It's Beginning to Look alot Like Christmas

The New Doo

Here's the HAWK proudly showing the result of more than a year's worth of growing. We've packaged up these lovely clumps of hair to mail to Locks of Love tomorrow.

He's already enjoying the difference tonight. He says doing a puzzle is much easier without holding your hair out of your face. He had refused a pony tail because he didn't want to look like a girl. So, I think its been a liberating experience to see so well.

He's asked me to assure any hair doubters that he loves his new cut! (He was also a fan of the young woman who cut his hair. She had attended his elementary school years ago and felt that truly qualified her to know the best cut for his hair.)

The Haircut...a Mullet?

Today is the big day! For more than a year Hunter has been working to grow his hair to donate to an organization called Locks of Love. This group makes wigs for children with conditions such as alopecia or other illnesses which cause long-term hair loss.

This is an action shot of the cutting taking place. The stylist opted for two pony tails to get the most hair for the donation.

And, the result...that's right a MULLET! Rock on! Business in the front, party in the back. It's his new motto.

Let the Hiking Begin...

Jack's first official hike started of with him falling asleep in the car on the way to Julian Price Lake, but in true Jack style he was up and ready to party quickly. He absolutely loved the hike. It was a good trail without too much mud or steep terrain. He did get to walk across a few rock paths through streams.

I took this picture will the fun little tripod I bought for the trip that fits in my hiking pack and is bendable. Hunter helped Jack and I onto this little island in the middle of a stream. You can't tell from the picture, but it was quite a little feat for Jack.


Grandma is thrilled that she has two committed hiker companions for the trip.


Here's another picture I took with the tripod. I think I need to figure out better how to handle the auto picture taking functions because it ended up overexposed. I don't think you can see it in this picture, but Craig (who refused to pack in advance) only brought flip flops on our hiking adventure to North Carolina...shortly after this hike concluded we hit the General Store for some size 13 Keens!

Caught Acting Natural

Yesterday we celebrated my mother's birthday. When I had asked her what she wanted her answer was she had wonderful gifts from our boys. I thought a picture of the sweet boys would be a great way to remind her how much she is loved. I got the boys rallied and outside for a picture, but my momnesia kicked in and I forgot to put a card in the camera. I had to run back inside. When I came out this is what I found. The boys had just relaxed and snuggled up. I took a quick picture and I think it ended up far more true to who they are, however....



These are some darn cute smiles as well. They are just such happy children. I know Jack has brought a new level of depth and maturity out in Hunter. Don't get me wrong, if I can capture video of them racing around the kitchen on tricycles I will. It can be crazy, but we are loving every minute. It's certainly not always easy. Take today for example...this picture below is my little man after his visit to the dentist.


He had his second of two scheduled dental visits where he had to be in a conscious sedation. Today's visit included 11 fillings and two crowns. One crown was finalized following his first visit. On that visit he had to have an abscessed tooth pulled. In order to maintain the bone in his maxillary bone a spacer was attached to the crown. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but he is covered in stickers. Everyone at the office loved him and kept giving him stickers. He ran out of room on his pajamas and started putting them on his arms. He has an airplane in his hand that he got when we arrived at the dentist at 7:50 a.m. (we had to leave the house at 6:45 a.m.). They gave him the plane as his reward for drinking a concoction of medicine that helped him relax and undergo the procedure. He is still holding right now (completely asleep) more than 12 hours later.

CONSIDERING ADOPTING A CLEFT AFFECTED CHILD? HAVE ONE ALREADY? Yahoo has an awesome group for cleft families that has been a huge help to me. I feel that knowledge is so important to allow you to be a better advocate for you children. I am also always up for an email with questions.

Summer Wrestling, Clean Plate Club & the Solo

The boys have been wrestling and running through the house since we finished dinner. I love having boys. I didn't always think it would be for me...parenting boys seemed foreign. Its turned out to be such a blast. And the personalities on these little boys are so different yet the same in many ways. While is louder, more outgoing and physical. Hunter is more quiet, sometime shy and prefers time with his Legos to just about anything. But they both exhibit tremendous caring and sensitivity to others. It makes a mother proud.

We took a picture of this event...that's right... a clean plate. Jack ate everything on his plate for the first time in ages. The last time this happened was after his hard palate repair surgery. Perhaps he has sensed that he goes back for his second dental surgery on Monday. This one requires no extractions which should make it easier for him.

