School's Out!

Summer vacation officially starts today.  Evi is not so sure about it.  She was very sad to have her last day Friday.  But the activities she has planned for the roughly two months of summer are spread out just enough to give her things to look forward to without having to wait too long for them to start. 
Here she is with her "very first trophy," in her words.  She worked very hard to get it, and I'm really proud of her for setting a goal and sticking with it till she reached her goal and even went above and beyond.  Good job, Ev!  She did this all at school, so there was no coaching from Nelu and me--it was all her.  I don't know how many books she had to read or how many tests she had to take to get the 119.6 points for the AR trophy--I imagine a lot, as she worked on this all year.  This is her shining moment, so I've got to brag on her a little!

In other news, we're just getting adjusted to our summer schedule at home.  Getting used to all of us being in the house at the same time.  Already a fort/secret hideout has been built with all the kitchen chairs and kids' blankets.  The boys have made "cookies" in the newly-replenished sandbox.  The swingset has gotten some good use before the hot sun makes it impossible to be out.  And Little One has gotten a good morning nap in even with all the extra noise.  Things are pretty good today.

My Birthday Boy and Growing Baby Girl

He's now three years old.  I think he had a really good birthday surrounded by friends and family and lots of love.  We sure did miss those of you who weren't here, though!

A typical Daniel face

Daniel, his best Tati and his birthday cake that Mommy made from scratch (you can tell)

A picture collage for his new room once it's done



Grandpa and Green Lantern



And my littlest one turned nine monts old this week.  Sweet pea got her first tooth, too!



Another Milestone Reached

Samuel graduated from preschool last week.  He had a good year of learning, growing, and really enjoying the school environment.  I was not so sure that would happen when I first sent him off last fall.  (I know that's terrible to say.)  I had written on his information sheet for his teacher that I thought he might fight with the other boys in his class.  But my fears were never came true, and I am so happy for that.  I now have a little boy who says he can't wait for kindergarten, and I think he's a lot more ready for the next step than I had anticipated.  Now we just have to wait through a whole summer...

All the things he received that night

What he was doing when he should've been singing

I didn't say he had it all down pat...

After graduation and a DQ treat

Mother's Day 2011

Not the greatest picture, but one that we try to do every year for Mother's Day.  Although somebody was not too thrilled about taking it this time around.  Me and my babies--we don't often all sit down together like this, but I love it when we do (of course, without all the fighting and fussing and whining, etc.).  I love these precious ones and am so thankful to be their mother!

The Big Kitchen Reveal and More

The kitchen and much of the house are at least close to being finished with renovations.  I think we have all of the major things completed.  It's mainly a lot of little things that are left to do.  We saved quite a bit of money staying in our duplex and converting it into a single-family home rather than buying a whole new house.  (The process of coming to that decision was a long one, but we think the outcome was worth the wait.)  And we saved quite a bit because Nelu (with the help of Dad and Zach) did almost all of the work.  We started the renovations last September, and in a matter of seven months, here we are!  We went from squeezing into a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom duplex to being amazed and a little overwhelmed at the doubled space--just the right size for our family.

Like I said, there is more to do.  For instance, turning the old kitchen into a laundry room, finishing the painting, and taking care of many small details.  But we feel great with how far we've come!  We've lived in this place off and on since 2002 when Nelu and I first moved here from Romania.  And we've come to feel truly at home in this neighborhood and this house.  We're thankful that we have the option of staying put at this point in our lives.

The old kitchen--back in 2007



And the new kitchen (original cabinets--just brightened up a bit)



It became an eat-in kitchen.  We love not having to worry about spilling on the carpet anymore!



The opened-up living area (where we knocked down the wall between the two sides of the duplex).  Still needs painted, but we're getting there...



Nadia exploring in the new kitchen



View of the new window (where a sliding glass door used to be) and the new back door

Evi in the room she'll eventually share with Nadia--she got to pick out the color



Eight Months!

My little one is eight months old now!  Hard to believe the first year is almost through.  It really makes me sad.  I've really been enjoying these moments with Nadia in her first year.

Micuta mea fetita face opt luni azi. Nu-mi vine sa cred ca primul ei an trece asa de repede si aproape s-a terminat. Ma intristeaza faptul acesta, si ma face sa fiu mai constienta de momentele pe care le petrec cu ea si sa ma bucur de ele.

Our New Addition

A view of the swingset Nelu put together this weekend--the kids are thoroughly enjoying it and the weather
Nelu a facut locul asta de joaca in curte la noi--copiii se bucura tare de asta si de vremea frumoasa la noi



Evi and Daniel on the swingset



Walking the plank
Pirati



Sweet Pea before church this morning
(Disregard the mess in the background--that's how it is as we're rushing out the door, only to be picked up once we return.)

Inainte de biserica