Last bits of summer

Well, good bye summer. It really has been fun. We got to hang out with a couple of friends we don't see often enough.

Stealing other peoples buckets, what's the big deal...

Our friends M (mom), R (oldest), and E (youngest) came down and met us at a splash park. I love seeing their mom and these beautiful Ethiopian princesses.

R is the same age as Honey. Look at the height difference. hahah

E and R waiting on their food.

Pumpkin has been super afraid of getting her head wet, so splash parks aren't her thing this summer

Thanks for coming down M. Lets not make this an annual thing and do it more often.

This is my friend Krista and her son Darius. He was adopted from the county just after she gave birth to her daughter :) His little sister is in the stroller.

This is my view of Honey and Darius. (pumpkin and sweet potato are in my stroller)

This is Krista's. Can we hear wedding bells? 2 years isn't too big of a difference.

Next up we went to a local amusement park. Sweet Potato was at a visit with his new family.

Where did my babies go?!

I have full blown kids now.

Who doesn't love to run through the water on a hot summers day

Look at that smile

Goodness she is beautiful!

Harold's VIP

We took Harold to the VIP lounge. We got a groupon for a members only dog park. I thought the idea was pretty ridiculous. I mean, a paid membership for dogs to play? I bought the groupon because Harold LOVES the water and this has a pond for them to swim in. I was shocked how nice it was. Nigel was not invited. -When dogs see him they immediately hate him and start a fight. I'm sure he's omitting some "I'm better than you" looks, but still. - So, he loved it. I loved it. And the girls loved it. All of the dogs were wonderfully well behaved. I was nervous about bringing my two very young girls (even though they know how to act toward a dog). Only one very small dog jumped on them, but the owner corrected it once and it never happened again. All of the dogs have to pass a temperament test to be allowed in. Excessive barking is forbidden (I thought this was extreme, but it really was wonderful). There were lots of fancy breeds, but just as many mutts. Harold and I can't wait to go back. Every time I open the door he thinks we are going.

This senior was about to have a heart attack from happiness and exhaustion

I love being able to compare the girls height to the dog

Making friends

Pumpkin loves her "Hairol"

The girls had a great time going through the agility course.

And now, Harold has an embarrassingly bad haircut* to show off. He has been completely shaved and has a few bald spots. He looks like he has mange. Poor boy

(*compliments of my husband :)

Busy days

Honey starts preschool this week. I am so sad. Really sad. A year ago she wasn't talking (when she first came to us). And now look at her.

I love her more than she will ever know.

Seriously, she was so tiny. She looks like a completely different kid.

Well anyway, did I mentioned that we (or I) camped out to get her into this school? We were on the waitlist as the hubs pitched the tent. He didn't want to stay. I am so glad he listened to me, because we got in! This isn't even half of the people who camped out. There was no good place to pitch a tent. There was that steep hill and the bottom of the hill was a wind tunnel.

I went up to give him a night off and made so many friends I told him to stay home with the kids. hahah I stayed up with Harold in tow (I ok'ed it with the other parents first) It was FREEZING! Seriously, like 15 degrees outside. The principle was out of town so she wasn't there to let us sleep inside the school.

So, I forgot how much I loved the people I met when we were there. It really was a bonding experience. My friend is planning on camping out this year to get her daughter in and I already volunteered to stay up there with her. At the very least relieve her.

When I saw the people we camped with it was so nice to see friendly faces. I really hope to become closer to the parents when school starts. But more than anything I forgot about how amazing the school is. Really, who has a welcome picnic for students and parents to say hello?! We really do need to move because our house is busting at the seems but I kept looking at better school districts than our city schools. I would NEVER send my kids to the local school, but am so happy we got into this magnet school. And it really is a relief knowing they have this wonderful opportunity.

Honey, waiting in line for the bounce house.

This picture is the best because of Pumpkins face, sheer anticipation, and the boy behind her.

Sweet Heart, you are only 2. Please don't grow up so fast!

Pumpkin really was so proud, as were we.

Pumpkin loved it! I really wasn't expecting it. I thought she would be shy and timid like she usually is. It was a role reversal day.

Honey was so overwhelmed with all of the kids and the little, if any, nap she got

attitude!

Puppy Albert

Next week we find out which puppy will be our Albert. I am pretty sure it's between these two. I can't wait until we know.

Who do you think we'll get? Red, Blue, or one of the other 6?

Zoo trip

Let me start off by saying, we did not get the referral.

It's been so beautiful here lately. I actually turned off the air and opened the windows! So we, along with everyone else in the city, went to the zoo.

The girls really love their uncle!
Twins
Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, and Honey all on Uncle's lap



Afterwards my brother took us out for pizza!

I really love this photo.

Referral

We were just referred a brand new baby boy. It looks like his case would lead towards adoption. Please pray that we are matched with him. We will know more tomorrow!

Watch out Tyra

In the last few weeks A LOT of people have been telling me that Honey should model. I know people hear this a lot about their kids, but seriously a ton of people keep saying it. So, I was thinking about getting some head shots taken (hear that Andrea?) I am not going to push it, but if it happens it happens and her college fund will have a good start.