Happy New Year

New Years Resolution. I love them. I make about 20 and I'm good for about two days. But I always believe this time will be different. Of course I do this every Monday about dieting and every Sept. about school work. I never learn! Anyway, this year I resolve to blog all the time, to write down any random things the kids do. I am going to start eating healthier and feeding my kids healthier. More salads and homemade soups. I HAVE to start exercising, walking and yoga, preferably. I am going to start being more present with the kids. Play games, teach letters and numbers and history and such. More outside time. These are all good resolutions, right! And I'm sure I can do it all this time!

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure, I didn't label them, but they are pretty self-explanatory.

Christmas

Wow, its been a long time since I posted! Christmas was wonderful. My kids must have been very, very good, because they had an excellent Christmas...too much, but that's par for the course. Johnley was almost completely overwhelmed by the amount. Almost. We have taken a boy who would have been perfectly happy with one gift, and in two short months, he now expects 50! He is now officially American!

After opening presents, we went down the street to Aunt Ilene's, where they got another truckload of presents, and then back to our house, with Uncle Joe and Aunt Teri, where they got another truckload of presents! Our house was insane Christmas night. Nick's two nieces were here, and Joe's kids. We had two Wiis going and two buckets of popcorn open (the floor was completely covered). The kids had a blast!

Taishauna got a call first thing the next morning from the beloved Shayna, and she has been off and running since. She has a sleepover scheduled for every night, with arrangements being made for the next one while she is with the current one! School kids! Nick has been home for most of the week and we have just been laying back, playing with our toys. They are still all under the Christmas tree and I am in no hurry to change that. Mostly because I don't know where to put them!

When Johnley first came here I was worried that I would favor Sammy, but that didn't happen. Not right away! Johnley is so cute, and so earnest. He also had that whole 'I have no idea what you just said' thing going on! So I was protective of him, and was firm with Sammy about being fair and kind. Now though, I am definitely favoring Sammy. Johnley is so worried about getting ripped off that he is crazy with it. He demands that they take turns playing Mario Brothers on the GBA even though he doesn't know how to play. He doesn't just not know how to play, he doesn't play! He just holds the game boy in his hands during his turn. I think that is insane! And every moment of every day it is about taking turns and who is first. Sammy is first to brush his teeth tonight because I was first last night. Sammy is first to read his story because I was first last night. It is my turn to sleep on your right side because Sammy slept there last night! Aaaarrrrrhhhhh! We are not taking turns on WHICH SIDE OF ME YOU ARE SLEEPING!!! So I am getting kind of mad at him. They were playing the Wii yesterday, and he won't let us help him or show him. He is holding down the button and yelling at Sammy for pushing the buttons. Of course, Sammy will fuck with him and push the button once, so Johnley thinks he is doing it all the time. Nick got fed up with the whole thing and turned it off.

Sometimes I think I made a huge mistake, getting someone so close to Sammy's age. But I'm sure it will all work out. Yesterday, Johnley told Sammy that he would share his toys all day and Sammy was so proud of him. It was really cute! I just need to remember to hug them more, and enjoy them.

I will post pictures later, I am on the laptop now, everyone is sleeping. Bye

Brothers

I don't think my boys like each other. That could be a problem. I figure with homeschooling, there will be many a time when they only have each other to play with. The plan was for them to be bff!
We have been so busy with everything Christmas that Johnley is just overwhelmed. Its alot for any kid, nevermind one who doesn't understand what is going on. He is acting out with alot of anger and I don't think he feels close or safe with me so much anymore. It is time to slow down and just chill. And we will, right after the homeschool party/build your own gingerbread house, and we make our crafts, and have our party with Erin, and we go to the city, and we finish shopping and wrapping. Right after that we will chill!

Making crafts at Breakfast with Santa
Picking out our tree
Decorating cookies at Chris and Heathers cookie party

Owens birthday party

Decorating cookies for us

Crafts for our family Christmas party.

Decorating our tree

Playing at McDonalds during a shopping break

Opening presents at our family Christmas Party.

Decorating gingerbread cookies with Sue and Jane.

Perception

I just have to put up a quick post here. The other day, my friend came over for the afternoon. Every time I am with her I feel like the worlds worst mother. She is so great with the kids and she never says no. She makes me remember that we should all stop saying no and say yes more. That the kids will never remember what the house looked like, but they will remember if Mommy ever played with them. While she was here I had a roast in the crock pot. I literally put the roast in the crock pot, cut up some potatoes and onion and dumped a can of mushroom soup in it. It smelled heavenly. And when it was time to eat my children made gagging noises and I had to make them hot dogs. My friend should also know that while the middle of the floors may have been vacuumed, the edges certainly weren't, and they desperately need mopping. And one more thing - this beautiful child that I adopted who didn't speak any English? Now he says in his most stern voice "Stop It! Go to bed right now!" Guess who he is imitating?

I don't have time to blog, but here are some pictures! Making cookies and playing with a new toy (the ball, not the laundry basket!)