~ HAPPY, HAPPY DAY ~

Happy 3rd Birthday, my China Princess!

We have been celebrating Mia's birthday on and off for the past few days; with play dates, family, and tonight as a family of 5 ! Our girl has grown in so many ways this past year ~ physically she looks like a healthy little woman, her soft spot (fontanel ) is just about closed (it was huge when she came home at 19 mos and scared this mommy a bit) and her heart has just about healed ~ we should have our next cardiologist appt this month for a follow-up! Emotionally, she has grown tremendously! Although she prefers mommy, like most "babies", she has a new level of comfort with others, she will receive kisses and hugs a little more willingly; and will dole them out when prompted :)

I look so forward to this coming year with our 3 year old! I know she will grow into a little girl with her "Mia-gusto"! I look forward to hearing her express her emotions (I think :) and her thoughts - it should be fun and interesting ! Mia starts her speech therapy tomorrow and will have two 30 minute sessions twice a week - I am thrilled!

Happy, Happy birthday to our sweet, precious, joyous, intense and loving little girl. The last 17 months with you has added a new dimension to our family - we enjoy all of your girly moments, your dressing up, your dancing and all of your sweet giggles! We adore you honey, thank you for completing us!

~ HAIR & NAILS ~

Last weekend Mia and Mommy went to our first girly-girl party together! It was for Owen's big sister, Ellas' 4th birthday party; and it was at an adorable girly boutique. The girls dressed up and got their hair & nails done ~ I was in heaven :) Mia's 1st manicure!

Can you see the mamma-razzi in the mirror?!

lip gloss!

Cutest manicured fingers EVER!

Mia was thrilled to see her buddy Meggie there!

Holding hands :)

The kids sang songs & played games

Mia & Meg looked soooo tiny :)

love their expressions :)

Happy Birthday Ella!

She is a beauty inside & out!!!

~ CHINESE NEW YEAR PICTURES ~

I should be saying "Xin Nian Kiau Le", which is the Mandarian way to say Happy New Year; this is the dialect Mia had heard- but which ever version - hope all of our friends have a happy & prosperious New Year!

I had so much fun dressing Mia on this morning in her red silk outfit. My breath was taken away by how beautiful she was ~ she was glowing ~ if I don't say so myself, my girl is a beauty!

I must show off my gift from Ken (Michelle's exchange student from China) ~during our Chinese New Year party the previous night, he presented me with some gorgeous gifts from China: table runner, placemats, pillow cases! All gorgeous and so very appreciated ~ just one example of my gifts:

Thank you, Ken!

Ok, back to our day : we are all dressed for our day, and out the door early to meet up with Meaghan Grace, her mommy, brother, Mikey and Ken (their exchange student); and we all met at our boys school to talk about Chinese New Year and do a craft in their class!

Anthony was so proud to show off his little sister and brother!

Mia & Meg check their zodiacs :)

Michelle hands out our dragon craft to the kids.

Ken is one special & sweet guy (Mikey thinks so too!)

Ken did a powerpoint presentation about his country.

He was wonderful with the kids, handing out "prizes"

for answering questions correctly!

Their first chess game!

Anthony, Mia, Eddie, Me, Devin, Michelle, Meg, Ken & Mikey

Anthony & Devins' class were great,

very involved, curious and eager to learn!

Just Perfect!

~ GUNG HAY FAT CHOY ~

Happy Chinese New Year

Last night we hosted our Chinese New Year party! We had a great time, with great friends! We started this tradition last year, and each family made a Chinese dish (to the best of our abilities :) , we ate with chopsticks and tried to honor our daughters birth countries and customs as best we could. We look forward to this each year and switch houses - according to who came home: last year Meaghan's family hosted the party since she came home May '07, Mia came home next in Sept '07, and it looks like Owen will be coming home next month; and then Miss Paige in the spring!

It's beginning to look a lot like Chinese New Year:

~ Daddy with his China Princess ~

Me, Lisa, Ken, Michelle, Melissa

"Let's Eat!"

The menu consisted of chicken lo mein, shrimp stir fry, Peking pork chops, chicken fried rice, soup, dumplings . . . wow! Each family made a delicious dish and afterwards we asked Ken (Michelle's exchange student from China) how we all did - did anything taste like it did back home? Ken, being very politically correct, went down the list of dishes and complimented EVERY one ~ he is one great kid and we all feel so lucky getting to know him !

~ China Sisters ~

~ my favorite photo ~

Brianna & Ella:

they will meet their little brother, Owen

next month!

Ooooo, birthday gifts!

Meggie helps Mia open a present

thank you Meggie I love it!!

Oh, thank you Auntie Lisa!!

Auntie Michelle made this excellent Barney cake!!

Thank you so much Mia just adored it

(as I'm sure you noticed :)

"Happy Birthday to you"

(Mia's birthday is next Monday!!)

"Mmmmm, cake!"

"Lucky Mommies"

Thank you all for the gift of your friendship. The bond we all share is so very special and will only continue to grow from here. We look so forward to meeting our two newest "members"; Owen and Paige - that is when we will be complete. Next year, we will ALL be together ~ what a very special celebration that will be ~