Fall 2016

Hello friends and family! Fall is in full swing. Amara started preschool 3 mornings a week and she loves it! Her teachers, Ms. Samantha and Ms. Stephanie are so kind and make preschool a fun, social and learning experience. Amara still enjoys going to the "Kids Club" at the gym and making new friends where ever she goes. She just made a new friend, Daisy, a our local park. I am amazed when I watch how happy Amara is around other children and how she goes out of her way to engage other kids in conversation and play. We have started construction on our new backyard. It should be finished by Christmas and hopefully provide a great space to play and entertain while we enjoy the outdoors. Amara enjoyed gymnastics classes this fall at the YMCA. It helped her to become more comfortable climbing and jumping. But most importantly it was fun! We have been going to the Y pool to swim which she also loves. Swimming lessons next....! Every day Amara delights us with her cute expressions and her playfulness and joy for life. We feel so blessed as we watch her grow. She will be 3 before long! **In my summer post I forgot to mention our end of summer trip to see Uncle Don, Aunt Sarah, and baby Maeve. We had a great time and the girls enjoyed playing together. We loved the Simpsons' new home and pool and all the great food they made for us. See the photos from this trip below**

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Our summer

Hello! It is now October and I am finally writing an update about our summer. It was a fun and exciting summer with lots of visitors and time spent outdoors. In June we had a visit from Poppa, Jan, Auntie Anne and cousins Nathalie and Carter. They were here at the same time staying in Del Mar. The kids had a blast playing at the pool and beach. Carter LOVED fishing with Poppa. Amara loved having her cousins in town and playing with them at the condo or at our house. One night we had a very nice BBQ dinner at our home with the whole family! Grandma Patty and Grandpa Hamid came too. In June we also visited Brian's Dad, Grandpa Joe, and the Detroit extended family! We stayed with Annie and Ryan in Sterling Heights. Everyone was so kind and gracious. They always make us feel special and shower Amara with love!

Other than the awesome time with family we spent time with Amara's friends and their parents. Isla and Charlotte are two of Amara's close friends. Amara has known them since she was less than a year old. Camille is a sweeet friend too. It is neat to see the girls growing up together, having fun, and learning about friendship. We spent time with them at the Children's Museum downtown, at the Del Mar fair, and at the Zoo.

Amara grew and changed so much over the summer. Every day she makes us smile and feel proud as we hear her say witty and funny things. Lately she has been playing by herself more oand comes up with very imaginative games and stories. It is a delight to see. I try to remember things she says that are so endearing. Here is one exchange that we had recently that was just so cute: Amara: I am taking a trip. This is my suitcase. Mom: Where are you going? Amara: Herop (pretty sure she was meant Europe) Mom: Oh cool. Amara: Honey, where is Herop? I am a grown up. I am going to Herop.

What a spring!

Hello! What a busy and fun two months we have had. Amara seems to have hit a growth spurt lately. She is taller and looking older by the day. She is also surprising us with her insightful, funny and interesting comments. Lately she has been suggesting family plans such as "Daddy, let's go Tio Leo's and Froyo". She also has this adorable habit of calling people, "honey". "Hi honey, how was work?" And she is picking up our habits too. Earlier today I asked Amara if she wanted to walk over to the Nature Center. I told her that it might not be open but we could check. To that Amara replied, "Let me get my phone and check if Nature Center is open". She ran to get her make believe phone. Amazing that she knows a smart phone is the way to check if a business is open or closed. Every day we are amazed and inspired by Amara's adventurous spirit, playful nature, and ever expanding vocabulary. We have been enjoying trips to the Birch aquarium, Sea World, the park, rides on the trolley, the beach, and a few firsts (first Kite flight and first Subway sandwich. Hahaha).

Spring is here!

Hello! It is April and today we are having some showers. Our roses are beginning to bloom and we are enjoying our front porch and backyard. Amara especially likes sitting at our patio table and playing "restaurant". One of us pretends to be the server and takes her order. She usually orders "quesadilla, avocado, and 'beard'" She means beer! Hahaha! I guess Dad and Mom's occasional Corona light drink at the restaurant is well remembered. Sometimes she orders her favorite breakfast foods-- "French toast, blueberry pancake" and I forgot that she loves "rice and beans!". So it is FUN go to out to brunch or Mexican food with Amara because she loves the process. We enjoyed Easter and a visit from the Kahangi family and family friend, Sam. Mom hid eggs in the yard and Amara loved finding them and putting them in her duck shaped Easter basket. She also liked dying Easter eggs and helping make the braided bread (see photo). I know I say this every time but Amara's language and vocabulary is in full bloom right now. She has the cutest voice and it is so pleasant to hear her talk and play along. Here are a couple of cute recent conversations. Dad: Amara how old are you? Amara: I am two. I am a big girl. I am toddler. I am Amara. Dad, how many are you? (Dad then counting 37 on his fingers.) Another one: Mom came into Amara's room with wet hair. Amara: Mom went swimming? Mom: No, Mommy took a shower. Amara: Mommy hair is wet. Mommy's hair long. I like your hair. Mommy make a braid. (Mom then braids her hair). Amara: So pretty, Mommy. I am so proud of you. (Then she hugged me). PRECIOUS MOMENTS! I wish I could remember and record each one. Sigh....This is a fun, exciting and rewarding time for us.