The Big 5!!

October 12, 2010

Happy 5th Birthday Maks!

We are so lucky that we have been able to share every birthday with you. It meant the world to us to be able to meet you on your 1st birthday.

You amaze us at how far you have come. Such a long way from the sad and sick little guy we met in Murmansk.

You are funny, witty, inquisitive, stubborn, willfull, happy, smart little man.

You have brought us such joy these 4 short years you have been home.

We look forward to celebrating all your birthdays, your achievements and milestones.
Though it is hard to admit our baby is now 5, it has been a blast to watch you grow. I love watching your excitement over new adventures and activities. You make us laugh and leave us shaking our heads at some of your antics.

You are truly one of a kind and you march to the beat of your own drum.

You are special and you are loved so much!

Happy birthday Makadoo!

We love you!!

9 days

Its October and that means Maks has a birthday, a birthday he has been talking about since May. Turning 5 is very important to Maks, he believes he will be closer to his brother's age 9(which of course is true). Something about 5, that bridge between preschool and school age. Its a very special age.

Since October is so hectic for us this year, we held his celebrations a little early. Friday night we met his and Alek's buddies from LL at Merrymead for the Lighting of the Great Pumpkin. This has become an annual adventure for us. The kids love it, and thankfully the rain went away by the night this year. I touted this as part of his birthday party, so we sprung for the hayrides and the cornstalk maze. The boys were so excited to be together since Alek and X had moved on from LL to the big schools. This was the first time they had all been together since the summer. 4 very excited and hyper boys--thank God we were outside. It was a perfect fall night. The kids had a blast dancing to the music of Steve Pullara, eating popcorn and my favorite-cider donuts. They are the best!! They settled down to listen to the Great Pumpkin story and watch and cheer as each sized pumpkin was rolled out with the finally the Giant pumpkin (name Merry) rolled in lighted. The kids had a great time and it was a great way to kick off the weekend for Maks.

Saturday morning started early for me as I got up to go run in my first 5k. My only goals, run the whole thing and not come in last. I achieved both of those. I was 71st out of 74! Not too bad for a girl who only use to run if chased!

After that I headed off to Alek's baseball game and then took Maks shopping for some party supplies. Kevin was working on the finishing lighting touches for our new "pavilion" area on our patio. We had a contractor working to cover part of our patio for the past month. It turned out great, we are so pleased. Seth did a great job and we highly recommend him. It is so nice having that covered space and will make a huge difference next summer to provide some shade. if you go to Seth's website you can see on the home page at the bottom, recently completed projects. Ours is right in the middle. We love it!

Sunday brought family and friends over to celebrate Makaroo! We explained how he wouldn't be five for 9 more days, so he kept telling everyone it was 9 more days til he was 5. It was very cute!

He was pumped, loves a day that is all about him! I made his favorite shrimp appetizer. He bellied up to the table and shoveld quite a few in. Kevin made some yummy ribs and we enjoyed cooking out. Maks had a blast playing with Keke, Ry, Makenzie, Little Man, Jakey, and Aldo. Thankfully the weather held out so they played out back most of the time. We were excited for the Eagles game as it was the retun of McNabb, but the game was a dud and not very exciting.

It was great to hang out with everyone. Maks chose an Incredible Hulk cake this year. He loved all the presents he received, lots of matchbox cars and tracks, legos, a cool Nerf gun (which I have been shot with several times), Transformers (um, I wish T could just stay here and help me get these back together), so many perfect boy type toys and a DS (so now, no fights over Alek's DS). Thanks so everyone for making Maks' day extra special, thanks as well for the generous gifts--he loved having everyone over for his party as did we.

So, Maks it is now 6 more days til you are 5..the countdown continues....

Sweetness

They can be sweet little angels sometimes.

My rough and tumble little men sure can surprise me.

I came out of the shower and heard some quiet talking.

I peeked into my room and saw them snuggling under my covers, face to face.

Maks was telling Alek all about his dream of dinosaurs that were eating bears and then they came and chased it.

Alek told him it was ok, dont be afraid, it was only a dream.

