Trips and Treats. . .

Well, I'm back. By all accounts, I was missed and everyone is glad I am back. But, first, let me tell you about my trip:

Last Sunday, we decided to have dinner at Del Rio's, one of our many many Mexican restaurants. It is especially popular becaue Aidan loves to sit on the donkey outside. . .









On Monday, we were up early and I was off to the airport and headed for Chicago. I had to go for three days and two nights for a Seminar that was actually pretty informative. In addition, I was able to have dinner with my sister, neice and nephew on Tuesday and lunch again with my sister on Wednesday. On Tuesday we had drinks on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building. . .at which time I forgot to take pictures with my cell phone. But, I remembered on Wednesday at lunch!





The view was really beautiful. We were fortunate to have such a nice sunny day.






When I returned home, I called Pat on my cell from the plane and heard Aidan shriek with pleasure when he found out it was time to come pick me up! : ) I was really glad to hear that! I was missed!!!




And here is my dudely that I came home to:



His hair is soooo short!! Mama wasn't there to temper the desire to go really really short. . .

And, of course, as any parent knows, when you go away for any length of time treats are the key to your return. . .Aidan got a small stuffed dolphin and appears to like it, although he told me he really wanted an excavator. . .and a small Hummer from the Hershey store from Aunty Amy along with some Chocolate kisses from the Hershey store. I think he looks happy with it all!

About 5 minutes ago. . .

Aidan: Mama!!!
Mommy: Yes?
Aidan: WE live in the Nited States!
Mommy: That's right! We do!

: )

Miscellaneous Stuff. . .

Well, it's certainly been crazy around here.

Pat was supposed to be on the day shift until June. However, Virginia Power oferred early retirement to a lot of folks and, if they took it, they had to be gone by April 1st. So, because a lot of the guys he works with retired, back to shift work he had to go. For almost two weeks he's been on the 3-11 shift. Kind of makes life hectic. I always really feel a lot of empathy and sympathy for single parents when that shift ends! I do love it in a way, though, because Aidan and I will usually do things and eat things that we wouldn't normally when Daddy is home. . . : )

The Capitals still lead Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in the Quarterfinals for the Stanley Cup. They haven't seemed like themselves, though. Almost sluggish. I don't blame them for being tired. Except for the Olympic beak, they have played several times a week for 7 months. That's a lot.

Speaking of sports, sorry folks! I'm going to be back talking about the Redskins next fall! It's so exciting! We have a new coach-Mike Shanahan and a new Quarterback-Donovan McNabb. And we got what the team wanted during the draft. It really seems like it will be a much more exciting year this year! Can't wait!

Last Saturday, our Order of Reference came from the County. Our Social Worker is now filing her report with the County and then I will file our Final Petition along with the form to request Aidan's Virginia Certificate of Foreign Birth. I'm hoping that this will all be completed by summer. How cool! And the best part, this only cost us $51.--$39. for the Initial filing and $12. for the birth certificate! This re-adoption process has been super easy so far!

Aidan is doing really well. I will try to take some pictures of him today with my cell phone. We're hoping to get a new camera in the next week or two. I'm sure the pictures from my old camera are all over Russia by now! Aidan continues to grow and amaze me. His group got changed--AGAIN!!--at school. I was pretty ticked since I had just talked to his teacher about that. I did let her know I was not happy about not being told beforehand. The reason he got changed was a good one, though, so I have to let it go: he and several other kids were moved into two groups that will be moving up to Pre-K in September. There is one group who will stay in the 3 year old class. They also had to separate some of the boys for behavior issues. . .she didn't say it was Aidan who had a behavior issue so I should be happy about that! You can see more pictures of Aidan at the Embassy by going here http://www.becomingamommy.blogspot.com/ The kids were so adorable together!

I have Aidan's birthday party all planned. He has chosen to go back to the Ice House. Awesome. They will have us in a room for all the kids, provide balloons and a Tshirt for Aidan. There will be pizza and sodas, cake and then a 1/2 hour skating lesson for everyone following by a little over an hour of free skate time. We've invited 8 kids from our neighborhood, two little girlfriends from around here, 6 friends from school, and "our new friend we met last weekend"--Anna! That will be 18 children, including Aidan. Glad I won't have to entertain and clean up after that!!! It really is reasonable and they do a fantastic job.

