Sweet Girl

I have a sweet and caring girl.

I'm homebound with influenza (yes...sick...again). I was laying in bed a little while ago trying to sleep but couldn't because I had the chills (and too much hot tea earlier). Rose came in to see me, but I was half asleep and didn't respond to her. I felt her move my hair and place a hand on my forehead. All of a sudden she bolts out of the room - I thought she was going to go tell Doug I was dead or something she ran so fast. But she whizzed right past him and I could hear the ice crusher on the fridge going.

She filled a baggie with ice and brought it and put it on my head. How sweet! Then I heard her rustling in my dresser drawers. I finally spoke and asked her what she was doing. She was looking for something to tie the ice pack on my head. I assured her that wasn't necessary, and very kindly thanked Nurse Rose.

Regarding the flu, I learned my lesson the hard way - this is the first year in many that I did not get a flu shot. I kept putting it off and putting it off, yet one more thing I had to fit in. What was I thinking?! I work around kids who pick their noses and other body orifices and put the treasures who-knows-where, lick the ketchup bottle after using it but before putting it back for others, take food and then put it back before you can figure out which one needs to be thrown away, and drop utensils on the floor, wipe them on their shirt, and then put them back in the holder. Not to mention the ones who are obviously ill, and no sooner do you tell them they need to get to the nurses office, they barf. Doh! Double Doh!

On a lighter note: You know how sometimes when you get a pizza delivered there is a little white plastic thing to keep the box top from touching the pizza? Looks like a little table? Rose just got done feeding her Webkinz mouse a slice of pepperoni with a splotch of ranch dressing, and used the plastic thingy for a mouse sized table. Good thing mice aren't picky, because when she brought it to me so I could marvel at her creation, it fell off the "table" and onto the floor.

Happy New Year!

2009 Rose-isms!

I'm inhaling...I'm outhaling (exhaling).

Hey, look at that cantaloupe (antelope) in the New Mexico desert!

I want that toilet (tissue) paper out of that gift bag.

She was eating away, and she let one rip. She says so sweetly "My bunny was blowing bubbles."

The nature/travel show we were watching had the rare glimpse of turtles mating along the Great Barrier Reef. Rose says “Oh look, Turtles give each other piggy back rides.

Doug was trying to wake her up for school, and she fell asleep again. He went to rewake her, but she mumbled. "My hands fell asleep again, darn it!"

It's made out of lamb fur, right? (Fleece)

I don't want to spill my spittals (skittles).

I asked Rose if she wants Goldfish or Sunchips crackers, and she said SunFish!!

R: (Putting a friend’s birthday card in an envelope) I think it might be a little bit too wet mommy.

Mom: Why would it be wet Rose?

R: I think I put on a little too much lick

It’s so puncy (combined puny and teensy)

My dance costume has handcuffs (fancy cuffs)!

We got to have Billy (Dilly) Bars at school.

Why can’t I love you?

Blah blah black sheep have you any wool?

I want crunched (crushed) ice.

Is this the senior (scenic) route?

You crap me up!

And finally, a poem she dictated to me:

You are my heart

You are my dream

You are everything

My heart will need

April 2006 matching has begun!

Ok, I've been trying to not get my hopes up and get on the emotional roller coaster...

but I just read on Rumor Queen that China has begun matching the next batch of families to children.

Now, this will cover probably just a few days at the beginning of April 2006, but hey!!!! It's a start on April! Go April 2006 Flying Tigers!!!

OUR paperwork logged-in-date is April 27, 2006. Rumor has it that the month of April 2006 should take about six months to get through.

So. Maybe. MAYBE. within six months we will see the face of our 2nd daughter for the very first time. I've been burned so many times before it's scary to write that for fear of yet another setback.

In all honesty, this is the first time I've actually felt excited and hopeful, that there really will be a child at the end of this unbelievable wait.

PS: I'm still working on the annual Rose-ism's. Need Doug's help, but he's been busy.

Jingle Girl

(Note regarding annual Rosism's: If you are looking for them, they are coming. We haven't even got our cards mailed out yet, but when they mail (anyone have a magic wand?) I'll pull together all her Rosism's and post them here as promised. )

Party Pooper

We have had six party invitations over the past three days. Doug and I attended only one event (Rose's dance class holiday party Saturday) and Rose attended two (Thanks Vicki and Frank for taking her Saturday night to a party with Cate).

