Finally, some warm weather!

It is beautiful in NJ right now and was all weekend. We spent a LOT of time outside this weekend!

Bryan loves being a kid

Maya playing PEEK-A-BOO

Bryan and Maya play well together outside

How cute am I??

Bryan, Logan and Corey sat for some hydration

Satturday night, we found Maya in a state of DENIAL in her crib. This is what she looked like!(Excuse the Christmas pajamas!!)

Sunday we took the kids into NYC for a FREE Laurie Berkner concert. She was there for EARTH day and it was beautiful outside. We sang and danced and took note of the other parents enjoying themselves as well!





Okay, maybe a little hot, but I am not complaining of the heat!




That's my BOY!

He actually stayed with Mommy and Daddy the entire time. This is a great step for him. He is usually into all strangers. He introduces himself and makes friends very quickly. But Sunday he was a family boy.

Eating..

This was how close we were to Laurie, not bad considering the millions of people there.

Maya spent the day in denial about naptime. She did not even nap on the way home from NYC.

It was so hot, Bryan double fisted it.

Maya likes to clap

Maya on the way home from NYC...she likes to be barefoot!

Cute pics...and what is up with some people??

Okay, so I am not a great writer like some of my friends, but I just have to share my Target experience this week.

While Riley was getting groomed at Petsmart, I took the two kids to Target for a bunch of stuff, most importantly Toilet Paper. When we were checking out, my sweet lovable, talkative son kept saying to the checkout lady, "Hi, I am Bryan. Hi, I am Bryan"...over and over again.

Finally, my observant son said to me, "Mommy, this lady won't talk to me!"

Get ready for what she said: "Yes, honey, unlike your mother, I have to work for a living."

I actually did go right back at her to let her know that I was working (3) 12 hour shifts this week and that that day was my day OFF.

I probably should have mentioned that what I did for a living was a little more difficult than her job...but I did not go there.

It really got me after I left. How could she say that to Bryan? What the heck was wrong with her??

I know that some people do not like kids. Maybe they are just like that, maybe they could not have kids, maybe they are having a bad day...but whatever the case...if you are going to work in a setting where you may deal with a child, just put on a fake smile and be quiet.

Am I right?

Anyhow, moving back to our life...Bryan and Maya are good. Here are some pics to show how good!

Bryan is potty training fairly well. Maya is walking so fast I cannot catch her sometimes!

George took Bryan to see Thomas Live on Stage last Saturday. Bryan LOVED it. This was his get-up that he wore that day.

Miss hot shot herself...We sent a memory stick of pics and videos down to Guatemala to Maya's foster family with Holly. Holly is with her sweet Max right now!

Two true smiles!!!

Maya got cropped out...it was bad of her, but really cute of Bryan

Scary, but Bryan is teaching Maya so much!

Maya definitely is getting the English language!

Our Easter Weekend

Yes, that was a few days back but this is the first minute I had to write!

Friday we dyed Easter Eggs. Bryan was into it and really would not let Mommy and Daddy help him. Our little guy is growing up. Everything is " I do myself" for Bryan.

Daddy demonstrated before Bryan took over

Maya watched

The kids opened presents from Mom Mom and Pop Pop

Maya got another beach/pool item.

She has 5 bathing suits and three cover-ups now.

Don't worry, she will wear them all...they are all different colors.

We cannot wait to see her J-Lo bootie in her suits!

On Saturday , we all drove up to Northeastern PA.

George dropped me off at Jen's house and Jen and I drove to our friend, Carolyn's baby shower in NY.

Jen gave Maya and Bryan Easter Baskets which were so nice

Carolyn's Mom made this for Carolyn's little baby boy to-be

His room is all teddy bears and Yankees

Some of you may have seen this idea before. You buy a bunch of baby clothes, string them up with clothespins, and then give them to a Mom-to-be in a laundry basket. I have done it before as a gift and think it is so cute. I did not make this one, but I wanted to share!

Jen, Sue, Melissa, Carolyn and me!

We are all at different pints in our lives, but we stay in touch because we try. Friendships have to be strong to withstand time and distance. If we do not talk for 3 months, we always pick up where we left off...no hard feelings.

We all went to college together. Missing from the pack are Cathy and Mary:(

We played a game called, "Guess how much weight Carolyn has gained?"

I have never played this game before and have vowed not to play it at Mel or Jen's baby shower should either of them get pregnant.

This game can only be played when the mom-to-be is a size 4 or under.

To help you with Carolyn's baseline...she has gained 25 pounds to date!

Easter picture of our nephew Zachary...

and our niece, Taylor sent to us by our sister-in-law, Amber

Easter morning Bryan found "The Chocolate Factory" near his basket. He has been wanting that, and what better occasion?

Besides candy, Bryan did get a new Thomas train and a new shed for Thomas

Maya got this super cute Sesame Street purse that came with goodies. It is perfect because she is always carrying something around with her.

Pictures never go so smooth, but Bryan is a cutie here!

Gammy and Maya Grace

My desperate attempt to get a picture failed

I really like this one...Nanny and Maya were laughing

Phil and Sharon with Bryan

My cutie at dinner

That's my girl, eating a peppermint patty out of Poppy's hands

The best picture that I got of the two of them

My Sweet Girl

This is Mary, my brother's girlfriend. We all met her for the first time on Easter Evening. Maya liked her:)

Take this as an example of the gears that are turning in Maya's little brain

Cousins Scott and Cathy

Aunt Janice likes Maya's purse

We are very thankful to everyone for all their Easter cards and presents to Maya and Bryan this Easter. It is 100% appreciated!

Aunt Lisa was sick and was missed at dinner:(

Monday afternoon we traveled to Mark and Cathy's house to celebrate Aidan's first birthday (ALREADY?)

Sue with her 3, Erin, Matthew and Colin

The Birthday Boy

He's MINE!

Matthew is so cute!

No surprise to any regular viewers of the blog here!

Unlike Bryan, who wanted a cookie instead

Yes, Aidan is one. This past year has flown especially since we brought Maya home! We were on the plane bring her home just moments ago it seems. Yet at the same time, I cannot imagine her not being here!