A Young American.....week 7

First Fireworks!

We live right across the way from a place that shoots off fireworks... So, as this 7th week began and July 4 weekend rang in, LM had his first fireworks show. Of course, he slept calmly thru the entire thing while snugged in his bed, while his puppy quivered and got as close as he could to us! It's really amazing and we feel so lucky we can stand at our slider and watch the sky light up! Week 7 started with the arrival of July 4, and since our new little citizen just received his citizenship certificate, we did some "army training sir.... " (movie buffs, take a shot at that one)....oh, I mean american training...ah.. american playing.....

Young American's Can make their Own Margaritas....

All Good Children Here Learn to Count to 20 before they are 2.

Here he is, doing short division lessons on his abacus.

Given how splendidly the baby pool went, we decided to hop the neighbor's fence to try out a bigger pool for size... LM loved loved loved it... In fact, so much so that I think he wants to be a fish in his future life (Yes Aunt Debby, that one was for you. of course, Aunt Becca will need to tell you about it as I am not sure you are still following the blog! he he he)

Inspired by Michael Phelps, US Olympic Champion 2008....
LM, US Olympic Champ...20XX??

And, Of course, What Young American Child
does NOT know how to do "CHEERS"???

And, of course, should come as no surprise that, given who his parents are, this LM has a huge humanitarian heart.... Paired with his love for great American poets such as Dr. Seuss, it should come as no surprise that LM has already done some great charity work with gusto...

Here he is, reading to Earn $$ With his "5 books/day" Quota -- Who signed up for 5 bucks/book betting he wouldn't do it? Time to Show Him the Money...

It was a silly week, with lots of smiles and some new things... Including..... Meeting Jabib....

Kevin and I go way back --- all the way to our Cali days... Back when Mama was young, fun, and ran around with a great silly crowd of "we are invincible" early 20 something group -- Mel, Samir, Brian P, Joan, Jodi.... Anyway, Kevin lives in central PA and sadly, we haven't seen each other for years.... we had a "phone" relationship that worked well -- we both were driving everyday around 5:30am, so we'd 'catch up" as he drove to MD and I drove to DE.... YAHOO for us!! Jabib has a new job with MedImmune which brings him to Philly now, has him commuting less, and home with his great wife and beautiful 2 kids more!! Lucky for us, he was in town for a conference so he came over to play!! We had a great time catching up, taking him on a boat ride, and enjoying our view!! A-choo... what? LM has learned that imitating sneezes is funny this week... which reminds me: Everyone, get their FLU shots. (you are welcome, Kevin, for that unsolicited commercial! LOL)...

Hiking in Betzwood

Ok, technically it was a walk. And, LM and I did the SAME walk the next day with April, without the hip sling -- and LM walked probably at least 1 mile of the walk in the woods! Way to go, little boy!!
Things we really enjoyed together this week:

• Meeting Shelley -- Shelley Saunders is our HS SW and an old colleague -- she has been in the adoption business forever and really is fantastic -- I have had the privilege of knowing her through families we've both worked with, and she was a godsend during our adoption process... LM sensed right away she was a "get it" person, and he showed off all his cute little tricks for her!!
• Pretending to walk Ashton -- he loved this week to take Ashton's leash and drag it all over the place, as if he was walking Ashton... of course, he likes to hold the leash when we actually are walking Ashton, but this new "inside" imaginary play game is hilarious to watch....
• Loving on stuffed animals -- Monkey and Lion in the cars are now good friends. He literally looks for them when he gets into his car seat, smiles and makes all this chattering when you hand them to him, and then he kisses and hugs them!!! In his room, he now wants his "room lion" during night time book/bed time, and naps... (we have to keep stuffed animals in strategic, non-Ashton locales..... you can guess what happens if we do not...and, if you can't guess, just picture white fluff all over the place)...
  
• KISSES!!!! He has been leaning in to others to give them kisses upon command, and this week, when we were on the boat with Kevin, to be precise, for the first time completely unsolicited, he turned around on my lap and planted a nice sloppy wet kiss on me...and he didn't stop... it was wonderful!!!
  

"It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" Home 7 Week Photo.. how do you like his hair??? LOL