My baby is six

Emma turned six years old today. I simply can't believe I have a six-year-old daughter already and that I have spent more than five years with this amazing little person.

We didn't do anything spectacular today...got up early and Emma opened her presents from Mommy (the Barbie party van was a huge hit - big surprise!) Went to church and horseback riding lessons. Then to Emma's favorite Chinese restaurant for dinner, where she ate four of her new favorite food - crab "racoon."

Just a special day with my special girl...but they're all special!

Happy birthday, sweetie!

Another #*@% snow day!

See Thursday's post...

Another #*@% snow day!

We are home from school again today because we got hit with a ice/snow storm overnight - it's still sleeting out now. I think this is our fifth snow day this winter. These kids are going to be in school until July if this keeps up. Have I mentioned lately how totally and completely sick of winter I am? Oh yeah, I think I brought it up on my last post. Well, I'm even more sick of it now!

Anyway, I think this is not going to be one of those snow days where the snow stops and the sun comes out and you get to take your child out to lunch and to Target by afternoon. We are going to be stuck inside all day because of the ice. The weather forecasters (who I personally blame for this horrible winter we're having) are saying don't go anywhere unless you absolutely have to.

We did go outside for a bit this morning to chip away at the ice, to little avail. Here's my little snow princess helping shovel...


Well, I'm going to make a big pot of my homemade baked potato soup...definitely NOT low-cal, but delicious on a day like today. Hope you're warm and dry where ever you are!

Emma's 6th birthday party

Although Emma's birthday isn't until next Sunday, we had her 6th birthday party yesterday. I kind of like having her party the weekend before so we can have a more low-key celebration with just the two of us on her actual birthday.

I had been promising Emma for like a year that she could go to Libby Lu for a makeover before her birthday party, so off we went. Here is Emma, pre-makeover:


And her she is post-makeover:


I'm happy she went for the princess makeover, rather than the rock star makeover, which was what most of the little girls at Libby Lu were getting that morning. The girl that did Emma's makeover went light on the makeup and did a cute job with her hair. Emma was just in heaven, so I was happy too.

Anyway, we had her party at this really cute ceramics place. All the girls got to pick out a piece to paint, and I'm telling you, you've never heard a quieter birthday party! Here are the kids hard at work:


After about an hour of painting, we had cake and Emma opened her presents:


She got a lot of horsie stuff and art and crafts things, so she was excited. We managed to get all the girls corralled for a group picture before the party was over:


It was such a nice party and I think everyone had a good time. Sometimes kids parties can be so chaotic and everyone gets so wired. This was the antithesis of that. I'm happy we ended up having it at this place.

On the down side, we were supposed to get up early this morning and meet my parents and niece D.J. in St. Louis to celebrate Emma and D.J.'s birthdays (they share a birthday, which is cool.) Unfortunately, we got socked with yet another snowstorm last night and this morning and traveling was out of the question. Everyone involved is really bummed about it. I am so thoroughly sick of winter but there's no end in sight. The forecasters are talking about the possibility of two more winter storms this week alone.

WHEN IS SPRING COMING?!!!

My new toy

Last week, I had my income taxes done and I'm getting a slightly bigger refund from the IRS this year (YES!) Most of it is going into savings, but I decided to buy myself a little present since I'm such a fabulous person (HAHA!) Although my little point-and-shoot digital camera has served us well, I've been dreaming about buying a great digital SLR for some time now. So this week, I finally took the plunge and am now the owner of this little beauty:

Yes, my friends, the Canon XTI with 10.2 megapixels of pure enjoyment. UPS delivered it last night and, of course, I didn't have a memory card that fit it. But I bought one today and here is the very first picture I took with the new camera:


Well, who did you think it was going to be?! Seriously, I think I'm going to love this camera. I know it will take me awhile to figure out all the bells and whistles and how to take great pictures without just setting the thing on automatic. And I'm already scouting out additional lenses and flashes, etc. But for now, I'm just so happy snapping away with my new toy. More pictures to come...you can count on that!

Happy CNY!

