A night out!

Aunt Michelle and Uncle Joe made a trip up and we got a night out to ourselves! Yeah! I was going to take a picture of the big margarita I had with dinner, but didn't. Cameron and Grace love their "Aunt Shell" and uncle Joe and had no problem saying goodbye...On another note, after taking out a second mortage(kidding-sort of) we were able to take Libby home. She just slept a lot at first, but today she was actually wanting to chase her ball! Her whole side is shaved and she has a hole in her from the tube, but she is much better. She has to take antibiotics for 4-8 weeks, which won't be easy because she doesn't like them...I realize it has been almost a week without a picture of my kids(GASP!) but tomorrow we are going to the pumpkin patch, and there will be plenty!

Four year old playdates...

We have moved into a new phase in our life: The "drop off" playdate. When Cameron was 4 weeks old, I started a baby playgroup. It was so nice to get together with other moms and talk about sleeping(or not), fevers and poop. They evolved from all sitting around in a circle with our babies on a blanket, to chasing them at the park and making sure they share with one another. I still keep in touch with these mom's, although our kids schedules keep them from getting together. These playgroups were always about me more than the kids! Well, it seems now that Cameron is 4, it is time for the drop off playdate. The kids have a great time, but I feel a little lonely...Maybe these mothers already have enough friends to have adult conversation with....But with my two best friends living in Missouri and North Carolina, I miss talking with other moms...Anyone want to start a "mommy playgroup?"

We visited Libby today.....

She is very weak and was pretty out of it. She just laid with her head in my lap the whole time. She did NOT want to go with them, she kept turning around and trying to come with us....I hope she can come home tomorrow. Cameron and Gracie were happy to see her. Gracie kept kissing her on the nose! Today both Cameron and Gracie had school and I actually had a day off. I didn't know what to do with myself for two hours. So what did I do? I went to Starbuck's and the Gymboree store...I really need a new hobby besides shopping for girl clothes! I bought the cutest outfit for her to wear for school pictures...Poor Cameron, he never gets cute clothes. I buy the obligatory old navy jeans and striped shirt(I am SICK of orange, by the way!) and that is all....Boys clothes are boring! I used to hate the Gymboree store, when I only had a boy. I once went in there and they had moved "all" the boy clothes (what few they had) to the back corner of the store. I asked sarcastically"Did you get rid of all your boys clothes? Cause you would think so when walking by". Now I am in there once a week! By the way, their stuff goes on sale quick, I never pay full price...and then there is always ebay...

Libby's still very sick

They had to insert a tube into her chest to drain the fluid. She will be there for at least another day or two...I miss her. Meanwhile, this is costing us a small fortune! A couple of friends (who do not have pets) Have asked why we don't just put her to sleep? This is just not an option for us. If she had some disease that would cause her to die soon or if she would be in pain, that would be different, but she will make a full recovery from this. That would be like killing her because she is expensive. We love our dogs and treat them as part of the family. They were our children when we couldn't have children...I guess people without pets don't understand this...I just hope she can come home soon. Other news: This weekend we went to our adption agency-ACCEPT's annual picnic. We were very late because we were at the vet with Libby, but we stayed for a bit. I got to meet some of my blogger friends. Cameron and Gracie had such a fun time in the water fountain! I will post pictures tomorrow, too tired...

I know I already posted this picture, but Libby is very sick. She was having a difficult time breathing all weekend. We took her to the vet yesterday and they didnt know what was wrong. They kept her all day trying to find out. We took her to the Emergency hospital today and she has a chest infection. Poor girl...They took a liter and a half of fluid out of her chest. She has to spend the night and we hope she will be able to come home tomorrow.

Dog Park

We took Buster to a dog park today. Libby is not feeling well, we will see how she is tomorrow and take her to the vet. The kids love running around and seeing all of the dogs. Then Cameron went for a bike ride and Gracie and I went for a walk in the stroller. The weather was beautiful here today...

Aren't we a little young for Mountain biking? 

Looking at the ducks 

Happy Buster. Libby was not feeling well enough to go:( 

A Dog's Dream... 

To Our Friends in Houston....

Please saty safe and if you can GET OUT....please call us as soon as you can to let us know you are safe...We lived in Houston for 5 years during Law School and still love it there...I hope it is OK

Rude people!

Today while Cameron was at school, Gracie and I met a friend and her baby for lunch at La Salsa
Now, this is by no means a "nice" restaurant. And it was pretty crowded. We were just about finished and Gracie was standing on a chair facing backwards and she was singing(very cute, I might add) She was using a regular voice, not being too loud or anything, and this woman at a table near us said "do you mind?" I had no idea what she was talking about, and asked"mind what?". She said "that is very annoying, we are trying to eat here!" Then I realized she was talking about Gracie! I couldn't believe it! Now, my kids can be terrors at restaurants and we have left to keep from bothering people, but nice singing? What kind of a person is this? So I was mad at this point and said rudely"I am so sorry to have bothered you in such a FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT, We are Leaving now" Then I made a comment about how I guess I shouldn't be surprised there are such rude people, we are in BURLINGAME. (A very upscale part of town.)
Now I realize that anger and sarcasm are not the best way to go, but I was so mad...A friend said I should have just told her that I am sorry it is bothering you, you are welcome to leave, and then stayed...That probably would have been better...

