Birthdays and More

Since the last post, a lot has been going on.  July has been a very busy month.  We have had 4 birthdays during this month in our family.  Since this was Jacob's first birthday here in America, we didn't know what he would think about it.  Needless to say, he has loved it (especially cupcakes)!  Our little guy turned 3 this past Friday and we made sure celebrate all day long.  We went out and got a McDonald's Happy Meal for lunch, shopping for his present at Toys'rus, and finishing the day out with homemade chicken Japchae and a cupcake.  He also got to celebrate with his brother at Mema's earlier this month with a Super Hero theme (that he loved) and a Ice Cream party with his brother here at home with friends and family.  It was so cute when he woke up on his birthday and he told me he was 3 and showed me with his hand.  He also decided a few days ago to be potty trained (YIPPY)!!!  So far so good - no accidents for the past 4 days.  We also got both boys into their newly restored big boy beds (which use to be their Daddy's bunk beds) with their bedding from Aunt Amy.  They also got to help decorate the room and they love their new big boy bedroom!  So as school is approaching we are finishing out July with full speed ahead.   

All 3 kids helped sand and paint (they loved helping and did a great job) 

Painting (doing a good job kids)!

The boys' new beds and redesigned room

Trying on his Hanbok (fits really well now) 

Sprinkler Time at his birthday party 

Cars - his favorite kind of toys 

Happy Birthday Boys (my 5 and 3 year olds)!

 Loves the gift he got at ToysRus (Batmobile with Batman)

 Japchae (yum)

 Happy Birthday little guy

Enjoying cupcakes at a friend's party

What We've Been Doing

Well, after vacation we got back into summer here at home and having a blast!  I have been working with all 3 kids on their skills for school next year (even though Jacob will be here with me, he got to work on his skills too) and playing hard outside as much as possible (swing set, rocks, sand - you name it, they will play with it).  We have also been having fun with friends and family (Jacob got to go to his first wedding-one of his favorite babysitters).  One of the most awesome things we did that I didn't know how it would go was a mid day movie at the local cinema.  We watched Smurfs and I survived with all 3 kids by myself (even carrying popcorn, drinks).  It was very relaxing on a hot summer day to just chill in the theater while the kids enjoyed their food and movie.  Now, we are getting ready for the 4th, both boys' birthdays this month, and various other birthdays and celebrations throughout July.  Another good news item is that Jacob got his TN birth certificate finally so now we can file for his certificate of citizenship (almost finished - yippy).  Overall, life is good and we are having fun fun fun!  3 has been an adjustment, but very very doable.  Love all 3 of my children and can't imagine life without them (they are each special in their own way)!  Below are some pictures of what we've been doing (enjoy):

 

 Our kids dressed up for the wedding

 At the kids' table (they loved it)

 Jacob being silly

 Hugging the bride

 Hanging with Pa

 Wiped out

 Bring on the fireworks

 Enjoying the fireworks at home

 Brothers taking a break to play with rocks

Vacation

We were blessed recently to have went on a wonderful vacation for a week.  It was so much fun for us all and a well needed rest.  We started our vacation with an Atlanta Braves game in GA then 3 nights in Daytona on the beach finishing up with 3 nights at Disney staying in the park.  The kids loved, loved, loved everything we did.  Jacob's most exciting thing was Mickey Mouse (his favorite character) selected him for the breakfast parade at Ohana.  He kept telling me that Mickey was his Mickey and smiling (it was precious).  Our daughter, Rebekah, (who is 6) rode Space Mountain.  She told me she thought it might be fun when she is 10, but for now she did not like the ride (oh well, Mom loved it-especially since it was redesigned, it is a great coaster)!   The kids also really enjoyed the giant Lego statues at the Lego store in Downtown Disney.  Mason really was excited about the legos and got another set of Spiderman legos while at Downtown Disney.  Was priceless seeing all 3 of our kids enjoying one another and having tons of fun.  Oh well, back to the real world (lots of laundry and stuff to put away now).  Till next year...  Below are some pictures from our trip.

 Braves game time

 Ice Cream break

 You jump first brother...

 Splash splash

 Our kids had this splash pad all to themselves most of our time in Daytona (they loved it)

 Playing on the beach

 Jacob really liked the sand

 Filling his bucket up

 All 3 kids having a great time at the beach

Family picture on the beach

 It's Lilo

Jacob's highlight of the entire vacation (Mickey with him in the parade)

 It's Mickey Mouse

 Haircut at Disney

 Riding It's a Small World (he loved it)

 Daddy with his little man

 

Daddy with his boys at the pool

Past Few Months

Life is good as Jacob continues to grow.  Recently he learned his colors (and he was so proud that he would bring different colored blocks to me and tell me what color they are).  He has finally moved into his correct age class at church on Sunday and loves his teachers and friends.  He also loves his class at CBS on Fridays and my husband and I have been able to take a few date nights in recent months (he loves the sitter we have - she is amazing).  It is hard to think that it has been 8 months since we brought him home.  He is an amazing little boy!

Easter has came and went again.  We did have our annual Easter Egg hunt for the 4th year on Good Friday and it was sweet to see Jacob hunting with the other kids (he loved it).  Jacob not only hunted, but he helped me put together the 800+ eggs we had to hide.  The kids also got to decorate eggs (which Jacob loved).  We also for the first time stayed home for Easter and went to a friend's house for Easter dinner and egg hunt.  It was a sweet time to let our kids play while us adults enjoyed visiting.  I hope this has started a new tradition for our family.

Jacob's US flag came.  Was so cool to have something he can look back on when he is grown (it actually flew over the US capitol on his finalization day and came with a certificate)!

Since finalization we have been waiting on his certificate of birth so we can finish up his adoption with a certificate of citizenship.  As you can tell from the pictures, that is what I'm doing while the kids are enjoying chalk art, soccer, and just having fun outside.  While we wait we have been planning our summer vacation and can't wait to head out in a few weeks for fun in the sun in FL.

Below are some pictures to enjoy (more to come soon)...

 

Jacob's US flag certificate

 My eggcellent egg helper...

 Another awesome egg hunt with great friends (800+ eggs, love love love doing this every year)

Enjoying a snack from Korea (nothing better than shrimp snacks)

 Egg decorating time

 Look what the Easter Bunny brought!

 Our family

 

Playing with friends before egg hunt

 

Ready to go egg hunting

 

On the hunt...

 

 

Watching brother play soccer is so tiring

 

Playing in the dirt with brother

 

 

Chalk art