Two Years as a Family

Two years. We have been a family for TWO WHOLE YEARS! That means that we have been together for about as long as it took for us to go from seeing Oliver's photo and referral in January 2012 to taking custody on December 20, 2013. 

I still cry anytime I stop long enough to reflect on that day...both the best and worst day I have known. We were joined with a wonderful, funny, smart, loving little boy who turned our lives upside down in lots of great ways. He, in turn, gave up his whole world, all those he loved. As I think back to the confusion, sadness and terror that so obviously filled him, my heart breaks again. As I recall the complete sadness of his foster mother and foster brother, two people who loved him so much, my heart breaks again. For that day and many that followed, he deeply struggled and grieved. 

Yet it is with joy and laughter that we woke up together Sunday morning, happily a family of three. Oliver found the gift we had wrapped for him and was eager to open it -- an Olaf ornament. We headed off to church, followed by lunch at his new favorite restaurant: Red Robin (he likes the games you can play at the table). It was then off for the children's Christmas play: A Charlie Brown Christmas. Special family time for a special day! The play was fun and Oliver ended up being the first one through the receiving line of actors. He got every.single.signature, including Woodstock! 

Working backwards, here is a picture summary of the day:

Snoopy and Charlie...and Oliver! They actors are such great sports, signing autographs, posing for pictures and interacting with fans. We highly recommend Stages Theater.

Adorable!

Funny faces waiting for the play to begin

At Red Robin!!

Family day aside, Oliver and I enjoyed a bit of cookie making Saturday...all decked out in our holiday gear. Such a cutie!

And Friday was pajama day at school. Here is Oliver and Otter at Oma's house, getting ready to head on out for the last day of school in 2015. I wish we had pajama day at work sometimes! So cozy...

We may be missing out on a white Christmas this year, but we are still excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I think Oliver is a little excited for gifts, but he's also pretty happy to finish his advent calendar manager scene. He was even singing Happy Birthday to Jesus tonight!

Wishing you and your family a lovely week as we prepare for the big day. May the stresses of the season be minimal and the joy be overflowing.

Getting Ready

Christmas is coming and we are getting ready! The tree is up and trimmed, the house is decorated and Oliver's Advent Calendar with nativity scene is growing with each day. 

As mentioned in the "Three-Ring Circus" post, things have been rather busy here lately. We have managed, somehow, to visit no less than THREE Santas, however. The first was our more official visit at Ridgedale Mall (still can't get the formal photo to download, of course). 

The second was at the annual Brooklyn Park Lion's Club waffle breakfast, where we visited Santa last year. 

The third was the day after the waffle breakfast, at family brunch.

Though there has been plenty of Santa and talking of gifts this season, we have also spent time reflecting on the true reason for our joy during Christmastime. One of the ways Oliver did that was singing in the kid's choir during church earlier in December. The kids were adorable and I have enjoyed hearing him sing Happy Birthday Jesus around the house for the past several weeks. 

Don't worry, he's not making funny faces! Just a beat off on transitioning to the baby sign. :)

Cookies have yet to be made, but Oliver is not running out of sugary snacks to enjoy. Here is a post ring pop photo he insisted I snap, rounded out with a McDonald's toy on his head. We were also in the process of decorating our first gingerbread house....which turned out a bit sad looking and not worthy of a blog photo! Maybe next time. 

Goofy

I am excited to celebrate Christmas, though the warmer-than-usual temperatures and lack of snow has made it a bit difficult to really get into the spirit. While I grew up without white Christmases, I quickly got used to it and truly enjoy having one. Hopefully that will still happen....along with time to bake up some cookies!

Hopefully your holiday season is going well and you are able to enjoy time with friends and family.

A Three-Ring Circus

Things here have felt a bit like a three-ring circus, between holiday activities, prior commitments, my new (kind of cool but very challenging) job and the drum of daily life. But the Friday after Thanksgiving we went to a real three-ring circus! Oma and Opa braved the experience with us -- we were so glad they could come along.

The circus began at 6:30, with "family-friendly activities" beginning at 5:30. We arrived early so we would have plenty of time to check it all out. Here are a few of the pre-show things we did:

Pre-Show Pose

This may be Oliver's first time meeting a clown

Before, during and after the show they offered animal rides. Here is Oliver on a camel.

Oma and Opa bought Oliver an elephant ride and he had a blast!

We finally sat down for the circus and our dinner. Oliver refused all food except cotton candy....and as it was a night for him, we said "sure" (though I cringed inside). He was in heaven! The show began and Oliver was eager to see what was going to happen. 

Dinner of champions...cotton candy!

The circus wasn't quite as I remembered it. There were a couple of questionable dance numbers with scantily-clad women, a rather lame attempt at humor by a clown, and I was sad to see the animals were still a part of the theatrics. 

A few parts were rather cool. The trapeze act was impressive -- and as they finished their part of the show, Oliver wisely said "I don't ever want to do that!" The motorcycles in the cage are always fun, and Oliver's favorite: the human cannonball!

What a great night. I don't know that the circus will become a yearly trip for us, but it was fun taking him this year. It was fun getting the opportunity to do something like this as a family. Something I think about a lot more these days as our family day is just a week away.