Feast for your eyes!

EBB's First encounter with the man in red - it goes well!
EFP in very chic holiday wear - she is wearing very sparkly SILVER shoes - not the dainty black patent maryjanes I selected. "Moooom, it's a PARTY - I wear my PARTY shoes!"

The finest alapaca anywhere!

Yes - these are my silly babies!

Silly boy!

Serious computer guy!

Ice Cream Eating Boy!

2 silly kids with one silly auntie!

"I feel pretty, oh so pretty..."

Ice Cream eating girl!

Here are my darlings - in various poses, settings and stages of cuteness. I think they are simply scrumptious!

Three Years!

How is it possible that three years have vanished in the blink of an eye? 12/8/05 to 12/8/08 and yet the pain (fearing yet another month of disappointment) and joy of that day three years ago is as fresh as if it was yesterday. I still remember every aspect of the day - waiting for the phone to finally ring after the months of uncertainty, FINALLY getting the call and hearing those words "Congratulations Mommy - you have a daughter!" Words - I never thought to hear were suddenly there. As it happens I got to spend 12/8/08 with that daughter as she and I have both been sick with bronchitis. I told her all about how excited we were to learn that she was our daughter, that I couldn't even find a pen to write the info, I was crying too hard. That people came from all over the building to share in our joy... and how it was only the SECOND best day ever. The first best day was still a few months away. How to describe to this child the sheer joy that comes from being her Mommy? How I still don't know to what karmic offering I owe the gratitude for being given HER specifically. She didn't care - just wanted an ice pop to sooth her aching throat.

I told her about the champagne we popped open and how we celebrated with friends (who also received a phone call that day!) and made the restaurant people laugh.

She asked me a question I have been pondering ever since "Mommy, do you know everything about me?" I answered - "Yes, darling mine, I know everything there is to know about you." She answered "Good, I thought so, all right!" Of course the answer is really far more complicated - but for now and under the circumstances - yes, I know all there is to know. I know her because she is my heart. With feet, with wings - with her own mind - but my heart in every possible way.

Funny - how some words really do change everything. "Congratulations Mommy, you have a daughter"

Are there any better words? I have to say - that in the last three years I have yet to find any. (except perhaps, the equally joy filled: Congratulations Mommy, you have a son!)

Congratulations to all the Moonbeam Mommies and Daddies who are likewise looking back and remembering a day that is surely etched in our collective memory as simply the happiest day of our lives up to that point.

The Ultimate Brussel Sprouts!

I am off for a few days and so I thought I would treat my children to some Gourmet Mom's Cooking - and after yesterday's pig fest I decided to make another delicious meal.

I roasted a Semi Boneless Leg O Lamb (Thank you so much Aussies!) that I slathered with a paste of Garlic, Rosemary, Marjoram, Thyme and Salt & Pepper. I also put some slits in the meat and forced the paste in... roasted potatoes in the pan - YUM! But the true star of tonight's meal was my Brussels Sprouts. I grew up eating BS and frankly - I was never a huge fan, but waxing nostalgic - Missing my Mom a lot at the holidays - I found myself actually craving them. Also I figured I could get the kids to eat them by telling them I shrunk the cabbages into tiny little heads... LOL THAT did not work!

But here is a recipe that is GUARANTEED to get anyone to eat Brussels Sprouts!

2 pints Brussels Sprouts - halved
1/2 lb Bacon (diced)
1 Small Sweet Onion (sliced)
1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar
S&P to taste

Bring pot of water to boil, add some salt, Blanch Brussels Sprouts in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, drain and then cool in cold water - transfer to bowl.

Fry bacon till cooked add sliced onion, fry till bacon is crisp. Remove bacon to bowl - put Brussels Sprouts in frying pan with bacon grease, dash of salt and pepper, keep moving. When BS are heated through return bacon to pan and pour Red Wine Vinegar into pan - heat for 1 minute stirring constantly, when liquid is nearly all gone - remove all to serving bowl and watch them disappear! No kidding - I had NONE left after dinner tonight. The kids (especially EBB) ate them all!

