So, it has been a while since I lasted posted an update.  Zoe started 4th grade.  She loves to read and loves TV.  She is still involved in gymnastics and competitive cheer and has played volleyball and coach pitch baseball.  This was a big year as she got earrings this year however, not without a lot of pain and tears.  While she still has her earrings she is sensitive to pain and whenever she took them out and put them back in the tears came rolling down.  However we are getting through that.  She enjoys he little sister Harper most of the time and misses her big brother Nate.  I think this year they have gotten a little closer now Zoe is getting older. Zoe loves going to the cabin and the lake and has finally begun riding many of the rides by herself including the big rollercoasters.  She is doing well  and has a loving spirit.  More to come just wanted to post something quick.

Girls outnumber the boys!

Zoe and her sister Harper

Harper, Santa and Zoe dressed for the holidays!

Just a few years ago there were only three of us...and now we have both Zoe and Harper.  The girls now outnumber the boys.  Zoe likes being a big sister.  She gets to play with her and they are becoming fast friends as well as being sisters.  Much more laughter in the household.  However, I also get concerned and suspicious when all goes quiet.  They always take baths together and the last time I went in I saw water on all the walls, floors and ceiling and when I asked how that happened neither one could come up with an answer...all I heard is "I dunno"  the funny part of the whole episode was Harper had a spray bottle in her hand when she looked me square in the eyes  and said "I dunno". 

 

So, Zoe and Santa have a special bond and he let's her take pictures with him before his yearly toy run. We have a picture of her and Santa in 2012, 2013 and now 2014.  

 

Zoe and Santa in 2013

Zoe and Santa in 2012

Zoe has been competing for Elite Cheer and she has participated in two competitions.  Her team has taken a fist place and a second place so far.  they have a good little team. She is a tumbler which means she gets to do all the cartwheels and other crazy flips while other are part of the pyramid.  She really likes it and seems to be a natural. Should be fun to see her develop and grow to be a great cheer leader.  It's a lot of work and you have to be a good athlete.  

 

Well, that's all for now.

Zoe's busy little life....and enjoyong every minute of it!!!

Zoe has been very busy since school started.  She has been practicing for he first competitive cheer leading competition which starts in November.  last week we watch a trial run and she knew just what to do and does her tumbling passes as good as anyone else on the team.  Gymnastics and cheer seems to be a great fit for her skills.  It allows her to dress up and also, be involved competitively and still be athletic. Last week Zoe had hula day and Halloween.  Her mom was traveling so her dad got her dressed for both activities.  Although you cannot see them, her mom bought her a coconut bra. So I put it on her, I guess the kids at school did not like it too much and teased her a bit however she rolled with the punches (maybe mom went just a coconut hair too far).  For Halloween I got her dressed as a 50's girl in a pink poodle skirt.  Must say she was soooo darn cute.  When I took her trick or treating she got a lot of candy.  Who can deny a cute little girl a few extra pieces of candy.  She came home with enough candy for everyone.  Oh my.  Zoe is getting along well with her new little sister Harper Grace.  They sleep together, eat together and watch cartoons and the Disney Channel together.  I think having Harper in our lives is already making a big difference for Zoe.  Zoe just loves being with her and being her big sister. Let's see if this lasts, hope so, however Zoe seems to disappear any time we notice its time to change Harper's dirty diapers.  Then again, I hide too!!!



Hula Day at School

Elite Cheer outfit

2014 Halloween party at her school

 

Zoe just really likes he brother Nathaniel's girlfriend Bailey.  So she struck a pose with Bailey before the home coming dance. 

Zoe standing by Bailey her big brothers date to Homecoming

 Zoe also got to go to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. You may or may not know that her grandmother was a docent there for a number of years.  Zoe went with her entire class and you can see her hanging with her friends.  Zoe also posed by the memorial plaques at the zoo in memory of my parents. 

