"Sugar and spice and everything nice..."

This weekend was my weekend with the big girls of House 2...our 2 oldest CDA girls and then a spunky almost-4 year old joined us, too.

...and here's the little tag-along herself! This one is too much fun - she knows NO stranger and is eager to give hugs and kisses (kind of non-stop...) to whoever she meets. Her history is full of ups and downs - she came to Casa de Amor as a newborn, and over the past four years has endured two adoptions that failed to go through, (including one in which she met and lived with her "to-be" parents and then was brought back. I may be naive, but this blew my mind.) She also is HIV-positive, but you would obviously never have a clue - she is one as joyful little girl! (And a joy to be around!!)  

 Our oldest 2 girls at CDA - both live at Casa 2. On the left is our oldest child currently, (about to turn 8,) and on the right is her 7 year old best buddy. These two are so much fun - they are giggly, silly, and will talk your ear off!

Thumbs up for the movies, Since we went once last year with all of House 2, the two oldest girls have asked me time and time again to go see another movie.

 Bedtime stories

 What a fun bunch!

That's a Wrap

Another orphan sporting UVA-apparel!

Haaa- this might be a result of me going out with a baby and forgetting a blanket!  

What's inside :) 

Cumpleanos in Chulla

This week we celebrated the 3rd birthday of one of my favorite little boys! He shares a birthday with Tia Techy's son, who turned 4, and Techy invited our birthday boy to join the party at her house. So, we loaded up his cake and a bunch of his buddies from home, and we headed out to Chulla, where several of our tias live.

The 2 birthday boys

Our 3 year old!

Party guests!

 They had a pretty hilarious clown, pinatas, dancing, prizes, face painting, and of course, jello.

She got her face painted, too!

Lots of wishes

 Amber, another volunteer, and I with Tia Adelaida's family...her kids are precious.

Techy's fam!

 3 of my favorite Chulla residents, Cacha players, and 3 of my favorite people in general!

Fashion Show

Showing off the latest fashions from the Trula&Ruth fall collection...and some other donations, too!

Our models have the attitude thing down.

Buddies

Sibs

Hugs all around

:)

Newborn #3...and a throwback to Christmas of 1998

These two girlies arrived two days apart. In the first picture, the baby on the left is the oldest, at 2 months, and the baby on the right was 10 days old. In the second picture, the baby on the left is 3 months old and the baby on the right is 1 month old. The older of the two, who came to us so small, has caught up fast!! Her stomach is honestly a bottomless pit!

And while we're on the topic of 3-month old, this week Elena, another volunteer, and I made a very important discovery: This baby looks just like a FURBY.

Haaahaahhaa - there is no denying it.

 Furbiola. Just another reason to love her.

Playground Fun

 Good team

Baby J loving some swing-time

 I wish y'all could hear this girl laugh - it's hilarious. I don't even know how to describe it - sort of like Beavis and Butthead - not that I was ever allowed to watch that show.

 Annnnnnnnnd, when is this girl not having a good time??!

Tias just call her "Sonrisas", (Smiles,) because we say that, for this one year old who does not walk, talk, or crawl...smiling's her only trick!

:)

Regular Comedians.

The morning routine is hectic around the Baby Home - kids are out of bed at 5:45 in the morning, (with permission. Most days they are running around before we get into their rooms!) From that time until 8am, whichever two staff have worked the night shift change diapers, wash faces, fix breakfast, get kids dressed, change sheets, find everyone's pair of shoes, and brush hair until the next group comes in to take over. This morning, I was in a less-than-cheerful mood trying to figure out which kid had taken the comb and getting two of the girls to pick up all 100000 hair rubber bands that they spilled when I looked over at our twins who were sitting on their potty chairs.

Underwear and pants on the head. No better way to start the day.

These two have a pretty incredible gift of making you want to pull out every hair on your head one minute and then cracking you up the next. Double trouble, but double the laughs for sure.

Buennnnnn DIA!

Good morning!
 Morning routine in the Baby Home - the day starts early!
A little breakfast in bed to start the day off right. :)


 Triplet #1

 2...

...and 3!

 Changing diapers and dressing babies
Never too early to strike a pose!

Twin on the left also striking a sexy morning pose

Ready to go!


Don't be fooled. The baby above looks ready to go - as if she is about to crawl somewhere. Such a poser - she doesn't move. Still. But at least she can act. :)

Pizza Party!

Happy 5th Birthday! The boy on the right, with the not-at-all-cheesy grin, turned 5 last week. We celebrated with some House 2 amigos. Love this sweet boy! (And his fun buddies, too!)

Backyardigans

Sillies

HAPPY OCTOBER!