Eye Doctor

Tod took Michael to the eye doctor yesterday, so last night at the dinner table he was telling about it. He said "and my piples were huge Mom". We all laughed. Sometmes he says the cutest things!

Our first Christmas as a family was great. We went to Ohio to visit family, and Michael was awesome! He got to meet my Dad and Step-Mom for the first time, and we had a great time at their house! My Father is a real outdoorsman, and Michael loves to be outside, so they got along great! Dad took him on a 4-wheeler ride as soon as we got to their house. This was sweet...on our way to their house Michael said "Mom...what do I call him" I said "who?" he said "your Dad, what do I call him" I said "you can call him Grandpa" a few minutes later he said "can I give him a hug" I said "yes of course you can, he would like that" tears welled up in my eyes. He is such a sweet boy. So while on their 4-wheeler ride, they found a deer carcass, and Michael came home with the deer's lower jaw bone. He thought it was the coolest thing ever! He got a real Coleman tent from Dad and Maureen. So Dad put it up in the living room, and Michael of course wanted to sleep in it that night! Dad wants us to bring Michael back this summer so they can go camping (Dad has a hunting camp in southern OH). I always thought my Dad should have had a son, I guess a Grandson that loves the outdoors as much as he does, is the next best thing! I am so blessed to have my Father in my life, he is a great man and terrific Grandfather.

We got to visit lots of other family, and my extended family including my cousins, aunts and uncles. Michael did well with everything, and when we got home Tuesday we had our Coles family Christmas. Michael got an electric scooter, which was on the top of his list, so he was very excited!

All in all it was a great Christmas, now it's time to get ready for 2012, and hopefully a finalized adoption. Happy New Year to all! Love - The Coles Family

Yesterday was the Holiday Party at Michael's school, and being that I am the "Lead" Room Mom, I was in charge of the class party. Which is exciting and scary at the same time. Not having a child in school until a few months ago, I dont know what goes on during these parties. So I asked my asst Room Mom, and she said a movie, snacks and maybe a craft. CRAFT...what? I am not crafty! So I worried about this for a few weeks, and then decided to have the children decorate holiday cookies... not Christmas cookies, because that involves religion, and Michael goes to a public school *gasp*. So I bought gingerbread man cookies and icing, and sprinkles and M&M's etc to decorate. The kids loved it! Other Mom's brought snacks (lots of sweets) and juice boxes, and when the party was over..I was glad to be going back to work...because Michael was on a sugar high!

It was really fun to be there with him. I think he was very proud to have me there, as several times he came up to me and put his arms around my waist. Kinda like he wanted the other children to know...this is my Mom.

Now the big fun begins, we are driving to Ohio tomorrow to visit family for 5 days! It's our first Christmas with Michael, and we are pretty excited. I will post and let you know how it goes!

Special shout out to my dear friend Donelle, she mentioned today that she reads our blog! I sometimes wonder if anyone reads this...but it's fun posting anyway. I am hoping that someday Michael will read this. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Leftovers

So Thursday night dinners in our house are typically leftover night. We cook Sunday Monday Tuesday and Wednesday nights, so by Thursday it's time to clean out the refrig. Last night Tod had a wedding consult, so it was Michael and I eating the leftovers. I heated up something we had earlier in the week for Michael, and he said "this was really better the first time". I could tell he wasn't liking it. So I said ok lets throw that out, would you like some Chicken and Stars soup. It's one of those microwave in the bowl soups, he said sure! So I'm putting it in the microwave and he looks at me and says "you really DO care about me, don't you". It's amazing to me that something so small, is so impressive to him. I actually felt bad that it was just soup, and not a home cooked meal. But to him it was more than soup. Yep...I care so much, that I microwaved soup for you, but in reality buddy...I would do anything for you.

Be thankful for what you have.

Christmas Gifts

So at Michael's school they do a "Santa Shop", where the children can bring in money, and they get to shop for gifts for their family. The gifts range in price from 50 cents to $5 each. So I gave him $10 to shop with. Last night when I got home he wanted to give Dad and I our gifts...he was so excited. Dad got a money clip that says "Dad"! Nice! Mom got a green plastic pen in the shape of a thumbs up! Really? How did he know I had been looksing for a pen just like this forever? The best part is...the pen was only 95 cents! Now he had $10...but good thing the pen was only 95 cents, because the necklace he bought himself was $3 and the ring he bought his girlfriend was $2. Basically he got gifts for himself, girlfriend, Mom and Dad and had $3 left over. Which of course he put in his pocket. I'm not really sure how that works out, but thank God I have a green thumbs up pen! I can't wait till Christmas morning!

Funny!

Michael has an alarm clock next to his bed, and he wakes up to it each school morning. Well last Friday afternoon the power flickered, and we had to reset all the clocks. His alarm clock has dual alarms, so you can set it to go off at two different times. Last night Tod couldn't sleep so he was up late working on the computer. At midnight, he hears Michael's alarm clock/radio going off. A few minutes later Michael opens the door and looks over the railing, and says "Hi Dad". Tod says "Hey Michael". Tod thought he was sleep walking, so he just sat there a minute. He finally decided to go upstairs and see what Michael was doing, because his light was still on. When he gets to Michael's room, he is making his bed! He thought it was morning! Well in his defense, when he gets up for school, it is still dark outside. Tod said "aren't you a little tired" Michael said "yes I am". Tod explained that it was midnight and he could go back to bed.

We have him trained so well!