Shane's Art Show

I know I have said it before but I love the kids preschool. One of their main focuses is helping the kids "discover their creative genius inside!" I love how they focus on helping to encourage their creativity and the use of their little mind verses putting their minds in a little box and telling them what to cut, where to glue and what to trace. It has been so much fun to see each of my kids grow and discover a love for learning. I love seeing their creativity fostered and encouraged during these precious years of their life. Shane was so excited for all of us to go this his Art Show. I was excited to see Shane' Art.

I loved this picture as we came in the building. One of the 4/5 year old classes did this for the Art Show. Isn't it amazing!

In Shane's class they had been talking about self portraits. This is Shane's self portrait of himself. I love the hair! It is definitely the do he has when daddy gels it up.

Shane and his friends also explored with photography. Shane and his friend James took pictures of each other. The picture of James is the one Shane took!

We then moved over to his next painting of his Starfish. He was so proud of all his work.

One of Shane's units was on Healthy Eating and a Healthy Body. I loved this unit because he would come home and say things like "My teacher says we need to run to stay healthy!" He was pretty sure that meant the the rule "no running in the house" went out the window. All the kids created their own healthy food with clay and then painted it. Shane's bowl was full of apples, blueberries and cherries.

The girls had fun participating in some of the art activities set up through out the preschool. Shane on the other hand was more into playing in some of the classrooms after he showed us his art work.

Max had fun checking everyone and everything out. He loved these little decorations hanging from the ceiling.

My favorite was Shane's Love Poem. I can't wait to frame this one.

It's A Pajama Party

Emma was very excited for her Birthday Party. She patiently waited a week after her birthday for her party while we got a little more settled with her new little brother.

Emma really wanted a sleep over but we decided to do a little compromise and settled on a pajama party. She decided she wanted to do nails and toes too. We had fun running out on a date to The Dollar Store, Target and Hobby Lobby to gather some things for her party.

We set up the table like a bed for the Pajama Party.

Emma decided she wanted to have pancakes for dinner. It only seems right to have pancakes when you have your pajamas on.

We had strawberries, chocolate chips, syrup, chocolate, sprinkles and of course whip topping for the pancakes.

The girls had fun topping their pancakes, nibbling on their fruit and giggling like little girls do at birthday parties.

After dinner it was time to hit The Spa!

The girls thought the foot bath was fun and then we did toe nails and finger nails.

While some of the girls were at The Spa the other girls spent time decorating pillowcases with fabric markers.

We played Musical Pillows and then the Birthday Girl had fun opening some gifts.

Per Emma's request we had ice cream sundaes with all the fun toppings instead of cake. Once again the girls had fun putting their toppings on sundaes. They may have gone home with just a little sugar in their system.

The Birthday Girl was all smiles as everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She made her wish and blew out her candles.

Emma had fun shopping and putting together these little pampering bags for her friends to take home.

The girls finished the night with a little "Beauty Sleep!"

Emma loves life and loves to have fun. It was fun to watch her enjoy life with her friends as she celebrated her birthday. We had a great evening full of fun!

Happy Chinese New Year

I met Troy and Diane on our agency forum last fall and followed them on their journey to China to get their sweet little boy Aiden. It was fun to connect with another family that was in the process of bringing home a little boy from China. To top it off they also lived in Sioux Falls. They were planning a Chinese New Year Celebration with other families that had adopted from China for the week after we got home with Max. We were hoping we would be up for celebrating with them.

I wish I would have taken more pictures at the beginning of the night but we were busy meeting each other and getting all the kids fed. I wish I had a picture of all the kids sitting and standing around the table and eating. It was quite a crew. There were 5 other families that we met and celebrated the Chinese New Year with.

Max was adjusting so well and made the transition to home like a champ. We felt like adjusting to life with 4 kids and throwing in a huge time change life seemed about as easy as it could be. We were excited that we felt up for getting together with other families to celebrate. The kids were very excited to put their Chinese dresses and Kung Fu outfits (that is what Shane calls it at least) on.

Alexa and sweet Meili. Alexa was in Meili's brother's preschool class a couple years ago when his family traveled to China to bring Meili home. We followed them on their journey and I have pictures of her when they first were home with her and she came on a field trip. Meile and Shane are now in the same preschool class. Meile and her best friend Betsy have already claimed Max as their boyfriend and they have decided they are going to share him as a husband. They are so cute!

This is Max with sweet little Peter. I think they could be brothers. Peter goes to our church so it will be fun to see them grow up together.

Troy and Diane got party poppers in place of traditional fireworks they set off in China. The kids had so much fun. I love this picture of the kids in action.