It was so cute and made me a little teary-eyed. They are truly brothers.

I am glad I caught them in that moment.

5 minutes later I heard them wrestling on my bed. Then I heard Alek yell, "Mom, Maks just farted in my face!"

So much for the sweetness.....

Happy, hectic September!

We are full force into the school year. We had one last hurrah visit with friends in NJ. Had a blast in their pool and drove over to the boardwalk for some fun on the rides.

School is on! So far so good. Alek loves his 1st grade teacher. He is excited to go every morning. He loves his group at before school care and all the fun activites they do. He loves having breakfast there (it is provided as part of the care). He loves to fill me in on which cereal he ate, or the new things he has tried. He is back to liking eggs--who knew?! He was definitely bummed that his friends from last year werent in his class but he is happy making new ones. His teacher is perfect for him, she has 2 very active boys herself and is into sports and outdoor activites. We are very happy. His reading has taken off, it is amazing listening to him read us books. I love it!The other big thing he loves this year is eating lunch at the cafeteria. He loves deciding whether to pack lunch or buy. He comes home each day and tells us what he bought, the new foods he tried and he loves getting high fives when he chooses green beans and extra veggies. SO funny!!

So the only thing he is struggling with now is tying his shoes. He gets frustrated easily. I just ordered a fun book with laces for him, so hopefully that will kickstart him. I know I have totally slacked on this front, but all those slip on sneaks, crocs and velcro truly make life easy, but that has come back to bite me!

Maks is totally into his kindergarten, year 1. We are getting great reports from his classroom. His teacher has said he is very focused and really seems to love each new activity. He does get frustrated with writing but he keeps trying. The thing they are working on is not having him be such a perfectionist (which is very similar to Alek). Maks will throw out a piece of paper even if he makes one tiny mistake.

He really is into coloring now which is great and is getting alot better at keeping it in the lines. he loves music class and is now asking for piano lessons at the day care. I am thinking about it. When I did it with Alek, him and Maks proceeded to pull off all the keys from the keyboard I bought, so not sure if I am ready to invest in another keyboard!

His favorite special remains fit kids day, he is stoked every friday to put on his running shorts and sneakers.

It has been really good for the boys to be seperate now, they truly enjoy seeing each other after school and the fighting has decreased alot!

Sports for the fall, well Alek is full into fall baseball. he loves it! This season is coach pitch and it is 6-8 yr olds. Some of the kids seem huge compared to Alek. He feels so tiny to me at these games. he is doing great though. He got to catch last game, he was so psyched! He looked so darn cute in all the gear.

We took a little break from hockey lessons while we got rolling with school, so we will get back into it next session. In the meantime, he loves his baseball, he is more into watching the Phillies on TV, he asks a ton of questions during the game and really is getting it now. Which we know daddy loves!! Not to mention our Phils are on a roll!!

Maks is totally into his tennis class--he loves it! I wish I had some pics of it, but we have to watch from upstairs through glass and his court is like 4 down. First class was a trip. I reminded him before class to listen to the teacher, not be a know it all (he loves to interrupt you and tell you how he is going to do something, or that he knows or he can do it himself). I told him no goofiness. Ok mom, were his last words.

10 minutes later he has the ball bucket over his head walking around. This was followed up by an orange cone on his head. Pretty soon several other kids were doing the same. God bless that instructor. Kevin and I were cracking up. This kid is a trip, totally marches to the beat of his own drum.

This week he did so much better. Really stayed focused. No buckets on the head. Hit the ball alot. The teacher said he did great. he loves tennis!!

In other big Maky news, his hair is cut, chopped--serious hair cut. Daddy has been wanting it short, threatens a buzz cut. Maks wanted to be able to spike his hair like Alek. Me, well I just love his curls and his irish/russian fro!

Wow, can you believe the difference? he is quite the little man now. It is amazing how much one hair cut can change their faces.

Next up, Maks' birthday, he changes his request for "theme" each week. Currently it is spiderman, last week it was GI Joe (which is the front runner for Halloween costume). Just doing party at home. Next Friday is the Lighting of the Great Pumpkin at Merrymead, so we are going with some buddies and will count that as his "friends" party.

