Santa Ana Zoo 9-30-07

We met up with our Adoption Group today at the Santa Ana Zoo. Matthew had a blast running around and seeing and recognizing more of his friends. He will form lasting friendships with much of this group as they all pretty much have the same beginnings and it's important he makes friends aside from the one's he is with everyday at Nursery School as who knows if they will go to preschool, Kindergarten or grade school together. The Santa Ana Zoo is small, only about 20 acres and absolutely perfect for the under 6 crowd and you can do the entire park including feeding the animals, playing, eating your lunch and going on the train ride within 2 hours.

More posts after Halloween!

Bowling Party 9-16-07

Matthew (and we) attended his cousin Sam's 5th Birthday party at a private bowling Alley. Matthew loved it as evidenced by these pics. He elected to spend as much time as possible with his favorite person in the whole world....his Grandpa (Papa as he calls him).

LA County Fair! 9-1-07

Matthew went to the Fair last year too but it was a bit much for him. This year he had a blast!

Played with several Thomas & Friends play tables, met some really cool firemen, went on rides, fed the goats and won some prizes! Oh, and he rode in style too.

Del Mar August 25, 2007

We did our annual trek down to Del Mar Racetrack last weekend.

Matthew lasted for 2 races until I had to find the tunnel and walk him to the infield where he could run around a play. Here's a picture of him eating a hot dog, he takes the dog out of the bun and then takes alternate bites...the kid is just plain weird sometimes. Another on a pony ride next to the backstretch and another on the volleyball sand court. He hads lots of fun!

Firehouse #149 visit on August 18, 2007

Matthew LOVES anything and everything to do with Fire Engines or as he shouts "Firetuck Firetuck!" A couple of Saturday's ago Brian took him to visit our local Firehouse in Castaic and the Firemen were more than happy to give Matthew a private 1 hour tour including explaining everything on the Fire Engine and Paramedic Truck and letting him talk on the headset live with another fireman and try on a real fireman helmet and coat. There were 19 pics in all, too many to post but if you want, email me and I will send you the link to view them all.

Summer Birthday Parties 2007

We've got Matthew here at Emily's 12th birthday (swim) party with his 3 best pals, Jessamyns 3rd Birthday party with his friend "M" and Grandpa "Papa" Hal's 79th Birthday dinner at Tam O'Shanter. Matthew enjoys "happy cake" as often as possible. Check out the picture of Matthew with his buddy "J". Notice how Matthew has to stick his entire hand into his mouth to eat a bite of cake? I guess you had to be there or are used to watching toddlers "feed" themselves.

Picnic with Russian friends July 28, 2007

About every 1-2 months, our SoCal Eastern European Adoption group tries to get together so the kids can get to know each other since they have so much of their beginnings the same from Russian, Ukraine and/or Kaz. It gives the Moms and Dads a chance to get to know each other also as we are linked by our children's heritage as we try to keep it alive in them also. I forgot to take pictures when we met up the beginning of June which would have marked the one year anniversary of our meeting with this group when Matthew was home only 2 weeks. The end of July we met again for a nice picnic dinner and kids played like crazy. I believe this is the 4th or 5th event Matthew has attended with the group in the past 13 months with many more to follow. We've got another picnic, zoo visit and halloween party with the group lined up over the next 2 months. Here are a few pics from the last picnic/playdate the end of July.