Zoe at the Zoo with her 2nd Grade classmates

Zoe at the Zoo with her 2nd Grade classmates

Zoe standing next to my parent memorial plaques at the zoo

Zoe all dressed up before her school concert

Zoe and Nathaniel gets a little sister

I know, I know I have been saying we were in process to adopt a little boy from China and we had about 5 more months.  But our plans changed. So, Sonja and I get a phone call from our adoption agency that a beautiful little girl 2 & 1/2 years old from Korea named Kaylen Jenna.  She had been given up by her birth mother and adopted by a family in Houston.  The new Korean American adoptive mother was unable to bond with Kaylen and also found out she was pregnant.  With a very difficult pregnancy they felt like they needed to again put Kaylen up for what they call a disruptive adoption. We got the phone call and we felt it made sense to add Kaylen to the family. She is a beautiful little girl with big eyes and a beautiful smile.  She is incredibly perceptive and appears to be off the charts smart. She likes to push buttons, open up doors and explore.  When we brought her home we were worried about our two dogs Bear and Abbie but that was a non-issue. So, where was Zoe?   We were encouraged not to bring Zoe so we could begin the adoption process and start the bonding process. Looking back it was good advice. So she stayed at her Grand Parents and got to spend quality time with her cousins Hallie, Madison and Peyton who all dote over Zoe.  When Zoe got home she rushed in to give Kaylen a gift that her grandparents gave both of them. They hit it off immediately laying together, taking a bath together and sleeping together.  Nathaniel also seemed to be excited about meeting Kaylen.  We have learned quickly that the best way to get Kaylen upset is to take anything from her that she is not yet ready to give up.  Oh my...here come the tears. Like Zoe they both like fashion and  like to pose for the camera.  Kaylen is a sweet little girl and will look up to her big sister Zoe. We are all excited she is here!

 

Pictures of  Kaylen...we are encouraged to change Kaylen's name so right now we are thinking Grace Harper or Skyler Grace or Harper Grace.  We just have not found that right blend.  We will know shortly and will share in her own blog.  That's all for now.

 

 

Summer fun having a blast and now it's fall and there is a chill in the air



So Zoe had a fun and busy summer and now she finds herself in second grade.  Zoe really like her new teacher Mrs.  Kowalski.  Reading has clicked so we often find Zoe at a table or chair reading a book about princesses.  This past week she checked out a book of jokes.  She tried a few of them on us and she had all kinds of fun telling us the punch line.  Zoe is still very active. This summer she played Coach pitch baseball and actually hit the ball several times.  She is also in gymnastics and has graduates to a intermediate class.  Also she was selected and is participating on a competition cheerleading team for Elite Cheer and has her first competition next weekend.  Should be interesting and we do not know what to expect. This summer she hung out with her mom a lot and had several of her friends come over to swim and act crazy. I am anxious to see how she reacts to a new sister/brother which we should know something final in the next few weeks.  

 

Zoe is playing soccer now and has actually scored a few goals.  She still likes to watch more than play and like to hop around.  She is getting better at kicking the ball but still is not dribbling it.  Her coach must yell her name at least 20 times a game and you can hear him from 100's of yards away.  So by now everyone in the soccer complex knows the name ZOE. As she would like it.

 

 

 Zoe's brother Nathaniel has already been busy his senior year.  He is playing varsity football and fall baseball.  He is getting a lot of mail form all the universities in the mid west and has narrowed his school choices to Rockhurst, Benedictine, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan and maybe Northwest Missouri State.  He has worked out for the coaches at Benedictine  and Nebraska Wesleyan has expressed interest as well.  So he has taken a few college trips and will take more soon. Homecoming is around the corner and has a date.  Phewww, now his mom can relax as she was getting impatient. 

Late summer we bought a cabin next to Table Rock lake in Branson West and excited about getting down there as much as possible to boat and have fun.  First steps fist we are trying to furnish it to make is more comfortable. Nathaniel is excited and has already invited a friend the last time we went down. We are only 20 minutes from Branson and Sonja is enjoying the chance to decorate. It comes with a boat slip and we will have to decide whether we buy a boat, pontoon or some jet skis.

 So all is good right now, there is a chill in the air and getting ready for Halloween. 



 

Anyone know what the going rate is for the Tooth Fairy?

 

For the past week, I don’t think I saw Zoe without her right index finger and sometimes accompanied by her right thumb furiously wiggling her bottom right primary lateral incisor. She would wiggle, wiggle and wiggle it some more until she was to the point that her baby tooth was literally hanging there and I was not sure what was holding it from coming free. Quite honestly, it became such a distraction, I finally told her to come to me and pen her mouth.  She had some reservations as I know she was still worried that if I pulled it would be painful.  Quite honestly, I gained even more respect for our dentist as I am not sure how anyone would enjoy putting their hands in someone else’s mouth.  The first time I tried to grab her tooth using my index finger and thumb I was having a difficult time getting a hold of the tooth.  My finger was just too large.  However, on a second attempt I was able to get a hold of her tooth and acted if I was just going to wiggle I some more when all he sudden I swiftly pulled it out.  The good news was after I pulled it out she though the tooth was still in her mouth. Even though I had that little, I mean little tooth still wedged between my finger and thumb.  I finally had to show it to Zoe to prove that it had been pulled.  The good news, was she was so ecstatic. So, on New Year’s Day (January 1, 2014) Zoe Ann lost her first tooth a milestone to say the least.   I would have won “Bapa of the day award”, Zoe calls me Bapa which is the Chinese word for dad! I had no idea how excited she would be, she cannot wait to get back to school to show her classmates that she no longer owns a body part, albeit a tooth.  However, it is important to the circle of friends she “hangs” with at school.
 