I'm sure everyone has a favorite radio station they listen to most of the time. Pat listens to a Classic Rock station; I like a few--when I'm cleaning house it's Classic Alternative, when I'm work it's Classical--as in Paganini, Mozart, Chopin. . .and when I'm driving, I like this local Christian Rock station-WGTS 91.9. Aidan likes all of these, but he has been humming and singing along with the Christian Rock music lately. In fact, the other day I heard him sing along with the station when they announced the call letters. . .WGTS 91.9!! It was really cute. I love that he likes this so much. . .but I will say he still likes Lynard Skynard--Turn it Up! and he got very excited the other evening when he heard We Will Rock You by Queen. . .funny little guy! At least he will be well rounded in his musical tastes (shhhh! I am hoping to keep the Country out, though!) : )

One last thing, and then I'll close: I'm going on a business trip this coming week. I leave Monday morning and will return on Wednesday evening. I'm very sad and nervous about it! It will be the first time I have been away from Aidan overnight ever. I tried to talk to him about it the other day and he just started crying and hugged my arm and said he didn't want me to go. Oh man. . .this isn't going to be easy! I keep telling myself this is a normal healthy thing. . .but why does it have to feel so bad???

Well, that's about it. My little man woke up early today, climbed in bed and hugged me around the neck and said "I love you Mama!" I need to get in there and fix him breakfast!

Easter Party at the Russian Embassy

So, yesterday we met up with some folks, some of you know them. . .Joy, Gerard, and Anna!!! Pat had to work, so Aidan and I drove down to Sterling and had dinner at an Irish Restaurant with them. Aidan was partly on his best behavior. He was super sweet to little teeny tiny Anna...

But, let me start earlier. . .

I picked Aidan up as usual. But, my normal quick get away was thwarted due to an Ice Cream Social. The room was packed with kids and parents. I went to Aidan and crouched down. Aidan immediately hopped up and said, "let me get you a chair, Mama!" And he did, negotiating the crowded room nicely. After feeding me a couple of spoonfuls of his ice cream, we were off to meet the friends from New Jersey!

At the restuarant, Aidan held the door for me (who is this boy and what did he do with my son???) Later, Anna dropped her spoon so Aidan went after the Waitress to get her another one. . .really. Taking care of all of us! Aidan didn't eat much, but Anna scarfed her Mac and Cheese! Awesome!

Today, Anna, Joy and Gerard came out to Leesburg and we walked into town for a couple of hours of the Flower and Garden Festival. I got the cutest pictures of Aidan and Anna sitting in Aidan's stroller. . .

Then, Aidan and I headed down to D. C. with Gerard, Joy and Anna following, for the Easter party at the Russian Embassy. It was cute. It was sweet. It was sooooo Russian!

Driving up Wisconsin Avenue, I saw a big block building ahead of me and knew it was the Embassy. Then the wind picked up and the flag unfurled. . .yep, the Russian Federation Flag. Knew it. . .

We went inside and it was very Russian. I knew the security folks just looking at them! The progam was really sweet. The children of the Embassy workers did several songs and dances for us. I took several wonderful pictures of them and several of Aidan showing he was totally uninterested in any of it. Much more interested in taking his name tag and plastering it on the arm of his seat and in playing with his Cowboy boots. . .

We then went downstairs and had a little snack of fruit and veggies, juice and little desserts. It was all really nice.. .

And then we went to get our picture taken with the Easter Bunny--who whispered to me her daughter had come from Krasnoyarsk in 2007. . .and lo and behold, my camera was missing. Somehow I lost it somewhere in the Auditorium. Know idea where. We did look but never found it.

So, Joy talked to the guy in charge--not the Ambassador, but the next guy, and even got his card for me!--about my lost camera. . .Love Joy!! But, I'm sure my camera is gone forever. . .thank goodness they are all pictures of Aidan having fun with ice skating/soccer/Anna/etc. . .

But, I did get this picture of Aidan in front of the Embassy with my cell phone:



Can you tell it was after a huge struggle??? Joy promised to send some pictures that she took. . .I guess Pat is going to get the camera he really wants now!

Hmmmm. . . Interesting. . .

From MSNBC news:

U.S.: No suspension of Russian adoptions
Statement contradicts claim from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman