we purchased it from in Pennsylvania this past Saturday before we left for an oil change and to store it there. That left us with the SUV pulling the RV with the dogs, kids and I in tow and Matt driving his car back home.

As I said, the first few days of vacation we spent at the famous WG race track for Matt's driving event. It was three-days of track time. The kids and I watched Matt and the other Por*sche's drive the track. We snapped lots of photos and made a few side trips to keep us entertained. Matt's Por*sche pal, Paul, stayed with us through the weekend.

Chloe, Matt & Oliver checking out the other cars.

Matt (center car) at the toe of the boot at WG.

On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we boated on Lake Seneca. The lake is 35 miles long and has a maximum depth of 600 feet. Our boat was one of the smallest on the lake, if you could find another boat. We were surprised to find that the lake was relatively empty---we had it all to ourselves! On a busy day we might have seen 4 sailboats, the tourist boat/cruiser and maybe two other motor/ski boats. It was fantastic fun tubing and swimming (though it was shockingly cold at first) on our own private, expansive, glacially created lake!

Chillin' in the tube.

A view of the vineyards from the lake.

Oliver, probably having just thrown something important overboard into the lake. We fished out soda cans, Matt's sunglasses, numerous sippy cups (hey, he was finished!), not to mention the constant swarm of birds we had flying over the boat to scoop up discarded bagels and crackers he'd thrown overboard. Cell phones, car keys and boat keys are safely locked away when we are anchored.

Oliver, Matt and Chloe going for a chilly dip.

Matt got to perfect his kneeboarding.

We also enjoyed the usual camping traditions on this vacation--campfires, sparklers, roasted marshmallows, cookouts, etc. Chloe had great fun at the campground playground. Every kid at the campsite knew her and would call out her name to come and play. Of course, Chloe could not tell you there name. "I forgot", she would tell us. Every day Chloe would inform us of the schedule. She would politely ask us what we would like to do for the day, then she would start in with what we WOULD ACTUALLY do for the day. Each day she tried to cram a weeks worth of activities into one day. She would hit the playground at 8 a.m., be on the lake at 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. tubing and swimming, return to the campground at 4:30 p.m. and demand to go swimming. She would try to squeeze in a game of mini-golf before dinner, another trip to the playground before capping off the evening with a trip to the camp store for an ice cream cone. I didn't even add the walks on the hiking trail, jump pillow, bicycle rides around the fishing pond and golf-kart rides. She had a full agenda each day.

Chloe smiling in the rented golf cart that I used one day to ferrry her to her various scheduled activities and playdates at the campground.

Chloe enjoying the "pedal cars".

Oliver playing in the grass while sister hops from activity to activity.

The jump pillow.

Milestones & General Cuteness

We're still anticipating when Oliver will walk on his own. Right now he cruises and takes a few steps on his own (usually when he thinks you aren't looking). We're up to 5 unaided steps!

Other important milestones at 13 months old--

• Stranger Danger: Oliver will bury his head in my neck when someone new approaches to talk to him. Chloe missed this important milestone because she was 11 months when she left the orphanage. We had to be very cognizant of this as she grew up.
• Not Dumping Bowls and Cups Out--it seems trivial but from a clean-up stand point its big. You can now give Oliver a bowl or cup of food or liquid and he won't just turn it over. He's learned that bowls are useful instruments better utilized in their upright positions.
• Body parts: Oliver is starting to learn and point to body parts (eyes, nose, ears, etc.).
• Ditching the bottle: We're working on it. Oliver is still on formula (and not milk) per doctor's orders. Right now it's sippy cups in the day and bottle at night.

Now, on to the cute photos...

Chloe working in the Le*go book we got to keep her busy on the drive to vacation.

Mr. Giggles. I joined a new gym and took Oliver to the childcare center while I worked out and explored. The ladies in the childcare center came out to tell me that Oliver was a joy to have in childcare---he's such a happy little guy.

Sister and Brother.

How Chloe's First Grade Teacher Took the Fun Out of School Supplies

Chloe has one more month until school begins and it may take that long to gather all her school supplies. When you have your first child in school, its a learning process. Other parents with their second and third kids in school know the drill. They know how it is done. Me? Well, I've kind of lost my mind parenting two kids. My mind is busy keeping up with snack times, nap times, swim times, volunteer times, etc. The other day I drove away with the back gate still up on my SUV. I wondered why everyone was honking---until I realized that I had a really clear view out the back window.

