Back on the Radar

Alright, so I know I've been totally off the map for a while, but I guarantee you, I'm back. Okay, at least for now.

Anyway, the latest 'quick' updates.

Claudia started her Preppie Kindergarten class, which is a two year Kindergarten program designed to give the kids with late birthdays (her the cut off for K is not until December 2, which is very late! and she's an October baby) So this way, they're out of the preschool class full of 3 year olds, but still working on fine motor skills, letters, numbers etc... and social development, second year is major academic stress that this year gets them ready for. (There are a lot of words they have to be able to sight read, they have to be able to write several sentences unaided and a lot of other things that these particular kids just might not realistically be able to do this year.)

Joe's back in preschool as of today and he had a great first day. Especially considering he has some major speech delays in the area of pronounciation and his teacher is Vietnamese and has pronounciation issues of her own! Don't get me wrong, she's Very nice and super sweet so I'm sure he'll do great in her class. He is supposed to be starting speech therapy (YAAA!) and we're just waiting for the speech therapist to set up his scheduled time.

Theia is growing like a weed, and as of now DEMANDS that she get to eat at the table with us during EVERY SINGLE MEAL. It's really interesting, but it's like she knows that something really cool is going on and she wants to be a part of it. That and she's really crusing along the furniture so I'm sure it won't be long before she starts letting go! (not sure if it's WHOO HOO or OOOH NOO! yet) She's also getting all FOUR of her top teeth at once which feels wonderful I'm sure, but at least she's doing it all in one shot. She also says Papa and Mama discriminately which is amazingly heartwarming!

Last but not least, yesterday, September 8th, 2008 we did the adoption signing for Claudia and Joe! YAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

Obviously we're really excited and it's been a huge whirlwind of emotions (that i'll have to blog about later) and it's been great, they know their new names (only middle and last changed, but still) So although we're going to have to wait longer than anticipated and hoped for on Theia, we're really excited to introduce you all to the new

Claudia Jean Croteau, and João Todd Croteau!

For those of you who don't know or remember João is pronounced ZHU-wau (Portuguese where the J is pronounced like the soft Zs of Zsa Zsa Gabor) and our last name Croteau (nice ancient French province) is cruh-TOE (like chateau). Yes, we do realize that Joe now has a Portuguese name, an Irish name, and a French name and is a Mexican kid. He's cultured already!

Thanks for checking in, we'll see you next time!