Malachi's 1st Grade Year

Another kiddo wrapped up their year of school today, which means there is just one kiddo that is still going and he's almost done too!  We've almost made it people!  I don't think we've ever had all of the kids done this early so I am pretty excited about it.  1st grade has been a very fun and also challenging year as lots of new concepts were introduced.  This kid is super smart though and did great as challenges came up. He pushed through and I saw some serious growth as he was able to take on a little bit more independent study this year which was a great help for me!  He excelled in his reading this year and really came along way with some beautiful writing and cursive handwriting!  Really proud of this kid and his very hard work this year! 

Nicknames: Mal
How old are you? 7
What is your favorite color? All Colors 
What is your favorite animal? Tiger 
What is your favorite book? Disney Books 
What is your favorite TV show?  Mr Peabody and Sherman 
What is your favorite movie? Moana
What is your favorite song? You're Welcome 
What is your favorite food? Bacon
What is your favorite drink? Apple Juice
What is your favorite breakfast food? Toast 
What is your favorite snack? Granola Bars
What is your favorite outfit? Handsome Clothes (usually means a dress shirt and slacks) 
What is your favorite game? Disney Infinity
What is your favorite toy? Batman Toys 
Who is your best friend? Eli
What is your favorite thing to do? Run Around 
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride my Bike and play on the sports court  
What is your favorite holiday? That is hard, all of them
What do you like to take to bed with you? Elmo 
Where is your favorite place to go? The Park 
What is your favorite restaurant? Wendy's
Where do you want to go on vacation? Disneyland 
What do you want to be when you grow up? A Police Officer  

Bina Conquers Preschool!

The last day of school in our house is always an exciting one! The boys aren't quite done yet but our motivated little girl was able to dig in and get it all done so she could say she's in kindergarten! The smile on her face says it all!  This year for her did present some challenges and the beauty of home school really showed as we were able to just stop where she was at and go over the concepts she was struggling with. When she was ready, we picked back up and she was able to speed through the rest of the year.  Teaching my kids is one of the most challenging aspects of my life, especially with so many early education learners but the sense of pride I feel with them and for them at the end of the year is indescribable. We've all made it and learned together and I am super proud of how far I've got to witness this girl come this year!  Bring on Kindergarten! 




Nicknames: Bina
How old are you? 5
What is your favorite color? Pink and purple 
What is your favorite animal? Pua the pig 
What is your favorite book? Don't Worry Bear 
What is your favorite TV show?  Doc Mcstuffin 
What is your favorite movie? Moana and Sing 
What is your favorite song? Moana Music 
What is your favorite food? Mac and Cheese, Cheese and Crackers
What is your favorite drink? water
What is your favorite breakfast food? cereal 
What is your favorite snack? granola bars 
What is your favorite outfit? This one (the new one she is wearing) 
What is your favorite game? Disney Apples to Apples 
What is your favorite toy? Doc Mcstuffin Toys 
Who is your best friend? Natalee
What is your favorite thing to do? Watch TV 
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Jump on the trampoline 
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 
What do you like to take to bed with you? Pua the Pig, Puppy, And poodle
Where is your favorite place to go? The Jungle Gym and Grandma Fair's
What is your favorite restaurant?  Doesn't know but likes fries and chicken nuggets and mac and cheese
Where do you want to go on vacation? Disneyland 
What do you want to be when you grow up? A puppy 

Sabrina Turns 5!

Well we barely recovered from the weekend and we were at it again with another birthday party! For some reason that big #5 is extra hard for this mama, and I couldn't help but take a picture as we went to bed the final night of this girl being 4. 

And we woke up to a big 5 year old! 

 

 Because the kids chose to do their birthday party together, they also surprised us by choosing to do their birthday fun day together too. They planned the whole thing together and had a great time! My 5 and 7 year old! We started our fun day to a fun local place that has a jungle gym, bouncy houses, and arcade games. Thankful it was a week day we had the place almost completely to ourselves!

And the kids surprised us again by choosing chinese food as their lunch out!

And then the part the kids love the most, a stop at the toy store!  They were kind and patient as their sibling took their turn to look at toys and it was particularly fun this year to see Bina spend time in the nail polish, and lip gloss and headbands and Barbies. She was all about the girly stuff this year! 

  

And last but not least, free ice cream treats!

Oh and of course the Birthday treat with the family. Of course our donut loving girl made this choice! 

And then a day later off to the doctor where they are as healthy as can be!  Bina is 50% for height and 30% for weight. Mal is still tall sitting in the 88% for height and 80% for weight and we were complimented by the staff for how well behaved and kind the kids were which made me all the prouder! 

