Day 1

Day 1 is done and on the whole, I think we are doing well. We tried to relax yesterday as everyone was tired from the midnight trip to the airport (and the girls got up at 7:30am). The boys tried new activities, but we not so anxious to try new food. Some of that could be from still not feeling 100% though. It is an interesting experience to invite 2 strangers into your home and try to incorporate them into your family. Grandma and Grandpa K and Aunt Buffy brought lunch for everyone and showed some love on the kids as well. Not sure we would have survived the day without Buffy's gift of L*go sets. They were a great ice breaker.

New things Mommy learned

• Michael is actually a size 3 shoe and Amsalu is a size 2 (Matt texted this correctly, but I got the text at 2am and didn't check it later).
• Michael is pronounced Meecall in Ethiopia therefore Mikey really likes to be called Mickey (again, Matt had texted this but I thought he just misspelled Mikey).
• "way" means "come" (learned this after Michael rode his bike right out into the middle of the street and crashed it.)

The bicycle club

sidenote-while Amsalu did try the big bike, he has no concept of riding a bike or balance. He ended up on Chloe's bike with training wheels and did ok. He has very little leg strength, just like the girls when they first came.

Micheal opening gifts from Aunt Buffy. The L*go sets were a big hit and a great activity to work on with Matt and I. I recommend this for new adoptive families because the children need your help in following instructions-a great bonding activity.

Chloe's new shirt from Aunt Buffy-the girls got Minnie shirts and the boys got Mickey shirt that also say Chicago on them. I find this ironic since Aunt Buffy just got a job back here in KY and will be moving down next weekend.

Amsalu's new shirt from Aunt Buffy

Essie's new shirt from Aunt Buffy

Chloe and Grandma play whack-a-mouse-sorry you can't see their faces very well, but they were having a great time.

Mommy and Micheal work on a L*go aeroplan (airplane)

Ababa and Amsalu working on a L*go car

Essie's face just cracks me up in the pic-she is such a poser for pictures.

The finished machina (car)

Essie and Michael

Amsalu with the ball

Essie & Michael

Relaxing with "The Jungle Book" which the boys have apparently seen before because Amsalu was singing "Bare Necessities" as soon as the movie started.

Some of you will remember the swing video we posted of the girls first time on a swing so I couldn't resist post one of the boys first time as well. They actually knew what it was, but not sure they'd spent much time on one before.

Meeting Caesar is always a new challenge for our kids. Day 2 has gone much better with the dog.