Miscelleany

Life is hectic! No question about it. Two kids, two working parents... and a lot of blessings in the form of friends and family events. The kids are both happily settled for the summer. EFP started in her new school (close to where I work) and EBB is in Summer Day Camp - the first week was not so great.. but now he has made a few friends and we have explained to the camp director - what is what and all is well. I am sort of settling in at my new job. It is weird to be starting over and yet not starting over. I suppose that is the benefit of working at such a large place.. there are places to go and things to - in other areas or departments so it is like starting over - but with some history.

My new position has a great deal more responsibility - higher level authority and some back story that makes it difficult to get a handle on things at times. I am lucky though in a sense because just about whatever I decide (because there is no written history really) seems to be OK. I am navigating OK - watching for the obstacles etc. The people I work with are quite nice.. I fit in quite well - which is saying something. The kids seem to have adjusted to the new state of being also.

Moving EFP seems to have been a good idea.. scary a$$ trip to the ER and 4 Staples ... aside! She really seems to like it and the kids are great. I don't much like packing lunch everyday - for both kids - but it does seem to provide a more nutritious vareity of foods and I do get more say over what they are eating. EBB still wants to eat noodles more days than not.. but I am getting him to eat lots of other stuff too.. veggies, fruits, yogurt etc. so it is all good. Now to put into place my new diabolical plan of placing strategic notes into their lunch boxes with love and other fun stuff!!

We also added to our family. TWO KITTENS!! One is the (you guessed it!) an orange stripey girl named..... Stripey and a dilute calico (that is a Tortoiseshell with any white is usually called a Calico - and a dilute is paler) that is mostly white with little Calico spots who we call... Spotty (though I call her Puff Kitty) and we are just loving the uproar. We did have a pet challenge right off the bat as Spotty spent a few days in (outrageously expensive) emergency Animal Hospital for a disease we now know is "Kitty Fever NOS" (not otherwise specified) and has no known origin but takes the life of many a kitty. NOT this one I am happy to report. Our Free Kitty is now guaranteed gold standard!! We still miss our Cali though. And Eeks and Zan as well. So we are happy - but nostalgic about our new additions. Pics soon!

Well - that is all for now..

Busy Busy Bees!

I know, i know... I am a bad bad blogger. It has been SO CRAZY around here lately... between my new job (yay me) the kids' activities (yay them) our family and friends... we have hardly been stationery!

We are heading into summer and it amazes me that a whole school year seems to have come and is now going!! Can I just take a few minutes to (brag, gush, overdo) say how proud I am of my little boy? He has worked so hard this year... and still he smiles and is simply the happiest little boy! Just today he graduated Kindergarten! He announced at dinner.. that now that he has graduated he is finished with school and will go back to daycare with his sister! LOL We howled! Actually he will start camp in 2 weeks... :-)

Both kids have had loads of fun in gymnastics this year and Saturday we attended the end of the year exhibition... we are so fortunate to be parents to these two amazing children... I have had my share of tears before they came into my life... and nothing has changed.. except now they are tears of joy. I tear-up all the time... thinking how life lead me to this place, these children... and in case you think I don't have enough to be happy about.. well, here goes a sample! These are miscellaneous shots.. from a weekend away, a fun Asian Cultural event, the gymnkhana, and my son's award ceremony at school! Enjoy.

Silly Chillies

At performance of National Acrobats of China - Staller Center

That is Mean EFP Face - and her very very silly brudder!

Having Fun with FCC at National Acrobats of China Show

Very silly boy!

Happy Birthday Empress!

Who is THRILLED to be 4!???

Yea!

One year ago today..

In the meantime - let me tell you about one year ago today. We had a furious night re-packing, thanks to some person - who wanted to blow up a plane from BeiJing to LanZhou - we had to remove ALL liquids, gels, pastes, aerosols, and powders from our carryon and place them in or checked bag. Which meant that most of us had NOTHING ready for meeting the children. We flew the short hop and landed in LanZhou. EFP was already showing signs of illness and I was so tired.. we retrieved our bags and headed to the bus. You know, when I think of China I seem to see it from above - rather than eye-level, probably because of all the bus rides! Anyway - we were in the bus and XiXi (guide par excellence) tells us "The babies are waiting for you at the hotel!" I thought to myself - "Whew! Only the babies! Not my big boy!" Then XiXi came over the speaker and said - Yes, and One big boy too!" Uh Oh! At that moment I was panicked. And a little annoyed. Two years earlier - we begged to meet our babies a day early and our wish could not be granted. But on this day - there were other plans.

We roll up to the Hotel.. and so begins the adventure... trying to jam our family into a tiny little room - when I was sure we booked a suite (we had) and so the room situation had to be rectified. Meanwhile our little boy was waiting in a conference room with the other kids. We get the room straight (we end up in a super deluxe suite complete with euro shower, bidet and 2 plasma screen TVs) and head down to the conference room.

