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Video Friday – 12.31.2010

I thought I would change things up a bit this Friday and share some videos instead.

We gave the boys bikes for Christmas, we thought they would be excited.

Just ignore your presents from Stephanie Adams on Vimeo.

Trying out the sit ‘n spin from Papa and Nama.

Sit n Spin from Stephanie Adams on Vimeo.

I was trying to get the boys to say “Happy Birthday Abby,” but this is all I was able to get.

Silliness from Stephanie Adams on Vimeo.

Checking out our new hand me down boots and thought a game of peek-a-boo would be fun.

Mirror Peek-a-boo from Stephanie Adams on Vimeo.

If you would like to see some pictures from Christmas head over here.

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Photo Friday – 12.24.2010

Cleaning up a mess he made.

Goat and a cookie, what more could a boy want?

Baby!

Throwing one epic fit at the church's living nativity.

Noah's face just cracks me up.

Checking out the cat who recites the Night Before Christmas.

They love it.

Doing a bowling ball somersault. Yes they figured this out all on their own.

Working on somersaults together.

The joy of completing one!

Somersault action shot!

Playing legos is hard work, you need a pillow for added comfort.

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Photo Friday – 12.17.2010

Reading underneath his table
Jackson joining the boys for snack, odd because he avoids them like crazy.
Proof I have three children not two.
Trying the cookie he made.
Happy with his cookie.
(using) Nama's sizzix.
Ez has the right idea.
Playing by the tree.
Lick those fingers clean!
Trying a cookie.
Noah's favorite ornament, he gets it each morning and has coffee with mom.
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Cookie Making Time

This morning the boys and I made sugar cookies. Dough was eaten, icing was tested, and sprinkles were slightly over used. 😉

(just click on a picture if you want to see it bigger)

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Two Years!

Yes I realize it has been almost a month since their birthday and I am just getting around to doing a post.  We finally did their two year check-up this week and they are normal, curious, healthy two year olds according to our doctor.  What can I say they keep me busy!  🙂  They are so much fun, I really enjoy them a lot.  Yes they have their moments, they are two year olds after all, but I have my moments too.

They talk all the time now and try to copy almost everything you say.  It is a lot of fun watching their language develop.  Some favorite phrases and words:  help you (which means help me), help with that (either they want to help you or they want help with something), no barking, side (inside and outside), more milk (pretty much more of anything), moof please (move please), slippery, knock knock who’s there, beep beep, up you (Ezra’s version of hold you), and many, many more.

When they wake up they just starting shouting words they know and listing out all their favorite people.  They usually wake up happy and chat with each other for a bit before I go in and get them.

They are starting to wrestle more and they tickle each other.  They love to run around the house and shout “boo” at each other or anyone else who is present.  Playing outside is still our favorite activity, swinging, riding our trikes, the sandbox, and mowing are all awesome.  They love books and are now starting to say words at appropriate times.  Noah will read books to you and even say some of the words in the book he is reading.

Ezra is currently scared of real trains, but loves choo choos.  They like Thomas items and like to watch the show with Papa.

Ezra has all his teeth except for his two year molars, Noah still has a couple more he is working on, but we are almost all done with teething!

Noah started jumping months ago and Ezra recently figured it out. They are both working on somersaults right now, Ezra can do them more consistently then Noah. They run everywhere now, and are becoming expert climbers. They are finally figuring out the steering on their trikes, they just scoot around on them though still a little too short for the peddles.

Noah loves to help, if we are ever working on something he wants to do it too. He even cleans up if he makes a mess. He is a cuddler and loves to be tickled. He loves to take care of Ezra, but will also boss Ezra around. Once he sets his mind to something it must be done.

Ezra is more of an independent, free spirit and loves to try new things (read: dare devil). He is shy in new situations and meeting new people, but if he knows the majority of the people in the room he is fine. He can sit for long periods of time and play legos quietly.

They eat okay right now, they are a little picky at times, but overall do pretty good.  There isn’t a lot of vegetables they like to eat, but they are really good fruit, carb, and dairy eaters.  They occasionally eat meat.  I try to just fix what we want for dinner and hope they will eat some.  I make sure there is some bread, fruit, or other side that I know they will eat.

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Morning out with Nama and Papa

This morning Nama and Papa took the boys, Abby, and me out on a little adventure. We went to see Santa at Bass Pro shop (but he wasn’t there, apparently he isn’t there all the time), but we did see lots of animals and fish. All three little ones had a lot of fun and all three adults were thoroughly worn out. We then went to Chik-fil-a for lunch, where all three refused to eat (who refuses to eat chik-fil-a?), and then Ezra fell off the play structure giving himself a bloody nose and fat lip. Here are some pics, the boys even got in a little volunteer time (someone even put money in the bucket while they were ringing the bell, then someone else put the candy that was in his mouth in the bucket, but I won’t name names).

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Videos of the tree and misc

Noah And Ezra Awake from nap to find the tree they helped pick out earlier in the day, all lit up with pretty lights. I have no idea why they felt the need to blow out the lights like birthday candles, but they tried anyway.


Ezra being a ham for the video camera, so i put him to work on saying some words

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A Library for Sebeta

I first read about Ethiopia Reads in the beginning of our adoption journey. While I know it is very important to meet the basic needs of food and shelter, I also believe deeply in the power of education. When I originally heard about Ethiopia Reads I wanted to ensure a library was built in the area my children were from. I didn’t know where that would be, when I would know, or how I would accomplish it.

Earlier this year I contacted Ethiopia Reads and learned they weren’t expanding at the time. Instead they were working on sustaining their current libraries and work towards some collaboration efforts in the future.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Jane Kurtz and she informed that Ethiopia Reads was expanding in 2011 through a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education and USAID. They chose a school in each region to add a library and Sebeta was one the schools chosen! The program is developing textbooks in English for the primary grades (high school grades are already in English) and will also be providing them books in their native language. Ethiopia has several languages so each school will be provided books in the primary language of their region as I understand it.

The cost to plant a children’s library is $10,000 (complete with books). The really good news is another family has already raised $5,000 for a library in Sebeta. That means they only need $5,000 more.

If you are interested in helping the library in Sebeta get built please donate to Ethiopia Reads. To ensure it goes to the library in Sebeta please write “TLMP Sebeta Library” on your check or in the “In Honor of” box on the online donation form.  Thank you for whatever support you can give, Sebeta will forever hold a special place in my heart.