Sigh. Sometimes I just can't do it all and need to have some down time. I've been sick on and off for several weeks, I think I'm run down. We are behind on many things at home - decorating for Christmas, making Christmas cards, putting plastic on the windows, cleaning in general, grocery shopping, laundry. Ok, you get the idea. It's hard to go to parties when the pull to be home is strong, and not feeling too healthy. So I apologize to my friends and co-workers who have so kindly extended invitations. Sometimes I just need to step back and recharge, and that's what I did.

Here's some photos from the past several weeks:

Rose and her friend Cate at a Hoedown Throwdown at the local community center.

My mom, my brother Don (visiting from New Mexico) and Rose on Thanksgiving.

Rose's apron says "Baker in Training". Friends of hers had a birthday party at a cooking school for kids, and she insisted on wearing her apron and hat two days straight. I think if was waffle batter she was making here. She actually is a good (albeit messy) baker.

And finally, going over her list with Santa...who wears cool plaid high-tops.

I am loved

Feeling lots of love lately and here is why:

On Wednesday, I took Rose to dance class and then to a free H1N1 vaccine clinic. We got home around 7:45 to find my husband had picked up the living room, moved the furniture, and was almost done shampooing the carpeting. I had been fretting because I was expecting a large group of work friends Friday night, and the carpet was horrible. I was pretty giddy he had it done.

Early Thursday morning I stood in line at a local Target to get our local radio station's fundraiser CD called Cities Sampler (www.cities97.com). It is made up of songs, many recorded live in their radio station studio, of many of my favorite artists. Target handed out numbers and stopped about 10 short from me, so I went home empty handed and sad. On Friday, miraculously there was an envelope secretly tucked into our morning newspaper, and it was a belated birthday card with the CD in it. Thank you sister-in-love Linda! She got the last 2 CD's in a store near her, and it was a total fluke that she even went to the store, and then found out I wanted one. You sure made my day!

Also on Thursday, I developed pretty bad back pain between leaving work and picking Rose up from school. I made it home, but had to take pain and spasm meds and head straight for bed as it was the kind of pain that made me yelp in agony. Again, I was fretting because I was having the dinner party Friday night, and I hadn't done any other cleaning, shopping, or food preparation. I called my sister M and she came over to help. When I woke up from napping, she was gone, but my house was sparkling clean. It was like magic! And Doug had come home and helped her too. I honestly did not have to do a thing except clean the stove and wash some pots and pans after Doug got done making 3 pans of lasagna and a beautiful cheesecake.

It is hard to ask for help, but boy, when I ask for it I get more than I expect. On Friday, my work friends all pitched in and brought parts of the meal and beverages. It was so great to see these friends, many that I hadn't seen literally in years. We talked about how uncommon it is that work friends stick together for so long, we feel so fortunate. I couldn't hold in my joy at having them together, I'd burst out smiling during the gathering.

There is so much to feel loved about lately, I hope I can give some of it back. Doug has been taking such good care of me, having to wait on me when it hurts to move. My sister who is always offering to help. My sister-in-love who knows how to make someone's day and is always thinking of others.

So, that's just a few ways I know I am loved. Just had to say it out loud. Thanks for listening!

Merry Thanksgivoween

Edited to say: the comic I tried to copy wouldn't stay copied. Sorry! Ignore this post (I couldn't figure out how to delete it). Bah.

Rose's "Harvey"

Except it's not imaginary. And it's not white. But it is as big as her.

I'm such a softy, and she sleeps best with lots of stuff in her bed.

So....

Any day now

I'm gonna go to the dark side if referrals for April 2006 don't start soon...let's get this show on the road! Oh - and speed it up while you're at it.

Last time (spring) I dared ask our SW when she "thought" we might see referrals for our 4/27/06 LID, there was a big pause and then "I hate having to say this, but probably November". I hate having to tell her this, but she was WAY wrong...unless she meant 2010. Can't. Go. There.

Ok, not her fault. Just needed to vent. I do that quarterly it seems.

The Cat N the Rat

Waiting for trick-or-treaters...

