Eleven Ways to Bond with your Kids

How do you promote a strong bond between you and your kids?  It's a question that adoptive parents often have, especially if their first go at parenting starts with adoption.   Listed on my Mom Thoughts blog are eleven activities we've done that have been most productive towards bonding.  I'm sure there are many more, but there were eleven that readily came to mind.  If you have some great suggestions that will help other families who are just about to meet their children, or have just returned home with their new child, please visit my Mom Thoughts blog and leave your ideas in the comments.  Thanks!

We All Went On Safari...

For our family vacation we decided to take the kids on a safari.  We drove through the park where most of the animals are able to roam free.  (The dangerous ones are surrounded by fences.)  It was so awesome to see zebras, giraffes, elephants and more right outside our car windows!  

In October, Kieran was too shy to pet the animals at the petting zoo.
He's definitely not shy anymore!  

We took a train ride as well.  This was Kieran's favorite part.
A two dollar train ride, go figure.  

Meet George.  He's ten feet tall and happy to wash your car for you, for a small fee.

While George washed our car, we were inside the vehicle.
Although it terrified Kieran at the time, later it was all he talked about.
The power of an elephant's spray is not to be underestimated!

Watusi cattle.  Another African animal that we saw up close.

The adventures of the day were fun but exhausting.

Catching Up: Our 4th of July...

We had a great 4th of July with a backyard bbq and neighborhood fireworks.
Jonathan, Katie, Grandpa, Marisa, Grandma, Haley, Mike, Kieran, & Amy

Our little firecracker.  She was not afraid of the fireworks at all!
Instead, she cheered and said, "Boom, Boom! More!"

He looks brave, but the fireworks did frighten him,
especially after one misfired and singed his sweatshirt!
No one was injured, thankfully.

My handsome guys.

Mike (aka Daddy), Uncle Jonathan, Kieran, & Grandpa.

Next post, when I find a quick moment, I'll update you all on our family vacation.

Happy Father's Day 2011

Kieran, Daddy & Marisa... don't they look great together?

Holding down the fort

Mike had to go out of town for some training for work.
  Below are  a few photos of what we did while he was away.
BTW, we are so glad that he's home now!!

Our friends, Mandy & Henry, came to visit for a few days.

The kids had a crazy good time together.  Can you tell?

Auntie Kendra was here too.  Kieran got to do some wild
swinging with Auntie.  Good times!

Marisa is getting very good at walking unassisted.

Kieran having fun playing with legos.  

Mommy & Marisa enjoying a book together.