Old Mr. Bulitz had a Farm... E, I, E, I, O

And on his farm we saw some very cute and happy kids...

E, I, E, I, O

With a run around here,

And a pet a pot belly pig there. Here's a pig, there's a Handi, everywhere animals and happy families.

Old Mr. Bulitz had a farm.  E, I, E, I, O!

Old Mr. Bulitz drove the hay ride... E, I, E, I, O.

And on his hayride we should have brought sunglasses.... E, I, E, I, O.

With a worried Bear here...

And a silly Bear there.

Here's a pumpkin,

There's a pumpkin.

Everyone picked some pumpkins!

Old Mr. Bulitz had a pumkin patch.  E, I, E, I, O!

Old Mr. Bulitz had some rides... E, I, E, I, O.

And on one ride rode Abera and Emily... E, I, E, I, O!

With a wagon here,

And some ponies there.

Here's a proud mama.

There's a thrilled Handi. Everyone's on a pony!

Old Mr. Bulitz farm was AWESOME.  E, I, E, I, O!!!

While the husbands were away...

The kids and wives got to play!

What a perfect day for a picnic and playground fun... sunny and near 80 degrees.  I am sure that Michael and his friends were pleasantly surprised by the awesome weather for their annual golf weekend as well.  I know that they have needed to don rain gear, winter hats or windbreakers in years past. 

Abera was fearless running around the play structure.  Needed to remind him to go down "feet first" versus his more adventurous "head first" method.  Despite getting a mouth/face full of sand and being hit by a swing he kept on smiling!

Mehandis enjoyed building roads with Diego, playing t-ball with the N's and blowing bubbles with Griffin too.

Love how we were able to fit 9 people onto the picnic table too... a great way to share some down time, food and conversation.

I love fall!!!

Co-Sleeping

While our Michael and I did not choose the path of a "family bed" except for stormy nights and weekend mornings... it seems the boys have opted for co-sleeping.

First it was Mehandis choosing to sleep on the floor, next to his brother's crib, rather than in his own bedroom.  We actively listened to his desire and moved an extra bed into Abera's room so the two could spend the nights in the same room.

Guess that wasn't close enough...

Lately, the majority of  nights we are finding that Mehandis has climbed right into Abera's crib and proceeds to slumber there until morning.

This morning Mehandis climbed out of the crib before Abera woke up.  And when Abera did wake he started lifting his blankets in search of big brother.

How cute and cozy is that?

  

Sneak Peek

For you loyal blog followers... a little sneak peek of the chosen costumes for next month!

 Mehandis, Abera and I went costume shopping after school yesterday.  Mehandis could hardly wait to get home to try out his new Light Saber (who know about the spelling... I am sure I need to study up more on Star Wars vocabulary) and Anakin apparel.  He sure has the pose down!

 Our little T-Rex got in on the dress up fun too!

Big brother told little brother that even though T-Rex's eat meat, Abera is not allowed to bite people.

Wise words to live by.

Looking forward to biting into all of the candy these cuties will bring our way!

First Day of 4-K!!!

While I went back to my school a week ago, students did not start up until yesterday.  This year, for the first time, Mehandis went to school too!  Here we are the morning before we went to our respective schools :)

Mehandis and his friend next door are both in the same morning session of 4 year old kindergarten.  Watch out here they come!

While Mehandis will typically be walking to school with our neighbors, Michael took the opportunity to be part of Mehandis's first day.  Thanks for the photos Michael!!!

Their 4K teacher, Mrs. Gordy, is full of smiles and hugs.  She is perfect for the job.

I love looking at all the parents' expressions in the background.  Think I would have been seen in their pictures with kleenex in hand.

All the students gathered together for the first morning in a common area, as the principal welcomed them back.  Looks busy!

Michael said all the kids quickly settled onto the carpet to listen to Mrs. Gordy read a story.  Pretty good crowd control on her part :)

Hooray for the 2011-12 school year.  Let's make it a great one.

Camping with Culture

BIG thanks to Courtney and Paul for their annual invites in joining their family for Ethiopia Heritage Camp.  We are so happy we accepted the invite this summer... what an incredible weekend!!!

The camp is run by the Chicago EAKC organization and held in William's Bay off Geneva Lake.  We shared a rustic cabin (had bunk beds, mattresses, electricity, lighting and table/chairs) with the VA's.  Sharing of the top bunk by our four and a half year olds' didn't go as smooth as our co-habitating but it was just as much fun.

'

Abera & Tiz on a walk

We enjoyed having all of our meals prepared for us in the dining hall as well as the campfire corn roast and s'mores.  Mawi Asgedom, a well known author (and one of Oprah's fave top 20 interviewees) gave an incredible presentation too.  

Courtney lending a helping hand with little Bear ;)

We learned more of the healing properties of coffee and enjoyed a traditional coffee ceremony run by an Amharic speaking Caucasian Senior Citizen.... she was amazing!

As the weekend went further along our 4 year olds' (and 1 year old too) earned a lot more independence.  Mehandis and Tiz took an awesome solo adventure through the woods - with a few great quotes to share upon their return.

Abera was picked out from the group to participate in the teens' play they put on toward the end of camp.

Abera being held on the back of an "actress"

His role was unfortunately cut short due to his fatigue and finicky mood.

Mehandis and Abera both made their own sets of fast friends and "fans".

 

Definitely looking forward to making this an annual event.

16 words at 16 months?

As Abera turns 16 months old today I will try to his big little self in 16 words -

• Social
• Musical
• Confident
• Persistent
• Joyful
• Adventurous
• Loving
• Skilled
• Moving
• Eager
• Imitative
• Vociverous (if that means "having a large appetite for many things")
• Fast
• Beautiful
• Silly
• Vocal

And to further expand upon his vocal skills, let me try to capture all of the words he is now saying!

1. Mama
2. Dada
3. Dandi (for Handi)
4. mi (milk)
5. kaker (cracker)
6. cheese
7. more
8. all done
9. let's go!
10. yes
11. no
12. ow si (outside)
13. tee (teeth)
14. dater (water)
15. To (for our neighbor Tom)
16. Dido (for their dog rhino)
17. doddy (doggy)
18. boo (book)
19. ball
20. up
21. uh-oh
22. go
23. nigh-nigh (night-night)
24. hi
25. bye

I probably have left some off.... but have to stop bragging at some point ;)