Foolishness and Mayhem

Random silliness:

Dancing to Shorty Fire Burning on the Dance Floor with Auntie M and BFF Cate.
Every now and then the camera wanders off. Pictures like this show up. BFF Cate doing who-knows-what on Rose's bed.

Building a teepee. I think. It was that ONE day that the sun actually came out and the sky didn't spew moisture. I made them play outside.

Been busy with confirmations, Girl Scouts, birthday parties, school, illnesses, work, dance class, and most importantly a major move for my mom (more on that later). Now trying to get caught up with housework, and hopefully this weekend the weather will cooperate enough to prep the yard and house for winter. It did snow today, but thankfully it didn't stick.

My friend's fundraiser

From my friend Sue:

"Just wanted to let you know that our fundraising holiday boutique/silent auction is happening tomorrow (Saturday, October 17th).

We have 19 vendors and 50 + items to bid on in our silent auction.

The event is located at the Roseville Skating Arena also known as the Oval Rink. the address is 2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN 55113. It will be open from 10A-2P.
Hope to see you there."

Sue and her family are fundraising to bring home a deaf Chinese daughter. If you live in the Twin Cities of Mpls/St Paul, consider stopping by. I will be there at my friend Cindy's table helping out. Come say hi to me and do some early Holiday shopping!

Nancy

College Football Fun

On back-to-school night, Rose won 2 tickets to the Gopher's football game. If you know our family, Doug and I don't watch a lick of sports otherwise, but I got brave and decided that since Rose won the tickets, she needed to go to the game. She insisted that I be the one to take her.

So Friday night before the game on Saturday, she and I sat at the computer and learned how football is played. I knew the basics, but I actually now understand the game better. Rose really impressed me with how much she remembered from our little learning lesson.

Doug dropped us off, we found our seats (14th row on 20 yard line), and most importantly, the seats were in the shade. I was dreading sitting in full sunlight for 3 hours, so that worked out nicely. The stadium is brand spanking new, this was only their second game there. Other than running out of hot dogs, things were much improved from what I heard the first game was like (long lines getting in, not enough food vendors, horrible traffic, sound system not balanced, etc). Only weird thing is security patting everyone down, including 6 year old little girls. Good thing it was a woman doing the patting, or this momma would have had quite an issue.

Rose's favorite part was the band. I was pretty impressed by the skills of the players. Here's some photos of our fun!

After going through security and having your ticket scanned, you go up these stairs. I liked how it looked when I looked back.
Cheerleaders and the band.
Unfortunately, right after I snapped this, California scored a touch down.
We were still there after everyone left - this is looking into the stadium while it's empty.
Here is Rose hanging out at the lovely faux "rocks and waterfall". It was hot out, and she was trying pretty hard to go in there without getting into trouble.

Haven't posted much lately, not alot of exciting stuff around here lately (which can be a good thing!). Rose is at school, I'm back to work, and time is just flying by.

I'm scrapbooking this Saturday as part of a fundraiser for a friend of mine - if you are interested, let me know. Would love for you to join me!

First day of school

First day of school 8/31! So far, so good. Dog sitting Griffin.

Cat sitting Zoey. Rose got a hold of the camera.

She built a little cat city for Zoey to hang out in. Boxes to sleep in, balls to play with, rugs to lounge on...

This is also what happens when Rose gets a hold of the camera. Self portrait with her favorite "teddy".
Revenge on mom for mom taking pictures of Rose while she sleeps. Nice, huh? Gotta remember to hide the camera.
Just hanging around with best friend.
Swimming at friends pool, what a great way to end summer break.

Naughty Cat and other Events

Peaches figured out how to get from the crab apple tree to the roof.

Only problem was getting down. She had to climb back on the same branch, except she got stuck in the vee. Since she doesn't have front claws, and her behind being heavy (just like me!) she couldn't hold on. I almost caught her but it wasn't enough and she fell. She was fine though.

Other exciting happenings around here - at last month's dragon boat festival, there was a booth where kids could paint a 6 x 6 canvas. It was then displayed along with all of them at a Hmong Art Festival yesterday. Rgirl's is the one directly above "break dance" square. They mounted it sideways though. The Chinese characters were for "I' and "family".

There were several mosaics in the exhibit, this is the one with her painting on it.

And the park had some fun sculptures:

Other random stuff:

Playing with friends.