I am a little slow...

I have been trying to add links to my posts for some time and haven't been able to figure it out! And then I found ou how, there is a button RIGHT at the top!! DUH! so click HERE.
While youre' there, order stuff for Cameron and Grace's school!!

2 Year check up and 1 year post placement!

Today was Gracie's 2 year check up. She is doing great! She is 24 lbs and 35 1/2 inches tall...still small in weight,but getting taller! She is a little concerned about her speech, since she isn't putting tow words together, but we will just watch it...Then we had her 1 year and last post placement visit from the social worker today. He just asked a bunch of questions about how she is adjusting,How is she getting along with Cameron....I wasn't sure how to answer this! at first I said "they have a normal sibling relationship". He asked if I could elaborate and I said "he mostly loves her, except when she is getting into his stuff! (I didn't add that then he hits her!) at one point Gracie went to get a doll to play with. She picks the ONLY white doll she has out of 5 Asian dolls and I can't help thinking he is thinking we don't' intsill her Asian culture! Some people do not feel the should have to go through these "post placement" visits. Why should they have to justify that they are Goode parents, no one else does. But I don't mind them. I think it is good that China cares enough about their children to check up on them...They have given us their greatest gift, a CHILD...Here are some things I have noticed about these visits:
1st visit is before you adopt for your homestudy. You frantically clean every part of the house-as if this has any bearing on what kind of parent you will be-it doesn't. In fact, I feel that the cleaner your house is, the less time you must spend with your kids!! Where are the kids when you are doing all of this cleaning??(unless you have a house keeper, in which case you are lucky!)
2nd social worker visit: 6 months after the adoption-you clean half hazzardly the only the room they will actually be in...
3rd visit-clear toys off of couch before they actually sit on it-remember too late that you forgot to clean the bathroom-the one your four year old uses and pees all over everything-hope he doesn't need to use it...

Birthday party! 

Happy Birthday to you! 

cupcake 

It's My Birthday!! 

Sick

Well, we survived the first week of school, and who gets sick? Me. Bad cold...I'm sure Gracie and Cameron are to follow, although I hope not...So, no cute pictures from the weekend. Unless you want pictures of me on the couch in my pajamas(trust me, you don't!) Here's to a better week...

Ready for Potty Training??

I think Gracie is ready to be potty trained...the only prplem is, I am not...(actually I am already potty trained, but you know what I mean) She wants me to change her daiper ANY time there is the smallest amount of Pee pee in it...This uses a lot of daipers...she wants to get out of the bath to go pee, but usualy it is to late...This morning I found her NAKED and shivering in her crib because she had taken off her pajanas AND her diaper because it had "Pee Pee" in it! I dont know if she did this at 5:00 am or right before i went to get her...she isnt even two yet!! I am not prepared for this!

Forecast-Rain 

Sad

I am done feeling sorry for myself(for today). We heard from a friend on our adoption list from New Orlean's. They finally got to see their house and it isn't good...I cant even imagine what they and so many people are going through...My thoughts are with them.

Feeling somewhat better today

Gracie had a GREAT day at school! I told her several times this morning that mommy would be working in Cameron's class and she would stay with Teacher Kim. She kept saying "NOOOO". But when it came time to leave her, she said "Bye Bye" and went to paint at the easel! my poor deprived child, she LOVES the easel! could it be that I have never let her paint at home??She painted 5 pictures on Monday...Cameron had a good day, too, but I was the "Art Mom" today. You will never in a million years guess what "art" was today. It was called shaving cream painting. the child squirts a huge pile of shaving cream onto a piece of plexi glass(and the floor). Then they take medicine droppers and drop water color paint on it (and the floor) then they take a piece of paper and squish it on top of this mess and it oozes out the sides-guess where-onto the floor and then they pick it up and scrape off the excess everywhere....Viola! Done! Now picture SIX 4 year olds at the table doing this and me trying to clean it up! I had 2 girls start crying because they got it on their "new school clothes" and Mommy wouldn't be happy...As a former preschool teacher, PLEASE don't send your child in clothes you don't want to get dirty, they are FOUR....And if you do, don't make them feel bad about it....So that was my day in the classroom...

Cover boy!

That is Cameron on my friend's brochure for the kids tattoo business she has started! We did a photo shoot back in May and they picked Cameron's photo for the cover! check out the website
www.tattoosfortots.com. I love her products, because they help with learning to read. They take the "whole language approach" (see the picture, see the word, learn to read the word) and since it is ON the child, they can see it all the time(until it comes off, of course, it is temporary!)

cover boy! 

Having a bad day...

