Sore thumb

Today, by that I mean yesterday (I hate writing in the future), I took Pumpkin to school.  Most Thursday mornings I have a mom of the school watch my car while I run Pumpkin in.  Then I don't have to get Bear and Honey out and things are run much more smoothly.  Today, that mom was sick.  So my kids went in.  I don't think I have felt that visible with my family before.  While I know that the people at the grocery store remember me because we have a transracial family; it could also be because my kids are just that cute.  In my city, transracial adoption is nothing new.   When we go to the zoo or the mall, I can spot out every blended family.  But today, we walk in and everyone that walks past says to Pumpkin,  "Who's your friend?" or "What's your friend's name?".  Pumpkin's school is VERY white, rich white.  I very much feel out of place, but we sent her there to save money for Bear's adoption.  We told everyone that that's her sister, Honey.  You could tell they were embarrassed. But still, why wouldn't they ask, "Who is this?" instead of, "Who is your friend?".  I know I am overreacting, but I have honestly never felt that exposed with her.  I think I never get questioned because Honey is biracial so I think people assume she could be my biological daughter.  When I see an AA child with a family, and it's obvious it's their child, you know that child is adopted.  There is obviously not a doubt.  But Honey can easily play tricks on people and make them question and guess our family.

I don't know why I'm writing this.  I think I'm just bored of posting nothing but pictures.


In other news, we still haven't had a meeting with our foster agency.  I called and left a voicemail and still hadn't heard back from the supervisor.  So I finally called again today and she is on medical leave and will be out some time.  So that made me feel a little bit better, knowing they weren't just flat out leaving me in the dust.

museum

I tried to meet up with a stay at home foster mom group but got there as they were leaving. 

I got to see one of the babies I did respite for, so that was nice. 

But it was really nice to go somewhere with just the four of us. 

 Honey's probably looking at me while I freak out over her not getting sand in her hair

And we got lunch upstairs.  It's so pretty there, but I need to get better and more self conscious about packing lunches.  I am awful at that, and bringing water for my kids. 

Bear was there, I must have been wearing him 

Visiting Andrea

We had the day off so we went over Andrea's.  I LOVE her so much and she is the best cousin and friend a girl could ask for. 

 She brought out their bounce house and the girls had a blast. 

 Her son H got a lizard and Pumpkin loved it.  She thought it was hysterical that it pooped on it's sun bathing rock.  She talked about it for weeks after. 

My grandma lives really close to her so afterwards we went there for an impromptu dinner. 

 She loves Bear so much and I am so happy that my kids got to meet one of the most amazing women in my life.  I wish my granny could live forever (she better).  But I hope all of my kids will remember her like I do. 

Whenever we go to Andrea's she tries to give my kids a bunch of toys so she gets all of that crap out of her house.  While my kids love that idea, I don't and usually always shoot her down.  But I made an exception for this because Pumpkin was too excited for a mask. 

Collection of updates

There is a local folk artist that I love.  I bought two of his pieces for the boys room.  Just what I need, more art. 

 Bear being his happy lovey self with gramps 

He is the sweetest and fell asleep while I read to the kids. 

The only thing I would ever want delivered to me in a laundry bin.

Pumpkin got the all clear for her hemangioma.  So no more eye visits (unless I see a change).  We celebrated the news with the best icecream in the world 

Carnival

It was time for our school's carnival.  This was the first year they had it at school and it was great! 

Pumpkin went to town on the obstacle course 

 Look at Shannon. Bear's best friend will be here next month and I am so excited! 

Paul loved holding Bear and was so sad when my mom came and took him away. 

 I don't know what I was thinking.  Honey went around the horse ALL BY HERSELF! This is a HUGE accomplishment.  Sure the woman had to stop a few times to readjust her, but she did great. 

 The line for face paining was out of control.  After 20 minutes of waiting my dad stepped in and took over. 

 I'm sure all of the kids were jealous of their awesome faces. ahahah

And Leslie is having Bear's future bride in February! I love that all of my friends are having kids now. 

A day with gram

It was grandparent day at Honey's school and my mom took off work to go. 

I don't have any pictures of her school day, but afterwards we got lunch, popsicles, then the park

 My mom got peach sriracha. Neither of us like hot sauce and neither of us knew what is was. 

Needless to say, she hated it. 

Honey got Plum basil and Pumpkin, strawberry lime 

 My husband is so lucky! ahahah

It was a great day and we hope Gram gets to retire soon.

U-N-C-L-E

R-A-N-D-Y

The kids love my brother more than any of my other siblings...Shhh don't tell them.

Don't worry they don't read my blog. hahah

Who could blame them.  He is pretty great and he is so amazing with them. 

The zoo was pretty bare, and that's my favorite. 

 I heard lots of screaming and laughing.  Nothing out of the ordinary when my brother's with us.  I turn around and missed wheelbarrow races. 

My brother asked to go to the bird house and we were happy to oblige. 

I've said this before, but here's a hint for a future post. 

 I'm so proud of my brave girls, petting an alligator.  No hesitation. 

 Pumpkin asked me to take a picture of the wolf's nose. 

Ok so, when we were in the wolf den there was only one family in there.  

The mom was on the ground playing with her baby and her other two kids were crawling around.

She had a thick accent so nosey me, asked where she was from.

We talked about montessori, parks, etc etc.

Out kids were having a BLAST. It turns out her kids were the same age as my kids. 

As we were talking Randy picked up her son and started "hulk smashing him" I can't explain it.  It was funny, but it was a strangers kid (it would be totally acceptable if he knew the kids).  I was waiting for her reaction and there was none so we moved on.  We were in there for at least an hour.  

When I tried wrangling up my kids, her son ran up to me and asked if he could see the bears with us. Again, I felt uncomfortable because I didn't know this kid and didn't know how his mom would react.   I said, "of course, but you need to ask your mom"

She said yes. and her kids started chanting "UNCLE RANDY" along with my kids. 

They just kept saying it over and over again.  It was the most adorable thing. 

We walked the rest of the zoo together, at least for another 2 hours, until the zoo closed. 

I wish we would have exchanged numbers.  Her kids were so well behaved. They loved my kids.  I loved their mom and her super chill parenting style. We would have been fast friends. 

Well I guess we were fast friends.