Lucas (with his new glasses) and Emma
Playing darts (unfortunately...not very well..haha)
Emma Diva!
Memorial service for Chris's dad
Emma's Birthday
First Birthday Cake
Chuck E. Cheese
Second Birthday cake
First day of school!!!
Well, summer has come and gone...but we had a great time! So much has happened since my last post...
Chris's father passed away after a recurrence of colon cancer. It was a peaceful ending to a full life and we are happy that he is in a better place, though we are sad because we miss him dearly. We had a memorial service for him at the lake where they used to own a house. We scattered his ashes off the same pier that we had scattered Chris's mom's ashes 13 years ago. It was a lovely way to honor him, surrounded by his friends and family.
Emma had her first birthday in America! We had a family birthday night on her actual birthday, which consisted of her choice of dinner (she requested peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...but we eventually settled on pasta). After dinner, I asked her if she thought that she would get any presents for her birthday and she looked at me and said "I didn't get any presents today". I then asked her if she thought that mommy and daddy got her any presents and she said "no...I don't think so". She truly had no idea that she would get presents on her birthday! Can you imagine? Seven years old and never a birthday present. I then told her to sit down in the gameroom and I brought in her presents. I don't think I've ever seen a more surprised or excited look on anyone's face...it was so sweet. After the presents, she blew out the candles on her cake. I asked her if she had cake in Ukraine for her birthday (I already knew the answer) she said "no". I then asked her if anyone ever wished her a happy birthday and she looked at me and said "Mama, I didn't have birthdays in Ukraine"... to which I said "have another piece of cake honey"...
She had a birthday party with her friends at Chuck E Cheese (her choice...NOT mine...haha). Everyone had a great time and I could tell that she felt special. She doesn't like to be the center of attention so when we sang happy birthday to her just prior to blowing out the candles, she covered her face. I think she was a little overwhelmed by it all. I'll admit...it brought a tear or two to my eyes to see her take it all in. She was so happy and she told me it was the "best birthday ever!". ...Mission accomplished!
The first day of school was the day after Emma's party. We had attended the open house at the school several days prior and Emma was very excited to get back to class. Lucas, although excited to finally be starting school (like big sis), was very nervous. He likes to know what to expect and he was a little overwhelmed with not knowing what to do. He kept saying "I don't know what to do. Mama...you need to show me". Fortunately, Lucas is in the same class that Emma was in last year so we are very familiar with his teacher, and so is he. On the first day, we took Emma to her class first so Lucas could see how it was all done, then we took him to his class. We looked for his assigned seat...which we found at a table with 4 girls. When he saw that he was going to be the only boy at the table he said "ooooohhhhhhh nooooooooo!". It was so funny! They had a great first day and they were so excited to go back the next day. I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten!!!
We took the kids to get their eyes checked before school started. I was concerned that Emma's strabismus (lazy eye) may cause her some issues. Well...her eyesight is fine...Lucas...not so much. He is farsighted (like me...go figure) and he has to wear glasses. I had to wear glasses starting when I was four and ended when I rebelliously refused to wear them at age twelve. He looks so cute in them...but I am also sad because I know how difficult it can be on a kid. He seems to like them and doesn't mind wearing them...so I'm happy about that.
Well, I'd better get this posted. Hurricane Gustav is heading this way (though it probably won't be too bad for us).
Lisa