So the next challenge Sonja and I ran into was the Tooth Fairy, or in this case Tooth Fairies.  Do you know they now make pillows specifically for the Tooth Fairy? Yes and furthermore, I found out on New Year’s day that we owned one. I remember when I was growing up, that that night I would take the tooth, cleaned by my mother and placed it under the pillow in hopes the Tooth Fairies would leave one or two shiny quarters behind for me to find.  Looking back, I am amazed that “the Tooth Fairies” was able to find my tooth as much as little kids toss and turn in the bed, it would be easy for a little tooth to get lost. If it did get lost, the “Tooth Fairies” could still leave the money but how do you explain weeks or months later when the child stumbles across the tooth under the bed?  Hmmm…those are one of the dogs teeth…I guess. Lucky we have dogs.  So Sonja and I had to strategize the “Tooth fairies” removes the tooth while Zoe sleeps and exchanges the tooth for money.  At age 6, it’s all about the money.  So, what is the going rate for a tooth.  I mentioned that we thought we were doing pretty good getting up to two shiny quarters.  Back in the day….oh my did I just say that.  Now I feel old.  Well, back in the day two shiny quarters could buy two super hero comic books unless it was the Big Value Comic book and still may have money left over.  So my dilemma was what is the going rate for a tooth?  Zoe was hoping for a dollar.  Did you know that iTunes and Visa both have Tooth Fairies downloadable apps and there are also online calculators to help you determine what the “Tooth Fairies” should give.  Needless to say, no matter how scientific or technologically advanced we become Sonja and I decided just to use our gut instincts.  Yes, you do not need to remind me that I have spent over 23 years in a technological firm supporting the financial industry. With all the technology out there we decided the “Tooth Fairies” would leave 10 times the amount the “Tooth Fairy”” left me.  That is five times more than what she was hoping for so hopefully when she woke up she was pleasantly surprised. Tooth be told, if the “Tooth Fairies” did not get it right, hey have nine-time more times to make the appropriate adjustments.

So, Zoe has the money….the Tooth Fairies have the tooth and I cannot think of a better way for Zoe to start out a new year!  Happy New year! Can’t wait until end of day January 6^th to hear how her first bay back to school was and the feedback she received on her first missing tooth.  Clearly, losing teeth at her age is a status symbol.  You garner great honor losing a tooth and it magnifies if you have lost more than one. Zoe’s friend is a legend as she has lost more than three teeth, more than any other classmate and she now offers guidance to her friends as Zoe has quoted her several times. My favorite quote, “our teeth always belled when they come out….but it never hurts!  Well maybe not much!

So, a question to think about? Now what in the world does the Tooth Fairies do with the teeth once they have exchanged to tooth for money?  Hmmm..a topic to ponder! Happy New Year!

 

Santa said I was very, very, very good this year!

 

 

Santa...I promise I was good this year! Would this face lie to you?

As wrapped gifts began to show up in the house, Zoe has been very mindful about being on her best behavior. She has been very helpful to everyone.  The good news is it also showed up in school.  We have been getting very encouraging comments about how Zoe is interacting with her classmates. She loves her time away from school during the holiday break. She likes that she gets to stay up a little later. Now that it is Christmas time, one of the things she most looks forward to is traveling to her Aunt Brenda’s and Uncle Jack’s to play with her cousins. Running around the house, playing hide and seek, yelling and screaming and every 15-20 minutes coming up from the basement to get a drink and sneak some goodies. I cannot imagine how the house looks like after everyone leaves, by now they must be used to it as they have been hosting the major holidays at their home for years now.

Last week Sonja took Zoe for her annual picture with Santa.  They waited in line for hours. They finally arrived home with a thumb drive of her pictures. Unfortunately, they gave her a bad thumb drive so they had to go back and get a new one. I must say, not only were these the best Santa pictures yet but the Santa in my opinion was very authentic looking. It surprises me that Zoe hasn’t noticed that each year the Santa she goes to is different.  Even Sonja got into the act and took pictures with Santa along with Zoe. Santa made sure to tell Zoe that she has been a very, very, very good girl. She made sure to tell both Sonja and I what Santa had said. So we will have to see if she is happy with what Santa brings!

