Saturday, December 30, 2006

Holiday Season

The tree is gone and the lights & ornaments are stashed away. Boy, the holiday passed just as quickly as it came.

We stayed at my parents house on Christmas Eve and had the traditional appetizer dinner. Around 7:00 AM Christmas morning Sydney scurried from bedroom to bedroom waking everyone. Then flew down the stairs with mommy on her heels trying to catch her initial reaction. Now days, I would say that has to be my favorite part of Christmas. She didn't fail to come up with a great reaction. "Holy The Smokes" she exclaimed "Nuts and Berries look at all those presents". Who knows where she learned those phrases but it was priceless none the less.

The kids are overwhelmed by all their new toys. Andrew finally has some "boy" toys to play with. I asked Sydney what her favorite gift was, she replied "all of them". How diplomatic of her! FYI Santa did follow through with the scooter and Genevieve doll she requested. Andrew is currently favoring the train table and pirate ship.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

A Call From Santa

Matt called Sydney last night posing as Santa. She was timid at first but quickly got into the conversation. Santa asked what she wanted for Christmas; she replied with a Genevieve Doll, Scooter and a Hippopotamus (she loves that song "I want a Hippopotamus For Christmas"). With a big belly laugh Santa said he would see what he could do. Sydney mentioned seeing him at the mall, and reminded him she was sleeping at her grandma's house in Canton, Ohio so he should come there. After talking about what the reindeer like to eat, Santa had to go and wished her a Merry Christmas and she replied, and a Happy New Year?

Monday, December 18, 2006

First Gift of Christmas



Christmas is rapidly approaching and we are trying to finish up our shopping. Last Friday we celebrated with our playgroup friends. The kids had a gift exchange and Andrew received his very first Christmas present. As far as we know Andrew did not celebrate Christmas in Korea so we cherished this moment. He wasn't really sure what to do at first but Sydney was right there to help. It was a Little Tykes snowplow truck, thank you Wirick Family!

Monday, December 11, 2006

Officially Ours

Today was a big day for our family. Andrew's adoption was finalized, he was granted US Citizenship and got his name officially changed to Andrew David Min Lavelle!!!!! What a day!

Our appointed time was 1:30 PM, Nap Time! I was afraid Andrew was going to be either really crabby or sound asleep. But, to my surprise he pleasantly appeared, all dressed up in his tie in front of Magistrate Diana Stevenson of Summit County Probate Court. She verified our name spellings and date of births, then turned to Sydney to speak on behalf of our family. AHHHH! I had a feeling that was going to happen. She asked if Sydney liked being a big sister, did she she help mommy & daddy take care of him and if she wanted him to stay with us forever. Thank goodness she answered yes to all of the questions! Cuz, on the car ride there she told me she didn't want Andrew anymore because he hits. :) The magistrate then let us come behind the bench and Sydney got to stamp the offical court seal on Andrew's adoption papers. HOORAY!!! Andrew gave the magistrate five and blew her a kiss and we were done.

I saw this quiz online and found it very interesting. Its a portion of the US Citizen test. Andrew was too young to take it but I'm glad I didnt have to, because I failed. If your interested in trying your luck, here is the link.....

http://reference.aol.com/quizzes/citizenship

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

School Concert


Tonight was the Rivertree Preschool Christmas Concert. After last year's performance we wernt sure what we were going to see. I guess anything would be better than standing on stage with her hands down her pants again.

This year she marched out on the stage and to our delight she actually sang. And for icing on the cake, she did all the arm motions too! But, all good things must come to an end. At the end of the second song the girl in front of her had to go to the bathroom. Of course, when one goes they all have to go. Sydney and 6 other girls headed off to the bathroom for the remainder of the show.