Roller Skating!!!

The kids school got canceled yesterday because of freezing rain and ice;) By yesterday afternoon, the roads were clear so I took the kids to the skating rink. This was Levi's first time and he was a little clumbsy at first. By the end of our 2 hours there...he was doing so much better. The girls are both better at skating than the boys but they all had a GREAT time. The lighting is not the best for taking pictures but here are a few. Yes...I skated too. It was my workout for the day;)

Lorelle LOVES all the lights and music! She requested several songs...

Levi on his feet and not his bottom...

Go Liam! It is NOT easy for him but he does his best...

Lilyan doing the limbo...

Levi's turn...

They are all asking when we can go back. What a GREAT activity for the winter blahs:)

America's Got Talent...and so do MY kids!!!

So they aren't on TV but hey, I think my kiddos are very talented;) Yes, I know...all moms think their kids are the BEST! But mine really are...LOL! I know I have said it before but Levi is one smart cookie. Below is a picture of him with his most recent Lego creation.

Levi got a "make your own plate" kit for his birthday and he let the other littles make a plate too:) They did a GREAT job! I forget who got him this gift...but THANK YOU!!! VERY cool!

Levi's other talent...DANCING!!! He made the microphone that he taped to his face:) TOO cute!

Spring is on the way!!!

We have had a little glimpse of Spring this week...with temperatures in the 40's and 50's:) The sun was even out a couple days. WOOHOO!!! The snow is almost gone and the kids are SO ready to be outside;) I took these picture after dinner on Thursday evening. It was still warm enough to be outside without heavy coats:) The kids are out in full force today also. What a GORGEOUS day we are having today! I am fighting a cold but I am still gonna have to take Chippy out for a walk today to soak up some of that sunshine. Bring on SPRING!!!

Liam on his scooter...

Levi on his scooter...

Lorelle on Landan's bike...the "littles" need new, bigger bikes;)

Leytan on his Ground Force Drifter...

Levi on Liam's bike...

The first of our Spring-time FUN!!!

Levi...

has officially been my boy for 6 months now:) We have his 6 month post-placement meeting, with our social worker, on Monday afternoon. He is doing so GREAT!!! I know he still misses China sometimes but I also know he LOVES his family here too. Below are a few pictures I took this week. At least once a week, we go to the Martin's sushi bar to get lunch. His favorite is the seaweed salad but since they were sold out this week...he got baby octopus salad instead. Ummm...YUCK! He said he had them in China, only they were bigger;) I couldn't watch him eat them. They came cold but he had me warm them in the microwave. Sure hope Martin's gets more seaweed salad in SOON!

Levi giving a thumbs up for his octopus lunch...

All I can think of is...YUCK!!!

Levi makes me several craft type project each week. Below is a playdough creation he was proud of...awww, he loves me!

He wanted me to "keep it forever"...I talked him into a picture instead;)

He wanted me to get my picture with it too:) He took this...

I truly enjoy having our one-on-one time in the afternoons. We always play some cards. I taugh him how to play Skip-Bo this week. It is a nice change from the usual UNO;) He proceeded to teach Lorelle and Liam after school and they played for almost 2 hours straight. They LOVE it! I remember playing with my Granny when I was little:) Miss you Granny!!! Levi is such a quick learner and a very bright boy. I will be sad to send him off to 1st grade in another 6 months. But...he will be ready and I will have to let him go. Sniff, sniff...

Valentine's Day 2011...

Most days it honestly doesn't seem like we have 7 kiddos (six still at home;) but on holidays like Valentine's Day...as I lined up 6 little gift bags with goodies for the kids to wake up to, I become overwhelmed with THANKFULNESS to my awesome God. I do not deserve the blessings that fill my life!

Ready for my Valentines...

Early morning with Landan...candy and an itunes gift card:)

Letyan was up next...candy and a used Xbox game that he wanted:)

Liam with his new Pokemon trading cards and candy:)

Lilyan loved her new Webkin and candy:)

She named him "Buddy the Bulldog"...giving him a sqeezer:)

Lorelle also got a Webkin and candy:)

Levi's turn...he also got Pokemon cards and candy:)

Chocolates for breakfast!!! Only on Valentine's day...well, maybe Easter and Christmas too;)

Lance and I don't typically go too crazy with Valentine's Day gifts...but this year I saw a Tommy Bahama camp shirt on their website that I thought Lance would really like and it was called the "From Villa With Love" . I thought it would be a perfect surprise for him;) Unfortunatly it was delivered when I was not home to hide the box...so Lance knew I got him something. Darn it! Lance ended up surprising me with an iPad a few days before Valentine's Day:) I never showed any interest in having one...so it was a HUGE surprise! I am slowly learning how to use it and I actually think I am gonna LOVE it! The kids enjoy all the free game apps I have downloaded so far:) We didn't do a date night this year but instead took the whole gang out for dinner. It was a VERY nice Valentine's Day!