I got to escape for one night/one day with Rachel. We ran up to NYC thanks to some great deals and Amex points! We saw two shows: The Adams Family with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth and then In the Heights with Jordin Sparks.

Both shows were amazing in their own ways. I highly recommend them both. We had a great dinner, fun shopping and people watching. It was a great escape. Kevin and the boys had a great time as well.

The Breast Cancer 3 Day is creeping up, only a few weeks left. The Rack Pack is over 22k right now! Looking forward to this amazing journey.

We are looking forward alot more fun fall activies, corn stalk maze, hayrides, running my first 5k, mountains and Penn State game for Kevin and then headed down to NC to visit Krissy and see a football game--October is jammed packed--can't wait!

Raffle--Support The Rack Pack!

As many people know, I am participating in the Breast Cancer 3 Day again this year.

Last year was an amazing experience despite the rainy Nor'easter that condensed the walk to one day. Our team The Rack Pack still managed to walk over 40 miles last year and raised over $25,000!

With one month to go we are at the $20,000 mark.

This is my final fundraiser for the walk.

I am raffling off the following Silpada pieces (thanks Andrea!)

There are 2 raffles. One for the bracelet and one for the necklace/earring combo.

The necklace and earrings are sterling silver with Pink Pearl and Rose Quartz Necklace. 16” long with a Lobster Clasp.

Retails for a total of $56.00

The bracelet is sterling silver featuring the words, Hope, Joy, and Dream. It fits up to a 7 1/4 wrist and has a lobster clasp.

It retails for $89.00

Raffles are $1 or 6 for $5.

Drawing will be held September 30th.

Cash, check or paypal.

Feel free to email me for details!

Please also check out www.the3day.org to learn more about this amazing event!

Thanks for all your support!

Bye beach and back to school

Well, summer for the most part has come to a close. We said farewell to summer at the beach. Alek and Maks were very excited their cousins, Joe and Reilly were coming down.
We knew it had the potential for chaos but it would be fun. Saturday, post Earl, was beautiful. Would never know a hurricane skirted past the coast. The sun was shining all day. We enjoyed sitting in the sand and watching the kids play. Of course there was alot of reprimanding, 3 boys will do that. But the kids got along well, it was just a matter of keeping them out of trouble.
We closed out the day with another campfire on the beach. It was a chilly night, so it was nice to sit there with a sweatshirt on and cozy up to the fire.

Sunday brought some outlet shopping for me and then more sun and sand. It was gorgeous and the kids were enjoying the water. Sadly our fun was cut short when Reilly was hit with a flying shell or stone, not sure which. A small cut above the eye warranted an ER trip and some glue to close it up. She was a serious trooper and was rewarded with some yummy gelato from Grotto and a balloon. The boys all learned a serious lesson of what can happen when you mess around and dont listen! Thankfully Reilly was no worse for the wear and I am sure there wont be much of a scar!
The cousins headed home sunday night and we stayed for one more night. It was hard on Monday to take that last walk on the beach knowing summer was quickly leaving us. I am sure I will be back down this month, but its still not the same. Just love a summer day at the beach!
We headed back home and got organized and ready for the first day of school! The boys were excited for their new adventures and new backpacks!

The next morning, they posed for their obligatory front yard photos and we were off. We took Maks to LL for his first day in Miss B's kindergarten class (his 1st of 2 yrs). His only concern was making sure he didn't have to nap in her class! Alek and I wished Maks good luck and headed to his school. He was going to before school care as his bus comes too late for me to get to work by 9. We walked into the cafeteria and the teachers were all making a big fuss and a big welcome. I could tell he was a little nervous and then his friend K came running over and gave him a big hug. I knew he was relieved to see her and ran off right away. The woman who coordinates the morning session happened to be the woman we bought our house from, so that was nice. She was so sweet. Alek settled right in.
I drove off, tears in my eyes, my baby is in 1st grade, where did the time go?
The boys both reported great days. They love their teachers and enjoyed their days. Maks was very happy to go to recess instead of nap time and Alek loved the big playground at school.
It was great to know they are happy during the day. They love school and get excited over each new adventure.
I was cracking up Friday morning as I dropped Alek off. We walked by his classroom and were looking at the picture they all drew over what they did this summer. I was looking for Alek expecting to see a beach picture or amusement park or zoo. Instead it was a treehouse/swingset picture which stated I love playing in my cousin Jakeys treehouse. He was there twice this summer. I cracked up. Like I said before Jakey is a rockstar in Alek's eyes.

