Holiday Time 2009

Cutie

Grace recvd a new outfit from Nana Linda for her birthday- and she really likes it. She is in to posing lately- maybe this is from picture day at school?? Not sure- she usually won't let us take her picture!

MMMMMMM...... Cupcakes

Yesterday was my little girls 3rd birthday. Its hard to believe she is already 3 and so darn smart and independant. Just about everyone we invited was able to attend and the weather was great. We've lucked out 3 years in a row with nice weather on her day. Burrito bar for lunch and New York Cupcakes for dessert. These are Grace's favorite cupcakes. They have the most delicious buttercream frosting.

Grace was so happy and lucky to get so many wonderful presents. She loves every one of them and was very much into it being her day. She kept telling people that she wanted to go and get a present and open it. Suprisingly she ate a good lunch and was very patient until it was present time.

She picked a pink tickertape cupcake with a gummy bear and sprinkles!

Thanks to everyone for coming and sharing Grace's special day!

A Room Fit for a Princess- OUR Princess

Since Grace is turning 3 on Sunday, Scott and I thought that she should move into the front bedroom where its bigger so she could have the furniture we bought for her a year ago. Who new we would be afraid to put her in a taller bed. She slept in her toddler bed for a year and we thought it was time. So we moved the guest bedroom upstairs- so anyone coming to visit you'll have an entire guest suite with newly remodelled bathroom (thanks to Scott's brother Ray). My craft area came down to her old room along with my home office from the dining room. Scott and I moved furniture and things around for 5 hours to get it done before she gets home. My back is killing me- but its worth it. I can't wait to see her face!

Last Monday I had a thought that since her room is going to be bigger and so nice that she needed a chandelier- one with pink shades and crystals. So I started my search on craigslist and came across one for $20. It was not by any means the prettiest thing I had ever seen. But the detailing on it was amazing and my brain started to go on overload. A can on white spray paint later and it looked like an entirely different light. I went to Michael's crafts and bought the beads on strings and just added hooks- and bought teardrop crystals on ebay to match. Pink silk shades from the lighting store- and BAM! we have a princess chandelier. When I was at the lighting store I did see some of the ones they had- can you say expensive?? They had one on sale for $159- but it wasn't even as nice as the one I have. So yes, I am pretty proud of it.

I also decided to cover a lamp shade with Grossgrain ribbon and pibnk flowers- just to jazz it up a bit. I only burn myself 4 times- not too bad for me and glue guns!

Grace in her Uniform

My little girl wears a uniform to school and we finally got the shirts. She is so cute and loves to wear pigtails when she goes to school. I was suprised that she doesn't put up a fuss thats its an everyday thing and there is no variety. Friday is the one day she can wear her own clothes. So far so good!

So cute

My mother emailed me 2 pictures for Grace's school that she needed for a project. The one of her and Papa Don is so adorable. He was readig to her and did all of the sound effects. She really loves her Papa Don!

First Day of School

Today was Grace's first day of Pre-school at her new school. I think I was a more nervous than she was. We got there a little before 8 because I wanted to make sure she was OK and was not upset. Well in fabulous Grace fashion she struts into the school says good morning to Mrs. Sue the principal and had no issue walking right to her new room. They have breakfast from 8-9 and she was surprisingly the first one there. She sat down and asked for some muffin and fruit and started chowing away. She was so at ease and happy- I was so proud of our girl!

Mrs. Sue was sitting with her when I left and I got a big kiss and an "I love you mommy".

UGH! I wanted to cry! My baby is growing up and doesn't need me as much anymore.

But I do hope the trend continues and she thrives and loves her new school.

FINALLY.......

After 2 years of procrastination we finally had the paperwork done to adopt Grace in the State of Washington. Although it was a formality- she is already ours, we needed to in order to get her a US birth certificate. It makes it easier for her as she gets older to have this. My mother and er husband came from Boston to be here and help us celebrate. It also marks the END of all ofthe legal crud and paperwork. Big sigh!

Gotcha Day!

