Nana Visits; Airplane Museum, Rainforest Cafe...

We had a very exciting weekend because Rich's mom--"Nana" came to visit. Theo, Ruthie, and Levi were very excited to see her. Levi was particularly excited to meet this person we had been telling him about. He had a hard time distinguishing between the word "banana" and "nana". It was really funny, but now he gets the difference. So many English words sound alike, it gets really confusing, but he is doing very well learning his new language. He never gives up!! What a trooper!

On Saturday, we took the kids to the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field. It was amazing! They currently have the Apollo 7 space shuttle and astronaut suit on display.The kids got to touch airplanes and look at them up close. They even got to sit in the pilot's emergency ejection seat. Levi was apprehensive about sitting in the regular airplane seats they had scattered around the museum. Theo and Ruthie sat in them and buckled up their seatbelts, but Levi refused to buckle his. I think he wasn't sure if he was on a real plane that was going to take off at any minute. I think he's had enough of flying on a plane for now. :) The last exhibit in the museum prior to exiting, was a Jay-Jay the Jet Plane play area. There was a bounce house, and play control tower, and a plane. The kids could board the plane and pretend to be pilots and then slide out the emergency exit in the back. It was just too cute to watch them play and pretend.

Nana wanted to take the kids somewhere special to eat, so we drove to the Rainforest Cafe in Grapevine. It was only a short 20 minute trip with the tollroad and no traffic. Well, it was worth the wait. The kids simply had a blast at this place. Levi was scared of the lively and noisy gorillas at first, but once we explained that they were not real, he was okay. Then, he started imitating their sounds and actions. It was absolutely hilarious to watch him. Nana commented that Levi was going to be an actor one day. :) He is quite the little showman!! They also enjoyed watching the elephants and butterflies and the frequent lightning and rainstorms. The entire jungle setting was fun. On top of all the entertainment, a man came to our table and made balloon animals for the kids. They loved this too! Theo kept telling Nana that she had picked a really great place to eat. Rich and I had fun, too. Great family memories and bonding!! :)

Levi loves to see himself in pictures of our family adventures--it truly makes him feel a part of the Cook Family. I don't think he understood why he wasn't in some of our early pictures before he came to live with us. When he looks at the pictures, he keeps asking, "Where Levi?" Now, he is in lots of pictures with his new brother, sister, Mommy, and Daddy. :)

Telling Stories...Dressing Up....Hugging and Kissing

I quickly grabbed my camera (I pretty much carry it with me everywhere I go these days--ha!) when I saw these two--Levi and Ruthie sitting together in the beanbag chair. Ruthie was "reading" (actually making up a story) Levi a story. Levi meanwhile was adding the sound effects! It was so sweet to see the two of them together looking at a book.

A little while later, I grabbed my camera again because the two of them got into the dress-up trunk again. This time, Levi decided to get completely decked out. Rich might be a little concerned seeing his youngest boy in a princess dress--but it was just cute harmless fun! :) Ha! Theo and Ruthie put a bonnet on Levi and hugged and kissed on him. Then, we all danced around the house. Good excercise and lots of FUN!! He loved it! So precious!! Just had to share these adorable moments.

Chinese Noodles and Chopsticks!

Today for lunch we ate Chinese noodles. I pulled out 3 sets of chopsticks we got from China, so Levi excitedly and willingly demonstrated how to use them for Theo and Ruthie. As you can see from the pictures, Theo picked up on this pretty quickly, but Ruthie had a little more difficulty. :) It was really funny to watch them try to eat. I have to say...they did a lot better than Mommy would have. :)

The Great Thing About a 4-year old Boy is....

Here is the great thing about having a 4-year old boy... He can play good "guy/bad guy", ride bikes and plasma cars, dig in the dirt to find snails and worms, and run around like a maniac outside with his brother, Theo. BUT...he also equally enjoys playing inside with his 4-year old sister, Ruthie. Today, the two of them made pretend chocolate pudding in their play kitchen, brushed their dolly's hair, and then proceeded to put on dress up clothes. Levi did not get fully dressed up like Ruthie who went "all out" in her princess attire--but notice instead that he is talking on the cell phone while standing next to her. It is hilarious to listen to him speak in Chinese on the cell phone. He has the voice and stance down perfectly!! :) Such a little man!!

I am thrilled that Levi and Theo can be so versatile in their play because Ruthie sometimes feels a little frustrated being the only girl--and needs a friend who shares her same interests. Don't get me wrong, she can "hold her own" with the boys, but she needs some "girly" time too! ha! Ruthie and Levi were so sweet and cooperative while playing together this morning. Ruthie was smiling and having a ball!