So, it comes as no surprise that I somehow missed the sheet of paper that supposedly came home in Chloe's backpack the last month of school where you can easily and conveniently buy all your child's school supplies and have them ready and waiting on the first day of school. Because of my apparent lack of brain power lately, I'm not going to claim it never made it in Chloe's backpack and thus never made it home, though that's what I suspect. I'm pretty certain if I saw it, I would have jumped on the opportunity.

Now, I do enjoy school supply shopping. Ever since I was a school-aged child, there was nothing more exciting than school supply shopping. I enjoyed it more than back to school clothes shopping. I can remember in high school searching for a notebook binder just like the one Molly Ring*wald had in the movie *Sixteen *Candles*. Seriously. Why would I even kid about that?

So, perhaps I did get the sheet from Chloe's school and opted not to buy the pre-packed school supplies harkening back to the good old days and excitement of shopping for new school supplies. Chloe seemed to share the excitement, asking daily when we would get her supplies (see kindergarten didn't need school supplies--we were robbed from that experience). What fun Chloe and I would have!

NOT SO. With one month to go, Chloe and I set out to buy school supplies. List in hand. We arrived at the big box store and I opened the school supply list to find a precise, specific, do not differ from this list, school supply list. It was the most specific, killjoy school supply list I had ever seen! Notebook--must be one inch and black! Folders---must be plastic, two-pocket in blue (not light blue but dark blue), orange, red and green (spring green to be exact). Its best if you buy these folders at XYZ store.

I stood in disbelief! Chloe whined she didn't like black and wanted a different color notebook! The wind was taken right out of our sails. School supply shopping was nothing to get excited about--it was tedious and boring work. We searched high and low in the big box store for the specific, name-brand supplies the teacher wanted. We had been clearly warned in the letter not to deviate---we don't want some children to have the glue sticks that go on blue and dry clear, we want them to have the .77 oz. glue sticks that go on purple and dry clear and are washable. If you deviate from these instructions you will be given the worst possible position on the PTA, cause complete chaos in the the classroom and the teacher will wish a plague upon your household.

Three stores later and the school supply shopping is not complete. Its become a chore. A chore I am bitter about completing. I had to get on the computer this morning to Goo*gle what a large Magic* R*ub eraser  looked like. Apparently the pink ones won't do, it must be a special art eraser of high quality that is nearly impossible to find in any common retailer. Oh, and you have to buy a package of three!

I took the kids to the park the other day and ran into a friend, who also has a daughter the same age at Chloe's school. She's in the know--this isn't her first child in school. I lamented on the school-supply list and its specificity. "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed. "You're not trying to go it alone are you?" she shrieked, grabbing another friend nearby to share the shocking news. "Shannon, didn't buy the pre-packed school supplies for Chloe and is having to search for the supplies on her own"! The park fell into a hushed silence and everyone stared at me. "That was a mistake!" the other mom responded.

So, I've caved. I'm ordering on-line and in bulk quantities because Expo*2 low-odor markers ONLY come in assorted color packages in the stores. You can't find only blue  markers in quantities of 5 in a store. NO, that would be too easy. So, I just ordered a box online. Chloe has 12 low-odor blue dry erase markers. I hope it doesn't send her teacher into a tizzy that she has 7 more markers than the other kids in class. It could lead to the breakdown of society. Guess I should keep the extra 7 at home.

I also just wrote in my 2011 calendar all across the month of May in yellow highlighter---"KEEP EYE OUT FOR PRE-PACKAGED SCHOOL SUPPLY ORDER FORM!!!!!!!!".

Boating Memories

My mom sent me these photos, without express consent of publishing them on the blog, and they are too priceless not to share.

This is the boat we had when I was a little girl. Sharp, isn't it? I can see Matt and I share the love of a matching boat & trailer with my parents. Nice.

Seriously...doesn't this look like the most depressing landscape ever? I can see why my parents bought a boat---to look at something other than dead trees, power lines and a rusty swingset next door. Good on you mom and dad!

