6 Weeks In - Very Happy

Well, I have been off from work for 6 weeks now.  AND IT IS TOTALLY AWESOME.  I think I have definitely recovered from my need to get things done.  And instead I am enjoying the time off with family and friends :)

Now I am wondering how I managed to keep it all together while working full time.  I think you become a tad more inefficient when you know you have a lot of free time. But who cares?  It is all OK.

Totally enjoyed reading the Hunger Games Trilogy. And I did manage to go from 2-3 diet Dr. Peppers a day to 2-3 per week.  I am considering this a success:)

And Daniel is so happy to have me home in the afternoon.  He runs to the door everyday after school and rings the doorbell to see if I am home:)  It is heartwarming. Plus we have been having some great nighttime conversations about his adoption.  And he is doing so well in school.  We actually got our first note that he is doing great in math and thanks for working with him!  (never happened before).  Of course, we must also thank DeAnne for helping Daniel and being the best Nanny ever.

Becca is growing up by leaps and bounds.  She is such a conversationalist.  Sometimes I feel like I am talking to a 20 year old rather than a 2 year old.  I have the time to snuggle with her and really pay attention. She is going to light the world on fire b/c of her combination of IQ and EQ.   I cannot imagine a better thing in the world right now than a kiss from Rebecca and hearing, "See you later sly devil" in her adorable voice.  She makes me smile all day long.

Michael and I had the opportunity to take Friday off and head to the Mall with Juan and Beva.  We went to Natural History Museum and National Gallery of Art.  Michael and I had a blast and realized that you can see a whole lot more without kids.  The Capital Building was gorgeous (did they clean it for the Inauguration)?  What a fun day with family.  Michael says we need to do this more often :)

Off to movie night at Auburn School.  Daniel is very excited to see Space Dogs!

BJ and Daniel

Love this picture of BJ and Daniel on the air mattress watching Monsters Inc.  Aunt Jen took care of Daniel while we were all at the Princess Ball!

Raven's Fans!

DeAnne was kind enough to take this picture of all three of us in our Ravens wear!  Just for Daddy :)

Gladney Daddy-Daughter Dance - March 2013

 Rebecca and Daddy all ready for their third Princess Ball

 Bennett, Jen, Michael and Rebecca (apparently Rebecca was done with pics)

Getting all ready to head to the Princess Ball!   Rebecca and her best buddy, Robyn

 Rebecca and Mommy - two cute girls

 love her personality!

 Rebecca was very happy with her light-up butterfly wings and wand.

 Jenny and her cousin, Jessica (on the floor goofing around)

 At the end of the princess ball when Rebecca was ready to head home!  She liked dancing with all the girls!

 Nicole in the fussy chair!

 Barbara and Holly

Rebecca with her Daddy!  Rebecca loved the cupcakes and the toys.   She wanted to hang out with Mommy a lot so we will need a new plan for next year.  It was adorable to see her dance with the other girls.

Snow Day - March 2013

Daniel was so happy to have off from school today!  We all went sledding out in the snow.  Michael managed to nail Daniel in the face with a snowball by accident.  We all had fun with a day off :)

Jen and Robyn's 9th Bday at American Girl Doll Restaurant

The two birthday girls!

McKenna (Robyn's doll) and Sandie (Rebecca's doll)

my favorite picture of 9 year old Robyn

Me and Rebecca

We celebrated Jen and Robyn's birthdays at the American Girl Doll Restaurant and Store in Tysons Corner. It was so much fun with the girls and their dolls.  (gave Rebecca her Sandie Our Generation doll from Target last night)

We had lunch with the dolls in their little chairs with their own tea cups.  Everyone sang to Robyn as she had her own cake!  Rebecca loved the entire lunch and playing with the dolls.

Jen and Robyn are so special to us and we were thrilled to celebrate their birthdays :)

Read Across America and Dr. Suess Birthday