Enjoying Little Gym...

This is the last time I'm able to take some up close pics of Sophie and Sage in their Little Gym class. Next week, they'll be going to an older class- without mom by their side. Cross your fingers that they'll go! They haven't felt comfortable yet going anywhere without a family member right by their side. We are easing them into this. I hope it will be a good, positive experience for them to make that next step and know that we will never leave them- for good. I'm not surprised at their fears, with all they've been through. I know this will help prepare them for pre-school.

The teachers are impressed at how athletic, coordinated, strong, and limber Sophie and Sage are. Many children from an orphanage haven't had opportunities to develop these skills. We are so pleased at the care our girls received!

New Traditions

We missed the big Chinese New Year celebration last week, Trevor had his first "Blue and Gold Banquet" that night. So we had our own celebration tonight. What a fun tradition that we'll enjoy each year. Sophie and Sage could tell it was something special, concerning them.

They proudly wore their Cheongsams (chinese dresses) to church in honor of Chinese New Year. Everyone seemed thrilled to see them, and Long Chi even gave them their first red envelope with money- we have such great & thoughtful neighbors! They loved their envelopes and held them tight all the way home.

Our family came and we celebrated by making Won Tons, enjoying our Chinese feast (thanks everyone who helped- delicious), reminiscing of our awesome trip to China, listening to a CNY song and fun facts about the celebration, and Josh taught us some origami. We all made an origami box and received red envelopes. I enjoyed preparing, decorating, and getting out some of the treasures we got in China. Thanks family for all your help in making it a special evening. We love you and it's great getting together! Sophie and Sage, and everyone else had a wonderful time!

Gimme a "J"- FFF Challenge

I was given a letter "J" from Donna, here are my top ten things that start with a J...

Josh- what a great kid!





A Jet Plane- love to travel

Best"job" ever had- being a mom & wife!
(picture taken last summer, while waiting for our girls)

A Good Joke


Jamba Juice



Journaling

Judges- I'm hooked


Go Jazz
Joy my family give me!

Jesus- I saved the best for last

Happy Chinese New Year

These four Chinese characters say "Kung Hey Fat Choy", which literally mean wishing you plenty of wealth, but most people use this phrase to mean "Happy New Year." 2007 is the year of the pig. Click here to find out your sign.

Sophie, Sage, & Mom are Goats
Dad & Nick are Monkeys
Josh is a Dog
Trevor is a Tiger (He loves that)

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. February 18, 2007 - The first day of the Lunar New Year is “the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth”. Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

We went to a going away party for our niece & nephew tonight, so we plan on celebrating Chinese New Year next Sunday, can't wait.

Nick's 15th Birthday...

They grow up fast. I remember when Nick started kindergarten, like it was yesterday. He is a great kid. Smart and funny, and fun to have around. We have enjoyed seeing him as a big brother to Sophie and Sage, they have brought out a sweetness in him that only a little sister can. Sophie and Sage light up each day when Nick comes home. Isn't he cute, for a teenager? Nick chose to see "Bridge to Terabithia". His brother read the book in two days and told him all about it. Good choice Nick, fabulous show!

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa D. for the birthday wishes and gifts,
Nick loved it!

BTW- Congratulations on making "Broadway Kidz" boys.
Can't wait to see it!

The Gym we WON'T be going too

Look at Sophie's cute little tummy poking out, it's good to see them put on weight

Then work it off

Balance beam in pairs...

The pictures look ok, but this was really a gym class from you know where. When we walked in, I was surprised to hear the parents yelling at their children and pointing out everything they're doing wrong. Then they very loudly asked about my girls, and couldn't believe they were three years old, let alone 3 1/2 (yes, I know they're small for their age, and adorable :). As the class continued, there was a very disturbed girl who kept saying "I don't want to stand by the babies" (she was a tall 4 year old). As her mom was trying to force her to be nice, she said I don't want to sit by the babies, and their breath stinks (very nice, they always brush, she was just being naughty). When they all ran to sit on a star, she lost it and said Sophie was sitting on her star. Good thing I love kids, I kinda felt bad for her as the mother yelled and spanked her, and took her home early. I'm all for firm discipline when needed, but this girl has no example of the proper way to act. Even after she left I had to chuckle as the other children kept calling our girls "the babies". This was a very long 45 minute class and the teacher was no fun at all. The poor kids were tired of doing the same thing over and over again, no music, no variety, and they had to do it perfect, just like the teacher, in a small dull room (and people pay money for this? No thanks). As I was leaving, the embarressed and somewhat naive other mothers told me how wonderful I was for adopting our girls from China and they will see me next week, I thanked them and told them I felt like the lucky one to have them, and I would not be back to this gym. What a "trial" class. The girls and I weren't impressed, to say the least.

