The Last Days of Summer

Why we love living at the beach!

First Day of Preschool (Year 2)

She's an old pro now: preschool three mornings a week! Hope had no problem walking into class - she never does; and although she was a tad bit shy and not her normal Hopey self, she went right in and scoped out the new room. I'm sure by 9 am she was comfortably bossing everyone around.

When Did She Grow Up?

A Day at Pullen Park in Raleigh

Gardening with Mom

Each time Hope joins me in the garden, she lines up the tools and tells me which ones she'll let her little sister use. Apparently the Dora gloves are off limits, but she's feeling pretty generous with the 5 pink shovels.

For those watching for adoption news, info from last week's conference call puts us at traveling close to or in December. I'm up for Christmas in Africa!

What Really Happens at Meme's House

Now I know why Hope always wants to go to Meme's house . . . chocolate suckers, new toys, a game of Pretty Pretty Princess. Life is good there.

How Many?

How many ways can you cook with 2 buckets FULL of freshly picked strawberries? Who cares. Just hand the bucket to Mom and dig into the chocolate ice cream sold on the farm. That's really why we come strawberry picking anyway.

Ramblings From an Adoptive Parent

It's time for the CRAZY COMMENT QUIZ SHOW!
Question: What do all of these comments about Hope have in common?

"She must have her daddy's hair, right?"
"Did you have to go out of town to get her?"
"Does she speak English?"
"What happened to her real mom?"
"My daughter adopted from Russia! So I have 6
grandkids in all - 2 are adopted and the rest are normal."

Answer: They were all offered up while Hope and I were minding our own business at Walmart! As if grocery shopping at Walmart wasn't depressing enough . . . I have so much to look forward to on each visit. :)