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Mini Vacation 2 in Montreal

Where do you go when you want to take the kids on a short weekend vacation and feel as far away as possible? Well if you life where we live you would head to Montreal, CA. A little negotiating with Capt. Kirk for a half price four star hotel complete with pool and deck that over looks downtown and a short drive and it is a done deal. They both LOVE hotels. For some reason even watching TV in a hotel room is more fun...I never understood that one.

One high light of the trip was to visit the Botanical Garden. It is an amazing place cover many city blocks. Today we just went to the Chinese and Japanese gardens and did a quick trip past this hat display and a kid fun land.

Fun At Ausable Point

Saturday the kids took a quick trip to Ausable Point to play in the sand and have a picnic. Hard to believe it is mid November and we are still having warm days like this. Both found a way to get very wet and sandy and cold. They always know how to have fun and enjoy life. :) Love how our lake feels like an ocean on some days...we live in an amazing place. This is just 15 minutes south of town.

Halloween 2011

Halloween has always been a big event for us because it is also Lucy's birthday in addition to being the most fun kid day ever. Willow requested that we both take her tick or treating, while Niko wanted neither...but was more open to his dad going than his mom...of course dad had to keep a mask over his face.

Last year Willow was not too into this event but this year she proudly went from door to door collecting her candy. "This is great!" was heard more than once out of that little mouth of hers.

Niko hooked up with another military buddy and a couple of his more beautiful friends. What a sight :)

Niko and Willow...Spring Accomplishments

I am trying to go back in time now to post a few significant things from the past spring before adding current events. One of Niko's school accomplishments was his Science Fair Project/Presentation. He chose lasers and had plans to build a burning laser that would actually start paper on fire if that were what stopped the beam. Unfortunately, the laser never made it on time in the mail so he produced his board as he learned about lasers and then share with his peers how lasers work. He did a great job and to this day can still explain the basics of lasers to you. Below is his presentation board.

Another thing he did was this beautiful drawing/painting. This was displayed in the district art show.

Willow took on something even bigger...her first visit to the dentist. She was really cooperative and even had a good time at this check up. Unfortunately, she needed to return to get some cavities filled. For that she was a real trooper and cooperated and didn't cry once through out the whole appointment. Dr. Mintz (aka Dr. Bam) was very impressed. But poor Willow then broke down and cried in my arms the minute it was all over. But in pure Willow style she was all smiles and laughter the minute the offered the free toy and sticker. Nothing phases her for long despite her highly emotional personality.
Just to have fun we went to the Chinese Terracotta Soldiers at the Museum in Montreal. Unfortunately, we discovered that nothing is open on Mondays up there so we just checked out the street sculptures and had a crepe before returning home.

Year of Transitions...Willow and Niko Continue to Blossom

Let go or be dragged Unknown

The last of human freedoms - the ability to chose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances
Viktor E. Frankl

We have had no more transitional year than this one...not even the year we adopted Willow. This is why we haven't posted in such a long time. Although we are still transitioning things have calmed and it is time to continue the story we started for our children, Niko and Willow. When it comes to them we have found we are blessed beyond words and that how we live with them is still much more important than anything we plan or give to them.

Niko has just entered Middle School after the most amazing school year. He had many supports but central to them all was Mr. Nisoff, his fifth grade teacher. Because Niko felt he could be himself and that his unique qualities were valued and supported, he loved to go to school. This also relaxed his mind in ways that had him made drastic improvements in his reading and writing skills. His school year could not have gone better and now he is enjoying the independence of Middle School in ways we did not even think possible just over a year ago.







Willow now is in Pre-K and loving it. Being an adventuresome extrovert and having loving teachers, she has always loved to go to school and continues to this year. She still has the same boyfriend, Abdu. And, now that she has become much more articulate she is all the more skilled at telling him what to do. One unfortunate event was that we realized Willow could not eat cold dairy products without disastrous consequences...this video is of her eating her last ice cream cone. While she looks happy eating it, the night was not one she nor Lucy wants to repeat.


Both Niko and Willow are as happy as they have ever been. :) Lucy and I now live a few blocks away from each other...life is complicated, unpredictable and often out of our control more than we would care to admit and that isn't a bad thing, it is just a thing and we accept that. While Niko and Willow do not get many chances to be around us both at the same time, they still know they have two loving parents who work together to make sure they are safe and continue to have every opportunity possible to blossom and be happy...and happy they are, so life is good. Hope you have a wonderful day. :)

Low Key 4th Birthday

Willow was having a hard time remembering the number four when she would count. We figured she would have a better time remembering it after her 4th birthday. Birthdays are mixed for Willow. She doesn't like hats, cake or the birthday song but says presents are ok.

We practice "parties" with Willow as she had her first friend party. (The practicing didn't work. She was fine until the Mom called everyone from the tumbling to have cake. Willow ran screaming and crying in the opposite direction.)

So...instead of insisting on a party we just went with what Willow wanted. No hats, no cake and no birthday song. We went to The Tubes. She didn't eat anything but enjoyed the low pressure fun.
Niko brought a friend for ice cream.
Willow's favorite part was the "Barbie girl"....

and the ice cream. Willow told the counter lady that it was her birthday. "I'm four. Mommy tell the lady how old you are." The nice lady got a chuckle out of that and gave Willow a big bag of cookies for her birthday.



Totally ok with presents.
She loves her Niha* nightlight.

Happy 4th birthday Willow Pillow Bella Bella Peanut D*ra Princess. (The official name Willow has named herself.)

Creative Girl

It kind of grosses her brother out, but Willow likes to eat soup with a dropper and two preferably.
I was surprised to discover that Willow had constructed the train track one day. I had told Niko he did a great job and he said he had nothing to do with it.


stringing beads
showing off her karate before knocking down her tower

Snow Angels

Niko and Willow share a love for the snow.

This is Papa's first time using his new snowblower. He retired Grandpa's 1970something M*ntgomery W*rd model, tank that it was. This is Niko first time getting to used a snowblower.
A little work for Niko...
A little rest for Willow...

Greek New Year's Bread

Papa made Greek New Year's bread, and this year Niko assisted with the cutting. First one is always for the "house." Then each piece for each family member from oldest to youngest.
Niko is always ready with a new idea. However, Papa insists on tradition and explains, "This is how it is done."
Willow gets the last piece....
Niko found the lucky coin in his piece thus gaining good luck for the new year. Papa's name day happens to be January 1st. St Basil Day.
Willow enjoyed the new experience.