Awesome Family - wonderful Friends- Thank you ALL !!!

My parents came to visit Adrien and I this weekend so they could be there for his 3rd birthday party ! 

We had a wonderful time with them and enjoyed every second of their trip.  It was so much fun to hear Adrien laugh and giggle while he played with my mom and my dad... it warmed my heart !!!

I have to thank them for being there to support me this weekend, I was apprehensive about doing Adrien's birthday party without christophe since he had to be away on a business trip.  They really came through, flew in to the rescue and we had a really amazing time together.  I also realized this weekend how inspired I am as a parent by what they did with my sisters and I.  It's fun now as an adult to see how they've influenced my parenting style and my relationship with Adrien.  For that I will ALWAYS be grateful!  

Tonight as I was singing to Adrien at bedtime, I remembered fond memories:

my mom tickling us up the stairs to our bedrooms , 

my dad coming earlier from work on tuesdays when my mom gave her dance classes to feed us dinner and he would often bring us a pastry from the bakery ...MMMMH :)

fun walks in the woods on the weekends singing " promenons nous dans les bois" 

tennis challenges:  the girls against the parents 

I  know Christophe also has fun memories from his childhood and our parents have shaped us into who we are today.  So thank you ! We both hope our sweet Adrien will get to also look back later on and appreciate his own memories.  It creates a beautiful circle of love, respect and learning from each other.

 We rode the train at the zoo

 learning about snakes ;) I touched a green one this time and I have to say I am getting more comfortable around them, still gives me the chills but it 's getting better . . .

 My mom took this picture - it looked like they were all pausing for this picture.

 Adrien was so proud to walk with Ninne and Titou

 The weather was just perfect, it was sunny and cool so all the animals were out and about.

 listening to the sound of the WILD . . .

 My mom giving her interpretation of the flamingo stance- on one foot - LOVe it ;) that might become a little exercise at Stroller Strides .... ha ha ha

The happy two birthday boys : Train conductors Jake and Adrien - Happy birthday sweet boys !!

 Claire looked really cute as a conductor too !

 The kids were waiting for the train to come and played on the tracks for a while -

 Drake was a cool conductor ;)

 Adrien was really into character

 Everyone loading up

 the view form the train ride

 awe :)

 Tchoo Tchoo - All ABOARD !

 AJ really enjoyed it !

 Some of our friends had to ride in the second train because it was so full !

 Let's ride the train !

 Adrien got to talk to the real conductor after the ride, he even let him talk to his own radio

 and he let him sit at his place ... Adrien was so proud -

 After that he was really into his role of conductor and told everyone : ALL ABOARD with his loudest voice , he said it a couple of times - and people were smiling - it was so cute to see him all into it.

Here is the link to a video of us singing happy birthday to the boys - Thank you Zane for filming it & Debi for sending it to us - You guys rock !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg7M6XW2ma8

 Adrien and Jake were so happy to blow their candles and to eat the cake- I was busy serving pecan pie to the adults but I found out a little later that Adrien ate 2 cupcakes and then Jake and Adrien stayed around their cakes and dipped their little trains into the frosting, they kept diping and licking it, dipping and licking....MMMH !! too funny !

 I was so moved to see so many of our friends come to celebrate our boys'  birthdays!

 MMMH :)

 Jake was so sweet !

 Amber with Brady - 3 weeks old - She looks so pretty :)  and we were so happy to celebrate both boys ' birthday on the same day - it worked out perfectly and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as our boys did -

  I feel so fortunate to know so many wonderful families - they've truly become my second family here in Arlington.  There's a quote I like : "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves."  That's definitely feels true to me.  So to all my FAMILY ( the one I 'm proud to have  & the one  I "chose" ) THANK YOU !!  I appreciate your love and support , and I am a better & stronger person because of you.