These days..

We're enjoying our new home, our neighborhood and nice weather. Our days are filled with trips to the library, to the park where Aaron hangs out with his girlfriends (two Anyas), playing in the sandbox in the backyard, among other things. Aaron made friends with our neighor girls, Nikki (2 y.o) and her sister Missy (6 y.o.) He especially likes Missy, who likes taking care of younger children. They're two very sweet girls and I am happy they're our neighbors. Aaron gets very excited when he's allowed to play in their backyard with lots of tots equipment there. Their mother, Alex, is a very nice lady.
I am trying my best to spend more time with Aaron these days, or do something special with him or for him. I am more atuned to that now that I realized that sibling rivalry and jealousy is partially to blame for his bad behavior. It helps. But there is still only so much I can do as a mother of two.
Cliff has been busy around the house, painting and fixing it up. I planted some herbs and flowers.
We visited Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn and liked it. We attended their welcoming new visitors lunch and got to learn more about the church, so we're most likely to stay there. Their Sunday school will make grade switch in June and we're considering to starting Aaron there then.

Brother and Sister

I snapped these pictures the other day when Aaron got a new book at the library and that was the book of the day.
The pictures depict so well how Kira feels about Aaron. She's smitten by him. He makes her smile and laugh and wiggle her legs and arms when she sees him. Aaron, on the other hand, is a mystery wrapped in a riddle for me. Sometimes he's so good with her and other times I don't recognize him. We're pretty sure it's that sibling adjustment that's hitting him right now, 5 months later, when all the grandparents are gone, Cliff is at work, and it's just me dividing my time and attention between the two of them. Hopefully, our patience and love will steer him in the right direction.
Today at the library Aaron picked some robot books. He seems to be getting interested in robots and spaceships right now. In September Aaron will be starting a pre-school. Two days a week, two hours a day. The pre-school is right around the corner. I hoping he does well there. As of now he says he wants to go to school....but only with mama.

My Mother's Day Present

Cliff and Aaron bought me flowers. I was preparing to put the flowers in the vase and Aaron was sitting at the counter watching me. Then he goes: "I gave mama the flowers because she's the best girl in the world and because I love her very much". Cliff overheard it and said that it was completely impromptu.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers!

What a wonderful way to celebrate motherhood! Happy Mother's day to every woman who poured her life into others. It's the hardest labor on earth, and may our Lord reward you for all your sacrifices, sleepless nights, love and care.

Мамулечка, с Днем Матери тебя! Спасибо за твою жертвенность, любовь и заботу. Пусть Господь воздаст тебе сполна за твой труд!

Thomas Carter Tresize

Some of the pictures of the little guy and his family are in The Tresizes album.

The Move

So it's been almost a week since we moved to our home. And unpacking is still under way. We love our new house and our neighborhood. For me, it turned out better than I expected. The house seems to be in a better shape when it's vacant and cleaned.We're in the process of cleaning the carpet before we can replace it. And our new carpet cleaner is doing a good job. Our breakfast/dining area has a big window (you can see it from the front of the house). The neighborhood is beautiful and very friendly. The day we moved we met all our close neighbors (I only met one neighbor in a little over a year when we lived in Gaitherburg). Everyone was coming over to greet us and welcome us to the neighborhood. LOTS of kids. Probably every other house on the block has either a pre-schooler or a kindergartener. Just couple houses down the road is a long trail that takes you through a field and woods. 5 minute walk on the trail and you're in the woods on a huge shaded playground. Ashburn Park.

Our computer is dying a slow death and I can't import any more pictures:(

New Pictures

in the past month Kira:

-learned to sit

-got her first tooth

-got sick with fever for the 1st time

-weighs 15 lb

I haven't come around to write about our move and the kids yet. Some day...maybe...:) But for now, some new pictures in the New House album.