August 2007 Life has been too hectic to update! August was a full full full month. First of all Max spent part of August grounded to his room---just on cue from last month. But like Nicholaus, he has turned it around as of the end of the month. This month, we also have an exciting announcement. We have 2 new kittens. They have been with us for about 2 weeks and are just as cute as can be. The boys want to hold them constantly and fortunately they seem to be well tempered kittens. Let's hope it stays that way. The last weekend in August, the boys played in a tournament in Asheville. We made a family trip of it. The team played incredible and came in 2nd place for their age division. We are really proud of how well they did. They are also practicing for their regular season that starts in September. In all of our spare time, the boys have been busy with homework, school projects, and trying to stay cool. I didn't take many photos this month, so I'll just leave you with photos of the new additions! |
June 2007 June has really flown by. Especially considering that the boys weren't home but for a week and a half. They have spent a week at the beach with Penney's folks and a week and half with Byron's folks at the mountains and at their house. To say they have been spoiled would be an understatement. They went parasailing with Granny at the Beach (who would have ever believed my Mom would go parasailing??) and visited Biltmore House with GranMom and GranDad. They have had a blast. The week they were at home was spent at camps. Nicholaus went to an art camp and had a good time. And Max went to a Sailing camp. He was as happy as I have ever seen him. He loved learning how to sail. I am sad to share that on June 20th, Puggie, Penney's cat of nearly 14 years died. It was very hard for all of us and we all still look for her on the back of the chair when we come in the door. Although she didn't like the boys (or anyone besides Penney for that matter), we do all miss her. The boys have one more week left before school starts back. We'll spend the weekend of July 4th in the mountains and then it's back to school! Our "summer" break has been short, but it has been full! Enjoy a few photos. |
Nicholaus and Max's Page January 2007 to Present |
Nicholaus and Max's Page January 2007 to Present |
January 2007 We got snow!!! Granted it barely covered the grass and was gone by lunch time, but we got snow!!! The boys had a great time enjoying it while it lasted. And of course you can't have snow without hot cocoa! This month Max played in a soccer tournament benefiting the American Cancer Society. And while the team lost every game, Max did a fantastic job in goal. He even made the newspaper for his fancy moves! And basketball season has begun. So far their team is undefeated. The boys are doing a great job and so far enjoy being on the same team. They really do make a great team and compliment each other's skills quite well. Nicholaus painted his room and put on his new quilt that he got for Christmas----that was what he wanted. How many 10 year olds ask to re-do their room for Christmas? He is thrilled with it and loved every minute of painting. The parents? We didn't enjoy the work but enjoyed the time we spent doing the project with him. Nicholaus also developed a strange reaction to apples this month. It has us all baffled and we are scheduling an appointment with an allergist as Nicholaus has eaten 2 apples a day for nearly 4 years. So 2007 is off to a busy and baffling, but wonderful start! Enjoy a few photos from this month! |
February 2007 This month, like January, brought us more snow! Like the last snow, it only lasted for a day, but the boys enjoyed it while it lasted. The boys continue to have an undefeated basketball season. There is only one more game to play. Their coaches have given them the nicknames of Saint Nick and Mad Max because Nicholaus always brings his "A game" and Max is always stealing the ball. Very very cute!! We have also decided that the boys will be playing in a challenge soccer league this Spring. It's a great opportunity that the boys are really excied about. And we are glad b/c they are now on the same team! We know they will love it. And of course Nicholaus is most excited about his upcoming birthday. In Lieu of birthday parties this year, the boys had the option of choosing either a weekend family vacation or a sleepover with friends. Nicholaus chose to go to the beach for 2 days and Max chose having a sleepover. So we are all excited about going to the beach for a few days. Until then, here are a few photos. The boys with the snow for snow cream, Max eating snow cream, and Nicholaus running on the court for a basketball game. |