Teeny tiny pepper that Rgirl grew:

It's now the last week of summer break. Working 2 days this week to help open the kitchen and also serve at a back to school night for families, and then back to 5 day schedule the 31st. It hasn't been the best summer ever, but not the worst either. I'm once again battling a cold, my third?! for the summer, which isn't like me at all, let's hope I'm done for awhile!

One last photo of Rgirl dressed silly, beating a drum, and chanting "The ghost parade goes on and on...the ghost parade goes on and on". I have no idea what it means, not sure I want to know...

Chinese Language Camp

Rgirl's school holds a one week Chinese language camp. Although school starts in 2 weeks, we used it as a refresher for her, and for something fun to do. We were supposed to do daily Chinese homework over the summer (reading, writing, watching movies or cartoons, visiting websites online, etc), which we did alot of, but I don't think as much as the teachers would have liked.

On the last day, the parents were invited to the classroom near the end of theday. Here they were singing a song (I'd tell you what the song was about...but...uhm...I can't understand Chinese.)

Here they performed a rendition of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". Except it took me to the very end to figure out what they were doing. I was pretty proud I figured it out at all :) Rose was a sheep, the boy was a shepherd, there were villagers with axes to come to the rescue, and there were 2 wolves.

The moms and dads had to participate too. I got to use chopsticks to move yarn from a big pile into individual piles. And we had to hold hands and do some circle dance thingy (yep, that's the technical word for it I'm sure). Some parents and kids had to move marbles from one bowl to another. I tried to get Doug to do that one, but he wasn't buying any.

They did some great paper crafts, I might just have to steal an idea or two for FCC Midwest's Chinese New Year :)

This was the first time I got any time to myself at home, without Rose. Yes, there have been a day or two here or there throughout the years when friends or family have taken her for a day, but this was the first planned time in 5 years. I didn't get much done early in the week due to some unforeseen extended family issues. But I did get to catch up on much needed sleep, laundry, lawn care. Doug took Thursday off and we had a date - put our bikes on the car and went biking on a new trail to the west of us. Had a fun lunch at a drive-in restaurant. Then, since I couldn't ride as far as Doug could, he kept going and I met him with the car further down the trail.

Our family had also been ill up until last week- Rgirl had what the doctor called a "probable" case of H1N1 that started at the end of July. The only place we figure she was around alot of other children was at swimming lessons. The doctor said in a neighboring city there were alot of swimmers getting it, including instructors. It's a milder version, which we were thankful for.

Had to cancel a big playgroup at our house, had to drop out of swimming lessons, missed our big National Night Celebration our neighborhood does. Rgirl sat in the window and cried, although we tried to get her to come watch a movie in the basement to take her mind off all the fun activities she was missing just outside our door.

Alot of people are alarmed about the H1N1 flu, but it is out there for sure, anyone can get it. Rgirl did, and she isn't any different than anyone else. She rarely runs a fever, and this flu has a fever that is high and lasts for about 5 days. The fever is what tipped us off that it wasn't just any bug. On a possible good note, if/when it starts going around the schools, there's a chance she won't get it again. Doug and I didn't get it, but we both ended up with colds.

Because we had to miss a fun playgroup at a friends swimming pool yesterday because of camp, I took Rgirl to the local swimming pool. Five minutes after we get there, they had to clear the pool due (doo?) to contamination in the water. Last year when we went, we were there about 10 minutes when a rogue storm came through, lightening struck about 1/2 block away, and we all ran screaming from the pool. It was actually kinda funny. Blam! Aeeieeeeee!! Run!!! Nothing like almost getting zapped to get your heart pumping.

Random pictures:

Peaches likes to nap in a big wooden toychest that houses Rgirl's dressup clothes. She came out wearing this.

If I have the camera in the car, sometimes I snap a quick picture backwards without looking, and see what I get. I got this one yesterday on the way home from camp.

Doug took this one of her, he thought it was pretty cute. I agreed.

Sawing Logs

Both literally and figuratively. Here is Rgirl snoozing away on the deck, while her daddy is sawing and hammering and sanding.

She made herself a nest on 2 deck chairs. As some of you know, she came down with some type of bug on Thursday, and she's been doing power naps (which is very rare for her). I apologize to all 30! of you moms, dads, and children who had RSVP'd to attend playgroup at my house Friday, but had to meet elsewhere because she's been sick. We were looking forward to a fun day with our friends. Is that bad timing or what?

