Mollie

 

This Christmas we sponsored this beautiful girl from the New Day Foster Home in Beijing.  Miah had so much fun picking out a Christmas gift for Mollie. She bought her a stuffed Unicorn, a My Little Pony and a little bunny blankie. Her biggest concern was whether or not the nannies at the orphange would be able to read the english writing on our card...if you would like to sponsor a child or nanny this Christmas, head on over to their blog!

Kindergarten!

This week was very exciting and eventful at our house. Mackenzie started middle school, Madison grade 3 and.... are you ready for it??? Miah started full time Kindergarten! She's all grown up now that she is five.

 She was so excited to go one her first day...but once we got there...in the classroom...things changed. Reality sunk in. She was staying...Mommy was not.

This was when the uncertainly set in...see it in her eyes??? She has had a few tearful moments this week, but hopefully this transition is settling in and next week the excitement will be back!

We have been blessed this year with Miah's Kindergarten teacher.  She herself, is an adoptive mom to two kids from China.  What a gift this is! Having someone else to talk with Miah if she has questions about China and her adoption is huge to us! Not to mention, the addition of some Asian decor in the classroom.  Did I mention that there are 4 Asian kids in the class? Awesome!

Side note...when did these two grow up????

Happy 5th Birthday Miah!

 

This weekend we celebrated Miah's 5th birthday wonderland style. Miah wanted an Alice in Wonderland party, which turned out to be such a fun theme.

 

I found this cute Alice dress on Etsy. We might have to make another trip to Disneyland so she can wear it there...sounds like a good excuse doesn't it?

 

Setting the table was super fun. Everything was labelled either "drink me" or "eat me."

A fun game of croquet...Wonderland style of course....

 

Making Princess crowns

 

Alice in Wonderland themed duckies for the water table....

 

A tea pot pinata filed with candy and sparkly jewelry....

 

Love this girl!  She had waited for this day to come all summer!

 

Three Years!

Last week we celebrated Miah's third Gotcha Day by going out to dinner at Earls and getting ice cream downtown for dessert. She was so excited about her special day and even asked us to sing for her in the restaurant...when we asked what we should sing, she replied "Happy Gotcha Day," apparently to be sung to the tune of Happy Birthday. She pointed to each of us saying "You...Sing!" Of course we couldn't say no...which thrilled her!

 Daddy had flowers for her when he arrived home from work.  She was feeling pretty special!

 Happy third Gotcha Day Miss Miah. We love and cherish you so much!

The Next Stage

Today we had an appointment with the oral surgeon who will be doing Miah's bone grafting.  He said thing are looking great and we booked the first step in this process which is to remove 1 or 2 baby teeth that are erupting in her cleft line.  This is booked for October 12th.  It is an early morning procedure in his office done under a bit of sedation. He said she would not remember a thing.  Poor girl does have to get an IV though.  After that we wait for her mouth to heal up nicely and then he will schedule her grafting for early Spring 2013. He stated that this usually involves a 2-3 night hospital stay, mostly for pain management of the hip where they remove the bone.  How I will miss seeing that cleft of hers. I wish she could just keep her beautiful smile and that none of this would be necessary. 

Dance Recital-Wiggle

This past weekend the girls participated in their year end dance recital. The show was called Wiggle and was based on a children's book "Wenda the Wacky Wiggler."  It was a busy week full of late night blocking and a dress rehearsal.  They were tired but had so much fun!

Mackenzie played one of the characters (the Artist) in the show.  She also danced in 4 dance pieces so she had to master the art of the "quick change."  She did great despite having a high fever all weekend.  it wasn't until Monday when some suspicious spots surfaced....yup-chicken pox!  At least we know what was causing those fevers!

 Both sets of grandparents travelled to town to watch the big show!  the girls were spoiled with three bouquets of flowers and some stuffies after the show!

Happy Mothers Day

This morning at Preschool Miah's class sang a few songs to the moms in honor of Mother's Day. Miah was so excited about this day to show me the songs they have been practicing. After their mini performance we decorated cookies together and Miah gave me a special necklace she has made for me. All the moms wore their necklaces with pride!  I am still in awe that I have been chosen to be this girl's momma. She is a pretty special (and often crazy) little girl.