Church Fun and Hangin' Out

My little pirateFirst Day off the bus...Eli's favorite part of the day is riding the bus

"Yes...I loved 2nd grade"

Our church hosted a "block party". It was packed with a dunk tank, bounce house, magician, treats, games, and wonderful music. Ava made time for a painted "tattoo"

From all of the choices, she chose a baseball.

Listening to Music

Dancing

Playing bean bags

My little gypsy getting ready for a sleepover with Grace's friend

Hiding behind the couch

Coloring at their "desks"

School is in session!

Grace started 2nd grade and My baby boy started Kindergarten. (I'm not sure if he even cried, but I know that I did.) This is old buisness for Grace. She was ready to go...with supplies packed, outfit laid out, and an agenda to visit with her friends. Grace's favorite part of 2nd grade so far was eating popsicles with her best friend, who had a 25% chance of being in class with her and made it! Eli's favorite part of the day was sharpening his pencils. We had to try both the mechanical sharpener and the old fashioned one. Guess which one was his favorite....The mechanical. It didn't hurt his arm. Oh...how times have changed.

Eli and I went through his supplies together and explored his room.

His room color is purple. Part of our assignment the first morning was to paint his foot and stamping a paper with it.

Here he is making a "book box" to leave at home and fill with "take home" books.

Grace's seat...that just so happens to be next to her friend.

Grace and her buddy waiting for popsicles.

First ride on the bus.

Grace ready to socialize.

The tearjerker moment. Eli had one last run back to give me a kiss. I can't believe my baby boy is on the bus. Thank goodness for Gracie helping. It makes me feel better.

Celebrating "Buggy"

Celebrating our little "buggy" on our waterslide.

"Brian's Good"

We are all still "floating with love" at the Hensley house over our new brother and son. We cannot wait to get our hands on him. Personally, my emotions are all over. One minute, I'm great. The next, I'm miss him. I often calculate the time in Ethiopia and wonder what he is doing, who is holding him, who is rocking him, who is feeding him, etc... I wonder if he is sleeping or laughing or having a bath. This is hard. Luckily, I have three beauties at home and a handsome hubby to keep me busy. They are all excited as well. It is so cute at night when the kids go to bed, they kiss a picture of Si and say a prayer.

We decided to make some "buggy" cupcakes to celebrate our referral.

A Life changing phone call:

Words cannot describe how we feel right now! We are blessed. Praise God.

Please pray for our little guys health and happiness. We know he is in good hands. Please pray for all those involved in this time of transition; especially his birth family.

"Make a Mess" night at church

Our church treated us to a night of making messes. The activities included, searching for treasures in the sand, painting the sidewalks, making bubble instruments, the sprinkler, painting a fish, and covering their bodies in shaving cream. It was fun! Our niece was able to enjoy it with us.

A glimpse at my days!

Daycare is picking up speed now that school is around the corner...these little feet walk through my house each day. What a crazy, adventurous, rewarding job.

Fingerprints AGAIN, and a Six Flags surprise

We had a really busy Saturday. We stuck the kids in the car on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. to head to Naperville to have my prints re-done for the adoption. I was told that my prints were fine before, just not uploaded into the second system. Hopefully, the second time is the charm. The day started with Si on our minds...so we decided to celebrate all our kids and surprise them with a trip to Six Flags. They had no idea where we were going, even when we pulled into the park.

Our first ride was the double story carousel.

Eli's favorite ride was the Pirate Battle. We were all soaked.

Ava loved the Wiggles show at Wiggle World.

Grace loves thrill rides. Her favorites are roller coasters.

Ava's first ride without me. I wasn't worried though, Eli had his arm (tightly) around her the entire time.

Grace and Brian in the front car of a roller coaster.

All my kiddos and Dino.

I had to post the picture of the lady bug ride, due to the "lady bug adoption superstitions". Silas is never far from our hearts, and bring on the superstition.

The batmobile.

You can't see it, but the kids and I are SOAKED from the river rapids ride. Lots of Laughs.

We spent the end of the day at Hurricane Harbor.