The Mermaid Swims!!!!!

The Mermaid has not taken well to the pool..which is disappointing since we spend a lot of time in it. So, we have made an effort this week to get in it each day and work with her. She wears her swim vest and has spent a lot of time on the side with her feet in the pool kicking, she then warmed up to the sunshelf and would sit in the pool, she eventually let me or her Ba Ba hold her in the pool. No geting her face wet or splashing. She learned how to cruise around the pool holding onto the side. Things started looking up. Well, today...she let go! I showed her how to kick and Ba Ba showed her how to scoop the ice cream. She was all smiles today! I even caught her putting her face in the water blowing bubbles like The Pirate.

Girly Hair??????

What are you looking at? I know I'm cute!

Is it me, or is her tongue really long???? Her newest little "bad habit".....

The Mermaids hair has grown a lot since we have been home. It is now hitting the back of her neck and flipping up on her collar. She likes to put clips in it...but, then pulls them out!!!! So, I tried pony tail holders. They stayed for a while....her hair is not long enough and it started falling out which made her cry. I tried....

Taste Test Sunday

Let's try the red stuff....

I don't think they like the Ranch!

I pick that one! The Mermaid's favorite...

Well, The Mermaid is very new to us still. She has been home a little over a month. I keep trying to give her different types of food. She loves french fries and Popsicles. She eats shrimp, fish, hot dogs, hamburgers, corn, green beans etc. She does not eat Mac and Cheese, broccoli or american style Chinese food!!!!! Well, we had salad, pasta with meat sauce and garlic bread for dinner on Sunday. So, I wasn't sure what salad dressing she might like. So, we had a taste test! I made the Pirate do this...because that is what BIG brothers do! It was very funny....the Pirate likes the Italian and the Mermaid likes the Country French. I got a BIG "NO!" on the Ranch...can't win them all!!!!!

PS The Mermaid loves cherry tomatoes!!!!

Pump It Up for the Superstar!

Ready...Set...GO!

Don't you just love the tongues?

Go Pirate, Go!

Pirate WINS!!!!!!!

Today we were invited to the Superstars 6th Birthday party at Pump It Up! We all had a lot of fun....us parents got in to the action, too! I think a couple of parents had some boo boo's.... I got one on my elbow going down the slide with The Pirate. The Mermaid had fun bouncing around and made some new friends. The Pirate and his Dad did the obstacle course race. The Pirate won by a mile!

Citizenship

We got the Mermaids citizenship paper in the mail today. Yeah for the Mermaid!!!!!

She can officially root for China AND the USA during the Olympics!

Funny Things Kids Say....

I got a lot of sun on Friday when we were at the Aquatic Center. I am now peeling. I got up this morning and was making breakfast for the kids and The Pirate walked in and took one look at my back and shoulders and exclaimed, "Mommy! You have Barnacles!!!!!"

Gotta love it!

Happy 6th Birthday Pirate!

Monkey see...

Monkey do!

All this for 2 Bucks a kid...Mommy was cheap too!

Having fun with my brother....

Having fun with my sister....

Shooting the water cannon....

Brother and Sister!

Today is the Pirate's 6th Birthday! I can't believe how time has just flown by. It is amazing how much he has grown over the years. He has officially declared himself a "Big Boy" and has reminded me several times he is not a baby anymore. He got up this morning and "spilled" his own cereal and milk for breakfast. His words...not mine! I am very proud of him doing it by himself!

We decided to pack up and head to the aquatic center for a few hours. We had his birthday party at the center last year. We swam, had hot dogs for lunch and Mommy got a really bad sunburn! I forgot to sunscreen myself!!!! The kids are good...we had a lot of fun despite my sunburn!

Special Day

Happy 1/2 Birthday Mermaid!!!!!!!!

Today the Mermaid turned 3 1/2 years old today. We have cupcakes on this day. The Pirate and I made the cupcakes during the Mermaids nap today...so we could surprise her! We iced them and they added the sprinkles!

We are so happy that the Memaid is a part of our family and that we have the time this summer to bond. It has been really good for the Pirate, too!

When it Rains...Play Dress Up!

Well, it rained all day. The Mermaid has been looking at the treasure chest sitting in the corner of her room. I am not sure what she thought it was. However, she never touched it. I didn't want to pull out ALL my tricks when she got home....Well, I let her open the chest to see what was inside. Between the Pirate, the Mermaid and me...we had a blast!

Thanks to the first grade team at my school for this gift...it was a HIT!!!!!

Sunday Fun!

Today we made a drive to a very nice park and met up with our Social Worker and some other families that live in our area who have adopted children through our agency. It was nice introducing The Mermaid and The Pirate to everyone. They both had a good time despite the rain and bugs. One of the little girls that came with her family still speaks Mandarin...the Mermaid just smiled at her. She seems a bit shy when anyone speaks to her in her native language. I couldn't get her to say a thing! She did say her name, "ouch!" and "Oh Man!" those seems to be her favorites right now. Now, she won't tell you her name when asked...she is not ready for that. However, if you say it...she will repeat it. We had Hot Dogs and lots of other yummy things to eat and would you believe...she ate more than the Pirate! She is a good eater....she has gained 2 pounds since we got home!

We asked Jennifer, our Social worker to sit with us for a picture...without her, we would have never been able to bring the Mermaid home. So, THANK YOU!!!!!!! I have included some other pictures from today...ENJOY!!!!


The Mermaid on the swing....

The Pirate and The Mermaid playing on the equipment...

The Mermaid having fun...

The Pirate climbing the rope sphere....


Daddy took some great pictures today!!!!! The last two are my favorites......

A Day Out

Now that I am up here...how do I get down??????

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...................!!!!!!!!

I knew he had a big mouth....

Just before the A-Choo...the Princess looks like she is up to something?????

Having fun down the slide

The Superstar helping the Mermaid

We went to Pump It Up! on Tuesday with our friends the Superstar and the Princess. The kids had fun. I wasn't sure if the Mermaid was up to it....too many people/kids. She did great! The Mermaid did not know what to do at first...The Superstar and The Pirate helped out...she had a hard time with the climbing parts. I got in a couple of times to help...but otherwise, I think she had fun!

Burger Girl

Those of you that know The Pirate...know, he doesn't like hamburgers. Well....look who does!!!!

Did you notice the ketchup on her face?????

Happy 4th of July

The Pirate and I went and viewed a fantastic display of fireworks tonight with our friends. The Mermaid and her Daddy stayed home...she was a little fussy because it was close to bedtime. We all had a good time.

Hot and Tired!

Well...we have had a busy day! Or A/C is not working, we had to call a repair person. Hopefully, it is fixed. If not, we are looking at 5 grand to replace the whole system. Bad design during the construction of our home. UGGHHH!!!!!

We went shopping for a bed rail for the Mermaid. She keeps falling out of bed each night. Last night I found her hanging half off the bed! Poor kid is not sleeping well....we will see how it goes tonight.

While trying to install the bed rail, the Mermaid decided she couldn't wait!