It is time for our church's VBS, called Summer Blast. The kids can choose to participate in a sport or crafts, and it is held at night. All three kids helped out, which we are very thankful for.
We had a nice Mother's Day celebration at my parent's house. My Mom always does such a great job trying to make everything special! We had a nice time, and it was a good day!
Dainis and I both grew up going to the state fair. Both Minnesota and Texas have great state fairs so we decided to take the kids. The kids were not super impressed but cooperated for pictures and had a good time. Lets just say they aren't going to sign up for 4H, but it was a good chance to get out.
It is time to dye Easter eggs and wait for the Easter bunny! Again, the kids put up with Mom and her silly traditions, but I know they never had these opportunities prior to joining our family so I like to add as much as I can now for as long as I can!
In all seriousness though, we are thankful through all the mess of emotions and challenges we have faced with adoption parenting that all three kids are Christians and enjoy church. You never know what each day will hold so we will just keep going! Happy Easter!
It is time for our annual spring break trip to Carlsbad Beach in California. We have a timeshare at the Tamarack Beach Resort and look forward to going every year. The kids thrive on routine and tradition. They know once we get settled in we always take a walk on the beach and half to pose for some pictures the first night before we go to dinner! Dinner the first night is always pizza and then off to the grocery store for any essential items we did not bring with us.
My parents always do a great job spoiling the kids, and they always do a great job making the holidays special. Adoption is hard and our days can be challenging so when we can have fun, we all try really hard and the holidays have always been a special time. Grandma and Grandpa usually try and come up with a big gift at the end for the kids. This year was a big boat for the pool filled with snacks and money. My parents are always very creative, and we always appreciate how much they do!
We had a great Christmas Eve celebration with Grandma and Grandpa. We went to church for Christmas Eve service, out to dinner for our traditional Chinese dinner, home to take some pictures, open our one "surprise" present which is always new pajamas and Christmas socks, and then time to put cookies out for Santa. Then, everyone comes to our room to watch a movie and spend the night. This insures there is no peeking in the middle of the night! Grandma and Grandpa will be back to celebrate in the morning.
I try to make lots of traditions for the kids and one is decorating gingerbread houses. I am sure it will only be a matter of time before they will tire of this tradition, but I will continue for as long as I can! Everyone had a good time and they did a good job. The key is to give each person their own!