I am in awe watching how God is bonding our family together. I am humbled that God would choose our family to become Levi's "forever family". What an answer to prayer!

Levi sings "The B-I-B-L-E"

Just thought I'd share this adorable video with you of Levi singing "The B-I-B-L-E" song. He asks to sing it every night when we read our Bible story before going to bed. Enjoy! :) He's such a sweetie! I had to cut the video short during his "Jesus Loves Me" song because he kept walking towards the camera. He is such a ham!!

Wearing of the GREEN!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

We don't really celebrate this holiday much in our house, but with little children, it's something fun to do. The boys are all decked out in their green shirts today. Ruthie wore her yellow flower shirt that has a green stem on it. She wanted to coordinate but not clash with the boys. ha!! (Such a girl!!) The kids blew bubbles out of shamrock-shaped bottles that their Nana sent. Bubbles, of course are always a big hit!

We also took this opportunity to talk about St. Patrick who was from England and was a missionary in Ireland. He brought the message of Christianity to the Irish people. While the holiday message has been diluted quite a bit over the years, it is nice to focus on the true meaning and on the spreading the gospel. We learned that St. Patrick used the shamrock as an illustration of the Trinity--God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Knowing that, the shamrock becomes a much more precious symbol.

The kids enjoyed sorting Lucky Charms cereal for snack. They found Irish hats with shamrocks on them, rainbows, hearts, etc. This activity was a big hit since after they counted, they got to eat them!! Levi loves to sort and eat-two of his favorite activities combined! Oh boy!! :) FYI--We counted more shooting stars and rainbows than any other symbol.

Levi also took the opportunity today to get to know our dog, Gingerbread. He was afraid of her the first few days he was here at the house, but he has definitely warmed-up to her now. I think it helps that Theo and Ruthie pet her. Now, he pets her as well. She is such a good dog and doesn't seem bothered by the additional "loud" child that has joined our family. Ha!! The dog takes it all in stride. :) Levi played with Gingerbread today. It was really sweet to see them together. They were checking each other out. I think this is the first time Gingerbread has even sniffed Levi in the 3 weeks we've been home. :) She really does "go with the flow".

I included a sweet picture of the kids with their Daddy (Rich) that I took this weekend. They were all hugging on their daddy, so I grabbed the camera. It was so sweet to see them altogether--like they have always known each other as siblings. I am so thankful for the love that is shown between Theo, Ruthie, and Levi. Yes, they fight, tease, and have trouble sharing at times, but mostly they love, hug, and kiss on each other and play nicely all day long. What a blessing that they get along and truly love each other!! The fighting and teasing just reinforces the fact they are truly related, huh? :)

Back to the Dr. for Theo's Knee, Haircuts, Making Pizza

After a dreary Wednesday, we have had a fun Thursday morning. The clouds are still hovering and there is a light drizzle, but we decided to have some fun despite the weather. First, we had to go back to the doctor to get Theo's stitches checked. (Okay, that wasn't too fun, but it had to be done.) The kids were well-behaved, and we didn't have to wait too long. Theo just has to stay off his knee as much as possible and try not to bend it. The nurse put an ace bandage on so he would be able to keep it straight. We don't want those stitches popping open! He has to go back in 10 days to get the stitches removed.

Next, we were off to get Ruthie's hair cut and to get Levi's first haircut in America!! Ruthie looks very cute and Levi looks very handsome! He absolutely did not want to get his haircut and started to cry, but using my international bribery methods, I offered him a piece of gum if he would get his haircut. He agreed and watched Ruthie go first. He decided it was actually pretty "cool" to get to sit in a car "beep! beep!" while getting his hair cut. He was as good as gold, and of course, the stylist went on and on about how cute he is! ha! :)

We came home and made homemade pizzas using refrigerator canned biscuit dough. The kids patted out their dough, added sauce and cheese, baked them and are now quietly eating every last morsel. Levi did not like the pizza in China that we had at Pizza Hut, but he sure likes the one he made! He asked for more. :)

Good News! I just got a call from our pediatrician. Levi's bloodwork came back totally normal with an immunity to all the vaccines we give in the U.S. except for Polio. He just has to catch up on that (which is thankfully not one of the "scary ones"). The orphanage in Beijing took great care of him in so many ways! We are so thankful to them and to God for taking care of our precious little boy!!

Fun times....
Time for nap!! Yeah!! :)