So we are now in full force fall mode. Alek is playing baseball and will start spanish club one morning a week before school. He will restart hockey lessons as well.
Maks starts tennis lessons next week and is very stoked for this experience.
I have already begun to hear what birthday theme Maks wants (changes daily) and what Halloween costumes they would like. I am sure I will blink and it will be October.

Waaaaaaaaa

Summers coming to an end!!!
That is me crying, not the kids. I love my summers. I love the warmth (not the excessive heat), but the sunshine on my skin, sitting by the pool watching the kids play, my toes digging the sand while the waves roll in. I love watching the boys run all over the beach, searching for treasures, I love watching them play in the water, even when it turns into a battle and I love watching their faces when daddy throws them high in the air over the water.I love the cooler evenings and watching them look for fireflies, I love reading my book while they splash around in the hot tub-though that is usually short lived as a fight breaks out to ruin it all!
I just love that laid back feeling that comes with summer, I love that this summer there was an adventure almost every weekend. We lived life to the fullest this summer which is exactly what I wanted.
I feel so many times that this is all just going to fast and slipping away from me. Alek and Maks are looking more like older boys and less like my little babies. I just want to soak it all in and store it away for future memory when they are teenagers and I will be counting the days til they leave for college!

We continued our summer fun with another trip to Knoebels with Alek's friend X and his family. We had a great time. It was much more crowded this time there, but the kids enjoyed all the rides. Maks was still permanently scarred from the rollercoaster ride during our last trip, so he avoided any fast rides. After the park we found our hotel and checked in. We had a great dinner at a place called Quaker Steak and Lube--I know, crazy name. But the food was yummy, total car racing atmosphere and the kids food came out in baskets shaped like race cars. We headed back to the hotel, were the kids decided to attack kevin and a wrestling match ensued. Eventually we got some good sleep. We woke up to crazy rain the next morning. We all headed to Cracker Barrel for a yummy breakfast and then began the jouney home. The kids had a blast together and we enjoyed hanging with X's parents. It was a lot of fun.


Alek had a doctor's appt for school physical. He is now 48.3 inches and 48 pounds--finally some weight gain for him! He is now missing 4 teeth across the top part of his mouth, so he truly looks like a 1st grader. The tooth fairy was busy at our house this summer. Maks keeps wiggling his teeth, hoping something will happen. He just wants to be like his big brother.
Maks restarted speech after their summer break. Thank goodness, all the progress that was made on his volume went out the window recently. You need ear plugs to talk to this child sometimes!

Last weekend we enjoyed a pool party at X's family's place. The kids had a blast and so did the moms. We made a big whirlpool for thekids, it was great exercise. After that X came home with us for a first sleepover. The boys all did great, they even included Maks for the most part. There were a few battles, but less then anticipated.
They played in the hot tub, played with rescue hero's, played with dinosaurs, played Wii, decorated cookies with me, played DS, got in their jammies and watched a movie. Bedtime went well, I think they were so exhausted from all the swimming, I only heard giggling in Alek's room for about 15 min before they all passed out. I know they are plotting the next sleepover!

So as summer winds down this week, we get ready to head back to school. Alek decided on an Iron man back pack and lunch box. Maks went for the Cars backpack and a football lunch box. I take them each separately to shop, just some special alone time with mom. As we are walking through Kohl's, Maks calls out to me, I turn around and there he is holding a bra. He says, "look mom, boobie thingy's". Needless to say it was crowded so lots of people turned and looked for the that comment. I hussled us out of there. God love em!