Lastly, I don't have a picture (although he has video) but Craig completed his first solo today. He's been taking flying lessons for several months now. Today he completed a successful solo flight. The video showed beautiful landings, which he said he "greased".

Happy Father's Day to All

Our Father's Day started a day early with a special lasagna dinner for my father. Special thanks to Giada DiLaurentis for her awesome cookbooks - veggie lasagna with cannelloni beans. Craig preferred my mother's Boston Creme Pie to the main course. He brought the cake out onto the dining room table before dinner was done. Compliments to her for his Father's Day favorite.

Madras-clad boys invaded Grandpa's house for Father's Day. Jack is doing great with his speech. He said "Grandpa's House" several times today. Today we had the chance to start preparing for our big family trip this summer. The boys are really excited.

Sentimental Mood

Here's a picture from when Jack first came home. He's grown and changed so much since then. And, the love you see from Hunter toward his brother has only gotten stronger.

A Moment of Thanks

(Olivia is in orange and black poka dots. Jack is in the middle in the red ski suit...I am sure its not technically a ski suit given Rongxian's proximity to the equator, but it might as well be one.)

Whenever I stop to appreciate Jack I try to remember the important people who influenced, educated and loved him before we could. He is such an amazing and brilliant little boy. He has a tremendous capacity for love. He knows how to have fun and laugh. He is inquisitive and delights in learning. So much of who he is today comes from the foundation he received at the social welfare institute in China. As we learn more and more about conditions of children around the world, its worth taking a moment to be thankful for Jack's start in life.


Jack is very fond of using sign language to talk about his friends. I am sure if he could have signed it then, he would have told us about his friends. His school transitioned some children from his class into a new program for the summer. On the way home from school he told me (through sign) that his friends had gone bye-bye. It struck me that he had experienced friends going bye-bye before at the SWI. I plan to make a point of finding some of his friends at the school in the morning so he will know they didn't go bye-bye like he might think. I want to make sure he knows that he isn't going to ever go bye-bye again.

Family Weekend

Happy Birthday to Grandpa! We got the family together and headed to Grandpa's favorite restaurant for dinner. Madison finished up work and made it over just in time for dessert. Afterward we went back to the house for presents. Grandpa loved the big and little ducks he got from the boys.

A first for Jack. He went to the movie theater for the first time this weekend for Kung Fu Panda. We all enjoyed the movie and Jack did very well. He started out in a booster but worked his way into my lap. As much as he likes watching movies at home, I think he is really going to get into visits to our local movie house.

Summer is Around the Corner

Hunter had a field day at school followed by a picnic. I had volunteered to make cupcakes for his entire grade. Instead of just doing simple cupcakes, I decided to make cupcakes with butterfly decorations. I found the idea online and it showed the wings made out of the candies that look like orange slices with a rind. I searched high and low (eight stores) for the candies. I never found them so I used thicker less realistic wing. The cupcakes ended up a hit. I guess kids will eat anything with gummy worms.

Love You Forever

No new pictures to post, just a simple thought. I am grateful to my core to have the opportunity to be a mother to two precious boys. Tonight after dinner we took a relaxing walk, came home and got cleaned up. I finished the night reading Curious George stories. Tonight I read a favorite book of mine that I wanted to share in case someone doesn't know about it. Robert Munsch's Love You Forever is story that's hard to put into words. Somehow it embodies the lifelong connection you have to being a parent.

I love my boys.

Last Pack Meeting of the Year

Hunter has treasured his Cub Scouting this year. His leader is an amazing and patient man who generously gives his time and experience as an Eagle Scout to our boys. Hunter was on stage to receive several badges he's earned in the last month.

Here are his friends, Michael, Hunter, Sam and Zane.


Jack wrapped up the night with some carrot cake and maracas.

Happy Memorial Day

A happy and safe Memorial Day to everyone! The boys and I did our "patriotic duty" and went shopping. We found the stores fairly empty. Good news for families spending time together, but not great news for our economy.

During a marathon laundry folding, someone decided to be the "man of the house", but he found there is something to be said for the expression big shoes to fill...or in this case big shorts and shirt.
The HAWK spent much of the afternoon practicing diving. His highest recorded score was an 8.5, but he began with a zero, so that's an improvement.


TRAVELERS NOTE: Quiet day, missing you and a fun family time.