Raced Cameron to school so I could get Gracie to her 2 year check up, only to get almost there and realize it isn't today...Go home where Gracie is whiny all morning and colors on the couch...pick Cameron up from school. This in itself is chaotic. Gracie running every which way, Cameron running towards the street and Gracie following with me screaming like a banshee after them...I swear the other parents think I am crazy...This running toward the street thing has been going on for a while. He comes to a screeching halt right before actually reaching it, but Gracie, who must copy EVERYTHING her brother does, does not...Have conversation with Cameron about running towards the street, hold his hand and drag him screaming to the car(because he doesn't want to hold my hand-too bad) Go to Quizno's for lunch because we have to go to the dentist for Cameron later. Cameron starts crying because his turkey sandwhich is "hot" instead of cold. Won't eat it. Gracie eats NOTHING and throws it all on the floor then spills her juice all down the front of her. Do not have extra clothes. Cameron is still screaming. People are staring(who cares at this point??) negotiate with Cameron to just eat the turkey. Gracie still eats nothing but chips, which I take away, causing more shrieking...Go to Walgrens to pick up a prescription-with no stroller-bad idea. Just getting to the pharmacy counter is exhausting. Must they touch everything in sight???? Pick up prescription, stop Cameron from knocking down vitamin display and try and pick Gracie up, more screaming and tries to get down. It is HARD to hold a toddler who does NOT want to be held! Get into the car-Gracie still crying...Go to the Dentist, where they magically turn into little angle children and do everything the dentist asks of them...Thank goodness home, Gracie is asleep so I put her down, even though she has still eaten nothing...Finally sit down myself. Babysitter comes at 4:00 and I won't be leaving my bedroom for two hours...

First Day Of School!!!

Well, today was the first day of school and Gracie's first day ever. It was a little bit hectic! I worked in Gracie's classroom today. She did pretty well. SHe kind of broke down towards the endof class. And then she really melted down before nap, but that is to be expected on the first day...Cameron's teacher said he had a good day today. Wednesday I work in his class, so we will see how Gracie does then! I also changed the look of the blog because maybe it is just me getting old, but I was having a hard time reading it!!

2 Year Class 

Four Year Class 

First Day of School! 

Mommy's little helper...

Gracie loves to clean. She will get a wipe out of the container and start wiping tables...Here she is "helping" me vacuum! She is also very neat. She doesn't like to get her hands dirty and is concerned when she gets something on her clothes.(totally the opposite of Cameron). Now, for those of you who are thinking that this is because she sees me cleaning all the time, those who know me can stop laughing now...

Mommy's little helper! 

finally uploaded some pictures from the Fort Worth zoo. I love the one of the bird flying twoards Cameron! and the Tiger.. 

In mid flight... 

What are you looking at? 

School orientation...

I went to Orientation at school last night. Now, I love Cameron's school, it is great, but I am beginning to see how difficult having TWO children in a Co-OP will be...The problem is...I can't be in two places at once! I had to miss most of Gracie's orientation to go to Camerons. That was fine, I already know what the two year old class is about, but I would have liked to talk to her teacher some...Then there are the work days. I now will be working two days a week instead of twice a month!! Not much of a break for me. Then I started stressing about holiday parties...Field trips..What if I have to work in the other's class? Oh, the guilt....But I know it is the best place for them and that they will LOVE it!

beautiful mermaid

I have been saving this picture, Dad made it for Gracie's room. It is so pretty, thanks Dad!

Beautiful mermaid. 

Even the houses are bigger!! I couldn't fit all of it in the picture! 

This is what our drinks came in!

Everything's bigger in Texas!

Home

We made it home. This flight went much better. We were able to get a seat for Gracie and they both slept for half of the flight. It was a little harder for me because I hurt my back lifting cameron and I have had to lay flat for the past 24 hours or so. so I was in some pain during the flight. But it is getting better. We had a really fun trip and Cameron wants to know when we can go back. He was actually swimming by the end of it. Just a short distance, but still...We looked at houses while we were there, just for fun...it was a little bit depressing for us! We could get a 4,000 square foot house in a great neighborhood and school district for about half what we could here...it is tempting! Well, I am going to bed, I am on Texas time!

Scott lounging 

Almost time to go home...

Another nice day. The"girls" went shopping. I bought Gracie the cutest cowgirl outfit to have her 2 year old pictures taken in! The "boys" (and Gracie) went to a water park and had a lot of fun. My sister asked if Scott was here, of course he is! The reason we are here is because Aaorn is an old friend of Scott's from Law School. Another of his law school friends drove up from Houston to visit with their 3 year old daughter, putting the "kid count" at 4 kids 4 and under...Tomorrow we have another long plane ride home...more later.

Another fun day

Last night was great. The adults went out to a fancy steak house inside this enormous beautiful hotel. They had waterfalls and canyons and a replica of the Alamo! It's a Texas thing...The food was amazing. The kids were great for the babysitter and all were a sleep when we got home. Today we just went swimming again and now everyone is napping...What I am doing on the computer?

swimming with friends 

Ethan and Daddy 

crazy backward jumping!