Yesterday's culinary feat was also successful - my addition of Dried Cranberries to the Sweet Potato Casserole (NO Marshmallows or Sugar!) was a huge hit and the pecan topping was great! I think I might like it this was even better than the traditional candied yams. I used just a hint of Maple Syrup (real) when I mashed the sweet potatoes then beat the eggs with a little vanilla. The topping is pretty sweet so I thought adding sugar to the mash was just too much and I am glad I decided that. I was supposed to have both pecans and hazelnuts - but the less said about that the better.

Tomorrow - I am making a turkey, dressing, gravy and who knows maybe more Brussels Sprouts!

EFP and I made a pumpkin pie today - BUT, we made it in a graham cracker crust! Great idea! She had so much fun - for some reason she wanted a "homey Mommy" day - I wasn't sure what that meant - but I think we had one anyway. We stayed in DH and EBB cleaned the garage and me and EFP cuddled, baked and she helped me prepare dinner (even handed me the BS!) and was very proud of herself in general. She just needed some Mom and EFP time - and so I abandoned my other plans for the day to hang out and watch Monsters, Inc. very funny! Pictures tomorrow I promise... the camera is downstairs and I am just too taired to go get it!

Tagged!

Thanks Italia! Here are my answers:

8 Favorite TV Shows: Ace of Cakes, Iron Chef, Mystery, House, Grey's Anatomy, Today, Leno, ER.

8 Things I did Yesterday: Made breakfast, Made lunch, Made Dinner, Drew cats, drew dinosaurs, wrote emails, read emails, bought some presents for the holidays.

8 Things I look forward to: My son's first Christmas, My son's first (6th) Birthday party (ever!), My daughter's 4th birthday party, donating my hair (I have wanted to do this forever! But they didn't used to allow colored hair - now they do - nuff said!) Our mini-vacation between Christams and New Year's, Getting 2 kittens, Our Christmas Eve gathering, the new Administration!!

8 Favorite Restaurants: Ginos, Milk & Sugar, Legal Seafood, Happy Dragon, Pollo Rico, PJs Lobster Pot, Carrabba's, Ben Benson's.

8 Things on My Wish List: World Peace, An End to Hunger everywhere, To adopt a little girl aged 4 to 6, an end to the financial crisis, for everyone to be home for the holidays - whatever that means to each person, for both my children to have magical Christamases, to make a difference in someone's life, to write the book(s) that have been begging to be written.

8 People to Tag: First 8 people to stop by - you know who you are!

Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

Some answers to stupid questions:

1. No - I did NOT order a matching set. (Seriously?)
2. YES - They are brother and sister - if you doubt it, come by when one of them gets a new toy.
3. No, it is MY LUCK. (No, really).
4. Why do you ask?
5. Don't you think there are some questions that are just to personal to ask of strangers - no matter how cute the kid?
6. Yes, they BOTH know they are adopted. HELL -OO!
7. Yes, they also know their sibling was adopted. (DUH!)
8. Yes, I am sure they WILL be good at Math... and Reading, and Social Studies, Science, Music, Art and lots of other things as well. (Ya gotta be kidding me, right?)
9. No, I just wanted to be a Mom.
10. THAT information is private - but yes, it is possible to adopt a male child from China.(Obviously!)

I just can't thank you people enough - for making my job as a Mom (in the grovery store, home goods store, gas station, library, book store and pediatrician's office) even more enjoyable. Thanks for asking insensitive questions IN FRONT of my children - as if they can not hear or understand what you say. Thanks too, for putting YOUR expectations of what a family is, what a child will be good at, what world issues YOU are familiar with and YOUR OWN VALUES on my situation - with no information whatsoever. Thanks also for pointing out that difference is its own reward with personal questions, assumptions, stereotypes and a few unproven anecdotes to formulate what has got to be the litany of silly, inappropriate and far too personal questions - the answers which, change nothing, embarrass my children and frankly reveal YOU to be the narrow minded archetype I know you to be!!!!!

To the people who merely complimented my children on good manners and adorable selves - Thank you, I needed that!

Tricks or Treats!

The Queen Mum & Purple Plum Pixie Fairy Princess

The Empress as Purple Plum Pixie Fairy Princess

One Happy PPPFP!


Hmmm.... a toad or a newt? Let me think.....

My Smiley girl!

My pirate in the Parade - along with Classmates.

Auntie, Uncle, Niece & Nephew

Ahoy Me hearties! My Boy with his K Teacher!

