Really Rachel!

For a long time now I've been wanting to make a note about the songs we sing each night. With each child I kept adding a song to sing at night. I remember "walking" the boys to their room each night by following the flashlight we would shine on the floor as they tried to "catch" the light all the way to bed. We would sing "Night Night" in a sing-song way. But when they were babies, the routine was always rocking them to sleep right before putting them to bed singing a few of the same songs every night. I was convinced I was doing something that my grandmothers before me surely did through the decades. I think that's why I chose old hymns. I didn't know any nursery rhymes or kiddie sing-songs anyway! Starting with Noah and Simon I always sang, in order, (1)What A Mighty God We Serve, (2) I Love You, Lord, and (3) Amazing Grace. When Elizabeth came along, we added "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord" because the boys LOVED singi...

So today as I'm spending a few hours writing up our report for our 1-year post adoption appointment with our case worker, Rachel is off to the side "using her imagination". Such a proud Mommy I am. My little darling using that noggin to discover the next cure for the common cold, of course. So did I laugh out loud or what when Rachel started singing "Happy Birthday Mommy" and presented me with a special "cupcake". Yes, that is a half-eaten apple with a Nintendo DS stylus tucked in the top just like a candle. I've told my boys to keep their games out of reach...oops!

Rachel had no problem learning how to collect eggs. She just kept going and going like and Energizer Bunny. We attended our church's Easter Speggtacular at a local park. Our kiddos covered all 4 age groups, so we came home with over 200 eggs...seriously! That said, we had an impromptu egg hunt in our greenbelt with our neighbor friends! Rachel's new vocabulary word for the week is 'EGGS' with the obligatory exclamation point thrown in!

I love her expressions in these photos! Especially the one where she has her mouth open saying "rohr!" I was giggling along with Rachel as she literally ran circles around me one morning as the sun casted its light on the wall. She looked so cute in her green stripes acting like a little cartoon character.