Memories

I've often thought that Denis has a great memory, tonight he proved it. Tonight we went out to my friend's daughter's birthday party. Last year, Julia's birthday party was held at a trampoline place. There were 8 large sized trampolines set up four on a side.

Denis was too young to bounce on his own, but the young man running the birthday party would hold Denis in his arms and bounce. Denis loved it.

So, tonight I said we were going to Julia's birthday party. After a few moments he asked if we were going to go bounce. I looked at him and asked for more information, so he described all the trampolines. Amazing!

This year's party was at an indoor beach volleyball center. I wonder what he'll say next year.

Kazapalooza Fun

Look who made it to Kazapalooza. 

We had a wonderful weekend. Denis loved the water slides, the pools, the arcade, the parties and the bathtubs in the hotel rooms. He didn't, however, like sleeping away from home, as he asked to go home at night, when he tired and especially when things didn't go his way.

I have wanted to attend Kazapalooza since I heard of the very first one, and it far surpassed any expectations I had of the event.  It was amazing to be a part of such a wonderful and large group of families. But it was funny how I seemed to spend a large amount of time with my friends from home. We of course spent lots of time with Loretta and Alex, and Denis' favourite person Alex's grandmother Aline.

Here's Denis' picture of Loretta, Alex and I.

Denis is getting quite good at taking pictures. Here are some of his best from the weekend.

And for some reason he loves taking pictures like this one.

Can you say like mother like son? The black shoes are mine, I took it years ago, one of my favourite photos.

I saw so many of the children I know from their adoption blogs. I would be in the pool with Denis and look over and say to myself, 'oh look there's Major', or 'that's Hannah'. But I have this problem, I have no idea what their parents look like, or for that matter what the parents' names might be. I seem to have focused on the children.  So I couldn't look over and say hello.

During the Friday and Saturday events, families wore name tags, and I wanted to go up and say hello to so many of the families that I've come to know on-line. But these were the big and overwhelming events that required me to try and keep up with Denis. And then during the calmer times, well, families weren't wearing name tags. 

I also learned that a family I know from their blog were there and I'd love to have met up with them, opportunity missed.

The next Kazapalooza will be in Texas, also the 3rd week of June, one week before the end of the school term, not a great time for me. Dang! I would love to attend. I'll keep it on my wish list, but I don't think I'll be making it. So, I will instead start saving for the 7th Kazapalooza.

Thanks to all the organizers and their families for organizing such an amazing weekend.

Finally

Today was a remarkable day. I brought Denis to day care this morning. We had our usual race to the doors of school, he won as usual (wink, wink). We got to his cubby and put his hat and knapsack away. And then the remarkable thing happened. After 10 months of day care, he finally kissed me, said 'see you later', walked into day care and closed the door on me. No tears, no pulling me into day care, no arguments, no drama.

What a morning to remember! So, is it wrong that I sort of miss the drama? Don't get me wrong, I LOVED leaving quickly and getting on my way to work, but it sort of felt empty as I walked away.

He's growing up, growing up really really fast.

P. S. He sat on the couch yesterday doing attendance (who knew we had so many people living in the house), when he turned to me and said, "That's not acceptable!" What! I wonder if that came from day care, or from me. Too scary!

P.P.S. Why do these programs not like the word cubby, I've been using that word for YEARS as a kindergarten teacher. Come on on-line world, cubby is a word.