Shane was in his glory with these fun little things.

Emma was a little on the nervous side. She wasn't so sure what was going to happen.

The kids had so much fun!

What a great night of fun celebrating the Chinese New Year.

And here is the gang! What a bunch of kids! We can't wait to spend more time with these wonderful families in the months and years to come!

Happy Birthday Emma

Emma,

I can't believe you are 7 years old today. I think every year I say I can't believe you are another year older. It has been so much fun seeing you blossom again this past year. I continue to see your love for life and you continue to live it to it's fullest. You have a tender and compassionate heart for others around you. You continue to be a girly, girl and love anything that has a little sparkle or frill. You are our fashion queen and always seem to know what is in style. You look up to your older sister and love playing with your little brothers. It has been fun seeing your love for Max in just these few short days of being home from China. You are so gentle with him and love playing with him. You love everything about school and are a hard working student. It has been fun seeing your nose buried in books this year. Most of all I have loved watching your little heart grow for Jesus this year. You asked a lot of questions this year about heaven, having Jesus in your heart and knowing him as your Savior. It was so exciting the day you told me you asked your sister to pray with your during rest time. This year marks the year that your heart was forever changed, the year you asked Jesus into your heart. Emma Faith I love being your mom. I am so thankful that God gave you to us on February 3. I will never forget that cold, snowy day when you were born and I held you for the first time. Emma I love you and am so proud to be your mommy!

Love

Mom

At our house everyone looks forward to their birthday because they get to go out for breakfast with their dad. Emma was up bright and early before school to head to breakfast with her dad.

Emma picked her favorite restaurant for her birthday dinner, Bracco's. It was our first dinner out with Max just days after we were home with him for China. We were hoping the dinner was a success for Emma's sake. Emma requested to sit by her new little brother at dinner.

The waitress surprised her with a brownie and some ice cream. Emma very eagerly shared her birthday treat with her sister and brothers.

When we got home Emma opened her presents from us. Emma's Twinkle Toe shoes were a hit. How could they not when they are full of sparkle.

She was also very excited about her new jewelry box to keep all her "bling" in.

Happy 7th Birthday Emma Faith!

Christmas Program

The kids were so excited for their Christmas program.  They were all excited to dress up in their costumes and perform their little hearts out.

Shane and his buddy James were two of the cutest shepherds on stage. 

The little shepherd boy with his two little angels. 

Alexa was a bit nervous but also very excited to sing in a quartet for one of the songs.

Emma sang her little heart out with a smile on her face! 

The girls were on stage the whole time and Shane had to join them on for the last couple songs.  As his time to shine drew near I looked next to me to tell him it was almost his turn to go up and he was sound asleep! Good thing he wakes up fast and happy! 

He got up there and sang his little heart out actions and all! 

I love his face on this picture! This little boy loves life! 

Alexa's 1/2 Birthday

Alexa came home from school a couple weeks ago. She had taken her 1/2 birthday into her own hands. She had a date on the calendar at school when she was bringing treats and she knew exactly what she we bringing. She wanted to make her Reindeer Cookies again this year. It just may become her 1/2 birthday treat tradition.

We began mixing up her favorite sugar cookies when I got a little distracted.  I had been watching my phone all day for an email from our agency with our Travel Approval.  It was the last piece of paperwork we needed from China telling us they were ready for us to come get Max.  

Well right in the middle of mixing up cookies it came.  I was totally giddy, leaping all over the house, totally distracted .... down right excited.  Alexa, being my first born, responsible child was just trying to get those cookies mixed.  Good thing she is so responsible and and baked and followed recipes numerous times because my head was in the clouds and she was telling me what we had and had not put in.  Alexa was determined to get those cookies finished and she kept saying, "Mom, I have never seen you act like this!"  We talked about how excited I was that we finally get to go get Max.  It still seems pretty abstract to the kids I think.  I think they probably won't feel the reality of it until we are in China or maybe even home.  I also talked about having all same feelings when she was born.  It was fun to talk about the first day we held her.  

So eventually the cookies did get mixed! 

Sugar Cookies

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 cup butter

1 cup vegetable oil

Blend above thoroughly

then add:

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

Flatten dough ball with glass dipped in sugar

Bake at 350 degree for 8-10 minutes of until lightly brown around the edges

Alexa flattened out the dough and placed the pretzels on for the antlers and some chocolate chips for the eyes.

When they came out of the oven she quickly added the red nose. 

She carefully added the finishing touches to her 30+ cookies. She wanted enough for her classmates, teachers, specials teachers, secretaries and of course the principal.

She had a great day celebrating her birthday and share treats.