Present From Jack and Christine

Uncle Jack and Auntie Christine sent Nathan a birthday present. He was very happy with his present and has played with his cars for hours.

First Day of School

Nathan started his first day of Special Pre-K today! He came home so exhausted! Daddy got to drop him off and pick him up and he said he was really happy in his class and the teacher was pleased with how enthusiastic he is.





Nathan is still trying to figure how his backpack works.



My baby is getting so big!

Three Years Old!!!

We were traveling during Nathan's 3rd birthday so we did a little celebrating before and after the fact. I meant to have an actual birthday party but I didn't pull it off this year. I figure this is one of the last years I'll be able to get away with that since Nathan will be able to look forward to his birthday next year.









We met Nana, Aunt Jennell, and Cousin Daniel and James at my favorite coffee house for a birthday breakfast.
















Too much chocolate!




We had a very impromtu gathering in North Carolina the night before we left Grandma and Grandpa's house. Aunt Penny and Uncle Sam along with Cousin Brent were there.

Meeting Micah

This is Micah! He is exactly one month younger than Nathan so he will turn three at the end of August. Micah was adopted from China and has been home less than a year with his parents Karen and Bruce. I have to say that he is absolutely adorable and incredibly smart! Karen and I have been on-line friends for years on adoption sites. When I discovered that they live pretty close to the route we take to get to North Carolina, we arranged to meet. Nathan hasn't been able to meet any other little boys from China so Daddy and I were excited to see how he would take to meeting Micah!

Here is how our evening went...

SCENE 1: After picking us up in a golf cart (yes a golf cart) we took a tour of their town which is completely accessible by golf cart. We were very impressed. Micah sat in the front seat pointing out items of interest. We putted our way to a retaurant. We had been travelling since around midnight the night before so we were ready for the break.

After dinner, Micah went to the bathroom and Nathan took the opportunity to ingratiate himself with Karen. He's still a pretty outgoing little boy and he had his eyes on Karen's jade pendant all during dinner.
Nathan was enjoying the attention and was turning on the charm. I was enjoying the sweetness of seeing my son and my friend meet. THEN...
Micah returns and he is Not happy at seeing another little boy putting the moves on his Mommy. Nathan has got to go!
Karen and Bruce tried to convince Micah that it was okay for Nathan to hug on his Mommy but Micah was not interested in sharing his Mommy with anyone! Karen tried to switch Nathan to the other side so she could hug both boys but that wasn't far enough away.
Nathan tried to escape over the wall like a fleeing felon.
Karen tried to keep Nathan from climbing the walls and Micah at bay. I was no help since I was laughing too hard and taking pictures. We finally got them separated.

SCENE 2:
In the parking lot after dinner, Nathan decided he wanted Bruce to pick him up. Micah spied them and insisted on being picked up also. Micah eyed Nathan suspiciously. Nathan was oblivious.
Nathan got really wound up and started to spas out. Micah looked at him like he was a nut!
Finally Micah seemed to think this hyper little guy was kind of funny.

They started keeping an eye on each other and decided they could tolerate one another.






To me, this picture looks like Micah is pulling Nathan aside for a little chat. "We are going to get along fine, buddy, as long as you realize my Mommy is off limits. Get it?"
SCENE 3: We golf-carted out to a playground by the lake.
The guys chatted and let the boys swing while the mommies indulged in girlfriend talk.
Micah and Nathan hit the playground and before long were squealing with glee and chasing each other around. It was too dark for video unfortunately.

SCENE 4: Back at our hotel lobby, no one wanted the night to end. It was so late and the boys were holding up well.
Nathan spied Karen taking a break and decided to join her.

The boys began a game of follow-the-leader and had the best time.


Who would have thought a hotel lobby could be so much fun?








A group shot. We affectionately called this our "Brown Couch Photo".


Nathan and Micah share goodbye kisses and hugs.




It was so much fun meeting Karen! She is the only person I have met from all of my on-line adoption community friends. It is something I've alwasy wanted to do and it was even better than I had hoped. Karen is such a sweetheart! The time went by so fast and I hope we are able to get together again and that the boys are able to stay friends.