ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT

It was so nice to see the sunshine today! After all of the rain last night, I was afraid that we might need a boat to get around. They actually barricaded the road next to our house during the early morning hours due to high water. This is a picture of a creek within a few yards of our home. Normally, the water just trickles down the stream, but today it was really flowing and beautiful! Pictures just don’t do it justice. The afternoon was spent shopping and taking care of errands that we couldn’t do in the rain yesterday. I think everyone had the same idea. People were everywhere! I had Daddy Darling take a picture of us before we left…No special reason…I just don’t have many pictures of us together because I'm always the one behind the camera.(Ha!) We also went to visit our special friends Ms. Billie and her daughter, Sandra. They are just like “family.” Sandra gave DD this Easter basket--full of goodies. She was thrilled! Of course this means that she will want to eat candy from NOW until Easter! Oh well, a little chocolate never hurt anyone. Besides, maybe she’ll share……

Mid-Week Memories

Wednesday:
We have really enjoyed Desheng Darling’s short haircut. It's been about 6 weeks since her first cut, so we decided that it was time for a trim. We didn’t go back to the same shop. Instead, I took DD to Elaina, the lady who usually does my hair. She’s very sweet and takes her time. She shaped up DD’s hair and agreed to pose for a picture with her sporting DD’s Hello Kitty purse. Of course, DD’s hair looks better when it’s combed. So does Elaina’s. (I think we will wait on the red streaks until she’s a little older and I’m in a coma.)

DD wore the new outfit that I sewed for her to the hair salon. She looked so cute. I love sewing for her! I know that there will probably come a time when she doesn’t want to wear “homemade clothes,” so I am enjoying it while I can. Thankfully, she left the crown and high heels at home; although, they did add a special touch. I can’t believe that this FREE paper crown has lasted soooooo long. She got it in October and has worn it many, many times.

Thursday:
Daddy Darling worked from home this morning. His job description and office were quite different than his normal day-to-day activities. (Outside view)(Inside view)

After Daddy went to his “real” job, DD and I went to the library. She asked me if she could wear what she had on….I said, “Yes.” Here’s what she wore:

I think I must be slipping…..

Here a Chic...There a Chic...Everywhere a Chic, Chic...

Chopstick Chics at Chick-Fil-A!

Maybe a better title for this post would have been “Gorgeous Hats and Grimy Socks!!!” Our Chopstick Chics play group met at Chick-Fil-A today. It’s a great place to go when the weather doesn’t cooperate. The only problem is that the girls have to take their shoes off to play in the play area. As a result, their socks are usually so dirty that we have to remove them before putting their shoes back on to go home. I know what you are thinking…..Yes, their hands are dirty, too, but we wash them well before they eat! Notice the girls are sporting their new Chopstick Chics hats! Aren’t they cute? The embroidery work was done by DD’s Aunt Sherry. Thank you, Aunt Sherry. We love them! They also have denim hats that she embroidered their names on. Too cute! We’re just waiting for the right time to wear them.

Not Bad, Not Bad At All!

Daddy Darling came home from work early on Friday to get a head start on the yard. It’s amazing how fast the grass and weeds grow at this time of year. Of course, when Daddy D is at home, DD is never far from his side. So, when it was time to put gas in the mower, DD walked up to Daddy D and I heard her say, “Here Dad, let me give you a hand with that. Looks like you might need a little more practice.” (ha!) Once he had started the mower, she looked at me and said, “Not bad, not bad at all!” (She’s a hoot!)

After Daddy Darling finished mowing the entire yard with a push-mower, he sat down in his recliner and fell asleep. DD just can’t stand for someone to be asleep, so she kept going over and getting really close to him. When I told her not to wake him she said, “Why not? I can keep him under control. He’s my daddy and I can keep him under control.” Do you think this could be interpreted as, “Don't worry. I’ve got him wrapped around my little finger?”

Time for a Change

Ok, I know it’s time for a new post. I have really fallen behind this week on updates so here goes:

On Monday, DD spent another lovely day at the park with her play group. Along with the usual swinging, sliding and climbing, she really enjoyed playing games like Duck-Duck-Goose and London Bridge. We tried playing Follow the Leader, but too many leaders makes it a hard game to play. (Ha!)