I have to tell you I was so nervous and worried. When I saw his little face... he was such a sweetie.. but so sad. He was so much smaller than we expected and he seemed totally bewildered. (I think I knew then that they had not prepared him really well.. but I had no idea!) Now I know - he was not prepared.

Something like this happened. "Here you go EBB, here's some peanuts, go with this person. Tada... today we are going to hand you over to a big bunch of big smelly scary white people who will say things you can't possibly understand... try to touch you, take your clothes... throw things at you and make you eat weird food... betcha can't wait!!"

So is it really surprising the child was terrified, grief-stricken, inconsolable, confused, howling like a banshee (in case you ever wondered it is not a pretty happy sound..) and well, not that into Mama???

He burst into tears about 20 minutes after we met him.. and didn't really stop (except for the trip to KFC) till the next day.. and even that was only temporary. His adoption picture is the saddest thing on earth. He was howling - tears streaming down his face.. so mad and sad at the same time.

I won't say - that I enjoy this piece of the journey.. I do not. I do not like thinking about the trauma for him.. how hard it had to have been.

What I will say - is that bad beginnings do not tell the end. Within days he was happier.. truly fell for his little sister and Daddy.. only Mama remained persona non grata... (and would be for a while) everyone else got smiles and silly grins.

But - fast forward.. or don't. Stop and think how you might have reacted.. and then you might be thinking.. how did this happen.. how does a child go from being so scared and grieving.. to how he is today.. well... the middle story is too long for this post. It has not been easy for him.. but it HAS been worth being with him on the ride.

My little boy... is at least 2 years younger than we thought (we are working on correcting this). Smarter and smarter all the time... truly bright. He is funny and has a charming way about him.. he is sweet and loving.. compassionate with a keen sense of justice.. he loves noodles more than anything. LanZhou is a wheat province.. not much rice. Every single day we were there we ate the most fabulous handmade noodles... every day. Breakfast for sure, and a lot of lunches and dinners also. Except when we were eating pizza with RED AND GREEN CHERRIES.. LOL

He misses those noodles. A lot. He loves his Mommy - for which I am grateful to the angels, stars and whoever else moved his heart in my direction. It pains me not at all to say - I love this little boy more than I thought it possible to love anyone... other than my darling girl. That they have each other and are so loving to each other is another gift I can't ever have imagined. I truly hope they stay this close to each other. My son makes friends where ever he goes. His smile is a winsome little grin that dares you to keep a straight face.. it rarely happens. He has had to overcome a mountain of challenges. Adoption is the least and most of it... his physical challenges, learning, language and family... all seem to be ok with him. He loves school and learning.. loves his family beyond anything and really really is a happy boy nearly all the time.

For what started as a rough trip - we have landed in a place that has a happy little family. My children are a constant source of amazement... as well as love and cheer. I can not be anything other than happy - when I have such treasures.

Silly Chillies... and My LOLCATZ

Dun't any kitty write lettas anymore?
Alz I gets is junkyee mail!

Billz Billz Billz - what yoused to be 1 mousey now 4 mousey!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZNNNNNNNNNFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTT!

Yummeeeez Billz iz tastees

Dunt laff at meeez.. me whiskas is funeee.... I dunt no why*?

Potz Lidz on Totz Lidz

The CYMBAL of fashion and good taste!

A two chillie cymbal festus for the restus..



*No actual kitty was harmed in the making of this blog post - the kids cut her whiskers, it doesn't hurt and they will grow back. And it will NEVER happen again!
She is hardly staggering around at all!!
Empress Kitty Puss is an all around good sport!

Kids will be Kids.....

By the way - my son's new middle name is PORK - as in - he is such a HAM!

Snow Day!

Winter Wonderland!

It snowed - A LOT! (EBB's favorite add on to every sentence is A LOT!)

Take one boy, add 3 layers, a silly sense of humor and VOILA! You have Snow Boy!

She has been waiting all winter to do this...
then decided snowflakes are not that great tasting.

Yes - I promise these are MY kids - somewhere under all that!!

Snow Stats:
How many inches = 12"
Temp = 10
Layers of clothes on kids = 3 + Outerwear & boots
Time to dress = 20 minutes
Time in snow = 10 minutes
Snowballs thrown = 3, 2 by Daddy
Cups of Hot Coco w/marshmallows = 2
Happiness = Priceless

Happy New Year! 2009 is sure to be....... ??

Grabbed this from Stinky Mouse's Blog

EFP's List:
My favorite color is Yellow & Orange.
My favorite animal is doggies and kitties and horsies and cows and sheeps and duckies and birdies. Oh, and fishies.
My favorite food is Strawberries and Blueberries.
My favorite place is Aunt Col's house.
When I grow up I want to be a kitty doctor (veterinarian*!)
My favorite thing to do is hug my kitties and doggies, and play with my kitty doctor stuff.
My favorite show is Peppa Pig and Dora.
If I had one wish it would be "I could have 3 white doggies and 3 stripey kitties."



