Disney on Ice

October - at the park

Halloween

Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze

Guatoberfest 2009!

Monday morning we continued our time at the pool and beach until it was time to head for the ship....

We boarded around noon and I quickly discovered that buffet style dining as a single mom with a 2 year old will make me lose my cool. By the end of the week we had a system, but it makes me reconsider the whole "kid-on-a-leash" gizmo.

After lunch we headed to our room to check it out -

Exploring around the ship -

I usually avoid the "sail away" party. But with Dominic, we were front and center, dancing away. On stage for the electric slide, in the conga line, etc. Having a blast!

Mandatory safety drill -

Our room steward was wonderful and had a great time with Dominic. Each evening Dominic was excited to find the towel animal he had left on our bed!

Day 2: Key West.

It was hot. But Dominic had a great time riding the "train" -

We ended our train ride in the main square and had an awesome lime slush!

We got dressed up for dinner in the evening. Dominic said, "Mommy look-a like-a princess. Dominic the prince." So, so sweet -

Dominic and some friends took the stage for karaoke. A few were singing. Dominic thought jumping off the stage was more entertaining.

And then back to the room for the evening.

Day 3: Cozumel

We headed to the beach with some friends. Dominic loved swimming in the ocean. And continued his theme of "I do it" in the water -

We headed back for some food and a change of clothes before shopping. Dominic did not have a nap while we were at the beach and this is how he spent his time while I shopped a bit. This is around 6pm - he slept until 7 the next morning.

Day 4: At Sea

We walked around a bit in the evening and took some sunset pictures. The wind on the top deck was so strong that it literally blew Dominic over at one point. He thought it was hilarious.

That morning we met up with our group for some pictures.

Sharing molten chocolate cake for dessert with our friends that evening. It was on the buffet EVER night!

Day 5: Heading home -

We had a wonderful time. This type of trip was a bit challenging with just the 2 of us, but I wouldn't trade our experience for anything.

Looking forward to going again when Dominic is old enough to snorkel! Maybe next year? :)

Guatoberfest - Miami

We were fortunate enough to be able to join the Guatoberfest group this year on a cruise out of Miami! Dominic and I went down a day early and stayed in Miami Beach. Our hotel was right on the water and we spent the day moving between the beach, swimming pool and room service.

Summer picnic

The look I got as we were leaving. He loves hanging out here and didn't want to go home.

Reunion - Part 3

Back at the hotel was another group of families - some from our agency and some that we've just met online. We took over a restaurant down the street and they were very accommodating for such a large group. The little ones took over an area of the restaurant after dinner and made it into a dance floor. We had a great time visiting with everyone!

Walking back to the hotel with E's family -

The hotel had an indoor waterpark. Dominic had a blast!

Before heading home we stopped to do some shopping and discovered a mall with a great play area.

A wonderful weekend. Can't wait to see everyone at the reunion again next year!

Reunion - Part 2

Saturday afternoon we met up with the folks from our adoption agency for their annual reunion. It was amazing to see the 100s of families there.

Dominic enjoyed playing in the sand with his friends.



This photo sequence with our friend J makes me wonder if this is what his relationships will be like in the years to come -




We posed for a pic in front of the picnic area for the Guatemalan families -




Made a quick visit to the train museum at the park -




in the mail car -

And headed back to the playground for a bit

before passing out at the hotel.

Reunion - Part 1

This summer we spent a weekend in Indianapolis with a number of adoption friends. Before joining the group, we went to the art museum. Dominic had a great time hanging out in the garden.

Dominic serving me breakfast in bed -

When you least expect it...

About a week after writing my last post, our lives took an unexpected and wonderful turn as I began to fall head over heels in love with a dear friend. We've shared a friendship and mutual respect for years. It never crossed our minds that in the right circumstances it would ever be more. But things in our lives changed and there we were....

I won't spend too much time gushing here, though I could go on all day. He is a wonderful addition to our lives - kind, generous, intelligent, witty and most of all an amazing father to 3 brilliant kids. Just as I feel with Dominic, I could never have imagined that I would have someone in my life that is such a perfect match.

Our lives got a bit more complicated these past few months and there are many challenges ahead, but as we sat last night with a portion of our combined families at the very restaurant that marks all important family dinners, all I can see is a bright future ahead for all of us.

As I catch up on 4 months of blogging this weekend, here are some pics of Dominic performing a mic check as we took a peek at our venue for our upcoming event in January.

Summer Lovin'

We've had a great summer! I can't believe it's almost over! The days continue to go by way too fast... Here's some of the things we've been up to.


We've had some fun in the sprinkler -



Watched Adrian graduate 6th grade -



Harvested our first zucchini and cucumber (still waiting on the green peppers, tomatoes and pumpkin) -




and got our first ugly face wound at school. Racing with his friends. He didn't win...

Played in our pool -

Six Flags with Nanny, PaPa, Adrian and Jacob -

Lots of visits to the park -

A trip to St Louis with Nanny, PaPa, Adrian and Jacob. Visiting the arch,

the Children's Museum,

the St Louis Zoo,

and finally Uncle Buddy's football game.

Dominic made friends with the mascot of the home team.

But the highlight of the evening - going on the field and taking home a game ball. When we got home from St Louis he put it in his bed and slept with it for a week. "Night Night Buddy Football".

Dominic discovered the joy of ice while waiting for a parade on a hot summer day -

Another trip to our zoo. He enjoys the animals, but he LOVES the train, tram and Merry-go-round or the "round and round".

He has grown so much over the last six months. His language has exploded and he has a memory that often astonishes me. He dug out his Easter basket this week and said "Candy all gone". How does he remember that had candy in it? When I mention the zoo he asks if we're going to visit "Mommy's Zebra" because that was the animal I rode on the carousel on one of our visits.

In an act of protest, I tried to put his size 8 foot in a size 6 sandal a few weeks ago. That didn't last long -

before he had his own choice of footwear on....

Above all, he is expressing his independence. And for the most part, I'm reluctantly allowing him. But I miss my baby already...

Stay tuned for pics of our reunion picnic!

4th of July Weekend

First ride in PaPa's boat

Florida

We went down to Tampa for a long weekend in the beginning of summer. This was Dominic's first airplane ride since we came home from Guatemala, so I wasn't sure how he would do.

Waiting for the plane. So excited to see the airplanes!



The perfect passenger on the way down.





He LOVED the escalators in the airport!




And he LOVES to swim!

We had a blast with our friends that weekend. They became very good friends very quickly. Dominic still asks for them 2 months later every time we go swimming.

He did well at the beach this year. He enjoyed the waves and though he didn't seem to mind when the sand got in his mouth, he wasn't eating it by the handful either....

The most beautiful sunsets...

2 Year Portraits