And here's the crew--

We're on Lake Ouachita (in Arkansas). That's BeBe, Deanna (in yellow) and supposedly that little girl in the red life jacket is me--but that smile totally doesn't look like mine but the cow lick in the bangs is me. I like the black interior--must have felt nice in the hot sun. I also like how we're obviously dressed and ready to go in the water. Nice tube socks Deanna!

And finally---

me, asleep on the boat (I guess that was my only option since I obviously wasn't swimming in the floral, puff-sleeve blouse I was wearing).

Good times!

Lake Getaway

First, let me say Chloe is much better. She was up and about the next day.

Now, for this post, let me start with a photo of Matt, taken by Chloe (I was driving the boat), this weekend. It took some tries and trial and error on our part, me getting the speed correct on the boat, etc. but Matt got up and kneeboarded this weekend. We were all so proud of him!

Matt, the kneeboard master!

We camped this weekend in Pennsylvania at a really nice campsite, though we saw little of it because we were at the lake all day! We launched the boat at the marina where we bought the boat and we did it in style--the marina used their tractor launch us from the boat ramp. So nice! We didn't have to load the kids and back the car up at the boat launch, drive it to the dock and then tie it up and then drive the car and boat trailer to the parking lot, etc., etc. You get the picture. We all loaded in the boat, they backed us in at the ramp, unhitched us and we were off on the lake. They parked our trailer for us. What nice guys (of course, they then hit us up to upgrade to a 26 foot cabin cruiser).

This was our 2nd time boating on Lake Wall*enpaupack and I think it was probably the first time we really got to know the lake. The first time we boated on the lake it was a holiday weekend and crowded. We weren't impressed. This time we explored the lake and got a totally different feel for it. There were fewer boats on it this weekend and we cruised the lake and discovered a beautiful and secluded swimming cove where the lake meets the river that formed it. We also discovered the hidden party cove, where boats lined up side by side and people sat in their rafts with music blaring going from boat to boat.

We meandered through parts of the lake and Chloe finally got enough courage to sit in the bow of the boat (my favorite seat). She later told us riding in the bow was her favorite part of the weekend.

Crusing the lake with Matt, Chloe and Oliver riding in the bow.

Chloe had never wanted to ride in the bow before, she was too scared. Riding in the bow was one of my favorite memories of the boat my parent's had when I was a child and Chloe wouldn't go for it. Matt and I had discussed getting another boat with a cuddy and not a bow rider. I think our plans have changed (for now---there is that 26 foot cabin cruiser after all).

On Sunday, we decided to check out the nearest ski area to the lake, Tangl*wood. Its a small ski run but it makes the area a winter and summer destination and appealing to us.

Matt and Chloe looking at the lake from the chair lift on the ski slopes.

A view of the lake from the ski run.

We had a great weekend and plan on returning to the same lake next weekend for more kneeboarding and bow riding!

A Little Detective Work Leads to a Sick Day

My poor girl, in bed with a fever this morning.

Chloe has never been a child to complain about feeling bad or even tell you when she felt bad---she's too afraid she would miss out on the action and most of the time she feels great. So far she has a superior immune system-- has never thrown up, had a sore throat, ear infection (well, she had swimmers ear once, but that was caused by ear wax!),  missed a day of kindergarten because she was sick or even had a high fever. When you have a child that is relatively healthy 99.9% of the time you get used to that and don't always recognize when they do get sick. Case in point--yesterday Chloe complained that her knee hurt. I looked at and didn't see anything to cause pain. Chloe told me that she thought she kicked too much swimming over the weekend. I thought it seemed plausible. That was it. That was the only complaint.

Fast forward to 7 a.m. this morning--where we finally put the pieces of the puzzle together thanks to two other clues Chloe shared with us---

• Chloe woke in the middle of the night in a fit-ish sleep crying and speaking incoherent babble.
• She ate nothing for breakfast and laid on the couch even though she said she was fine and wanted to go to camp.

After some inquiring and prodding and cajoling, Chloe finally shared that her head hurt and she was thirsty. Since Chloe never complains about feeling unwell, I reached for the thermometer and I took her temperature---103.5 degrees!

Needless to say Chloe did not go to camp, despite the begging and the tears (see I told you she didn't want to miss out on any fun) and did go to the doctor who determined our thermometer was off and she had a 104.5 degree temperature. Chloe has slept most of the day, only waking for her medication to reduce her fever. I went in this afternoon to check her temperature and give her another dose of fever reducer. I had to wake her. After giving her her medicine, she asked, "Mom, do I need to get up or can I sleep some more"? That's a sick Chloe!

