Pottery time fun with our playgroup!

Jaden is in a playgroup of other children her age adopted from China. We usually meet once a month and let the kids play. Today we got together at a pottery place where the kids could paint their own pottery. Jaden chose a plate and then I also let her do the cup that matches the plate. She had a great time! She had to have her paint re-filled 3 times because she was putting it on so thick! I decided to put her hand print in the center of the plate. Of course she thought this was "nasty"(this is Jaden's favorite word, if anything is messed up it is nasty!)but once she saw she was not getting in trouble she thought it was great! Jaden also got to see her oldest buddy Sophie Su! We have to get these girls together more so they can play together!
We go back in one week to pick up our pottery! Can't wait to see the finished product!

1st annual Chinese New Year Party!

So last night was the day I had planned for for well over a month! Lot of cleaning and organizing were done in preparation for the big day. Alot of people asked me if I was nuts! And leading up to it I was starting to think maybe I was alittle nuts!
But last night at 5:30 the fun started and our first Chinese New Year party was under way! We ended up with about 12 families here after two families had to miss it due to sickness. There were about 17 children running wild throughout the house. I was very surprised that Jaden did so well sharing her toys. It was alot to ask but she seemed fine. She did bring a few stuffed animals to me throughout the night for safe keeping! We had crafts for the kids but for some reason once the kids made the rotation to the basement for their craft they never came back up. Maybe it had something to do with the train set? There was tons of food and enough left over that we will have Chinese all week! We also had a great cake which a few of the kids kept calling a birthday cake! It was fun watching the kids play together and getting to chat with other parents!
And after seeing just how much fun Jaden had I think it will become a tradition! Maybe I am a little nuts!!! Enjoy the pics. There are more on the shutterfly site!







Yep thats my daughter in the middle sliding off the couch. If you could see her face you would see that she is crying. Red couch flashback, funny thing is she was smiling in the red couch photos!

Big news in our house!

Well after 18 months of being with us Jaden made a very BIG move last night!  It was big for both me and her!  We put a toddler bed in our room for her with her favorite Buzz and Woody!  When she first walked in the room and I showed it to her she said no!  But I told her to lay down and gave her her book, flashlight and dolls and after a while she was fast asleep!  And much to my surprise she stayed in the bed all night and woke up at 8!  Of course then she was allowed in the bed for some mommy snuggle time!  She slept better than me because I was up all night watching her!   Looks like my little girl is growing up.  And yesterday also marked the 1 1/2 year mark of her being placed in our arms so what a perfect time to make a big move!  It will be hard for me not to have her next to me, I really think that co-sleeping helped her bond to me.  But I dont think #2 will be sleeping in the bed with me!

Snow fun!(or was it?)

Well since we are in Ohio there is no surprise that it is snowing today! Jaden and I were able to get out Saturday for Chinese school and yesterday for some shopping. She is so much better now and we were so happy to finally get out of the house and see other people.
But then the snow came and I guess we are still feeling a little stir crazy from the flu. I don't know what I was thinking but I decided we would go outside in the snow. This entails getting "snow ready" which for Jaden causes major drama. It takes 10 minutes to get all the clothes, gloves, boots and hat on to go outside. This always causes a meltdown which is the reason we never do it. But Jaden got a sled for Christmas and I thought this would be a great time to try it out. I also thought I could make Rusty happy and shovel the driveway(yhea I am nice like that!) Of course I took pictures of the meltdown!



Once we were outside the drama stopped(for a little while)and the fun began. I took her up and down the driveway a few times. Then I started shoveling and she started throwing snow. She loved it which is a big step from last year because she was not a fan at all! She gave me just enough time to finish and took her gloves off and decided she was done! And when she is done she is done. She would have thrown herself on the ground but she doesn't like to get dirty! So it was back inside to undress and warm up. Now she is fast asleep! Thank you snow. And now we are good for another year so snow you can go away!

Happy 2011! Bring on the Flu!

Oh yhea our little girl is ringing in the New Year right! She has the flu! Lucky me.
It all started on New years eve when we went to see our wonderful friends Alan, Tressa and Mattie. It was gonna be a night of partying but it turned into a night of barfing! It all started well with Jaden and Mattie dancing and playing. Then Jaden didn't want to eat and then she spiked a fever close to 101! The funny part is I was just saying Jaden has never been sick except a few colds. Never say never. Here are some pics pre-flu!




We decided to call it a night a little early because I didn't want to get Mattie sick! Jaden cried all the way home and once we got her in bed. I held her close and snuggled her trying to get her to stop crying and that is when all hell broke lose and the flu came spewing out full force! Oh yhea both of us and the bed were covered in puke from head to toe! Nice! After a shower(2 for me!) Jaden fell asleep only to wake up alot during the night whining! Happy Near year to us!
Luckily we ordered out for New Years so it was a relaxing day at home.

Every night since then she has been up multiple times crying. Since she is in bed with me still(don't get me started on that)I was up all night too! She has also had a few incidents from the other end if ya know what I mean! I thought she has an earache. She has never had one so I assumed that is what it was and took her to the Dr. yesterday because she was not eating and just wasn't herself. I was informed her ears were fine but she has the flu! The good news is its almost over!!! Yhea. The bad news is we have both been in the house all week and we are going stir crazy! I think she is feeling better because last night she only woke up 3 times! She also ate soup last night and today so I think we are on the mend. Now lets hope Rusty and I stay flu free!!!

Here are some pics of Jaden pre-flu to hold over my picture lovers!



And before anyone asks, yes Jaden did have the flu vaccine. There are a million different strains and she got one that wasn't covered!