Bunk Beds!

The big boys got bunk beds yesterday. They are very excited. Baby Guy is trying to figure out how to climb up to the top. So far he can't do it but I know it won't be long. Baby Guy will be joining the big boy room when little sister comes home. I'm shopping Craigslist for a toddler bed.

Snuggling on Tuba's bunk.

These pictures were taken by Mr. 4 yr. old....I was on the phone and when he asked if he could take a picture I just handed him my camera so he would be quiet. Then I went out of the room and 30 minutes later I remembered that he had my camera!!! Yikes, he took 30 some pictures. Not bad...he already takes a better picture than his dad:) He was up on the top bunk shooting photos of his brothers.

Smile Tuba!

Oh, and he took photos of the stars and planets above his bunk that he put up yesterday.

Hugs Anyone?

13 Year Old Girl Gets Detention For Hugging. This is the headline that caught my eye today. Schools are moving to a no PDA policy which includes hugging. What? Hugging? Now, I've worked in plenty of schools and seen PDA gone too far....but hugging? I think that is taking things a bit too far. I remember back to middle school and I hugged all my friends. Most of you know that I'm a huggy person and we are a huggy family. So I say, give someone a hug today in protest of this silly rule. Here's some of my favorite huggers!

The Marble Jar

I invented the marble jar as a way to reward and encourage "acts of kindness" between the boys. If I see or hear one of them doing something nice or saying something especially nice to each other then I give the child a marble to put into the jar. Once the marbles are filled to the top of the "Ball" on the jar then we go on a special outing. This time we will be going to the Children's Museum. It's also a great way for me to focus on the postive behavior. Some days feel like endless time outs and this gets me looking for the good things they are doing. Today Mr. 4 yr. old got a marble for hugging and comforting Baby Guy. It was a hoot because Baby Guy was bawling after getting a time out for whacking Mr. 4 yr. old. At least nobody holds a grudge!

Let There Be Light

I love daylight savings time! I have never cared anything about it before but this year putting Tuba on the bus in the pitch dark has been terrible. Each morning he would point out the stars to me as we stood at the end of our driveway waiting for the bus. Now...it is glorious...we stand in the light and wait. I feel more awake and energetic (even if I'm standing at the bus stop in my pj's). Tuba has been easier to wake up too:) Of course the sun sets now at 4:50! But...it's worth it to me this year. To learn more about daylight savings time check out this link. http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/c.html

Where's the Fire?

Shopping for a cause

The holidays are just around the corner. It's time to start thinking about getting some gift buying done. Here are two great places to shop.

Our adoption agency runs this store at http://benefitorphans.org/. There are many beautiful Ethiopian items including, clothing, scarves, crosses, toys.

There are also some beautiful things at http://www.cafepress.com/thedalaimama featuring scenes of Ethiopia. Also, adoption cards and announcements....these are hard to find!

Happy Shopping!

Costume Showoff

Here's my boys (Tigger, Star Wars Storm Trooper, and Darth Vader).

And here's my friend's little boy in the MOST amazing home made costume ever! It even had lights on the front that blinked. Hay-you win the "Mother-of-the-year-costume-extraordinaire-maker"!