I sorta got myself a Valentine's Day present this year too:) Below is a picture of a heart pendant that Lance got me for Valentine's Day 2000...yep, 11 years ago!!! It was just a heart then...no birthstones had been added yet. Then for Christmas that same year, I believe, Lance surprised me and had Lauren, Landan and Leytan's stones added. I LOVED it! I remember us JOKING then about filling up the heart. WOW...we had NO idea the plans that God had for us!!! After the arrival of each of our next four blessing...we have added their birthstones to my heart:) Lilyan in 2004, Lorelle in 2005, Liam in 2007 and Levi home in 2010...his stone is the purple one! I think my heart is FULL?! Or do you think I have room...for just one more;) LOL!

Thank you Lord for all of my special Valentines!!! I am SO blessed!!!

Student of the Week / High Honors Breakfast...

Early this morning (about 6:45AM), Landan and I were off to two breakfast award programs. The first one was held by the Warsaw Optimist Club. They had teachers from Lakeview Middle School nominate 7th and 8th grade students for this award. Mr. Deeds nominated Landan. Mr. Lippe, the principle, read aloud what the teacher wrote about their student. It was touching to hear such nice things said about my boy and to know that others also see how GREAT our son is:) We are SO proud of you Landan!!!

The "Student of the Week" award recipients...

Landan and his friend, Tommy...with their certificates;)

Video clip about Landan...

Immediately after...at 7:45AM, was the Honors Program breakfast. All of the students with Honors (all A's and B's) and also High Honors (all A's) during the semester were recognized and given a certificate for their accomplishment. Way to go Landan and all of the AWESOME Lakeview Middle School students!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Levi!!!

Yesterday, on February 8th...Levi officially turned 7 years old. We didn't make a huge deal of it, since he had his party on Saturday but we did go out for dinner at Hacienda:) They sang to him, he got a sombrero and we had more cake;) I feel so blessed to have him home this year to celebrate with in person. We sent a cake to China last birthday but is breaks a momma's heart not to be with her kiddos on their special days. Thank you Lord for my baby boy!!! I love him SO much!!! Well...off to take popsicles in to Levi's class for his birthday snack. I know... the coldest day of the year and he picks popsicles:) BRRR!!! Happy Birthday Levi!

My HAPPY boy...

More cake...

LOVE this boy...

Levi's 7th Birthday Party!!!

We celebrated Levi's 7th Birthday yesterday. The Spongebob Pool Party started at 2PM and Levi was counting down the hours;) Leytan and Lilyan made him birthday cards in the morning. He was happy to have everyone focusing on him. The snow was really coming down all morning and I was a little concerned about our guests being able to make it. The roads were not the best but we still had quite a crowd;) I was thrilled that so many people cared enough to brave the weather and show up for my little boy's special day. Thank you EVERYONE!!! We left for the Ramada Plaza hotel a little before 1PM. We wanted to get there early and get everything ready. We quickly realized that the pool party idea was a popular one. There were 3 other parties there too:( The kids didn't really mind...they just had extra kids to play with:) But...boy was it crowded and noisy! I sure was glad I thought to hire a lifeguard to help watch over all of the kids for me. Thanks Clase! Levi enjoyed swimming as usual and also the game room:) He got a lot of cool gifts and LOVED his cake. He has eaten several pieces but has me scrape off the frosting. It is too sweet for him. I probably should have gotten him a cake with a whip cream type frosting (like they have in China)...but I really wanted Betty's:)

Levi opening his card from Leytan...

Landan threatening to throw Levi in...

Levi and his buddies...

My little fishy...

Playing with his friends...

Singing..."Happy Birthday to you!"

Blowing out his candles... I snuck in a couple trick ones that kept relighting, TOO funny!!!

Opening presents...

Playing with one of his new toys...Thanks Kamden;)

Playing in the game room with Grandpa, Amy and Ashton...

After the party, we went to Bennigan's (hotel restaurant) for dinner. The food was pretty good and the Margarita's even better:) Then Lance took the big boys home and I stayed at the hotel with the littles and their friend Carter. As soon as we got back to the room, Levi dumped out his new Lego kit on the bed and proceeded to spend the next 1 1/2 hours building. He was SO focused and followed every step. He didn't ask me to help once. I was so impressed. He did a GREAT job! The kiddos spent the rest of the evening playing with all of Levi's new toys and playing against each other via their Dsi's. I just chilled and watched a couple Lifetime movies. They were still going strong close to midnight so I had to shut them down so I could get some sleep;) I think Levi had a GREAT birthday celebration!!! The first of many I am sure...

Just beginning to build...

The finished product... SO proud:)

First Friday FUN...Fire and Ice / Academic Recognition Night:)

Friday evening we took our gang downtown for "First Friday". The Michiana Ice Carvers Association carved several sculptures. The kids enjoyed seeing all the sculptures and the free hot chocolate too;) Then we were off to the Warsaw Tigers High School Basketball games. It was Academic Recognition Night for all 5th-8th graders who received all A's during the first semester. Landan was one of the, I believe, 300+ students honored between the JV and Varsity games. We are SO proud of him!!!

Lorelle with the cross sculpture...

Yes...this diamond ring is REALLY on fire!

Levi and Liam...

My little eskimo...

Levi's turn...

Watching one of the sculptors...

Levi, Liam and Lorelle from behind;)

Zooming in on Landan:)

Way to go students!!!