Pampered for Valentine's

My awesome husband took great care of me for Valentine's, like always. He had the day off, so we started the morning by taking the girls to Little Gym. We enjoyed watching them play as he video taped. Then he treated me to my favorite restaurant for lunch. The best part is, this is a restaurant I only enjoy with friends, Paul hates it- Mexican food. He chose this and even ate with me, now is that love or what? Then he gave me a choice of a shopping spree at the mall, or a beautiful watch he had looked at for me. He ended up getting me the watch and a very cute skirt and top I tried on (wow, he went shopping with me). He earned all kind of points! When we finally got home, I gave him his gift basket with a favorite movie, healthy snacks & drinks (he's on a strict diet), silk gown (for me, but really him;) etc. We ordered pizza, watched our movie, and enjoyed our evening. Thanks hon for a great Valentine's Day!

Our First Gym Class

The girls thoroughly enjoyed their first "Little Gym" class. They loved the activities, being with other children, and most of all the fun teacher, Miss Kim. I was happy to see it was my friend Kim (our boys were in Little Gym together a few years ago:). The girls really liked her and actually let her help them, as long as I was standing nearby. They had a fantastic time and did very well! We are checking out a few different gyms to see which one is best for our girls, this one will be hard to beat.

Ending the class with songs and bubbles

And a big hug for Miss Kim

Valentine Sweeties

My Treasures...

Fun Skating Party

Our ward (Church) had a skating party tonight. It was supposed to be ice-skating, but it's been too warm for the outdoor rink, so we quickly changed to roller skating. Sophie and Sage had a ball. They couldn't quite control the scooter, but they loved the roller skating. They danced to the music and enjoyed the Hokey Pokey, and of course the yummy cookies. They were so much fun! They wore me out (Paul had to work), and wouldn't let me get more then 2 feet from them. Thanks to all those who tried to give me a hand, someday they'll allow that.:) Only a few minutes in the car headed home and they were out. My boys were too fast and I couldn't get close enough to get their picture. Everyone had a good time.
Here's my Wild Card for Donna's FFFF Challenge, get better quick!

Six month Anniversary

Six months ago today we were finally able to hold our little girls for the first time. The time has gone by fast, and I can't imagine life without them. Many people have asked about their language and how they're doing. From the start, they have understood what we say very well. Because they communicate with each other, they held on to their Chinese language longer but have been trying hard to grasp English. Now they very rarely speak Cantonese (hate to lose that, even on a 3 year old level) but we are happy to see them learn more english even if we can't understand it all (twin language?). They love to sing and have learned a lot through children's songs. They are little chatter boxes and it's so cute to hear them tell you stories. They speak in full sentences and are saying more each day. In other areas, they still sleep well, eat good (but getting more picky), take naps (tend to be getting shorter), potty trained (yae!) and are slowly branching out to others. We are working on teaching them boundaries (they are learning quick, but they came to us very active and strong willed), not being so scared when mom or dad leave, and all the other fun stuff 3 year olds need to learn. They are turning into to little ladies and we love them dearly.

Sleepy Head

Here's my "sleepyhead" post for Donna's FFFF.

Sage, my sleeping beauty, had to try out her new nighty & slippers...

I don't have many pics of them sleeping, I had to dig to find these precious pictures of Sophie and Sage on their "Gotcha Day".

Happy to see they both fit perfectly in my arms

Sophie and Dad ~ Day 2 ~ I love this picture!

I'll never forget this amazing day. At age 3, they knew what was going on, and they were so scared and sad to leave the only home they've ever known. It didn't take long for them to bond very tightly to us. They know how much they're loved and it's great to see how happy they are in their new home and new family. I often catch them talking about their brother's... Everyday they ask about them while they're at school- "Where did Nick go?", "Where is Josh?" and Trevor? This is their version of the ABC's... "ABCDEFGHIJK mommy, daddy, LMNOP..." Glad to see they're thinking of us in the middle of reciting their ABC's :) They are a joy and worth all the work, energy, and sacrifice children deserve.

We are working on a video of our journey to our girls. We didn't post much of our trip after getting our girls (wonder why?), so watch for it coming soon...