Witness Protection Program

I'm still trying to conceal Kiki's identity, but it's getting harder because she's just too darn cute:

Fun at the Polls

I voted early today. Here are three observations about my experience:

1. The election worker who signed me in was named "John McCain". No kidding.

2. I was asked by two separate individuals if this was my first time voting (because I look young.) It's actually my fifth presidential election.

3. A voter in front of me asked the election worker if there was a "cheat sheet" in the voting booth that gave the candidates' positions on the issues. Huh???? She was referring to the candidates in the races other than for the presidency, but still.

Turtles and Tigers and Dogs, Oh My!

I spotted these cute critters at the Mount Calvary Reformation Fest yesterday evening. There is something curiously familiar about them. What do you think?

Birthday Snapshots

Kiki definitely enjoyed her birthday to the fullest! She smiled when we sang to her, dove into her cake with relish, and squealed with delight when she saw her brand-new baby doll. She wore us out at the Fall Festival because she didn't want to stay still. It was too crowded in the main area of the festival to let her down, so when we got ready to leave we let her run down the hall:

Happy birthday, big girl! We love you!

Happy Birthday Kiki!

Today our little Kiki turns 1! We are planning on have a quick celebration as soon as Billy gets home from school and then we are heading back to school for the Fall Festival.

Here she is catching some z's before the festivities begin:

More birthday news and pictures to come!

Ugh.

During the almost entire year now that we've been parents, I've never gotten sick. Oh a minor cold here, a kidney stone there. But nothing that has really limited by ability to care for the children.

Until yesterday. Until an evil stomach bug descended upon our household. We've gone down in this order: first Dan, then Joe, then me, then Billy. So far Kiki is the only one who hasn't had any issues and I'm praying she escapes it.

Things got pretty hairy around here yesterday afternoon before Billy made it home from school. Fortunately he was able to take care of everyone and get them to bed before he started to get really sick.

So we'll see what happens today.

I Need a Solution

No, no, I'm not talking about a solution for Kiki's hair. Some days we just let her go with the wild look because that's just what we do. The problem is Dan and Kiki are relentless in their attempts to climb onto the coffee table. After pulling them down about 53 times in a row, I usually give up and flip the table over. But that is never easy because they're always clamoring to get back on while I'm trying to turn it over. Telling them "no" or distracting them with something else only works part of the time.












So far the babies are definitely winning this one.

Reality Check

We are halfway through the 90-day waiting period in which Kiki's relatives can intervene to try to obtain custody of her. During this time I have stopped dwelling on how awful it will be to lose her because it's too painful.

But nothing is certain, of course. Last weekend Billy and I took a CPR class with another foster-adopt couple who had gone through 8 foster children and had so far only been able to adopt two of them. They lost one little girl after two entire years of parenting her. In most of their cases relatives came out of the woodwork at the last moment to take custody. This frightens us.

A little over a week will be one year since Kiki came to live with us and that means we will then have legal standing and if we have to fight to keep her, we will. Ultimately we know that God has a plan for our family and whether Kiki is a temporary or permanent part of it is in His hands. That is a comfort.

Let's Make a Pizza

Fortunately for Joe, he has a father who has great ideas for fun activities to do together. Sunday night was make-your-own pizza night and it was a success even though I forgot to buy the pepperoni.

Spreading the sauce

Sprinkling the cheese

Carefully carrying the pizza to the oven

The finished product

As you can clearly see, Joe takes pizza-making very seriously. (I really have no idea why he looks so somber.)

Pumpkin Fun

Toddler Trick #2

"Put On Your Clothes"

Toddler Trick #1

"Puff Out Your Chest"

Riding in Style

Dan and Kiki have outgrown their "baby" car seats. Technically Kiki still has 2 1/2 weeks before she's old enough to be forward-facing, but I don't think we could have gone another day forcing her into her old seat. Plus it wouldn't be fair to switch Dan and not her, now would it?

Five minutes after we left the house yesterday, I turned around and saw this:

I felt bad for Dan so I propped up his head with his dog.

But a few minutes later I turned around and saw this:

A little thief woke up and stole his dog!

Social Studies for Toddlers

A few moments ago I heard Joe squealing excitedly in response to something he saw on TV. The news was on, so I wasn't sure what would be making him so excited. But I had a hunch. Sure enough, it was John McCain. I taught Joe who John McCain is the day McCain announced Palin as his running mate. Ever since then, whenever Joe sees him on TV he gets very excited. Now I just hope I will have the opportunity to teach him "President McCain".

We Have Climbers