Feeling better and out of bed this afternoon.

**Update: Chloe is up and around at 3:45 p.m. She told me she feels great and wants to play W*ii!**

More Boating

We had another great weekend enjoying the summer weather and our boat. We went out on the boat both Saturday and Sunday.

It's all about the snacks.

Chloe & Matt swimming in the lake and playing with the waterguns.

What to Do?

Matts at a Po*rsche club event this weekend and the kids and I have been on our own since late Thursday evening. We got a break in the heat finally but it came with some rain so I searched for an activity we could all enjoy that would be indoors.

I had heard of the NY Hall of Science and after looking it up online, I decided that was the ideal entertainment for us today. After Oliver's morning nap we headed to the museum in Queens. Of course, I should have thought to check that the Hall of Science is next door to the Me*ts and that there was a game today, but aside from the traffic, we got to the museum.

Chloe in a "bubble" to view fish in a tank.

Learning about pulleys.

Playing miniature golf and learning about space exploration.

What a Deal

I have to share this bargain I just came across at the Ga*p for all my friends in the blogosphere with kids. The Ga*p is having a clearance sale on kids denim, taking an extra 40% off already reduced prices. I just scored 6 pairs of jeans for Chloe to start school in at $4.18 each!!

The back to school Jean shopping is done--6 pairs of jeans for less than $26. I am so proud of myself!

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Six Months at Home!

Oliver has been at home with us for six months!! Time has gone so quickly and he seems to be growing so fast. I remember when we brought him home he was in a baby carrier!

The international adoption specialist/pediatrician referred to Oliver as a "late bloomer" when she last saw him a few months ago. Each month he has been home he has made greater strides to "catch up" and is now on target for his age. Oliver will soon have 4 teeth (his top two are coming in) and at 12 months old has begun to take his first unaided steps. His favorite words: "No", "Doggy" and "Daddy". He will also say, "ba ba" for bottle, "Mama", "hi", "nigh nigh" for night, night and "ba" for ball.

Now that Oliver has been home for 6 months, we can begin the readoption process (the state of NJ likes for you to have your child home for 6 months before you readopt, you can do it before but it requires multiple court appearances). I'm working on the paperwork now and we hope to have our court date in 2-3 months.

Mr. Personality...at home for 6 months--

A Princess & A Prince

Celebrating the 4th on the 5th

Matt and Chloe are at our town fireworks right now. Oliver opted for bed. I guess our town didn't want to compete with the NYC fireworks so they chose to celebrate the 4th on the 5th.

We took the boat out again today and had lots of fun tubing and swimming. We decided not to go out on the 4th as we thought too many boats and too many crazies would be out on the lake for the holiday. It turns out our bet paid off and there were very few people on the lake today. It was a hot day (nearly 100 degrees) and no wind so the water was nice and calm. Everyone got in on the action---even Oliver spent some time swimming in the lake and just floating in the tube.

Chloe and Matt with the new kneeboard.

Matt wants to learn to kneeboard so before we set out today we purchased all the kneeboarding paraphernalia. He made many valiant attempts at kneeboarding. Next time will be better.

Matt preparing the kneeboard.

It didn't help that I was distracted driving the boat with a knock-down drag out of a fight between Chloe and Oliver over a bag of Pi*rate Boo*ty.

Chloe won the war over the P*irate Bo*oty.

Oliver enjoying strawberries instead of his sister's snack. He would eat the entire container of strawberries if I let him. He loves them.

The rest of our day on the lake was spent having a family diving competition...

Chloe and I floated in the tube behind the boat while Oliver took a nap (while Matt held him).

After his nap, Oliver spent some time floating on the tube with me.

Overall it was a great, long weekend of boating. Hope everyone had a happy Independence Day.

Matt and Chloe "chillin" in the tube as Chloe calls it. Chloe has her water bazooka preparing to spray Oliver and I in the boat.

Happy 4th of July!

Tubing at the Lake

We spent the day at Lake Wallenpaupack and we bought Chloe a two-man tube. She and Matt went out in it twice. She didn't like it when you went too fast. The picture quality isn't that great. I took the best photos I could while also driving the boat.

And, Oliver captaining the boat...