Sunday Night Brownies

Brownies have become a tradition in our house on Sunday nights. They rarely make it until Tuesday. Jack was so covered in chocolate and the remains of his dinner that I thought I would share.

You can see Hunter in the back with his Lego creations. He's never without at least one.

Beach Day

We spent the day at the beach, but I forgot my camera. It was probably better that I wasn't distracted because Hunter had two friends join him along with Jack. The waves were rougher than I've seen in awhile and Jack found this level of daring too irresistible. Lately he has been less enthusiastic about the ocean, so it stands to reason when its rough he wants in. The boys all had a great time. After the beach they came back and swam in the pool. Both boys are enjoying their long holiday weekend.

TRAVELERS NOTE: Jack was so brave, you would be surprised compared to the last few times. His teeth are doing well and his appetite is great.

We didn't get much time outside today before the rain started. But here the rain is much needed, so we aren't complaining. Jack got some good bubble blowing practice in, which is good in his speech therapy.

Jack is a sweaty guy. Once he gets hot its like the sweat bursts from his head. Good thing the pool is fixed.
It doesn't take an invitation for Hunter to jump in. Being in the vicinity of the pool constitutes an offer to swim. He wanted to show off his Lego castle creations for the picture, apparently this features Snape as a samurai.

TRAVELERS NOTE: Hugs and kisses from Hunter, Jack and Luca... xoxo

Train!

A dream come true for Jacky! We were picking up a fiberglass turtle to decorate for a fundraiser for Children's Home Society when we heard the train coming. The CHS office is right next to the tracks. We got close (by kept a safe distance) and Jack so excited.

The rest of our evening was typical including feeding the beast. Luca will sit and wait for Jack to put his food into the bowl. Sometimes Jack takes his time and pats the food down or arranges it just so. Luca won't budge until he's told. Such a good puppy.


SPECIAL MESSAGE TO TRAVELERS: We miss you very much, but hope you are having a wonderful time. Stay safe and come home soon. :)

Where Have We Been?

Wondering where we've been? Well, in the last month we've been busy being a family. It's remarkable to me when I think how much has happened in the last month. Of course, there's been the awesome fun that we love to have, but we've worked hard to get important things accomplished too.


In addition to truly rockin' the slip 'n slide, The HAWK was a narrator in his school play, "Charlotte's Web" where he got tons of laughs.

Jack braved the slip 'n slide, not wanting to miss a single thing his big brother does. He also flew the friendly skies back to Beantown for a visit with his surgery team. The team along with a speech pathologist concluded that all surgeries are on hold until he makes significant progress with his speech. Since then, he's started speech therapy through the county system (so-so results). We also started with a private speech therapist who specializes in cleft affected speech. She has been awesome (and so has Jack).

We appreciate having the beach so close, especially when the boys get an immeasurable amount of sand in their hair and baggies. Hunter's hair continues to grow. A friend's mother recently called him a "hair farmer" and in many respects he is. He's decided to grow his hair to donate to Locks of Love. I'm still amazed by the scope and depth of his generosity and understanding.

Jack has more energy than anyone else in our family. He is in a constant state of motion, expect this afternoon...we have to keep him pinned down. He's recovering from a major dental procedure today which included 12 fillings, a crown and an extraction of an abscessed tooth. His teeth were in rough shape to begin with and have only gotten worse in the last year. The dentist says they got a bad start in China, but that we can get them back on track.

Hunter loves to head to the park or be outside as much as possible. Every trip to the park includes a custom HAWK invented game. He's a creative guy. Last week we went to his school for a presentation of a book he wrote and published in one of his classes. The book was the story of Snowy (a snow Moleopard - combo of a mole and a leopard). He dedicated the book to his family and his cub scout leader (again...what a kid).

Biker boys! We've been biking a great deal in preparation for our summer trip to the mountains. I promise to post again before then. :)

Springtime Photography

Jack has been learning about Spring in school. He's painted flowers and bee hives all week. I even received a cup filled with dirt from which tiny green leaves have emerged. Jack took my camera at the park a few days ago and took this shot. I love that his feet are in the picture, its as though he signed the picture with his feet.

Jack and Hunter were still for exactly three seconds which allowed me to take this picture. The rest of time was spent sprinting around the park from the playground to the dog park, and from the sailboat races to the duck pond. Phew, boys can wear you out!