Saturday was our local FCC chapter's Chinese New Year party. It's really the biggest event on our calendar and, although it's a ton of work for those of us who are board members, it's so much fun for everyone.

This was the first year that Emma pretty much took off with her pals and partied all afternoon. In the past, she has stuck fairly close to me, but she wasn't shy about running off and playing with her friends. Just another sign that my little girl is growing up (sigh!) Here's Emma with her very good friend Amy...doing their version of a Chinese fan dance...


A lot of the girls grabbed ribbons and ran around dancing until they practically collapsed!


I think the only sad part of the entire affair was that we are really starting to see the effects of the Chinese adoption slowdown. Normally at our CNY celebration, we see 25 or so new families with their babies. This year...three. And we live in a fairly big metropolitan area. It really makes you wonder how long these kinds of events will go on. Let's face it, as most girls get older, they are less and less interested in attending CNY festivals and the like. A good friend of mine with adopted daughters who are 8 and 10 didn't come for the first time this year...she said her girls were tired of going. I worry that as fewer girls are adopted from China, and those who are already here get older, events like our CNY party and Moon Festival will just fade away.

I hope I'm sounding the alarm prematurely...maybe Chinese adoptions will pick up soon and more babies will find their way to homes in the U.S. You can't help feeling that way when you see all the beautiful and happy girls (and a few boys) with their families.

And so it begins...

...I'm referring to Emma's love of everything equestrian and the drain it's going to put on my resources. Emma is becoming more and more enamored of horses with every passing week (and with every lesson she takes.) Because of my concern about her safety, this week I bought Emma her own riding helmet ($40). She's been using the ones at her barn, but I wanted her to have her own that fits well and that I know hasn't been damaged in any falls yet. We got the helmet today and she loves it - mainly because it's bright red!


Speaking of safety, Emma took her first tumble off a horse on Sunday. I about had a heart attack. She was riding bareback this week to learn more about how to control a horse with her legs, not just the reins. Her horse wasn't going fast, but she somehow slid right off of him, onto the soft dirt in the arena. She was fine, although she shed a couple tears. But she got right back on and finished her lesson. I was told falls are just part of riding horses and, in a way, I'm glad we got our first one out of the way. But I'd still be thrilled if I never had to see my kid flying off a horse again!

Casual day

Emma has to wear a uniform to school, but the first Friday of every month is casual day. So last night, I laid out her clothes for today...an adorable Gymboree ensemble with cute little cupcakes on it. When it came time to get dressed, Emma looked with distain at the outfit I had chosen and said "I want to pick my casual day clothes." So she rummaged around in her drawers and picked her sparkly pink jeans and the High School Musical shirt her cousin had given her for Christmas. So instead of my cute little Gymbo girl, she looked like a tween-wannabe!


I guess it isn't that bad...she just looks more grown-up than I want her to be. WAH! I will have to put my foot down if she wants to start shopping at Limited Too though!

Separation anxiety (mine, not hers!)

Emma went to her first slumber party on Friday. Suddenly I had a free evening. You would think this would be thrilling for a single mom, but I honestly didn't know what to do. I ended up going to our favorite bookstore and wandering around. But I felt kind of lost and sad. There are many times during the week that Emma and I are apart...she's at school and I'm at work. And while I miss her, those are the times we're used to being apart. But this was weird...I guess because Friday night is our special night. After picking Emma up at school, we go out to dinner, then we go to the video store and get a movie. Then we get our jammies on and I let her crawl into bed with me and we watch the movie together (okay, sometimes I read too, but you get the idea.) So I definitely felt like I was missing a limb or something on Friday. Emma, on the other hand, had a fabulous time.

I guess it got me thinking. I know that right now, there is no one Emma wants to spend time with more than me. She would love to be with me 24/7 if she could. But I know over the next five years or so, that will change...that she'll want to start spending more time with her friends. And I know that five years after that, I'll no doubt be the LAST person she wants to spend time with.

There are so many times during the week when it's been a long day, or weekend, that I think "man, I wish I had an hour to myself!" But then when I get that, like this past Friday, I spend a lot of time thinking about how much I miss my girl when we're apart.