Friday brings Alek's last day at LL. He has been there since he was 15 months old. It is the end of an era. All of his buddies will be saying good bye as they head off to 1st grade. I am filled with lots of emotions over this. So excited to see him headed off into this new adventure, but sad over the loss of that time of his childhood. He loved LL, especially Miss S, Miss B and Miss (squish you like a bug) J.

Maks will be starting in the kindergarten class, we are referring to this as kindergarten Year 1. It will be interesting and fun to see how he does. he is very excited for school and learning. He is doing so well with his letter recognition and number recognition. He is always pointing out numbers where ever we are.

So, we will be heading down to Pop and Noni's beach house to say good bye to summer. Hurricane Earl will be moving out so we can have a great weekend. The boys are excited to hang with their cousins, J and R, and play on the beach.

It will be fun to have one more campfire on the beach and toast this amazing summer.

Are there monkeys above the artic circle?

Well there were, but now they reside in PA and NY! Two little monkeys from the same baby home in Murmansk, finally meet and their similarities are crazy!
Maks finally met A, of Slink's Thinks fame. We always thought they had alot in common, but it was even more obvious in person.

A and her mom traveled down from NY, so it seemed like the perfect time for a playdate. L and her two gorgeous kiddos, (G-from Ekat and T-from Kirov--where Alek started his life) were able to come play as well. We had all known each other from blogging, email, adoption boards, etc.. so it was great to finally meet in person and have the kiddos all meet.

I picked S and A up at the train station and well, lets just say that was one insane car ride, A sandwiched between Alek and Maks, it was hysterical. They were playing around like they knew each other forever--it was NOISEY!!

We went to a park in Phoenixville and met L and her crew there. The kids played great together, it was alot of fun to watch. Alek was not himself, though, not as energetic as normal, he seems to be fighting something off? But none the less, he played baseball with G, who is an absolute sports nut and athlete! Maks joined in a bit while A and T did the girlie thing playing with the dolls and strollers. Soon though A was climbing as high as Maks, hanging upside down, climbing up the outside of the slide--she is one adventurous little lady--she doesn't have the nickname Monkey for no reason! T is soo cute, with gorgeous blond hair, she is a total girlie girl, I love it--it is so different from my world.

It was great hanging with S and L, comparing notes, sharing experiences, just being with the actual people behind the words and pictures we have come to known throughout the past couple years.
It is really cool to know our kids came from the same country, half a world away and now live in the same area and can get together and play like they have always known each other. I can definitely say there was no real shyness going on with this group!

I was definitely most amazed with the similarities of Maks and A--I mean we always knew they seemed alot alike, but together you really see it. Both are devlish little monkeys--cut from the same cloth. It was wild!

It was a great day and one I hope repeats itself soon!!

This free slideshow design made with Smilebox

First time ever

we saw your face.
August 18, 2006

Then...


Now....
August 2010

6

6 Years ago we became a family. You have come a long way baby! It has been such a blast watching you grow. You are an amazing, smart, curious, adventurous, loving, funny, handsome little man. We are so proud to have you call us mom and dad. Happy Family Day Aleksandr, we love you!Court in Kirov
August 16, 2004
In Moscow
August 17, 2004

July 2010

Headed to 1st grade!

The funnies

I generally try to jot down the funny things the boys say. I just want to remember those little moments forever. Many of the comments come at a time when I need to be serious with them, it takes all of my being not to crack up.
They make my life so interesting!

Here are a few the latest:

Upon listening to Maks ramble on, non stop for 25 minutes in the car, Alek says, “I liked him better when he couldn’t talk”.

Upon telling Alek that “God only knows where your Bakugan’s are”, he says, well how can we ask God to tell us their location.

Me: Maks do not climb up the outside of the stairs”, Maks: “I be careful”, crash, bang, Maks: “I ok, I ok mom”.

Maks upon trying to pour his own syrup, “I do it myself, I wont spill”, all the syrup spills on the table, Maks: Sorry mom, I will lick it all up.

Upon telling Alek he did a great job following the directions for the Bendaroos. He says, yes, I am good at directions, that is all I need to follow directions, I just need direction mom.