March 2007 What a great month! First the boys finished off basketball season undefeated! They had wonderful coaches who really encouragd them, taught them to play as a team, further developed their skills all while teaching them biblical scripture and being good examples of Christian men. What a great season. We had a small family birthday party the first weekend. We had a great time and Nicholaus loved his home-made ice cream cake. Where do my kids come up with these cake ideas???? We then ventured to the beach in order to celebrate Nicholaus 11th birthday. I believe that child loves the beach almost as much as his mother! Although the water was a little chilly, this didn't stop them from playing in the sand and us getting some much loved reading and relaxation done. We were also able to visit the newly rennovated acquarium. And because it was during the school week and off-peak season, we virtually had the place to ourselves. This allowed the staff to really give us a hands on tour of the place. The boys loved learning about the sting-rays and the horse-crabs. It was a fun and educational adventure! And no trip to the beach would be complete without eating at our favorite restaurants! The boys have also begun their season in challenge soccer. They were asked to play the final 2 games of the indoor season their new team is playing in. They loved it. And we love the new team. It is a rigorous training schedule, but the boys love it. And so far they are undefeated--3 games won so far. Max is now facing the decision of what to do regarding the fall. Football or soccer? It's his decision. And those of you that know Max personally, know that Max is not known for his decision making ability. It isn't unusual for it to take him a few minutes to decide what to drink with dinner. But we have put this ball in his court. He has a timeline to make a decision and he knows we are here to help him with this if he needs it. But ultimately it is his decision. And Nicholaus plans to play challenge soccer again. For this I am thankful as I'm not sure my heart could take seeing both of my babies out there getting tackled! It has been a wonderful month. April promises to be busy with lots of soccer games, Pop's birthday, and Easter. But it will be great! Enjoy some photos from our month! |
Clockwise: (1)The birthday boy with Pops (who looks thrilled), Granny, & Angie. (2) Max warming up on the beach. (3) Chef Nicholaus. (4) And the boys being eaten by Byron the crab--who shaved his goatee!!!! |
April 2007 Spring is here. For now. We had a few days where it felt as if winter had returned. But indeed spring is here! And summer is fast approaching. The boys have had a great month. They both got EXCELLENT report cards from school. Nicholaus is learning long division and NC History. And Max is finishing up learning his multiplication facts and learning to write in cursive. They are both doing great in school! They've had a great month of soccer. They have so far only lost 2 games with only 1 more game to go. The coaches are great and the way their skills are improving is almost unbelievable! Pops (Penney's dad) also had a birthday this month and while we were there celebrating, a most unusual snow came. It's the latest I can ever remember getting snow. And of course Easter was great. We were even able to do some strawberry picking in late April. 6 pounds of strawberries....and they lasted all of 2 days. April 18 marks 4 years as a family. We celebrated with our usual ice cream cake and backwards dinner. Where has the time gone? Those little boys we brought home 4 years ago are now fastly becoming pre-teens who are nearly as tall as I am. And they are great kids!!! As I say every year, we are so blessed to have found the smartest, sweetest, funniest, cutest, and all around best kids in all of Ukraine. I'm sure you'll forgive us our slight bias...... enjoy a few photos from April. |
Clockwise from top: (1) We had fun coloring Easter eggs with Pops and Granny. (2) Max playing soccer--he's usually in goal, so this was an unusual shot and yes that ball had just bounced off his head!!! (3) Nicholaus going for the ball. (4) 4 Years as a family---and yes, all of us had our clothes on backwards for our BACKWARDS DINNER. Notice Nick's socks. |
May 2007 We started May off with Max's 10th birthday. My baby is 10!! How did that happen?? For his birthday, he chose to take his friend Eddie out to dinner with us and to see Spiderman 3. He wanted Eddie to spend the night, but that didn't work out. But he enjoyed having Eddie spend the evening with us. Also for his birthday, Max wanted a 48 hour mohawk. Then we buzzed it down. He loved it, although it wasn't a great mohawk as you can see from the photo below. But he enjoyed it nonetheless.The boys finished out their soccer season with 2 victories this month. They only lost 2 games the entire season. After much thinking, Max has also decided to return to their challenge soccer team in the fall. After such a great season, their soccer coaches organized a weekend of camping at a local lake. The boys and Byron went and had a blast! Nicholaus was so proud to announce when he returned home on Sunday that he had on the same shirt and underwear that he had been wearing since Friday. Ahhhhh the joy of boys...... Both of the boys took their End of Grade Tests and we are happy to say that they both did well. There are only 2 weeks of school left and then they have a 4 week break--which they are very excited about. This month, Nicholaus was awarded a Terrific Kid award from the Kiwannis Club in our town. He was presented it at a town council meeting and his picture was in the newspaper. We are very proud of him! As of the end of May, the pool in our neighborhood has opened. So we are there just about every evening. Both of them are doing so well with their swimming. The boys also found some catepillars which immediately formed cocoons when they put them in a jar. They were then able to watch them turn in to butterflies. They loved seeing science in action. We are looking forward to a fun June. The boys will be packing in a couple of trips to the grandparents and some camps before heading back to school in July. Enjoy a few photos from our month. |
