Wii or we

While doing flash card sight words with Carson, the word "we" came up. He was quite convincing that "we" was spelled incorrectly. After much discussion, I realized he was talking about the game Wii... Hopefully, after a thorough explanation I won't be getting a call from his teacher next year hearing about him arguing his point with her again on the subject...

Exploring countries

Ever since we found out we were expecting, I have had it in mind to do themed days where we learn about a different country and plan a big meal with foods from the country.

This week, we finally did it! Granted, not nearly as detailed as I envisioned it, but baby steps are better than no steps. We got on Google Maps and looked where China and Italy were and at some pictures of buildings and people from each country.

We did China yesterday, with egg rolls, sweet 'n sour chicken and green tea. Carson loved helping roll the egg rolls (all 20 of them)! The boys set the table and made it a special night.

Tonight we toured Italy. Salad, fettuccine Alfredo and sugar snap peas (not really Italian, I know, but good nonetheless).
Cooper did great helping make the pasta!

We tried to snap some photos, unfortunately, I only got one Italy night photo before my phone died:(

Our Matching Grant Blessing!!!

The organization that approved us for a $5,000 matching grant (Lifesong) let us know that they will continue to match any donations that come in, even after the deadline date (originally 11/28) until we make it up to $5,000!!!!!

That is quite a relief!!!  I had so many people contact me regarding being busy but still wanted to contribute and got in touch with Lifesong and they are sooooo accomodating!!  They said it was no problem at all to extend the deadline.

For anyone that did not get our original letter (we did have some address mishaps), I have included the letter below.

ALSO, if you would prefer contributing online, Lifesong has a paypal account that can be used.  This is the link to their donation page:  http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate/  

As you scroll down you will see the option to donate online.  

Account #:  3127

Family Name:  Poore

Click here for our Lifesong Donation Letter

Click here for our Lifesong Endorsement Letter

One proud moment.....sort of

Sitting at breakfast today we were talking about how we could help others this year. Carson informed me that when he got older he was going to save half his money and buy blankets and food for people that need it......it made me think we may be doing something right......then came Cooper's idea.....still a lot of work to do....

Cast Off Party!!!

Well, we made it through our first cast!! I am actually quite impressed that we went 4 1/2 years without one! I don't know how many times I have envisioned one of the boys falling while we were at the park together and trying to figure out how I would get both of them in the car and to an emergency room on my own.

However, as far as breaks go, this was quite easy. There were 5 adults around when it happened, Carson wasn't in much pain and there were no bones sticking out (a complete fear of my own).

Carson wore a glow-in-the-dark cast for 4 weeks that could get wet and wasn't very troublesome for him. He was finally able to get it off on Tuesday and in true Carson form, was no big deal at all.

We celebrated with Gaga Margaret that night with a Cast Off party of pizza and frozen yogurt (Carson's picks)!

Let Fall begin!!

We officially started the Fall season by going to the apple orchard on Sunday. Unfortunately the orchard we go to every year was t letting people pick their own because of the bad crop they had, but we were able to find another orchard that worked out wonderfully!

Another small change this year was that we weren't allowed to eat the apples while picking them (because of Cooper's loose , but hopefully tightening, front teeth). That was quite challenging since the boys were used to getting all sticky eating the big apples. Thankfully Daddy brought a knife to cut the apples up for us to eat on.

We ended up getting 2 1/2 bushels of apples.....tons of applesauce and apple butter to be made!!!!

By the way, the pictures that look like the boys are taking a bite, is them acting......such good actors!!!

Cooper and Love

We invited Aunt Faith and the kids over to the pool last Thursday. Thankfully our pool is heated and it wasn't to cold. It was a good day. Isaac has finally acclimated to the water and Hope and the boys love finding new things to do in the water.

Anyway, as we were packing up and getting everything gathered I kept hearing Cooper call for Hopey: "Hopey, Hopey, Hopey!!". She finally stopped what she was doing and turned to him and he said:

"Goodbye Hopey, I love you"..... I turned quickly to make sure there was no kiss to follow (don't worry Uncle Brian, there wasn't). Faith and I couldn't believe what had just happened. Usually Cooper has to be prodded repeatedly to go say goodbye to someone! It really did catch us off guard.

That is the first time Cooper has told someone that isn't family that he loves them......pretty "major" to us.

Anyway, I just thought I should record that one.

By the way, here is a pic of Hopey for those of you that haven't met her.