Settling in

Life has been great in the US.  We've settled in to a routine of playing with the family (in the photo on the right the cousins are showing their creativity on one of the chalkboard walls and the one below captures how much Henry loves his younger cousin and tries to keep her entertained), exploring the yard, eating great food including salads and delicious cheeses - both of which are hard if not impossible to come by in Dhaka, and, it just had to be done, getting work done at the office while Henry hangs out at daycare.  I'm happy to say he has adjusted to the school we found for him and while he doesn't necessarily beg to go in the morning he's finally started raving about his day when I pick him up.

We found Henry and his cousin an indoor soccer program that they go to two days a week.  It's interesting to see how long 2 and 3 year olds can keep their attention; Henry usually lasts about 30 of the 45 minute session.  The most challenging part of soccer has been to convince Henry that "dribble dribble dribble shoot" has to be done with his feet instead of his hands because until now he's mainly played around with a basketball. 

Last week Gamps (my dad) and Nana Charlotte came in town for a 2 days visit which was quite a treat.  Since Henry and his cousins all have birthdays within a few weeks of each other, Gamps and Nana Charlotte wanted to throw a group birthday party while they were here.  The kids didn't complain about that!  After everyone played outside for awhile, the kids were surprised with presents and then later in the day we chowed on an ice cream cake.

Henry found a bunch of bugs under the table and wanted to tell everyone

 They learned how to do texture rubbings

  

 And then it was present time. I was very impressed with the planning because each kid got 4 presents evenly and equally split by clothes and toys.

You'll notice the dumdum in all the rest of the photos. Henry was so thrilled to find a "lollipop" taped to the first present that I had to entice him to remember that he had presents to open.

Here's a "Most amazing brother ever" outfit

 

When Gamps bought the soccer jersey he didn't know that Henry was playing indoor. It was fun to put the jersey right to use at soccer that same afternoon.

 I held back from posting a series of hilarious photos from the ice cream cake extravaganza.  The green icing offered up some entertainment since it colored the kids' teeth and then they started having fun trying to increase the messiness.

 Here's one photo I did want to post with Kaylin planting a big green one on Henry's head.

Henry and Gamps also played one of Gamps' favorite past times and Henry's new found fun - baseball.

 Other than that we've just been doing the same old taking advantage of all this free time we have before the baby comes.  I have just one more photo from a birthday party this past weekend at a bounce house.  Look at Kaylin climb!  The slide on the other side was luring them up.

Happy Mothers Day!  Only 5 days until Scott gets here :)