EBB's list:
My favorite color is Blue. No, Green.
My favorite animal is a Dog
My favorite food is NOODLES.
My favorite place is Aunt Col's house.
When I grow up I want to be a "fixer" points to mouth. (He means cranio-facial surgeon* like his hero Dr. Alexander Dagum - seriously that is what he wants to be).
My favorite thing to do is play computer
My favorite show is Backyardigans, Diego, Dora and Wow Wow (Wubbzy)
If I had one wish it would be "No School, A Lot!"

Daddy's List: (Cuz the Chillies insisted)

My favorite color is Blue.

My favorite animal is a Dog.

My favorite food is PIZZA.

My favorite place is "out to eat."

When I grow up I want to be sports announcer for the NY Giants, NY Mets and Islanders.

My favorite thing to do is play Grand Theft Auto (after Chillies are in bed of course!).

My favorite show is Seinfeld.

If I had one wish it would be for both kids go Ivy League for College.

Mommy's List: (Cuz the Chillies insisted)
My favorite color is Pink or Red.
My favorite animal is a Kitty.
My favorite food is Lobster.
My favorite place is bed.

When I grow up I want to be a Policy Analyst for Children's Defense Fund.

My favorite thing to do is play with my kids.

My favorite show is Ace of Cakes or Iron Chef
If I had one wish it would be to win lotto so both kids CAN go Ivy League for College*. (Medical School and Veterinary College are not easy!).

Things that make you go hmmm......

While driving in the car past the holiday lights....

EFP: Mommy, look a giant Christmas tree with lights and a star on top!!!! Look a volcano! (lights on the roof of a local gazebo)

In the kitchen....

EFP: I went pee pee can I have a chocolate?

M: No, you are great at doing pee pee and have been for a while. No more chocolate for pee pee!

EFP: Dam-mit!

In the living room......

EFP: I want 3 white doggies and 3 stripey kitties. I think Santa is going to bring dem - I have been very nice and not naughty at all.

M: Well, maybe EFP, but remember we talked about how cold it is on Santa's sleigh and that Santa doesn't bring REAL kitties and doggies - only stuffed one's so maybe you will get some stuffed doggies or kitties.

EFP: Well, Mommy, Santa can do anything and I bet he has some stripey blankies he could wrap the kitties and doggies in to keep dem warm and so I think you are not right so I am going to tell Elfwin* and I think Santa will bring dem.

(*Elfwin is our Elf on the Shelf - Direct from the North Pole)

At the store.....

EBB: I want some trains. I like trains.

M: Okay - EBB remember Mommy told you about getting presents for Christmas and your birthday?

EBB: Yes, but......

M: but what honey?

EBB: I want them now to play with!

M: Well, write to Santa and ask for some trains to play with. OK?

EBB: No, I don't want to write to Santa!

M: Well, how will Santa know what you want?

EBB: You tell him!

(His English is really coming along and his attitude - well, the less said about that the better! Right where it should be - boyish and cheeky!)

M: Time for bed EBB!

EBB: No!

M: No? I said it is time for bed - come on let's brush teeth and get ready for bed.

EBB: No. I don't want to.

M: You don't want to? How come?

EBB: Because I said so. (hmm.. may have used this one a time or two lately.....)

EBB: I want noodles for breakfast.

M: Uh, Noodles?

EBB: May I PLEASE have some noodles PLEASE?

M: OK - but then no noodles for lunch.

EBB: No, I want noodles for breakfast and lunch - a lot.

M: EBB - that is a lot of noodles!

EBB: It's OK, I like them a lot!

(can't argue with that logic!)

My two are the silliest - but their logic is unassailable!

Christmas Throwdown with EFP & EBB

The pictures say it better than I ever could!

Santa left some cookies? Huh? Well, to be fair he DOES have to eat a LOT of cookies! And the reindeer appear to be leaving bits as well! So the chillies will eat what is left!

My Big Boy on his two-wheeler!

My Big Girl on her two-wheeler!

Thing 1 & Thing 2 (or "we want to wear our PJs to Nana & Papa's house!")

"I've wanted this my WHOLE life!"

Look what Santa left for me under the tree - with Bows and all!


She was SO happy with this jewelry box from her "brudder" - but later confided in my that "Mommy, it's nice, but it's just not big enough!" When I inquired how big the jewel chest should be - she thought about it and put her hand about a foot over her head 'this is good!' OMG a girl after my own heart!

Cars, Cars, Cars!
A giant loud car that goes! YEA!

All in all a successful and Happy Holiday! Next year - more bags, more sleep and just plain MORE!