*Shortly after this pic was taken the big top tooth fell out. EBB still doesn't really "get" the Tooth Fairy - but he does think it is funny that presents show up! You think that is great - try explaining a big fat guy in a red suit that sticks a bike under a tree in the house in the dead of winter for no reason! I dare ya!

Daddy & A Pirate in Parade

My Boy! Had no idea what was going on but had a blast anyway!

Here there be Monsters

It must be the weather or something - but my kids have entered the monster zone - and frankly I think they may be deserving of gagillion minutes on the "Think About it Step"

EFP refuses EVERYTHING and is frequently able to say LOUDLY "I mad at you Mommy. You not nice. You no let me do what I want to do. You won't let me.........fill in the blank with

a. take off my coat in the pouring rain

b. eat fruity snacks for breakfast (or ever they are banned from this dentally challenged house)

c. not wear shoes in the mall

d. eat chocolate day and night

e. stay up till 2am, sleep on the floor, wake up and stay up at 3am, sleep on the couch in front of TV, watch TV all night"

YUP - that is right. I really am that mean Mom you have heard tell of. I just won't let EFP or EBB do anything fun - I mean it is not as if they cook with me, paint every other day, color, have brand new laptops on which to play brand new JumpSNart learning games, or Starfall.com, read books whenever they wish, have extensive sticker collections, are with me every second I am not at work, sit one me, lay on me, jump on me, hang off me, attach themselves to my leg, follow me everywhere (yes, even there!) so yea, I am the MEAN MOM!

Oh, and I won't let them have a dog. (Actually, I would let them - DADDY is the one who keeps saying NO! But is he MEAN Daddy - NO!)

EBB - while not nearly as monstrous as his little sister - but has entered the deep space nine of WHINING! His English is coming along great BUT the kid can whine like a native-born! All I hear all the time "She not sharing, that MINE, I want that, Where's mine? and the all time classic What about MEEEEEEEEEEE" EBB has become an American in every sense of the word - that is he insists upon his rights and equality at all times, and is vocal in his self-defense.

It really is a pity neither of my children can actually run for President. Petition anyone?

Oh yea, we now have a sticker chart.

Life of the Potty

Introducing Empress Pooparella, Princess Poopy Beauty, Princess Poops-a-lot... (she came up with these!)

Here she is replete with BRIBES - first she got the crown, tonight the necklace/bracelet/earrings and tomorrow - the dress (angels singing in the background!) I am booking an appointment with the Photographer to capture this historic moment in time... oh,she also got a cup nearly full with M&Ms - hey, whatever works. We had a Mommy & EFP day today. She had a slight fever - probably due to vaccination. It was wonderful!

Day two for my boy - he was absolutely exhausted. The lunch mystery is solved - he did eat the turkey hot dog. Fine... so he wants hot lunch everyday - fine by me! I got a very sweet note from his teacher who is actually Ms. G - not Ms. S as the hall lady tried to convince me. The security guard was actually NICE to me this morning. Things are so looking up!

The first day of the rest of his life.......

Posing with Mei Mei
My Big Brave Boy!


He is hoping his Diego backpack will change into a light aircraft so he can boogie at lunch!

Here is the entrance to his school - I had to bully a security guard to allow me to park by the door!

Rico Suave in his classroom - what can I say?

Well, we all survived the big day. EBB decided he wanted to stay home with Mommy (which truth be told, alternately delighted and devastated Mommy) yay - boo. But we talked it up and made it sound SO EXCITING! He was happy that Mom and Dad and little sis were all together (kids really are ALL about the simple things!) in the car. We drive to the school and I bully the security guard and park out front (We are half an hour early) and when I get into the office I got two shocks! One, I know the school social worker AND at the last minute his teacher changed AGAIN! I was really ready to have a heart attack right there in the crazy busy office - I guess the secretary was concerned because she called over the Principal and she offered to take us up to EBB's classroom and introduce the last minute sub-in. We trudged up the three flights to the HOT classroom and (you will never guess....) I meet the teacher and SHE IS A NEIGHBOR I KNOW! I am so happy! The aide and assistant are just warm wonderful people (you know for day one that is) and he really seemed to like them all. The Teacher, Ms. S is soft-spoken and calm. I have been buying girl scout cookies from her adorable daughter for years.... so a huge sigh of relief!

