Party!

 I took A out for ice cream. It took 2 scoops to get the smile back on her face after dropping big sis off at the birthday party.

 DeeDee (who's 9!!! today), Jessica and Maddie.

Maddie all dressed up. DeeDee's birthday party is a tea party theme. And even though it's raining, M insisted on wearing her new silver sandals!

One LOOOONG Weekend!

Anaheim, Saturday evening: Checking out the competition.

 And deciding she's not intimidated.

 Their "Cat in the Hat" routine.

 They were so good and had so much fun!

 Fast-forward two days. Ava's feeling much better but the flu hit Mama BAD.

 M's award dinner for being an "Awesome Reader."

 Then it's onto another performance. This was by invitation and came up almost at the last minute. Our coaches were a no-show!

Hair and make-up.

 Warming up on the ice.

The ride home.

A Big Week

This evening M and her synchronized ice dancing team perform in Anaheim. We'll leave in a few hours. They perform again Monday evening, at a different venue, by special invitation. So I'll have plenty of photos up in the next few days. We are also waiting on news from China. I am hoping this is the week and the news is overwhelmingly good. So I may have a special photo to share of a little girl who has found her forever family--us!  I have put a lot of prayer into this, and it's looking good, so far. But boy has my faith been stretched! I've also decided that if things don't turn out as we have hoped for, that I will stop pursuing another adoption as I feel life has been on hold for a long time now. It's agonizing, waiting in that land called limbo.  Anyway, a big week for us, so don't forget to check back in!

Also, Happy Birthday, Aunt Joanne!!

 Aunt Joanne and Uncle Jim.

Guess Who Got Glasses!?!

My baby! She's so cute. She chose a pair of Dora glasses (the only pair in the store small enough to fit:)). In a few days we'll head out to another store hoping to find a "very pink" pair.

Celebrating CNY

 My girls, outside PF Chang's.

 With Mommy.

With Nana.

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Chinese New Year starts today and goes through February 18th. Today, I surprised the girls with lucky ladybug chocolate lollipops when I picked them up from school. We'll have our big celebration on Sunday, when we go to PF Chang's for lunch, then head to the mall for spring shoes and special candies. In China, families usually celebrate the New Year with new clothes and sweets.

 Sweet.

 And silly.

 Rock stars.

 And cheerleaders.

 The very best of sisters.

 And one of my big girl who aced her lightning rod math test today!

My Big Girl is an Awesome Reader!!

 M. with her teacher,  Mr. Goodyear.

 M. with the principal.

M. waiting for her turn. She's always loved to read and every year receives a great reader award at her school.