Family Reunion 2009

We had a great time in TN at the family reunion, we went to Dollywood, played putt putt golf twice, went to a comedy show and just had fun with cousins. Lauren LOVED the constant playmates being around with all of the cousins there, we had approx 30 people show up and stay the week with us so there was always a playmate around for her :)

Headin Out

Heading to Townsend, TN for a family reunion for a week, I'll post pictures when we come back :) Lots of fun with cousins to be had......stay tuned.

Blue Day

Lauren had a playdate with Noah and Jeremiah yesterday and when she got out of the shower she decided it was " Blue Day" so her skort, shirt and shoes all had to be blue. :)

Imagine Spot 2

Adopted......

Reptile and Amphibian Class

Our county parks program had an hour and a half home school class today on reptiles and amphibians so you know we had to go, Lauren touched a snake skin, a turtle shell and a LIVE toad, she loves snakes, lizards and anything of the sort. Then they went outside to look for tadpoles in the pond but didn't find any today. They also had a live snake to touch but had to put him up because he was shedding and was a little cranky and jumpy so she didn't get to touch him, the lady holding him couldn't control him anymore so I was glad he got put back in his tank. HA



The Poor Scared Toad :)

Touching the Toad

Snakeskin

Turtle Shell

Regular School

Today we took Lauren and signed her up for preschool for the Fall at the Methodist church preschool, she loves homeschool or school home as she calls it but has been asking if she can go to "regular school" also. She talked and talked on the way about her new friends and her new school and once we got there she completely clammed up, would not say a word to anyone at her new school. Once we got back in the van she was chatty Cathy all over again. Silly Girl.....

She is also going to 2 weekday morning summer camps this year, one at dance school and one at her new school so she can get used to the school and the teachers and kids there, she is so excited about them both and they both were cheap so bonus for mom and dad also :)

Squirt Gun Fun

Lauren got a 2 pack of Ariel squirt guns at the Disney Store today so when Daddy came home, it was on... she met him at his truck and started the battle of the water wars. They had a blast playing out back with these things, Lauren started out with full clothes on but after a while she was soaking wet and wanted a swim diaper and that was all. I think the big smiles say it all :)

Gymnastics

Today was the last day of gymnastics so the parents were brought in to watch their progress, it was very cute and the kids did good concentrating even with everyone in the room. Lauren said she liked it but doesn't want to go back, she only wants to go to dance class :)

Blooming

We planted flowers a few days ago but I haven't had a chance to post but this was a good time anyway because we have a few things to talk about that's "Blooming"

Lauren picked out all of the flowers and then helped dig the holes, put in the potting soil, placed the flowers and then watered the flowers. She was so proud of herself and had such a great time doing it. In the picture with her lip sticking out, she's not pouting that's how hard she was concentrating on the task :)

Part 2 of my post is about our next adoption. We have been taking classes with DFACS for 5 weeks now and only have 2 more to go before they come to do our homestudy, we have asked for a child in the newborn to 2 range and either gender. Once our homestudy is complete they will send it to each and every county in our state and then we'll be matched with a child. Our wait may be a little long because of our requested age but we feel this would be the best thing for us and after talking to Lauren's doctor they feel a younger child would be best for her also so we are excited about what God is going to do in our family over the next few months. Lauren changes daily on if she wants a brother or a sister but she is excited none the less. Pray for us if you can that this transition will go as smooth as possible for all of us involved.I'll post updates as they come also but for now you know all that's " Blooming" around here :)

Babyland General Hospital

We took Lauren to the baby hospital where Cabbage Patch Kids are born today, it was the coolest place ever. We got to see the preemie's, the newborns that were born today and even got to see mama cabbage give birth to a new baby. We let Lauren adopt a newborn and she picked one named Elisabeth Rory. It was a neat place to visit and not far from us at all and best of all it's free admission :)

In the first picture she is holding a flat doll with the name kenny on it that's because her cousin kenny is reading the book Flat Stanley in school and we were asked to take flat kenny to all kinds of cool places and then mail him back to Florida with stories and pictures about his journey's.





mama cabbage having a baby, notice the Dr in scrubs :)

15 Years Today

Steve and I have been married 15 years today, time sure does go by fast doesn't it :)

The Mini Boss

Lauren is totally on manner and waste patrol right now. Here's a few of her "lessons"

"Mom, don't talk with that sucker in your mouth or you'll choke".

At church she told the class worker " You can only give me 4 squares of paper when I go potty cause I'm 4 years old"

when the class worker tried to help her with handwashing she told her

" your wasting water, you need to turn it off now "

she told jake " don't bark at people, that's rude"

we had revival at church a few days ago and she told the evangelist he sung too loud, he really was loud though in her defense :)

She thought the evangelist was the coolest guy ever, he was the worship leader in our Nashville church and she hasn't seen him for a while but everywhere we went she had to hold hands with him and when he left she told him "I'm gonna miss you so much " so sweet....

I could go on and on with the things she says, they totally crack me up. She's so small but says such "big" things to people now.

Never Had This Response

Steve, Lauren and I went out to lunch at a Chinese restaurant today that we have been to many times before and the waiter came up to us and asked where Lauren was from so I gave the typical response of China without thinking about it because sometimes people will ask if she is from Korea so I just always say China. well, he said " I knew that" real sarcastically. so I said she is from Hubei, China and he said how long has she been here to which I replied 3 years. This is where it got ugly, he said " She is no longer Chinese, she is American, Poor Kid"
HUH ???? what the heck is up with that ? That is the first time in almost 3 years that we have had a negative response from a Chinese person about her adoption. So we ate and left without any more conversation from him but I started thinking " Am I doing enough to keep her Chinese heritage" I don't know that I am , we go to Chinese New Year, we celebrate the Chinese holidays but what else can I do so that Lauren will always remember and be proud of her heritage ?

Dying Easter Eggs

I was so excited to dye Easter eggs with Lauren this year, we missed it last year for some reason so I got the colors ready, boiled the eggs, let them cool and got it all set up and was ready for her to have a great time. Well, the pictures below will show you how it went :)






Yep, she hated it, she didn't like the smell and she didn't like the way her hands got yucky. I have always said I have a determined girl, she likes what she likes and that's it.

Oh, can anyone tell me how to upload more than 5 pictures to blogger, that's all it will let me do.