Maks trying to convince a little boy who is black that he really is asian. The boy was not happy with him. Maks continuing to tell the little boy he can’t be Alek’s best friend because he is.

Telling Maks and Alek that they will be having a babysitter tonight, Maks says, when is the baby coming out of your belly? I ask him what he means, he says, the baby in your belly that Miss Jessie is coming to watch.

Maks at water park looking this little boy up and down, I am worried about what he is going to say. He says, what is that in your ear? The boys says it is an earring. Maks says, but you not a girl. The boy says, well boys can wear earrings too. Maks says, not they don’t and the boy says, well where I come from they do and Maks says, well where I live they don’t. Fascinating conversation.

Upon reprimanding Alek for smacking Maks, he explains, but mom, sometimes uuhhhh he just frustrates me so much, well, well, my hands they just think for themselves and I can’t control it.

Finding Maks climbing and hanging on furniture at beach house, Maks how many times have I told you you are not allowed to do that. Maks: 200 times mom.

I hear Alek yelling for Maks to come to the bathroom, Maky, maky, you have got to see this!! I follow close behind unsure of what I will find. Alek says to Maks, you wont believe the size of my poop it takes up the whole toilet, check it out! Maks says, wow Alek that’s cool, can I try? I removed them from the bathroom.

Upon finding Maks shoving a lego up his nose, he explains that Alek told him if he did it he would give him a matchbox car. I shudder to think of what other dares are to come.

Maks constantly asking me when he is a teenager can he have a motorcycle.

Alek informing me he wants to marry me and Keke, and Annabelle and Isabelle and Hannah and we will all live together here in this house forever and he adds it will be nice that I will be there to read books to them at night. I love the innocence of childhood!

Maks telling me that when he is a teenager he is getting a motorcycle and a monster truck and will give me a ride. I wonder if this is just a glimpse into teenage life with Maks. God I hope not!


They are so fascinating to me, never a dull moment for sure!

Warp speed

I think somedays, more then others it hits me how fast childhood goes.

It’s the little things, like Maks going to the bathroom and not really needing or wanting help from me anymore. I mean I was excited to get him out of pull-ups and now I realize I wont ever be buying pull-ups again.

Alek reading to me and using bigger words in his vocabulary then I do, or when I go to explain something in a book, he says with exasperation, mom I knowwww..
Things like watching them cut up their own food, dress themselves, including little buttons (I was at least still good for that..)

I can't help but wonder how soon will it be, that Alek will be embarassed if I try to hug or kiss him in front of his friends. When will they stop waving and signing "I love you" at the window at school. When will they stop running excitedly to see me everyday?

Watching them this past weekend at the beach with my friends and their kiddos, I think just hit me on how big they are and how quickly that happened. I was looking at my friend Jen's daughter, J, who is now 15, in full fledged teenage mode and yet I still look at her like she was as this cute little toddler. I was there for her birth, we still laugh about that story, I watched her grow and now she is a teenager?!
It is hard not to think before I know it the boys will be 15.

I know our family is complete, but somedays it is hard to let go of the fact I wont be mom to a new baby or toddler. Kevin wants me to pack up the crib that remains in Maks' room and sell it. I can't bring myself to do it yet. I keep saying it is for when Makenzie is over, but it is just an excuse. I can't let go.

This all makes me think of a quote from Jodi Piccoult's book, My Sister's Keeper.
Brian, the father, says,
"They outgrow us so much faster than we outgrow them".

In a few short weeks Alek will start 1st grade and Maks will start private kindergarten.
6 years ago this week we were in Russia becoming a family.
4 years ago this week we saw Maks face for the first time in an email.

I remember as a kid wanting to speed everything up, you can't wait for this, you want X to get here quickly, you want to be older….my kids are like this now….they want everything in fast forward or hyperspeed.

I am just trying to figure out how to hit the pause button for a little while.

Going Private

I will be making this blog private within the week.
Please email me at Kevkrishark@aol.com if you would like an invite to read.
Friends and family you will automatically get an email invite, so no need to write me.

Thanks!!