Downtown Macy's with the girls!

Before I even get started I want to apologize for taking... rather posting too many pictures!

Mark and I took the girls downtown to Macy's . I don't know if they do this at all Macy's but this one was a Dayton's many years ago (then it was a Carsons, then it was a Marshall Fields and now it is a Macy's) and they did different stories each year. It is a highlight of the holiday season here in our town and many people come to see display, do their Christmas shopping and visit Santa Claus!

This year the story was "A Day in the Life of an Elf". It was very cute and worth seeing! This was Sarah's first time hanging out downtown! She had no idea what to expect and we didn't know how to explain it to her.

The little mouse would scurry across the floor and then hide in a whole! The girls noticed it right away!

Here the elves are in their classroom! See Sarah everybody has to do school! Even the Elves!

Today's lesson- how to say Santa Claus in different languages!

Nothings complete without singing Christmas trees!

Sarah loved it!! Anna she wasn't so sure about all this!

"I don't care if this is Mrs. Claus get me out of here!"

Santa's Workshop!

I did think this one was pretty funny! I guess those reindeer have to learn how to fly at some point!

This is Anna's deer in the headlights look! She actually did pretty well through the morning! No tears but she stayed very close to us... like in our arms close!

Isn't this cute! The letters to Santa are painted right into the floor! I tried to pick one up!

You know it sure would be easier if there really was a Santa Claus and little elves that helped him!

Sarah like this part! She knows that Santa is not real but we still have fun with it!

You are not going to make me sit on his lap are you? If I stop looking maybe he'll go away!

Each of the girls got a little toy and then we went out to lunch! We really had a good time and all went well!

Decorating Her First Gingerbread House!

Auntie Barbie brought over a gingerbread house for Sarah to decorate!

She also brought over gingerbread decorations for Anna to decorate! Anna needed a little assistance! I think more of it went into her mouth than on the cookies!

Windows and doors done!

Roof is done and now she is working on the sidewalk!

She worked so hard she needed a little chocolate break!

Here is the hard working crew! The job is finally done!! Whenever we tell Anna to smile- she does something like this! The girls loved the project! It is so fun to be able to do something like this during the day!! Another perk to homeschooling!

An Update On Sarah Sent To Her Orphanage!

We just sent pictures, a letter and a gift to Sarah's orphanage through Ann at Red Thread China. I am very excited for them to see the pictures- Sarah has grown so much this last year! She is now 9.5 years old, 64 lbs and 4 feet 5 inches tall. She is growing up too fast- why do they all do that! She has grown 3 inches and gained 12 lbs in this last year! Wow!!

She has grown academically and can now read at a first grade level nearing second grade! She is more than half way done with 2nd grade math and should start 3rd grade math in March! Her comprehension has taken a huge leap both when read too and when she does the reading!

Her balance, strength and coordination are improving by leaps and bounds! She can balance on the high beam, do the monkey bars all the way across and can almost do a back walkover (we are still working on it!).

She likes gymnastics, swimming, playing, arts and crafts, and being read too! She is now in Chinese school on Saturday mornings where she is relearning mandarin and she loves it!!

Next we will be working on an update for Anna's orphanage and foster mom! 

Soon we will be adding two more princesses to this blog! Thank you Jesus!!

One Awesome Birthday Party!

The girls were invited to a birthday party last weekend! It was at a cooking school! My two are the ones without the hats. They didn't fit over Sarah's hairdo of the day and miss Anna refused to wear one- it probably would have slipped right over her little face anyways!

They made Chinese food! It was so much fun! I enjoyed watching how they did it!

They started with pot stickers!

After pot stickers they made cream cheese puffs, then fried rice and candy sushi!

Sarah helped Anna close her pot sticker!

Sarah is really good at cracking eggs! She does it at home all the time!

Washing hands is a must!

All the kids got to beat the eggs! Now, it's Anna's turn!

Time to open presents! They are looking longly- I think everyone of them would like to be the one getting the presents!

The whole group! The girls had a great time at the party! We are keeping this one in mind for them. This year both Sarah and Anna will get a birthday party.

Twas The Night Before Christmas!

We went to the play at the Stages Theatre- "Twas The Night Before Christmas"! I read the book to the girls ... probably 10 times! At first it meant nothing but then they became familiar with it and began to enjoy it. 

Anna sat nicely for most of the play but there was a moment when I thought "what on earth was I thinking bringing a 3 yr old". Thank goodness I brought a snack in my purse for the girls! She actually ended up doing great! Whew!

They both really enjoyed the play! It was wonderful! Auntie Barbie met us there and then we had lunch after the performance.

Anna was not a willing subject to my incessant photography so I took this without her knowing!

Sarah on the other hand loves the limelight! She was right in there with the actors and actresses!

They all really got into it- how fun! Auntie Barbie asked Sarah if she would be interested in doing this someday... AHEM, ahem... this is not in the long range plans! We just want to enjoy the shows and our children!!

Everybody was trying to get Anna to pose with them... she had other thoughts!!

We all had a wonderful time! 

She's All Grown Up!

I can't believe our little Katie has graduated from college and has a real job! She grew up too fast for me- maybe that's why we are starting all over again with the our princesses from China. 

She is a for real school teacher! I am so happy for her! The best part of all is she loves her job! Since she was the last hire she will get laid off at the end of the year but hopefully she may get rehired!? Her sisters helped her in the classroom over the weekend (kind of- the part they liked the best was writing all over the white board!)

It was so fun to see her classroom. She is working hard at decorating it and making it comfortable and efficient for her and the kids!

Yeah Katie!! We love you and we are so proud of you!! Have a wonderful school year!!

Sarah's First Thanksgiving!

We're off!

Playing Jenga... Anna's way!

Hanging out a one of the tables!

Playing more Jenga... Anna's way!

Anna's new recruits!

Cousins!

Our family... for now!

All the kids... for now!

My brother and his family (missing Meghan ).

Turkey in the afternoon can do this to you!

Another one bites the dust!

More chatting!

Another game... Anna's way !

One year ago on Thanksgiving Day we were eating cold rice on the floor of a hotel room in China. We had an angry and sad little girl and a Momma to the point of tears. Katie went to get the rice and I stood guard over the door and the little girl. We have come a long way since then- praise the Lord! 

Sarah wasn't so sure about this holiday after all there are no presents and no candy- what's up with that? As it came closer she became more and more excited- after all it was her very first Thanksgiving! We read books on Thanksgiving (thank you TM) and we talked about what we were thankful for and what the day would include. What I love about this is that family being together actually meant more to her than the thrill of candy or gifts. This was a day that she and Anna loved. A day to play with a whole bunch of people she doesn't get to see that often. A day to try new foods and a day were everyone just hung out- together!