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Birthday Celebration at School

This morning, I drove Kevin to school. His teachers all made a big deal about it being his birthday as soon as he came in the door! He wanted me to stay for Circle Time. He was chosen to put the number "12" on the calendar today. After I left him, I dropped off cupcakes at his after school program to have with his friends there this afternoon.

Steve and I returned to school at 11:40 for Kevin's birthday celebration. The kids were on the playground when we arrived, so we went out to watch them. I took these pictures without Kevin even realizing I was there! It was so interesting to listen to and watch him at play with his friends. He definitely was in charge, telling them what to do and explaining how.




Another child came over to Kevin and said, "We need your help!" Not sure what that was all about or even what Kevin's response was.

When we went inside, it was time to recognize Kevin's birthday. He walked around a sun in the middle while holding a small globe as the class chanted a rhyme about 365 days.


Steve understood he was to bring photos of Kevin as a baby and when they brought him home from Russia. I helped him prepare the photos. But he actually was to have brought pictures of each year of Kevin's life. Oops!

Daddy had to wing what Kevin had done each year, and I contributed some info too.

We had prepared two family photos including Mommy. Steve told the children that Kevin's Mommy died when Kevin was 4. One of the teachers said that we probably cried a lot. I said, "And we still do!"

I have never heard Kevin express why his Mommy died. Today he said, "Mommy got sick. She had a crack in her bone in her back." It was very sweet.

After Kevin handed out napkins to everyone, he gave his Daddy big hugs. Then the muffins he had helped me make were passed out to everyone.


Then it was time for Daddy and Grandma to leave. I got big hugs and kisses. Twice, he started to cry, and I said, "No crying on your birthday!" and he smiled.

Kevin's Birthday Party Day

This morning, we went to Courtney's for a late brunch before leaving for the science museum in Raleigh where Kevin's party was being held. Steve felt that Kevin needed to run off some energy, so they did some running around the restaurant parking lot, then did some stretches. I couldn't believe how far Kevin's little legs could stretch!

Leia and Annie and their parents arrived about the same time as we did. The kids were very excited to see each other (as were the adults)! Also, when the rest of the party guests and parents arrived, it was great to see them as well!! All were old friends -- friends who knew and loved Karin.

What an awesome museum! The exhibits are fabulous! It was hard to get the kids to leave the museum to go to the party room!

We found his cake! :)

The party began with some dinosaur puzzles,

then some dinosaur toys to play with a volcano.

The first take-home activity was a reverse coloring of a dinosaur project.

Once the party got underway, Leia (pictured above with Kevin) said, "Isn't this turning out to be really awesome?"
The leader gathered the kids to talk about dinosaurs -- when they lived, what we know about them, what we don't know about them, etc.

The kids did an excavation to find dinosaur "eggs."

Once they found them, they had to pick them open to find the dinosaur.

The leader brought out some animals for the kids to experience -- all reptiles, thus related to the extinct dinosaurs. First was a Ball Phython. :-0

Most of the kids were eager to touch it.

And some of the adults too!

Annie was beginning to get sleepy!

The leader had more trouble holding on to this little critter than the snake! A baby alligator! After it grows too large, it will find a home in an alligator zoo.



A Bearded Dragon. What a sweet face! :)

These are Hissing Cockroaches. And they really do hiss!!



Their last project was another excavation type of activity. There were given a list of possible fossils in the dirt given them on a paper plate.

I asked her what type of education she has to have this job of party leader as she is excellent with the children, talented as a teacher and keeping control, has vast knowledge of the animals, and is a great party host. She is a PhD in neuropharmacology. She does research on drugs for Parkinson's and Alzheimers, etc., plus teaches at a local university and has two young children.

Finally it was cake and ice cream time! Kevin blew the candles out so quickly that no one caught a shot of it.

Kevin assisted the leader in handing out the loot bags.

After the party, we joined the Thompson family at On The Border. It was such a gorgeous day that we let the kids play on the lawn while we chatted dreading the moment to say goodbye.


Tonight, Kevin helped me make two batches of banana oatmeal chocolate chip muffins to take to school tomorrow for his BD treat.

I brought a second beginning reader book which he opened as a gift today. We (rather he) read it at bedtime. Again, he was very excited that he could actually read a book himself! :)

Grandma Arrived

Grandma arrived in NC at noon for the upcoming birthday festivities! On our way from the airport, we stopped to visit Mommy's grave and to see if the flowers needed to be replaced. The flowers are looking fine, but we miss her tremendously!!!

Kevin found a dandelion gone to seed and ran to blow it on Mommy's grave. I suggested that we didn't want dandelions growing in Mommy's grass, so he blew them away from Mommy.

Then we saw this nest of tent caterpillars where he blew the seeds!

We dropped Daddy at home, and Grandma took the shaggy-haired boy for a haircut, then for a Goodberry's! Yum!

Kevin and I were sitting on this wall. Shortly, a boy came along and sat a few feet from us. Kevin got up and moved beside him! They never exchanged words, but, when the boy's Dad brought his ice cream, he chose to stay on the wall with Kevin rather than eat with his parents.

We had an appointment for photos at Portrait Innovations for 6 year old photos.




Following dinner beside the studio, Daddy needed to go shopping, and we walked on the lake path making many discoveries -- ducks, dogwoods, tall white pines, and stones.


Grandma found a beginning reader in an airport today. Most of Kevin's books are packed and in storage until their new house is finished, including the ready readers Mommy purchased for him and was teaching him to read two years ago. He is READY to read, and was so proud of himself that he could read this book by himself after going through it once with Grandma's assistance. He declared, "It's the first book I ever read!" Daddy was delighted too!

Easter Sunday!

Grampy with the boys at home.

Daddy with the boys at church.



Daddy is asking here, "Do we look alike?" LOL

At church, Cathi wanted to try leaving Gabe in the nursery for the first time.

We stood in the hallway for about five minutes as he continued to cry. That was it! He came to church with us!

Gabe was passed down to Grampy,

And Grampy put him to sleep!

Grandpa and Grandma got the babies a new wagon for Easter. Daddy assembled it, and put the boys in.


Actually, we didn't expect that Gabe was old enough to ride in it, but he did just fine!!!!


Naptime.



After naps, I had a candy hunt ready for the kids. Jeremy set up an egg hunt outside for Kien, then Jeremy wanted one too, so Kien helped me hide the eggs for Jeremy.

Then Grandpa and Grandma took the little boys for another wagon ride; this time, we went all the way around the block. Gabe did great until we hit a big bump about 3/4s of the way. Then Grampy had to carry him the rest of the way.

Kien wanted to ride more of his toys after the wagon ride.

Kien asked to see pictures of Guinness my on computer, so, as I was looking them up, we saw pictures of Kevin at our house last week, and we saw the Easter Bunny pictures. Kien said, "Who is in that?" He KNEW it was not a REAL bunny, but a person in costume!!!! He is only 2 1/2!
We had Easter dinner at Greg and Cathi's favorite restaurant.


Brandy looked up YouTube videos of pieces her band is playing. We followed along on her French Horn music so that I could see/hear what she was playing.

The dogs and Kien love Grandpa.

Look at this awesome cake Cathi made! And we never got to eat it!!!

We had to say "good-bye" to our precious angels tonight as we are leaving tomorrow and will not be seeing them in the morning. :'(