Desheng Darling spent Wednesday at our local library Story Hour. The theme this week was Nursery Rhymes. As usual, DD loved it. More children are attending now, but DD still thinks she’s the expert. Here she is singing a song with Ms. Sandy, the lady who is really in charge.She knew this book word-for-word and read it to the fireman…not exactly what he had planned. The craft this week was a Humpty Dumpty construction paper project which is now on our refrigerator. Thursday was a special day for Desheng Darling. PandaGirl came to her house to play. They had a great time while PandaMom and I were busy sewing a new outfit for PG.

So sweet! We are so thankful for our friends!

What's Happening

Just a recap of DD's weekend...
Desheng Darling started the weekend off by making ---what we hope to be--- our FINAL visit to USCIS. I think we’ve been fingerprinted more than most criminals! In order to adopt from China every member of the family who is over 18 must submit to fingerprinting and be cleared by the FBI. Since a person’s fingerprints don’t change (under normal circumstances), you would think that one fingerprinting experience would be enough. I can honestly say that our family has been fingerprinted at least 8 times over the past 4-5 years for adoption purposes by local and federal agencies--(just part of the long bureaucratic process. Please don't get me started!)

With that behind us, we headed to Nanny’s for her birthday celebration and to PawPaw’s for a visit. We all had a great time! Since DD joined our family in 2004, she has been the center of attention at most of the family gatherings. That's just the way it is when you’re the youngest; however, with the birth and maturity of Baby L, she is being forced to share the stage. It was a little difficult for her this weekend, but she’s making progress. Hopefully, this will make the adjustment easier when we go back to China for her mei-mei.

Isn't he precious????

On the way home (3hr. trip), DD decided sing to Brother Darling. BD was pretty patient and polite as he listened to her sing. After hearing her sing the same song about 20 times I suggested that DD sing a different song. Brother D said, “No, let’s just be quiet. She is driving me crazy!” DD in return stated, “ No Brother Darling, Daddy is driving. I’m not. See the difference?” Too funny!!!

DD with her Happy Meal toy from PawPaw

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Nanny, you are special
Your love knows no bounds
A room takes special warmth whenever you’re around
You think I’m cute and talented and maybe even wise
But I know that's what all grandparents see through loving eyes
Every day with you is precious
I’m so grateful for the time
Of all the grandparents in the world

I’m thankful that you're mine!

(Not totally original)

We hope you are having a great day, Nanny. DD would love to be there to help you celebrate. She even picked out some green cupcakes at the store for you today. I wish I had taken a picture because they were quite interesting. I was able to convince her that green was not your favorite color. We hope you and Aunt Sherry have fun today. We plan to see you this weekend.

WE LOVE YOU!

SATURDAY IN THE PARK

Daddy Darling was very busy last week and was out-of-state for a couple of days. DD r-e-a-l-l-y missed him. She stuck to him like glue today. They were practically inseparable. So when Desheng Darling wanted to go to the park, Daddy Darling had no choice but to join her. I guess he could have said “no,” but that’s just not like D Darling. He’s just a big kid anyway! The weather was great, almost like summer (thus the song). We had a wonderful time! Sure wish there were more Saturdays in a week.

The higher, the better!
Whee!!!!

It’s no wonder she's running. Look what was following her !
I'm not sure who's having the most fun!
First, there was just DD. Then suddenly…
she was surrounded by 5 boys! We thought it was just because she’s cute (ha!), but we soon found out that they were in the middle of a battle and she was on their BASE. No problem…..She introduced herself and joined right in.
A hug...
a kiss...
and a pose with her hero.

The ending to a perfect day....Braum's Cookies and Cream!

Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso? Not hardly...

More like Desperate and Doodler. Brother Darling was desperate for extra gas money and DD was just enjoying her time in the sun…staying out of Brother Darling’s way.They spent the afternoon painting. It was actually nice to get the swing set painted, something we have to do yearly, anyway. It was even better watching someone else actually do it. Cleaning paint off of the patio wasn’t quite as enjoyable, but I survived. Thank you, Nanny, for the green apron. D Darling uses it all of the time. I can’t imagine what she would have looked like without it. I think she still had blue paint on her elbow and the bottom of her foot at bed time. Oh well, it's nothing a little soap and water won't fix.

Pedaling in the Park!

Wow! Can you believe this weather? It was a perfect day to play at the park. Today, we met our play group friends at a new park…new to us, anyway. We have been to MANY different parks in the area, but this has got to be my favorite, so far. There were so many different things for the girls to do. Not only were there swings, slides, and climbing toys, but there was also a great trail for riding their bikes and Big Wheels! There was even a life-size maze for them to get lost in. It was great!

(DD on Snowbunny's bike. She has her own, but it's always more fun to trade.)

Lunch with friends!