Pirate Party for Juddy!

How is it possible that my sweet baby boy just turning 7? Well, he is on July 1st. And since I will be off in Africa and Juddy will be on vacation with Daddy and his brothers, we had a early birthday party. It was our full on birthday kid party...there were 12 boys total. There may be something wrong with me to do that....but they all had a great time running around the yard for a big treasure hunt, playing on the pirate ship playarea which was decked out with flags and a skeleton. but of course they all had to gear of to be pirates with face painting and tattoos! Then they found their pirate gear (hat, hook, sword) in a trunk at the end of the treasure hunt! They all really embraced the pirate spirit! We had a pirate eye patch craft and painted little wooden treasure chests (which of course were filled with gold coin candy). The boys all got to hit the pirate trunk pinata and then we lit the pirate ship cake for Juddy! To finish off the party the boys "walked the plank" into the pool! Andy and I were exhausted by the end! But what fun!

Drew's 5th Birthday & Disney

May 18th....Drew is 5! How is the years zip by? We had a long celebration while we were in Orlando for my cousin, Rita's wedding. On the first day to Disney, Drew said "It's my birthday!", on the 2nd day of Disney, "It's my birthday!". We had an icecream birthday cake at our rental house and then Aunt Joyce bought a cake to celebrate Drew and Aunt Peggy's birthday after the wedding! On his actualy birthday, May 18th, we flew home early to WI and were able to open presents and Drew choose his meals....McDonald's and Pizza Hut! His favorites! It is hard to believe my little baby is 5. Time is going far too quickly. Drew is a wonderful, spirited boy with tons of charm, a killer smile and is always ready to give you a hug. We love you Drew!

Our time in Florida was such fun! We stayed in a great rental home not far from Disney with Nana, Pops and cousin Grace. It was so fun. The kids loved the pool and whirlpool at the house, but the highlight of the house was definitely the t.v. in the room with their bunk beds. A little bit of kid-heaven! We all had a great time at Disney. The kids really enjoyed seeing all the wonderful shows, characters and rides. Because it was Drew's birthday, they were able to "drive" the monorail with the driver....very special. Nana and Pops were so great to have with us. I think they loved seeing Disney with the kids and experiencing the magic through their eyes! It was a magical time at Disney for everyone!

We also were able to visit with our McCormick family. First, with Aunt Joyce and Uncle Don at their beach house in New Symrna. This visit brought back my own childhood memories of visiting the beach house when my Grandpa McCormick owned it. I really enjoyed sharing this with my boys. We were able to visit with our exteneded family with the wedding festivities, which was great. The wedding was just lovely....and you could see my cousin, Rita, is very happy and in love!

Jack's 1st haircut

While Nana was in town she convinced me to trim Jack's locks. I am not prepared to let those sweet curls go so we just gave him a little trim so he still has lots of baby curls. There is something about the first haircut that always makes them look older so I resist it!

EGPAF Fundraiser Huge Success!!!

As you can see I haven't blogged in a while as I have been busy, busy getting everything ready for the big Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation fundraiser at our home!! This included lots and lots of garden and lawn work...but the great part about that is now we get to enjoy it for the rest of the summer! Also, much organizing and collection of items for the silent auction...which was an amazing spread of items!

The day was overcast, but comfortable for the event to be outside in the yard. The kids had a ball eatting snowcones (I think Drew had at least 5!), getting their faces painted and jumping and sliding in the huge moon walk! The center of the event was the amazing band, "Clear Blue Betty", they rocked Monroe! They volunteered their time and talent for this event!! Please go check them out on their webiste www.clearbluebetty.com I have their c.d. and love it!

The silent auction was such fun and filled with something for everyone. I had my artwork on public display which was a new experience, but one I think I will get use to. I know everyone that purchased a piece so that is wonderful! I had the help of neighbors, friends and family to make this event possible. Thank you!!

Now...drum roll...we raised over $5000!! What amazing things this $$ will do for children around the world in the fight against HIV!

Check! Fingerprints done!

Last Friday, Andy and I had an appointment in Milwaukee to have our fingerprints with US Dept. of Homeland Security! It was a whole day event to travel there and back, but we did get to have lunch at P.F. Chang's, yummy. It is a step forward in the adoption process to have this complete. We are certain nothing other than a few speeding tickets will come up! This is all apart of the process of helping our future daughter enter the country. We have only been officially waiting a couple weeks....we likely have some time ahead of us being #235 out of 245 families waiting!

Kindergarten Circus!

Last night Judson had his debut as an "acrobat" in the Kindergarten circus. What a show they put on!!! It was beyond adorable to see all the kindergarteners all decked out. Juddy had a great time and we (Mommy, Daddy, Pops, Omie & Opie) all felt very proud of him! This was a wonderful night and a milestone in the life of a kindergartener here in Monroe!

Bubbles....

Don't we all just love bubbles! This weekend Drew created some beautiful bubbles!