Insight from Alexander

Yesterday I reminded Alexander that today was Valentine's Day and he needed to address his valentines. He said, "Mom, guess who my Valentine is?" I said I couldn't even begin to guess. He said, "It's 'K'." I said, "Oh, is she the one who has the rich dad so she wears the fashionable clothing?" (He gave me this information last week). He said, "Yes, so just about every boy is on her tail!".
Oh, boy. Here we go.

Xander's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been really good. I've cleaned Pratt's litter box when my mom asked me. I follow the rules at school. I treat my sister nice.

I want the Lego City Space Shuttle Apollo. I want the Lego City Space Center. Halo Mega Blocks and the Lego City Police Helicopter. And the Lego City Harbour.

And then the CSI Evidence Kit, a microscope, the Air Hogs helicopter, the Fast Lane Hawk 4 radio control helicopter and Battle Machines.

An Ipad, a drum set, a Spy Gear spy video car, and a radio control giant flying shark. Yep, a radio control giant flying shark. 

Okay, I'm done. Wait, I want to ask you something for Hannah. I know she likes microphones, so a microphone.

My dad wanted me to wish you well. And I hope that you have a safe flight.

I am going to make cookies for you this year, and leave a lot of carrots for your reindeer. Give the really long one to Blitzen because he will get really hungry.

Love,

Xander

One Year Later

The first picture we saw

It was one year ago today that we met our little Hannah. It seems more like forever.....I can't remember life without her. And I'm so happy with how well she is doing.

Our first meeting

Got places to go

"I love you" stickers

 I think about how she didn't want to have anything to do with the strangers who showed up in her life one day and how scared she must have been. Now she is standing next to me with butter smeared all over her face from eating a piece of bread, holding my camera, asking me to "help me take pictures, mama".

Hey! Keerah ate my ice cream!

Brother and sister

Cutest smile ever!

 She's grown 3 shoe sizes and 2 clothes sizes since last October. She's learned hundreds of English words and loves to talk and sing! She loves her daddy and her brother and her friends and her cat and her grandmas and her aunts, uncles and cousins.  She loves going to church and reading books and dancing and going 'bye bye'. She loves to run and run and run and run and swim and swim and swim and swim and swing and swing and swing and swing. Oh, and eat and eat and eat and drink and then drink some more.

Her day at the temple

So beautiful

So sweet

Her forever family.....literally

She's practically potty trained and it is especially rewarding when she congratulates me when I successfully go in the potty, too. She is such a happy little girl and she is loved by so many people. I'm so happy she's happy. And I'm so happy I get to be her mommy. I love her so much! 

One year later

So worth it!

Another Xanderism

This morning Alexander woke up and Hannah threw a toy and it hit him in the chin.  He started crying and said, "My fortune cookie was right!"  Me: "Your fortune cookie?"  Xander: "Yes, I got a fortune cookie at lunch yesterday."  Me: "What did your fortune cookie say?"  Xander: "Your little sister is going to hit you!" I said there is no way your fortune cookie said that.  He said, "No it didn't say that, but it did say I was going to live a happy life and this is NOT a happy life!"

Xanderisms

Yesterday Alexander said, "Mom, why do girls care so much about their fingernails? Boys don't care about anything.  Well, except for how they live.  Boys don't care about anything on their body.  Well, except for their hair."

Later, Alexander was riding his bike and John complimented him on his awesome riding ability.  Xander said, "It's all about the aerodynamics, dad."

Our Serbian Fish

In honor of fellow Serbian athlete extraordinaire Novak Djokovic, I have posted a couple of videos of our own little Serbian athlete.  Keep in mind that the first time she ever went swimming was June 20th and she has never had a lesson.  Enjoy!

Xanderisms

When we were in New York, John's mother gave Xander Pappap's walkman.  It was the greatest gift ever.  On Monday we went to my mom's and she gave him some of her old cassette tapes, including Elvis. Xander has not stopped listening to it - during breakfast, after school, playing with friends....So yesterday at breakfast, Xander is listening to Elvis and he says, "Mom, I'm pretty sure this was recorded when Elvis was alive."  You're pretty sure, huh?

Also yesterday, Xander's legs were hurting him and he said, "I think somebody has a Doo Doo Doll that looks like me because different parts of my body hurt all the time."  Do you mean "Voo Doo Doll"?  Yep.