I decided this week to buy Peaches a collar and name tag so she can go outside without being tethered (she kept getting caught on stuff and pulling out of her harness). She has been climbing the tree that our deck is built around. Amazes me once again as she does not have front claws. So far she has stayed in the yard, and when she is indoors she now doesn't seem as depressed.

She's over my head in this picture.

She decided to go after some birds...wooden red cardinal

and wooden blue bird. Bah, she says, this is no fun. I'm outta here.

Hope everyone is having a great August 1st!

Peaches 2 - Mouse 0

Heeerrrre, mousy mousy...come see the nice kitty. I know you are there somewhere...I'll find you.

Peaches scored her second mousy in the house (don't know why we have mousies inside during the middle of the summer. And I don't think I'm THAT bad of a house keeper). I was up late reading in the living room when all of a sudden she was on high alert. She waited a good 20 minutes until she finally was ready to attack (I couldn't see the mouse, it was in the kitchen rooting around). Caught it on her first pounce, which I always find so impressive for a cat without front claws. She then did her little ritual of flinging it about the dining/living room, once straight at me (thank goodness for chairs to stand on) but thankfully not on my feet like last time. Had to wake Doug up (by yelling of course!). Then he had to make an appearance outdoors after midnight in just his robe to release the mousy...gotta keep the neighbors guessing around here.

Kids crack me up

R-girl's best friend C-girl is here for the day. I just sent them outside to play, and am sitting here checking my email, etc. Out of the corner of my eye I see this blur go speeding past the window out on the lawn. It's Rgirl on her bike, pulling Cgirl behind on a trike, across the yard, with a rope connecting the two, Cgirl yelling happily. I would have gotten a picture for you all, but I sensed imminent danger and flew out the door. Not too safe a thing to do, but I had to laugh out how ingenious they can be. At least they were wearing helmets :)

In other news, being the good and prompt on-the-ball mom I am...I called at 9:15 this morning to sign Rgirl up for swim lessons that start at 10:00. She was supposed to be in level 2, but they tested and put her in level 3. I about fell out of my chair, I was sure they made a mistake. She was a wee bit nervous at first, and had this "what in the heck am I doing in this class!" look on her face. But I think it will be good for her to challenge herself. I'm pretty proud of her for sticking it out and doing things she hadn't done before. We'll see what tomorrow brings. It was like a social outing for me - neighbors, MOPS friends, dance friends, preschool friends were all there for lessons too. It was good to see so many familiar faces and to catch up. That's what I love about where we live, although it is a city, it's small enough to feel like a town.

On a final note, we now have experienced naked Lego play at our house. I have a picture but don't dare post it, but hey, you get the idea. One fully dressed kiddo, one naked kiddo (who peeled out of her swimsuit). Sigh. Oh to be so carefree! Happy Monday everyone!

Summer stuff

Impromptu Lion Dance

Tea party on the deck with neighbor and their American Girl dolls.

R-girl made another one of her fun concoctions, garnish and all.

Her first tomato from her very own tomato plant. Too bad no one in our family likes tomato's, including R-girl.

Fancy Snack

R-girl made up her own snack just now. Cereal, marshmallows, craisins and mini chocolate chips. And to make it even more special, she took a wine glass (that's water) and put a strawberry on it. Tah-Da!

More weekend fun!

Spent the weekend enjoying the 4th of July with my sister and my brother in law. They live on a small lake, and a church camp directly across the lake puts on a not-so-small fireworks display. Perfect weather, front row seats (the dock!), a campfire, and not too many mosquitos amazingly.

Hey there Auntie B and doggie Suzie, are ya catchin' anything? Just thought I'd swim out and say Hi! R-girl did some fishing too, caught sunnies and perch.

Trees looking up from the hammock. Love the bright green color, with blue sky. Picture doesn't do it justice though.

Our little mermaid. R-girl spent as much time as she possibly could in the water, under the water, on top of the water...she literally played with the fish (Auntie B would catch one, toss it into R-girls floatie, R-girl would play with it until Auntie B caught the next one. They tried to convince me this was their way of making sure they weren't catching the same fish over and over again).

Me and R-girl.

D-daddy hanging out.