Then the end of the day - I landed at the school with DH at the appointed hour and they called my dear boy down and all of a sudden there he was down the hall looking for me and daddy... it was so sweet. He said he didn't like Kindergarten and still wants to stay home with Mommy or go to my office (GREAT!) but the assistant said he had a great day. Who knows. When we got home one of my worst fears was realized - his lunch and snack were completely uneaten. My poor little guy! I am not sure if he didn't know - wasn't told or if there is some less sinister explanation (maybe he wanted a turkey hot dog at the cafeteria) like someone bought him lunch.. I freaked out completely. Also ALL his school supplies were still in his backpack and his milk money untouched. YIKES! What have I done? My baby starving in kindergarten - with several bottles of untouched white school glue. I became Lady Bountiful handing snacks here and there to be sure he wasn't hungry - and then sent him off with DH to the MD. He has grown from 38" to 39.75" and he now weights 43lbs - I am so thankful for that inch and three-quarters and three pounds. Maybe I won't have to shop for next year's school uniforms in the toddler section. You just never know.

Finally - after my darling girl continued her big success we decided to dine a la famiglia at a local Italian place and the kids did a number on some pizza while DH and I pretended to be serious and eat some veal and pasta. My chillies ate a LOT of Chocolate Gelato - fell asleep in the car on the 10 minute ride home and were in bed in a flash - poor EBB was so tired he begged to sleep in the car... LOL. All is quiet on our family front and all in all I feel his first day went very well. I did write the teacher a note about the lunch situation, offering to help out in any way I can (I mean. hey - I can easily stop for cupcakes on my way... ) and explain that his smile - though genuine does not necessarily mean he is ok or agreeing to requests. I hope I can figure out this kindergarten thing before winter recess. I just hope that things go well for him... I do love my happy little boy and darling girl to pieces and just want all the very best for both.

Late Breaking News :-)

Notice the bribes - a cup full of M&Ms and a Crown!

WOOOHOOO!! WHEEEHOOOOO!!!!!

We are DIAPER & Pull-UP FREE

FREE AT LAST !

FREE AT LAST !

GREAT POTTY ALMIGHTY - FREE AT LAST *

* with my sincere apologies to MLK Jr. - he had 4 kids so I think he would have understood!

RIP Calliope the Great

We have suffered a loss this week. Our beloved Calliope "Cali-puss" has passed on to Kitty Heaven. She was diagnosed a couple weeks ago with Lymphoma and she succumbed rapidly. I am saddened - because she was a great cat, great friend and beautiful soul. We didn't mean to adopt Cali - she was our foster cat - but she snuck into our hearts and we fell in love with her. She had a sad life before she came to be our kitty - discarded and starved, she lived out of a dumpster on the campus where I work (which explains her penchant for fritos, potato chips and pizza). She was thin (bottom pic is right after she came to live with us) and scared - but had such a sweet and friendly nature. She was not so quick to trust, having been hurt at some point by a human.... but soon with all our love and care she became the mushcat she was always meant to be. People say that animals don't grieve - but I know they do. Orianna (our remaining excellent kitty) is grieving for her sister-friend and she too is saddened by her loss. We take comfort in knowing that Cali has all the tuna she can eat, her water will always be fresh, catnip mice abound and there will always be a warm lap to sleep on. Goodbye my dear cat-friend.

Here too briefly - but in my heart forever.

Say hi to Eek-a-mouse and Zandalee, Shiloh and Shenandoah, Moschino and all our forever pets.

I Scream, U Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Make mine strawberry with M&Ms, MiniMarshmallows, Chocolate sauce, whupped and a cherry on TOP! YUM-EE!

Spam Blog indeed!

Sunset over Beijing

Touring Beijing

Olympic Stadium - The Bird's Nest

The "Bubble" Water Cube

Family of Four at last 03.16.08! Luckily - that little boy smiles ALL the time now!

So if you have been wondering where I and my two gorgeous kids have gone -well, I have been unable to post! Apparently bogger's new spambot identified my blog (big HURUMPH!) as a spamblog! Can you even imagine.... how could my boring little blog all about two kids be spam-worthy? Ugh. So here are a few pics to prove I am just a little old Mama with two great kids!