Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband. I'm so glad we're on this parenting journey together!

We had a fantastic weekend that included a leisurely trip to the beach. Norah took it upon herself to run the length of the shore, stopping at each person to say hello - sometimes multiple times until they finally responded to her. She's certainly no shrinking violet.

We're hoping Atticus's building skills will someday help pay to put us in a good nursing home. He put together that train track all by himself.

Stella deserves a special place in doggy heaven.

Atticus's latest trick involves moving the baby gate, taking the bathroom trashcan out of the plant holder (behind Norah's elbow in the picture), turning the can upside down, and then turning on the sink's waterspouts. He can complete the entire maneuver in about 15 seconds.

Mother and Son Offer Transracial Adoption Insights

This story from NPR's Adoption in America series is worth listening to. I love hearing from adult adoptees and their parents. The insights the mother in this story offers up - the importance of living in a diverse neighborhood, for example - really hit home for me.

Story Hour Rejects - I'm Not the Only One, Right?

In my mind, Story Hour at the library was supposed to be one of those rose-glowing awesome periods of quality time with my kids. During the school year, whenever I'd see the ads about Story Hour, I'd feel jealous of stay-at-home moms and guilty about not being able to take my own kids.

When I signed up at the library, the children's librarian assured me that Story Hour was geared to all kids, even though the listing says it's for preschoolers. Apparently, my kids didn't get that memo. They lasted about seven minutes. The other kids were all older and better behaved. They all followed the librarian's instructions and sat on the rug looking aghast at Atticus (wandering around) and Norah (who would NOT stop touching the one baby in the room and who fussed whenever I tried to hold her).

It's just their age, right? Am I doing something wrong that my 23 month-old and 26 month-old can't follow directions along with the rest of the group? Can other toddlers reliably sit still? Atticus and Norah love being read to and can sit still for long periods of time - when they feel like it. Are we failing to teach them the social skills they need to act like civilized young people? If I just wait and go back next summer with them, are they apt to have magically improved attention spans?

I Spy

Here's a little video I took the other day of the kids playing together. I snuck up the stairs with the camera when I heard them giggling. Apparently Norah's bottle was spraying little drops of water when she shook it.

Things They've Learned

A Picture of My Garden Today

They love their swings. I think they each spent about an hour swinging today.

Helping with the Dishes on Chairs They Moved Themselves

The hole "the man" put in our ceiling - we had a minor plumbing emergency this week that necessitated a handyman spending two days at our house. Atticus generally does not warm up quickly to strangers. He hated, hated, hated the men who put up our siding and screamed every time he saw one of them. However, the handyman was a nice grandfatherly type who drove a TRUCK! and the kids took an immediate shine to him. Now whenever they walk past one of the spots that was repaired they point to it and remind me about "man" and all the "holes".

It's been a big week for developing new stunts. Atticus tends to be the instigator, but Norah quickly catches onto his bright ideas and is eager to participate. Here are some things they've learned this week that have kept life interesting:

• How to turn on the microwave
• How to turn on the sink
• How to turn on the garden hose
• How to turn off the garden hose when it's your sibling's turn to use it
• How to turn the garden hose back on when your sibling puts it in her mouth
• How to move your potty chair so you can reach the one "unreachable" shelf in the bathroom while your mom is showering
• How to turn the lights on and off while your mom is showering
• How to get the toilet paper down from the toddler-proof spot where it lives
• How to pull the shower rod off of the shower while someone is in it (Did I mention the kids won't be accompanying me to the bathroom while I shower anymore?)
• How to climb on top of the window air conditioning unit
• How to climb onto your parents' bedside table
• How to jump from the bedstand to the bed
• How to use the soap dispenser on the sink
• How to get yourself banned from the kitchen until your eighteenth birthday by participating in an incident that I won't describe any further.

As you can see, there's never a dull moment around here. It's fun and we feel blessed beyond belief.

Garden Helpers

Uh Oh!

Atticus climbed into Norah's crib this afternoon. He'd tossed all his stuffed animals into the crib and then apparently decided to go in after them. I don't think it's ever occurred to him that he could climb out of his own crib and I hope he doesn't start anytime soon.

Norah danced for herself in the mirror for 45 minutes today while I folded laundry. I hope she always feels that gorgeous, hilarious, and intriguing.

Moments

Atticus loves to cuddle. In the morning and early evening he always requests to "duddle" and drink a bottle of milk while being held like a baby. I sometimes wonder if this intense need is adoption related, but at any rate, Paul and I both love the quiet moments we get to spend snuggling with him in our bed in the morning or on the couch before dinner. I'll be really sad when he stops wanting this time together.

My mom gave me these gorgeous peonies the other day. Imagine my surprise this morning when Atticus merrily brought me the vase - just the vase.

I've been doing a fair amount of gardening of my own in the last couple of weeks. It's a great hobby for being home with the kids because they love "helping".

We went to the park with friends last week. Dinkeneh went to daycare with Atticus and Norah this year and it's fun to see their friendship developing. Everyone was very excited to see each other at the park!