I know it sounds like I'm a kook who has no life outside of her child. That's not true...I love my job and reading and movies and my friends. But there's no doubt that the focus of my life has radically changed. And it will be interesting to see what my life will be like when Emma starts pulling away a little, as all children do (and are supposed to do.)

Anyway, everything's back to normal now...sorry I haven't picked up the camera all week, so no new photos. Hopefully I'll post some soon.

Emma-ism of the day

Earlier today, Emma was eating a popsicle for a snack (even though the arctic chill remains here.) She told me she had to go to the potty and headed into the bathroom with popsicle in tow. When I told her she shouldn't take food into the bathroom, she said "That's okay, Mommy. I can poop and eat at the same time!"

Anyway, here's a photo I took of my little multi-tasker today...

My crazy girl...

While I know a number of families with adopted children have to deal with attachment issues, that has never been the problem with me and Emma. Quite the contrary...sometimes I worry that she's too attached. Even now, if I leave the room for more than a few minutes, I have to tell her where I'm going or she'll get a little freaked out. So it's always "I'm going downstairs to put in some laundry" or "I have to go get something from the car and I'll be right back" so she doesn't panic when I'm not there for a few minutes.

All this background will make you better understand today's story. Last night it snowed about three inches (groan!) So after I got dressed and got Emma up, I had to go out and shovel out the driveway (I always like to start the morning with 20 minutes of hard manual labor in sub-freezing temperatures - it just makes the whole day more fun!) Anyway, Emma is on the couch watching her favorite new show (Super Why) and I tell her "I'm going outside to shovel the driveway and I'll back inside very shortly."

So I'm outside shoveling away for about five minutes and am at the foot of the driveway when I look up and see Emma standing at the top of the driveway with tears running down her face. Oh, and she was standing there in her flimsy nightgown. Oh yeah, and she was in her BARE FEET in the snow!

I about had a coronary on the spot. I ran up the driveway, scooped her up and took her inside. When I got her calmed down (and her feet had some color back in them) she said she didn't know where I was so she came looking for me. I guess she was a little too engrossed in her show to really pay attention when I told her I was going outside.

I guess the lesson is make sure your child actually hears you when you tell them something...and wear shoes when you go out in the snow (a jacket would be nice too.)

Here's a picture of her before we left for school this morning (fully clothed, you'll notice!)

My favorite picture

I was going through some photo albums of Emma when she was a baby. I have tons of Emma pictures I love (natch!) But there's one in particular I've always loved.

About a month after we returned from China, I took Emma to a local children's photographer to get some photos done. Emma was about 10 months old and was still adjusting to her new life, so this had disaster written all over it. But the photographer was wonderful and Emma was an angel and we got lots of great pictures of my new baby girl. But this one has always been my very favorite...


I'm not really sure why. I guess because she looks so happy and it really captured her personality. Anyway, just wanted to share!

A girl and her horse

This afternoon, Emma had her first equestrian lesson. Over the past couple of months, we visited several stables and found one we really liked about 20 minutes from home. I really liked the instructor, Sarah, and all the horses looked really healthy and well-taken care of.

Although I was really nervous about Emma's first lesson today, she was chomping at the bit (HAHA!) I thought maybe Emma wouldn't get to ride today because she needed to learn a lot about tack and how to care for a horse before actually riding.

Here is Emma's sweet horse, Abra. He's 24 years old, so he's been around for awhile and is very patient with new riders. So that's ideal.


Anyway, after brushing Abra and helping Sarah put on the saddle, girth and bridle, Emma got her helmet on and was ready to go!


She led Abra out of his stall and into the arena...


Sarah helped her on the horse and the lesson began. It was so amazing to me...Emma had absolutely no fear being on this huge animal. She was giddy and giggly with excitement...




After about 10 minutes of instruction on how to start, stop and turn the horse, Emma was going around the arena on her own, following commands from Sarah. Emma was a little tentative at first and there were a couple of times when she pulled the reins to stop while kicking the horse to go (Abra would just stand there patiently, as if to say "make up your mind, little girl.") But after awhile, she was leading the horse around the arena like she'd been riding forever. I was so proud!

