Where did October go?

I can't believe we are staring down Thanksgiving's door, October just flew by! Life was pretty busy here this past month with lots of activities and excitement.

Maks' birthday party was alot of fun and a big success, thanks to all those who donated to Adoption Options, Inc and the Kyrgzystan van fund, it was greatly appreciated!!!

Alek still talks about our trip to Baltimore and the aquarium, he loves reading the books we bought there. Maks loves his new puzzle of fish.

We also had Maks' one year post placement report! I cannot believe it has been almost a year home. Seems so long ago, yet it wasn't.

Alek had his first school field trip to Freddy Hill Farms, and I went with him, it was so cute. It was fun watching him in action with his classmates and his friends. he loves his two little girlfriends "M" and "I". Apparently he has decided he is marrying them as well as Keeley. We asked him if he was planning on buying property in Utah as well!

MK and Mike came into town with the kids and we had a great visit. It was so wonderful to see them and we can't believe how big Erin and Kevin are getting! It was so fun to meet Kelly's fiance and see Mikey (can't help it, still call him that), though it made me feel really old.

The benefit/reunion party was a great time and a great success, hopefully this will help go to their furniture fund. I can't imagine the stress they have been going through after the flood and trying to re-build. Hopefully they will be back on their feet soon!

During their visit though, I think I gained 10 pounds, that cheesesteak and pizza diet just does not cut it!

We spent a morning at Merrymead Farms doing the hayrides and mazes and picking out pumpkins. It was a lot of fun. Then it was time to say good bye. We miss them already and secretly hope they move back this way soon!!

After they left, I headed back over to Merrymead with the boys and Cynthia and the girls. Tradition for our kids to get pics together at the pumpkin patch, not so easy anymore trying to herd 4 active children and get them to look at the camera. Needless to say, they were not the greatest pictures. But we had fun. The Bickersons were having fun together and no arguing, it was nice. Ryan was making the moves on Maks, I think she digs him!

This week, our house seemed empty, we miss the commotion and activity!! Kevin has been working hard getting the bathroom/vanity area ready for the contractors to come on Monday. I can't wait to have that done, 4 years in the making!!

Maks finally had his speech evaluation. As suspected he is doing great on his receptive skills (tests at 26 months) but his expressive skills are delayed (tests at 15months).

So we scheduled early intervention through the county, as our private insurance only pays for a limited amount of visits (gotta love that), so CHOP said to use them as a resource and for evaluations but to start the therapy with EI. Hopefully it won't take long to get him chattering up a storm!

Next up was Halloween. Maks was the Hamburgler and Alek was the police officer. He loved arresting Maks. They had their party at school in the morning and got to do some trick or treating there. They also bobbed for apples and apparently Maks was the only one in his group to put his face in and he got an apple! What that boy won't do for food. Alek got one too and decided to eat the whole thing, they stopped him half way thru the core!

So, then I had to pick Maks up for his 2 yr old well visit (and shots), yes I know, horrible to do that to him on Halloween. So mom of the year I am not. He did great though, He is now 29 pounds and 34.5 inches, so 50% all around. He got 3 shots, flu/pneumonia and catch up one. So he is officially caught up on his vaccinations. I am glad we decided to spread it all out over his first year home.

After the visit, it was back to school for the parade. That was so cute, the kids looked great. I loved seeing all the different costumes.

Then it was back home to get ready for trick or treating. We handed out candy for a little bit and then set out in the wagon. Once Maks learned the deal he was all business. He would waddle up to the door, get his candy and head right back to the wagon as if to say, come on people, on to the next house! Alek had to chat with everyone and tell them Maks steals food so he would arrest him. They had a great time. Though it was really hard keeping them out of the candy once home.

It was a great month. So on to November and more celebrating. We have Maks' first adoption day celebration coming up and we are also having Thanksgiving at our house. Last year, Thanksgiving was spent in the Marriott Tverskaya restaurant, so it will be wonderful to have our family all together this year!