 

Zoe has been a very busy girl. She is still doing hip-hop dancing, gymnastics and tumbling. Sonja has been taking her to Elite Cheer for private lessons. She is really improving. About a week ago she was moved up from Level 1 to Level 2 and is working on back flips and back handsprings. She will need to be able to perform these on a routine basis before she would be able to move up to level 3. Her instructor feels Zoe has some natural ability and could do well as long as she is able to focus. Focus?  That is the one word that seems to be her challenge at school, gymnastics and home.  Zoe is very social and her mind is moving in 100 directions.  Yes, focus! Focus will be one of her..maybe our New Year Resolutions. Focus..the lack of focus is what gets her in trouble at school…so hopefully this year we can focus on helping her get focus. Any suggestions from you battle proven parents would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Nathaniel just finished finals last week and did great. He ended up with a 4.0 this semester.  It amazes me he does so well with all the extracurricular activities he is involved with.  I guess I can excuse his tornado like devastation you see when you look at his bedroom.  Between Zoe and Nathaniel…I have stopped going up there.  Nathaniel tried out for and was selected to the University of Nebraska High School honor band where selected students throughout high schools in Nebraska will learn music and play together in a concert to be held in Omaha. How exciting. He will miss a wrestling meet which he is not happy about but sometime you have to make choices. Speaking of wrestling Nathaniel just competed at the Ralston High School Varsity wresting tournament.  He went 3-1 with two pins and came in third place.  This is the first time he has placed I a Varsity tournament so we were ecstatic.  We are only a few months away from baseball season and he is already working with an instructor for pitching.  We have our fingers crossed he will make the varsity team or it could be the end to his baseball career. If he does make the team, we think he will be mostly use for pitching in 2014.

So, all is well at the Teitler household.  We are ready as we can be for the rest of the holiday season. We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very happy, safe and prosperous New Year!!!

As the seasons change so do the sports!

Zoe's 2013 Soccer team! The Breakers!

 

Gosh, it has been awhile since my last post! I was having trouble adding pictures to the blog site.  So the good news is I am back! Zoe has had a number of exciting things happen over the last month or so.  She is so excited that her first tooth is loose, one of her front bottom teeth. She would not let me get pliers so I could help her pull it out so I guess we will have to take the usual approach of waiting until it is ready to come out. Zoe has been taking some private lessons to help her get ready to move to level two in tumbling.  She can now do a round off thingee and some sort of back spring.  Her coach said that Zoe has the body type to be a great tumbler if she can focus.  A six year old girl....focus? Really! Zoe also just finished her soccer for the fall.  I must say she improved dramatically from last year.  At last now she knows which way to kick the ball.  Last year it was progress for her to kick the ball, she still at times misses the ball...kind of reminds me of Charlie Brown, the only difference is when Zoe rears back to kick the soccer ball, Lucy is not there to pull it away.  Zoe just flat out misses the ball...both Sonja and I get a chuckle every time she plays.

 

How is school?  Zoe is doing so much better.  She has improved her reading skills but most importantly she is working hard on her social skills.  We have to keep reminding her not to kick, hit, punch, push, spit or say naughty things to others.  We received a progress report that she has improved significantly. Zoe likes school and gets to ride the bus on occasion which she really enjoys.

 

Zoe is so excited for the holidays.  There are so many toys out there that she is having difficulty choosing which ones to ask for. I am sure she will get many more than she needs.

 

Nathaniel's 2013 Football Season

 

Nathaniel's football season came to an end a few weeks back.  His team made the state playoffs but lost right away.  It is hard to come off a season before where you were the State Champions.  They played well and had fun. I cannot believe he only has one more year of football left.  We believe he has a good shot of being the starting punter his senior year. The would be a great way to cap off his football career.  now, he is practicing wrestling.  He was a 160 at the end of football season and is trying to get to the 138 pound class for wrestling. He has more discipline than I did at his age Nathaniel is doing great in school and is also practicing his pitching and hitting on a weekly basis getting ready for baseball season.

 

All else is well. Sonja is almost done with all our adoption paperwork and is getting our house in order (I hope) for the holidays! Until next time...have a great week and happy holidays!!!

We Have a Secret!!

School starts this week…Zoe going into first grade and Nathaniel going into the 11th Grade…wow does time fly.

