Thanksgiving Feast at School

Today Sydney had her first Thanksgiving Feast and it was at school. All of the parents pitched in to help prepare a feast for all of the Kindergarten kids. I was in charge of the corn and it was actually quite a task since I had to prepare 20 cans of corn on very little sleep. You can read our family blog to find out why.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy 5 Months Home!

(This is the jade necklace from her foster family that I had to cut off but will treasure it forever)

To be honest I did not remember that today was Sydney's 5 month home anniversary. It was actually a little weird.

When Sydney came home from school today she told me that she wanted to take off the jade necklace that her foster family had given her the day we got her. I asked her if she was really sure because I wanted her to keep it on as long as possible. She was adamant that it was time to take it off...so I agreed and cut it off. I was a little sad because it seemed like I was removing a connection to her past. I left her in her bedroom to change out of her school uniform. When she walked out, I got a little teary eyed...she was wearing the USA t-shirt that I bought for her. She has never worn it or even looked twice at it in her drawer. She was so proud and said "mama, it says USA! We live in USA!". Wow, it hit me like a brick to think that maybe she is realizing that this truly IS her forever home and we ARE her forever family.

Then I paused and at THAT point realized the significance of this day...5 Months Home!!!!

Sydney, We LOVE you!

Next time do not leave the evidence lying around...

I know I should have been angry at her for lying, but I could not stop laughing long enough to be that serious. I just kept thinking " how could she think I would not notice?" and then I would start laughing again. I did try my best to explain to her that she should not lie to mommy and should do what mommy says but it was difficult at the time. Kids do the silliest things sometimes and I am thankful for the bright blue coloring of the medicine.

Supergirls Fall Playoffs

The Supergirls completed their season with 13 wins, 1 tie, and 1 loss (which was the Championship game on Friday night). They have an amazing team and played a tough team in the finals.

The game went into 4 overtime periods and with 30 seconds to go...the other team scored! All of the girls (except for Sydney) burst into tears and cried during the whole medal ceremony. Sydney on the other hand was laughing, skipping around, and was completely confused on why everyone was so upset. I guess the phrase "ignorance is bliss" came to mind, but even after I explained to her why all the girls were crying she still did not think it was something worth getting upset about. They had a great season and had a lot of fun in the process. Tonight we had our team party at BJ's restaurant and Sydney received the award for "Most Improved Player" and finally her first ever trophy. She has come along way and looks forward to the spring season.

Trip Down Memory Lane

I am fortunate to have many pictures of Sydney while she lived in China. I have many from when she was younger but they are in a book that is being translated.

Please do not forget to donate to my fundraising project for her orphanage if you plan to. They really want and need a new playground for the children and a medical room. I know things are really tight right now but I am really hoping to at least raise half of the money needed by the end of the year.

Please visit: http://www.helpwuzhou.blogspot.com/ or click on the link on the right of the screen for mor information.

Fall Photos!

I took Sydney to have her first set of pictures taken this weekend. She loved it and I was glad to get a few pictures of the girls together. She is very proud of her pictures and once I find some frames they will be up on the wall. I am looking forward to Christmas pictures this year but the hard part is finding something for us all to wear.

I like to Move it Move it!

Madagascar 2 opened last night and we were there front and center to see it. Madagascar 2 is a movie that Sydney has wanted to see since she first came home. She saw a preview for the movie when I took her to see Kung Fu Panda (her first movie theater experience). She has talked about it for the last 4 months and we were glad to finally take her to see it. She refers to it as the "Move it Move it movie" because of the song. We watched the first Madagascar again last weekend when she had a friend over and they loved dancing to the song at the end of the movie. I think I played it 20 times for them!

SHE LOVED IT and quickly asked when she could see it again.

Next up is the movie Bolt but I personally cannot wait for Twilight!

Sydney's Daisy Troop!

Sydney's Girl Scout Daisy Troop

All the girls in her troop were adopted from China.

She had a great time at her first official meeting.

Sydney received her pinned and now is a Daisy!

The girls made their Daisy bracelets at the first meeting and also toured the place where they will plant their garden.

t the end of each meeting they hold hands in a circle and spin out of it! They did a good job on their first attempt.

David & Sydney

* SCROLL DOWN FOR HALLOWEEN PICS!!*

Fun in the sun after church