Top Left: Max with GranMom and GranDad (Byron's folks). Top Right: Nicholaus with Bob, his butterfly. Above: Max and Byron playing air guitar while doing yardwork. Left: Nicholaus enjoying some fresh cantelope while laying on the railing of the deck. |
June 2007 June has really flown by. Especially considering that the boys weren't home but for a week and a half. They have spent a week at the beach with Penney's folks and a week and half with Byron's folks at the mountains and at their house. To say they have been spoiled would be an understatement. They went parasailing with Granny at the Beach (who would have ever believed my Mom would go parasailing??) and visited Biltmore House with GranMom and GranDad. They have had a blast. The week they were at home was spent at camps. Nicholaus went to an art camp and had a good time. And Max went to a Sailing camp. He was as happy as I have ever seen him. He loved learning how to sail. I am sad to share that on June 20th, Puggie, Penney's cat of nearly 14 years died. It was very hard for all of us and we all still look for her on the back of the chair when we come in the door. Although she didn't like the boys (or anyone besides Penney for that matter), we do all miss her. The boys have one more week left before school starts back. We'll spend the weekend of July 4th in the mountains and then it's back to school! Our "summer" break has been short, but it has been full! Enjoy a few photos. |
Clockwise: Above: The boys playing on a dune buggy at Northern Tool Top Right: Pops and the boys in Myrtle Beach Right: The boys playing chicken in our pool Below: Puggie--may she rest in peace! |
July 2007 July can be summed up in one word. HOT. Despite the heat, we have stayed very busy. The first weekend in July we ventured to the Mountains as we always do. It was heaven. Both Byron and I read two books and slept at least 10 hours a day. Our idea of vacation.... The boys then headed back to school. So far the transition to 5th and 4th grade is going well. We are almost back in our "school groove". Soccer practices have also begun again. The boys continue to enjoy their team and the coaches. Nicholaus has provided us with lots of attitude this month! 1 week grounded to his room wasn't enough to correct it, so he spent a 2nd week grounded. That plus staying home with a babysitter while Max and Mom and Dad went out to dinner helped him realize the error in his behaviors. If the past is a predictor, August should provide opportunity for Max to pose some behavior challenges. But I'd be happy to be wrong about that.... The last weekend in July we attended the Ukrainian Angels reunion in Myrtle Beach. We had a great time. And as always, the boys loved spending time with their Ukie friends. We are happy to be able to maintain that cultural connection. It is our hope that they will maintain lifelong friendships with these "Ukie Cousins". Enjoy a few photos. |
Left: The boys buildng a fire with GranMom (Byron's Mom). Below: Max enjoying some watermelon. Bottom Left: First Day of School. Bottom Right: Nicholaus enjoying at Picnic at South of the Border on our way to the Reunion |
August 2007 Life has been too hectic to update! August was a full full full month. First of all Max spent part of August grounded to his room---just on cue from last month. But like Nicholaus, he has turned it around as of the end of the month. This month, we also have an exciting announcement. We have 2 new kittens. They have been with us for about 2 weeks and are just as cute as can be. The boys want to hold them constantly and fortunately they seem to be well tempered kittens. Let's hope it stays that way. The last weekend in August, the boys played in a tournament in Asheville. We made a family trip of it. The team played incredible and came in 2nd place for their age division. We are really proud of how well they did. They are also practicing for their regular season that starts in September. In all of our spare time, the boys have been busy with homework, school projects, and trying to stay cool. I didn't take many photos this month, so I'll just leave you with photos of the new additions! |
Above is Max and his kitten, Snickers. She was to originally be named Rascal. But Max decided she looked like a melted Snicker's bar, so decided to name her Snickers. She is a tiny little thing with a sweet and very calm disposition---not at ALL like Max. But he does love her! |
Below here is Nicholaus and his kitten, Kushka. Or Kushi as we call him. Kushka is Russian for "kitten". He is a very big kitten (despite being from the same litter as little Snickers). He is very very active and a little on the wild side. But he is cute as a button. |
