Busy Weekend!

Last Thursday Mia and I went to dinner at her friend Lorelei's house. Lorelei's mom, Michelle, is a great cook! These two have such fun together. Lorelei can get Mia to put on the princess dress for about 15 minutes. She would much rather play with a ball!

On Friday, Joey's friend, Ed, and cousin, Matt, came over to visit. We only had a short time with them while they were in Colorado because we were off to Seattle to visit Greg and Beth.

On Saturday we got to meet Greg's mom, Roberta. She was great and even brought a treat for Mia. We all enjoyed watching Mia play at the children's museum.

Later that afternoon we tried out a babysitting service that we hope to recommend for wedding visitors and we checked out the wedding and rehearsal dinner venues. Both are awesome! We then relaxed at Roberta's condo. The next day we got to meet Greg's father and brother and then headed back home to Denver.

Referral!

Today we got our referral for our China adoption. We will be adopting a little one year old girl (younger than we had anticipated) with cleft lip and palate. Her lip has been repaired already. As soon as I can I will post pics. Just know that she is adorable. We still need to decide on a name!

Yesterday, we were outside in short sleeves enjoying blowing bubbles with Mia's birth grandparents.

And typical Colorado, today it looks like this:

Ever notice that it's a lot more fun to go about your day dressed as an octopus?

The Last Few Days

Our 2011 Christmas cards are here. I'm a Type A, obviously. Got my cards in early October for the 20% discount!

I got our first gift for the new grandbaby. It's the softest ever little giraffe that plays a lullaby. Mia DID NOT want to put it in the box to send to Joey. I think Daddy might just get her one for Christmas.

We got this in the mail Friday. Isn't it beautiful? I accepted on Mia's behalf.

Yesterday we went to the preschool pumpkin festival at our church. Mia wore the Red Riding Hood outfit I forgot that I bought at a Halloween sale last year.

Such competition!

How amazing that she won the Cake Walk!















Today we went to Monkey Business. We haven't been there since the spring. It's our cool weather playground. Even though it was warm today, we met Lesley and Logan there. Forgot to get their pictures!

Little Bit of Literal:

Me: Don't walk on the carpet with your shoes on.

Mia: Why? (Even though I tell her every day.)

Me: Because you'll get the carpet dirty.

Mia then runs across her bedroom carpet to the bathroom, with her shoes on. I'm upset because she has outright defied me.

Me: Mia, I told you to take your shoes off.

Mia: Mommy I didn't walk on the carpet. Yea! I RUN so the carpet is clean.

Wedding and Grandbaby Updates

Beth and Greg have a wedding photographer: Barbie Hull She was more reasonably priced than they thought considering her caliber.

Joey and Brittany have a boys name: Benjamin

Things are moving right along on both fronts.

Grandma or Mom or Both?

Dan and I had quite a surprise Thursday night. We found out we are to be grandparents in May! Joey and his girlfriend, Brittany, are expecting. They hope to get married after the baby is born. We are beyond excited!

Today is the second anniversary of a very special day. It was two years ago that a little six month old beautiful baby was given to me to care for and nurture until she could hopefully go back home. She wore a pink Harley Davidson cap that I still have. She had the widest little face I had ever seen. All day I waited for her to fuss so I would know when she needed to sleep. But she never did. In the afternoon I looked over at her on the rug and she was fast asleep. This is the actual picture I took at that time.

Schooltime!

Since the middle of August I have been doing "school" with Mia for about an hour twice a week. She now knows all her colors (occasionally struggles with red), recognizes the numbers 1-4 (usually), eight shapes, and knows M i and a. She tells me that spells Mama, not Mia!

Our schedule is as follows:

Color a number page while I read aloud.
Count aloud to 20.
Number puzzle or game.
Shape game or book.
Craft or paint.
Sing ABC's.
Recite some nursery rhymes.
Work with patterns or classifying.
Storytime with picture books.

We Have a Court Date!

Only 27 days until this little one is home for good. And today we go to USCIS to get our fingerprints for the China adoption. Then we just wait for our I-797.