I can't even believe that 5 years have passed since I gave birth to my baby girl.  She delighted us from the first second I heard her daddy announce those words "It's a girl!"  My heart longed for a girl in a way I didn't want to admit but she has been a blessing and our little princess ever since!  She is a bit shy but getting more social as she grows.  And even though she is a bit shy, if you get to see her true personality you will see one total goofball. She was always the happiest and most content baby in the family, the easiest to get a big smile from. She has her daddy's eyes and her daddy's dimples that melt me into a million pieces. Her eyes sparkle when she smiles. She's one half pink princess and the other half rough and tumble worm loving, brother slugging tough girl!  She's brought joy to me as a girl mama that I didn't know I needed.  

Oh baby girl, how quickly the years ago. You stole my heart the day you were born and I didn't know how badly I needed or longed for a baby girl in my life.  You were a perfect princess from that day forward!  Your smile and sparkly eyes light up a room. You can be ornery and stubborn but most of the time you keep us laughing at your goofy antics.  You're our most creative child and love to sit and color or paint.  You can melt my heart into a million pieces with just one little tear.  You remind me so much of myself as a kid. One part sensitive and shy, crazy hair, love playing with worms in the dirt, love babies!  It is fun watching you grow more and more even though I'd love to go back in time and cuddle you just a little bit longer. I look forward to watching lots of exciting things happen for you in the next year, maybe you'll finally have the nerve to start up a sport, and of course kindergarten!  Wow baby girl, you've grown too fast but we love you so much our Sabrina Fair!  

Easter Weekend and Malachi's Birthday

We had a crazy busy Easter weekend with the kiddo's. Not only did we get to celebrate Easter, but this year was extra special as it included Malachi celebrating his birthday on Easter day!

                             We kicked off the weekend with egg coloring on Friday night!

I have been one of those people totally caught up for the last 2 months waiting on that giraffe to have that baby!  We were definitely suspicious as we went to bed Friday night that something was up, and that was confirmed when I got a text at 4:30 in the morning telling me it was time.  Peter and I laid in bed watching this giraffe labor until about 7 AM when the sweet little baby arrived. It was extra cool because the kids have been watching too and woke up just a few minutes before the baby was born. We all had fun watching the baby be born and learn how to walk and nurse!  Good little education for the kids and they loved watching! 

  

But that made for a very early for a very busy day.  Next we made some "resurrection rolls" for the kids to eat after we came home from church that evening. 

 

Then we were off to an adoptive family luncheon and egg hunt at our church.  Malachi loved hanging out with other adopted kiddo's especially because so many of the kids around his age were also from Africa.  

 

All the kids had a blast running around and hunting eggs!

  

The rest of our Saturday was spent wandering the mall, eating and playing at Chik-Fil-A, church service in the evening and enjoying resurrection rolls before bed.  We were all tuckered out, but had another crazy busy day the next day! 

Of course we were awoken early by the kids who were eager to find those Easter baskets!

But this morning was extra special, because my sweet baby boy had also turned 7 years old! 

We had bunny butt pancakes and of course eggs. Peter fixed up his pancakes into something REALLY special, inspired by a breakfast we had in Jamaica! 

Traditional Easter picture of my loves! 

And then it was party time!  Not only were we celebrating Malachi's 7th Birthday, but we also were celebrating Sabrina's 5th Birthday that comes 2 days after Malachi's birthday!  Normally we do separate parties but this year they wanted to do everything together and they both wanted a Moana party so it worked out well! 

How have they grown this much this fast?!?

After some dinner, it was time to hit the backyard for the traditional, massive egg hunt! Thankfully the weather which has been quite nasty this year held out for Easter! 

After presents and cake, the kids wanted to go play outside which resulted in hours of baseball practice until dark.  It was a wonderful albeit busy weekend! 

It's hard to believe how fast these first 7 years of being a mom have come and gone!  I am so blessed with an easy firstborn!  I often times say that I am so thankful he is resilient and smart because he's been the guinea pig child and we've made a lot of mistakes.  But this kid is something special and I am reminded of that often!  I am told often by strangers and friends that he is such a kind and nice kid and he really is!  He is loving, helpful, kind and gentle, very smart, funny!  He's pretty much the whole package!  I've known since before I even held him that God had a special plan for his life and I still believe that to this day!  We prayed and prayed about what to name this sweet kid and I truly believe God chose for him to be Malachi - My Messenger.  Even if he's growing faster than I would ever choose, it is fun now watching him leave the little boy behind and grow into just a boy! 

 

Malachi, we love you so much!  You've brought so much joy into our lives. As two introvert parents you've stretched us a bit out of comfort zone with how out going you are, but it's good for us!  You are a true blessing!  You have so much to offer this world and I can't wait to see where your brain, your kindness, and gentleness will lead you in life.  I can't believe my chubby little baby boy is already 7, but I am thankful for every day we have had with you! You were a long awaited and much anticipated little man!  Thank you for being the wonderful and fabulous son and big brother you are!  We couldn't have asked for a better leader of the pack, you lead your younger siblings better than I could have ever expected. God wrote the best story when he brought you into our family!  Thank you for filling our lives with so much joy and happiness just by being the silly and happy little boy you are!  Much love my handsome 7 year old!