Night time rituals

The Sharps are hanging in there--I think. I think the the most difficult thing for me is to actually have to give my attention to another other than Sam. He too is struggling. I love Sof, that goes without saying, but my heart breaks for Sam. He claims she cries all the time. She really doesn't. He claims I hold her all the time. I don't. He is terribly sad that she gets to stay home and he has to go to school. That is a bit of a bummer. But with all that said. They love being together. They have formed a sweet bond and when they are good they are very good--but of course the flip side of that is ....when they are bad they are...horrid! Ahhh the ugly green monster has visited us quite a bit the last few days. However, I think it is driving me more crazy than either of them. They really do claim of being happy to be brother and sister. Even tonight Sam wanted to lick one of Sofie's candys. She said no because she didn't want to spread germs. He told her that now they were brother and sister they now had the same germs. Ruse to get the candy?...possibly, but nonetheless sweet to hear. And she did, by the way, quickly agree.

Last night for FHE we talked about building a loving home together. We played an FHE game I took off the internet that had a path, you rolled die and decided whether the description on the space in which you landed helped build good, happy families. With each roll we put together a piece of a puzzle which in the end, of course, ended being a home with a "happy" family standing right outside. We then decided to build our own haunted (home) mansion. I know you all thought I was trying to poison my children with all the orange and green dye in the frosting...the thought may have crossed my mind after the first 30 disagreements but murder is foul and Dave and I couldn't possibly build a happy family without kids.....or could we??? I jest of course, we love them both more than either one of us could possibly imagine. When I look at these two loves of my life I am over come with joy and gratitude. So of course this too will pass but I think Dave and I are aiming for the eternities for the happy part--this is kind of hard. But we're good. We really are.

Dave took some pics of the kids before bedtime last night. I thought he was a regular Ansel Adams with the lens. Of course the objects don't hurt being so dang cute!

Here she comes......

Well it's been almost a week. We feel so blessed to have Sofie here with us. What a dream. She and Sam play so well together--mom is quick to remind me that this is the "honeymoon" period and to prepare myself when real life hits. It almost hit today. Sof was ready for a nap and so she wasn't ready to play--rather ride bikes with him. That really is their bond right now and I'm not going to lie a huge relief for me not to have to play (always) with him. He LOVES her. He's protective of her and he loves her toys. Her dishes to be exact. But what could be better than a working toy blender? I'm not sure what we were thinking by buying car, after car, after, car when we could have just gone down the girl isle at Target and purchased a blender! Much time and money could have been saved.
This is Sofie's first day of school outfit. SO CUTE! I wish you could see it all with her darling silver shoes. She wouldn't stand and pose I was so bummed but Carrie seems to think she was done after having to have had to pose continually for her photo shoot previously. Could be. This child is remarkably beautiful and smart. Really smart. As a whip.
I cannot get her to stand and pose. I am thinking I need to change my approach. Here she is before school. She likes school ok but she's says everyday "I'm a little shy". And she is but wow will she open up when she gets comfortable. She's a talker.....a little different from my not so shy but non communicator boy. Girls!
We've had a good week and really trying to keep things in our routine. Mom came--thank heavens, to help me with the homeless dinner. She of course saved the day and it was a success due to, I'm certain, mom's help. She certainly keeps on task and works so very hard. Needless to say the 70 year old woman kicked my tail.

We're all so happy she's here but Sam was especially happy because Grandma brought this terribly soft KU sweatshirt. It's OK if it's a little big. It will be good to grow into--he thought. Don't say it dad--I know he needs a (very little) trim!
Here's my soccer player. He's not the most skilled but he can sure beat anyone down the field. We figure we have time to work on skill. Coach Scott by the way is one of the best coaches ever--and I might add--with all my loved pledged to Dave of course--easy on the eyes.