ADOPTION DAY!

Yesterday was Jakob's adoption day! 3 years ago we finalized his adoption in court and he became a "legal" forever part of our family. He was already a forever part of our family in our hearts the day we met Kaiti! Life has a funny way of reminding me that things don't always go as planned. I planned to have this blissfully peaceful happy day just hanging out with my kids -- but spent a better part of it trying to rid my house of some of the best tantrums a 3 1/2 year old could throw. We would definitely win if there was a tantrum throwing contest--I'm sure of it! Jakob did actually take a much needed nap and woke up in a much better mood--so off to the Mall of America we went!

We had 5 free ride tickets that we got at the Eagan parade on the 4th of July! Each ticket was worth 6 points and most of Jakob's rides only cost 3-4 points and as his "chaperone" we don't have to pay when we ride with him on most rides. So--we got in a lot of rides! The tickets were "mystery" tickets--meaning they could be worth more than 6 points--and with our amazing luck--the last ticket was worth a whoppin' 100 points! That's a lot of points! AND--it needed to be used up by 10:00pm that evening (it was already 7:30pm). That is totally impossible for us with two small children!

Probably the best part of the evening was walking around looking for a family to give the ticket too! And there they were--standing by the ticket kiosk--a mom, dad, and three young boys. How awesome is that? We knew they would be able to burn 97 points in a few hours! The mom was so elated that she started to cry and gave both Craig and me a big hug! I know--if they are ordinary like us, a night at Nickelodeon Universe can really break your budget. Especially with three boys! :0) So off we went for a family dinner at Burger King and home to eat cupcakes! It ended up being a wonderful evening!

I've always wanted to do the KTIS drive-thru difference. I have never been out on the days that they have them. We are also not always in a financial position to help others out as we would like to or to donate to every charity that desperately needs our help. So, I guess giving away our ride ticket was kind of our way to be able to do that. We would never be able to just hand out $100--it was so AWESOME! I am so thankful for the things we do have and for my "forever" babies who are not so much babies anymore. God is so good!

Jakob's new summer NUNU blanket that I made for him.

A moment of sibling love--it does really exist! :0)

Going on the Wonder Pets ride all by himself for the very first time!

WEEEEEEE!! I did go on this with him first and it is kind of scary! :0)

Having cupcake cones!

Jada started from the bottom! haha!

Checking out all the cars that I had when I was a kid. He is still playing with them today! Yeah!

ADOPTION DAY!

Today, July 7th, is ADOPTION DAY for our family. Two years ago we finalized Jakob's adoption and became a FOREVER FAMILY! Here's some of the fun we had today celebrating at the zoo!

Jakob loves the flowers and would probably prefer to look at them over the animals any day!!

We got soaked. . . but the weather was perfect for the chilly water! We were able to recruit many others to join in our fun!!

Jakob ABSOLUTELY LOVED the butterfly garden. He did not stop yelling "Butterfly" the entire time we were in there. So much for a peaceful stroll for the other visitors. The workers were excited that he was so interested!! We will definitely have to go back with charged batteries so I can actually get some pictures of all the beautiful butterflies!! Don't you just love it when your camera batteries die?

Then we came home and ate lunch. He was so worn out!! When it was time for nap. . .Jakob went into his room and climbed into his toddler bed. I asked him if he wanted to take his nap in there and he said yes. So, I shut the door and he seemed to go to sleep after a little chitter chatter. I didn't dare open the door to see if he was still in bed. We will see where he ends up in a couple of hours. He is getting to be such a big boy--(heart goes pitter patter--*sniff, sniff*).

I couldn't help myself. . . but I had to peek in Jakob's room and he is sound asleep in his toddler bed. . . . so sweet! I didn't take a picture because I didn't want to wake him up. My little baby is growing so fast!