School starts this week…Zoe going into first grade and Nathaniel going into the 11^th Grade…wow does time fly.

What an end to the summer.  The family went down to Branson, Missouri for our annual week long stay. While we were in Branson, Zoe had the opportunity to go to Silver Dollar City amusement park on several different days! The pictures below are her riding the rides.  She absolutely loves the frog ride and is becoming more of a daredevil riding a few of the “grown-up” rides with her brother and/or parents. We also had several opportunities to shop at the outlets malls; Zoe was on the hunt for her backpack for school.  She found it at Marshall’s so we are good for another year.    

Zoe's favorite cartoon characters (Dora and Diego)

Zoe has been very active in her tumbling classes.  She is now able to do a full cartwheel and some sort of bend over back bend thing. She has made a ton of progress in her tumbling classes.  Truly, I cannot remember exactly what they call it, but both Zoe and her Mom assure me that it is hard to do! Now that school is back in session she will again be participating in gymnastics and dance (hip hop and basics).  

Hey Dad...look at me!!!

Zoe was so excited to start school. She has a ton of clothes and got her hair cut, so she is ready. She rode the bus for the first time and likes her first grade teacher. She has a few of her friends she made in kindergarten in her class.  So for now all is good.

While we were in Branson, Nathaniel attended a week long baseball exposure camp. He has gone to the same camp for the past 6 years but this time we invited one of his best friends Isaiah to come along. Both of them had a great time. They too went to Silver Dollar City but we did not see them until either they were hungry or they were ready to leave.

Nathaniel and his friend Isaiah at Baseball camp

Nathaniel starts school as a junior this year.  He is signed up to take his ACT in the next month or so. He is also playing football so he has been lifting and now is doing two-a-days leading up to the first day of school.  This summer has been good for Nathaniel. He has been very active hanging with his friends.  His Grandfather Teitler passed down his Jeep Cherokee to Nathaniel. If you knew his grandfather, although it was a 1997 model it was kept in immaculate condition and with reasonably low mile. Having the car has given Nathaniel the freedom to see his friends.  When he is not there his friends are in our backyard enjoying the pool.  Sometimes I will look outside and there will be 10-15 kids swimming.

Zoe's favorite ride

So both Zoe and Nathaniel are going to be very busy with their school work, extracurricular activities and spending time with their friends. It’s been a great summer, so sorry to see it go so quickly. I know both of them enjoyed having their Mom at home.  

Shooting the water cannon

 

Zoe and Nathaniel are in full swing! To be a kid again!!!!

You can tell its July as my grass is turning from emerald green to a straw brown color.  Temperatures here in Nebraska are from the mid 80’s to the upper 90’s.  The heat in Nebraska doesn’t seem to bother Zoe or Nathaniel. 

Zoe just finished her second year of Tee Ball.  She was hitting the ball off the Tee well and actually ran for the ball when playing the field.  At her year-end party the coach indicated she was the most improved player.  Way to Go Zoe. Zoe is standing with her coach and her year end trophy she received this past Sunday!  Zoe is also taking doing gymnastics and taking tumbling.  She was just moved up to a more senior class based on her progress.  She is doing walk-overs, almost has her cart wheel down and a few other moves. She is doing great. We are very proud of her.  She also has had one of her friends come over to swim and play.  They have become fast friends.

I have to share a little funny that happened earlier this week. While eating a salad, she told me she really loved the berries in her salad.  I looked in her salad bowl and the berries turned out to be olives.  I give her some credit…they kind of look like a berry.

Zoe continues to make progress with school activities.  She practices reading and is doing a good job sounding our words.  This is a little girl that two years ago was speaking Mandarin who is now speaking and reading English.  Just amazing.

I have also noticed both her and Nathaniel are increasingly more comfortable around each other.  They have learned to pair up and work their parents.  However, both of them are quick to sell the other one out in a moment’s notice.

Nathaniel has had a busy summer.  He has probably played close to 60 games of baseball.  He goes to wrestling practice twice a week and has lifting for football Monday-Thursday.  His JV team went to districts but lost both games so I thought he was done for the season.  However, he was invited to suit up with the varsity for their districts with the chance of going to state. I do not anticipate him seeing any playing time but it was recognition for the summer he had on the JV team.  Only he and two other boys were selected to move up. Some more good news,   Nathaniel was just notified that as a junior he would be a co-captain of the wrestling team.  We are really proud of him for being selected as captain.  So he will be captain of the band and wrestling…he is having a really good year.