So now I guess we'll be taking lessons for awhile. I just wonder what body part I will have to sell to pay for them!

Emma's 1st date

Well, Emma started off the new year by going on her first date. I'm kidding, of course. She had a (play) date today with Ocea, the little guy in her class who has a huge crush on her (and vice versa.) We went over to Ocea's house to play and then out to lunch. Here are the two lovebirds...


Emma and Ocea are so crazy about each other, it's hilarious. But as I told Ocea's mom, a love this intense is destined to flame out. Poor Ocea started crying when we had to leave. But I told him he could come over to our house for a (play) date real soon.

P.S. hope everyone had a Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays (a little late!)

We just returned from spending the past week at my parents' house for Christmas. We had a wonderful holiday with our family. Some quick pics..

Here's Emma looking to see what Santa left in her stocking (no coal this year, thank goodness!)


And here she is with her favorite gift...American Girl doll Julie!


We took a little walk on Christmas Day...no white Christmas for us this year, as you can see.


We did have a great time, but the drive back was tiring and we got back just in time for yet another snowstorm. I am so over winter!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas too!

We got socked

We had two ice storms last week and last night we got hit with the snow. About five inches so far, with more forecast for today. We've been super-lazy this morning and Emma didn't even get dressed until after lunch. We finally bundled up and went outside to shovel a bit. Then I pulled Emma around on her sled.


We have a very hilly yard (something I'm all too aware of during mowing season.) But it's great for doing a little fun sledding. I probably pulled Emma up our little hills and pushed her down about 100 times, with her giggling all the way down.


Hopefully the snow will let up pretty soon and roads will be passable. We need to go to the grocery store and get a few errands in today. We can only be housebound for so long!

Somebody has a loose tooth...

...fortunately, it's not me (although I constantly have that dream where my teeth are falling out.) No, it's Emma, of course. For the past several months, she has asked me to wiggle various teeth to see if they're loose yet. Nearly all of her friends have lost baby teeth and she's dying to have one fall out too. Although I would tell her on occasion that maybe a tooth felt a little loose, I never really thought they were. Until this morning. She asked me to wiggle one her front teeth and it definitely is loose!

I'm actually a little sad...she's got such cute baby teeth and I can't believe her front permanent teeth are going to come in straight because she was such a thumbsucker during her infant and toddler years. My dentist has already told me braces are definitely in Emma's future.

Anyway, Emma is sooo excited. I'll post a pic when the blessed event actually occurs.

PS a friend of mine told me that the going rate for the tooth fairy now is $5...could that be possible?!

Five years as a family...

It was five years ago today that I was handed a bewildered little 8-month-old little baby and was told she was now my daughter. I can't believe how fast five years can fly by. I feel like the most blessed person on the planet that I get to share my life with this amazing little person. Can't wait to see what the next five years brings!

Blast from the past

Emma was getting ready for bed tonight when she said "Mommy, look what I found!" I went in the bathroom and this is what I saw...


I guess one of her old binkys was stashed away in a drawer. It was pretty cute and reminded me of a funny picture I had taken of Emma when she was two...


You would never know it from this picture, but Emma never really used a pacifier. They were just toys to play with. She was always a thumbsucker and will occasionally stick her left thumb in her mouth when she gets stressed out which, thankfully, isn't too often.

On ice once again

It was a totally icky day here, with a bit of sleet and cold rain. But it didn't matter to us because we were in the 6th row for the once-in-a-lifetime High School Musical on Ice spectacular (at least I HOPE it's once in a lifetime - hehe!) Seriously, it was a pretty cute show, especially considering we have seen both HS Musical movies like 1500 times, not to mention the countless hours spent listening to the soundtrack in the car.

Emma and her friend Jia had a blast...here they are with their "Ryan" style souvenir hats (if you haven't seen the movies, I'm sure that means nothing to you!)


And here's Emma chowing down on cotton candy, as she always ends up doing at this kinds of events...


We really did have a nice time...but more importantly, as we were leaving, they passed out flyers for the Disney PRINCESSES ON ICE show, coming here in March. So I'm sure this afternoon was not our last On Ice event (sigh!)