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of us becoming a family. We met Grace on a hot humid Sunday afternoon in our hotel lobby in Chongqing China. They had just gotten off a 4 hour train ride from their orphanage- and remarkably were in great moods. I remember the butterflies I felt that whole day right up to us standing in a group in front of these precious adorable children lined up on couches waiting for us. Makes me teary just remembering it all. We have come so far in 2 years. Grace finally got teeth- she learned to walk, talk, dress herself, go potty on the toilet and show us who is boss- all in 2 short years!

This year is going to be a big one for her. Being potty trained opens up so many doors for her. We applied for her to attend a Bilingual Academy and expected to wait until the 2010 school year for her to be able to get in. We were on the wait list and recv'd an email from the principal that they had an opening and they picked her to fill the spot! I knew she charmed Mrs. Sue when we met her. She remarked at how beautiful Grace was about a 100 times- so whatever charm Grace had over her worked! Besides the fact that Grace carried on a pretty good conversation with her without any trouble. She is so smart and social.

Grace will be learning to speak and write Chinese and we are so excited to be able to provide this type of education for her. Keeping part of who she is as being Chinese is so important. Tuition is higher than her regular Daycare but its worth it. We'll just be buttoning down and saving!

So congrats to all of the families for a fabulous 2 years- and here is to many many more!!!

Sugar

Just some pictures of my girl-

not a whole lot to report. Potty training continues to be a success. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Father's Day- aka Parents Day

We made our annual trip to the zoo for Father's Day. Scott calls it Parent's Day because the last 2 Mother' Days I was jipped on it being my day- so he makes up for it.

Since my last post Grace has grown more and more. She is changing every day. That little round face is geting a little thinner and grown up and her hair keeps on getting longer. We've noticed how long her legs are getting- I can tell because 24months are too short in dresses, but 2T's seem to fit better now. We are just getting her to peak the 30 lb mark. Its been a struggle even though she eats well. Everytime we seem to get close she grows and it stays for a while. She has been eating like a little oinker the last few nights. This means another growing spurt.

She is also mastering going #1 and #2 on the potty and has been doing well for about 2 weeks. Every now and again I hear - "uhoh" and there is a puddle. Its more my fault for not staying on top of the time. When she is fully trained I am looking forward to her going to a bilingual school where she will be learning more Mandarin. She may have to go 4 or 5 days at that ponit. But its worth it for her to be bilingual and speak her native tongue. So this way she can sass me in Mandarin and I won't have ANY idea what she is saying!

North Carolina on My Mind....

I'm going to Carolina. I have had that James Taylor song in my head since we came home. Loved the weather, the area and had a great time. My mother and Don came down from Massachusetts to visit and it was great to see them. Its been over a year and Grace was so excited to see them.

The beaches were awesome- so many shells I think my mother and I could have hunted for hours and gathered our own weight in them. Grace's first order of business at the beach was to build sandcastles, and that she did!

Wilmington is definately a place we loved and I could live..............

An Egg Hunt for One

Grace is the only small child in the family right now so the egg hunt was all hers. There were eggs with money in them, jelly beans (thankfully no chocolate) and some real eggs that she and Ni Ni (Trula) colored. Those she didn't want to touch. But the money eggs, she was all over those!

Her basket was so full and heavy I had to carry the overflow. It was nice of Cindy to have Easter at her house and we all had a good time despite the rain.

Spring is finally here and rolling into summer fast. The sun has been shining and it brightens everyone's mood. OUr dogs are loving being able to go in and out of the house and lay in the sun. Maggie (one ofour dogs) is a sun goddess and is already working on her tan.

First Professional Trim

I am one of those mothers that tries to trim my daughters bangs to keep them under control. But the last few times I have not done such a great job. So Scott took Grace to his stylist at Supercuts to have Sue Wai give her a trim. He said she was a really good girl and is looking pretty good. Maybe I can keep up now that they ave been professionally trimmed. I still refuse to cut any length off of th rest of her hair as it looks so pretty. Its getting so long and is at the middle of her back. I promise I will never try to cut anything but her bangs and will run staright back to Sue if I mess them up again!

To the park to the park to the park park park

Can't keep this girl away from the park! e have a park nearby that has a waterfront and small beach. Grace loves it- and gets very wet and dirty while she is there!