Summertime….

…we love it!!….

Happy Canada Day Adoption #2 Memories

Well yesterday was a not great day because we're all sick; however, it was a great day to relive memories of last year at this time….on July 1st, 2015 we were told that our 16 paper work was on its way and all the signatures were in place, we headed to Parliament hill to celebrate, on July 2 my social worker helped us file the final paperwork and the documents were sent off on the 3rd…so very important milestones...…you can read and look back on three posts from last here…first, second, third. and fourth.

It has been a BIG year for our family in so many ways, but the biggest was the newest addition to our family….we are still growing together and I'm sure will continue to grow….lots of good times and lots of not good times, but we are hoping that by our first year anniversary as a family, August 18, we will be able to put this year behind us and continue to look forward.

We are just starting our summer holidays…no teaching for me this summer..and Matteo will be in a few weeks of camp and Malia, while I had hoped she would join him, because of her age…will be home with me….they are continuing their swimming lessons and we may add in some gymnastics…but otherwise we will enjoy the community public parks around the corner from us…some cycling, and especially those afternoon naps I love so much!!

Here are a few photos of my two taken over the past few weeks…the first is of Malia wearing a dress that my sister gave her in Viet Nam….and it hung on her…now she has filled it out…school barbecue and morning hug and the last is of Matteo with the great shirt he made during his PDday camp and then some other…and eating pancakes and maple syrup for dinner….our new tradition for Canada day!

Kindergarten Graduation!!!

What an emotional afternoon for both my little one and his mommy!  Thought I might get teary eyed through the ceremony and sure enough, those tears kept flowing….so many emotions, so many hopes and dreams!  Here's to many more successful graduations for my son!  Really, where did the time go!!

Happy 6th birthday my little one!!

On the eve of Matteo's birthday, just posting a few photos from this past month….time is flying..turns out being a single working mom of two with a full time and fluctuating, changing job, swimming lessons, Vietnamese class, shopping, sibling rivalry, taking care of 4 cats, cooking, cleaning and laundry, are just about doing me in!!

But here's to the memories we're creating along the way…

At Malia's CHEO appointment she was given the opportunity to use a real stethoscope!! She's thrilled!

Beautiful days are meant for bubbles!!

Special Canada tulips encircling my two special ones!

Thanks to Marsha we were able to get a great family portrait at our annual Tulip Festival.

And of course, May wouldn't be May without celebrating Matteo's birthday!!

Springtime…..

…we are so looking forward to it. While it really hasn't been a bad winter over all, I think for most of us, the record breaking one day storm we got on Tuesday right after a three day weekend, has taken the breath out of many of us.  I know as far as winter experiences this one was pretty memorable for both good and bad reasons…but enough of winter, I am trying to look forward and praying that before long we'll be sitting on patios and enjoying the spring breeze.

…I haven't written in awhile, not for lack of time really but just not sure I wanted to write about some of the negative I've been feeling.  It has been a hard time and while there has been so much positive, I wanted to work out some of the issues, if I could, before recording this. Again, very different to adopt a toddler than a baby and it has and is taking me a bit of time to adjust as well…but we are getting there and lots of good progress...

…a few changes here…as I mentioned in a previous post,  Malia started preschool at the end of January and I went back to work at the beginning of February. As I work contract to contract I knew that it would be easier to get one at the beginning of a semester and not when my parental leave ended in April…and Malia was definitely showing signs that she really needed more stimulus than I was giving her at home.  She, like Matteo, is a social bunny.  She is so curious and though we still have our challenges with some of her past way of dealing with things, rears its head, she is doing so well and goes off with a "By Mummy"….unlike Matteo who was always in tears. When I pick her up she comes running to me and gives me a great big hug…so wonderful…as I continue to worry about attachment.

The best news of all is where her preschool is. Unfortunately I had hoped that she would be in the same preschool Matteo went to, in the elementary school where Matteo is now, but they did not have a spot, so needed to look around. Found a spot a couple of blocks away in a high school for Adults…and while at first I was upset at this as it meant two stops in the morning, it all fell into place like MAGIC (or God working his miracles)…I got a contract at this same school and my classroom is just down the hall from Malia's preschool…I can peek in on her during the day and if they are going to the gym they go by my class and I usually get a "Hi Mom" and sometimes a hug and then back she goes…the first few times she saw me she ran to me and then cried…but now, even though she resists going back, she doesn't cry. I can't explain how comforting this is to know she is very close and know she is doing well and she can see me through the day.  She and I are both doing well, I am loving my new contract and she is loving her preschool. She is tired but is managing…..her language is developing too, with new phrases and words though I still worry about this especially if she "might" be in school in Junior Kindergarten in September…..She is eligible, though this was another reason I wanted her in preschool to see if she can handle the day to day….she is feisty and has a great sense of humour and knows all the children's names and her caregivers…and in the end it is kind of nice that she had a different space than Matteo so that it is hers and she is not known as Matteo's sister…I remember that as I was the youngest of four and I remember when I went to a high school that none of my sisters went to, it was nice not being compared to any of them….so, so far it is all going better than I would have expected and nice to see her in her new environment.  Anyhow I'll wait to see how she does in the longer term before I decide if she is going to start JK in September or if we'll wait another year.

…The other great thing is that once we drop Malia off, I can walk Matteo to his school and spend some one on one time with him and then walk back and still be in time for work. I was also worried I'd have to put him in the morning program at the school again, but so far for the next few months, this is mostly the plan.

…But I'm still looking forward to spring!

Happy New Year! Celebrating Tet

…we're all looking forward to the year of the monkey!!

Celebrating with Matteo's Vietnamese school community.

The teachers sing a song.

Home made Banh Chung, Yummy!

After dinner Tet dance party.

Change…..

Yesterday was an eventful day..Matteo lost his second baby tooth while Malia enjoyed her first full day of preschool!