Ruth rides into the sunset

Today Ruth learned to ride a two wheeler bicycle. She tried a number of times unsuccessfully and we finally got her a scooter. With the she got the feel of balance and steering, without the fear of falling. Before school the girls get ready and then we have time to spare. We usually play Uno Attack, but this morning the girls wanted to ride in the driveway, so I move my van and open all the garage doors and off they go. Ruth thought she would try her bicycle one more time, and she was off. Now she loves it and wants to ride all the time. I am thrilled for her.

Mask it

For theatre Arts class Sara had to create and make a mask. With a little help from dear old mom and the Paper Mache recipe from my sister Chris, we got the mask done. Sara painted it, arranged the yellow feathers, and chose the diamonds to adorn it. Here is a picture of Sara with her teacher.

12 yr wedding anniv

Today is Jeff and my 12th wedding anniversary. We had met on a blind date 10 months earlier. We have faced many things together, some good and some bad. We now have survived two international adoptions and have 2 beautiful daughters, lost many pets and family members, survived one move. We now know all about coordinating carpools and birthday parties, and are learning how to deal with two kids who do not always love each other...LOL! I love you Jeff!!!

birthday slumber party of 4

Today after soccer, we had 3 of Ruth's friends over for a birthday party extravaganza. First we went to see The Last Mimzy. It was very interesting and appropriate for the girls. I think very young children would not get it and may be frightened. The girls enjoyed junk food to their hearts delight. Sara and Jeff even enjoyed the movie.

We got home and the girls played outside, some on the swing, some in the tree house, some roller skated. They were all gracious and let Sara party along with them...Ruth is a great little sister. Then it was Pizza time and they all ate in the tree house, followed by more play until it was too dark outside-do you see I was trying to wear the out!!! Then they watched a little TV then it was birthday cake and party time. Then a little movie time and then craft time.

We made the foam sun visors and applied a lot of stick-0n foam shapes. The big hit was the glow in the dark paint. Then upstairs for the evening. Sara played on the computer and the girls giggled and watched TV. I set the room up for them to all sleep on the floor. Sara came to bed in our room at 11:00. Jeff said they got up about 11:30 for snacks. The next morning, I found out the did not go to sleep until 3:00! Augh, the making of a good party. Then I filled them with sugary donuts and sent them home!!!!

Skating along

The girls feed on each other and teach each other so very much. Today Sara finally got the standing up part of roller skating, quickly followed by little sister Ruth. They had spent so much time on the ground that I thought they needed butt pads. Thanks to my nieces for handing down their old roller skates. They are a little big-by about 4 shoe sizes, but as usual this does not slow down the girls.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTH-9

Today is my little Ruth's birthday and she is 9! Today I had lunch with her and took her the littlest birthday cake..sorry we ate it before I got a picture.

CANDY MACHINE

Today Ruth's 3rd grade glass had to present their Wonka Candy Invention. This is a gifted class and the imagination in these kids is awesome! I always stay for all of their presentations, and actually learn something from their independent studies. Ruth's invention-Super-Duper Crazy Nerds-Coated With Fun and Laughter- took blue candy, a pulley pulled it up into a funnel and as it traveled through a tube, it turned the candy yellow and popped it out at the end. She included nutritional facts on the back ie: vitamins F,U, and N. She said no Trans-giggles because it was not good for the funny bone. This girl is too funny!

Oh- they are ready Willy Wonka and sturying simple machines which is how this project came to be.

Spring Break to Florida

Are we there yet were the first words I heard as we backed down the driveway for our 10 day tour of the south....it was from my dh Jeff!!!! The girls settled in with their DVD player and their 10 DVD's-I guess they thought it was going to be a short ride!- and off we went. First night we stayed with Jeff's Uncle Joe. It was my first meeting as well as the girl's and we had a great time. Uncle Joe has a dog named Sheba who was adorable. We spent the night and were off the next day, Sunday, for Clearwater and to Jeff's parents. We arrived in time for one of many wonderful meals. The next day, we were off to the beach for some sea shell hunting. While there we saw a number of dolphins in the distance having a great time jumping around. The girls made a haul with the shells!



Though it was cold, the girls went swimming and Nana and Papa were teaching Sara to swim. They helped to teach Ruth many years ago. NO! I did not get into the pool---way too cold for me, but the hot tub was just right.


On wednesday we drove SE 4+ hours to visit friends we made in Nanchang. Angel and Rodney adopted Gracie, who turned 1 in Jan. They also have 3 wonderful boys, the oldest Chase stayed with us last year. Sara and Gracie were inseperable just like in China. We went to a build-a-bear birthday party for their friend's little girl, and that evening we all went out to an Irish Pub for a great meal.

On Friday we left for a 2+ hour North to surprise Sara's orphanage friend Mailia. Sara and Mailia were in the SWI together and both came home the same time, meeting up in Guangzhou. We did not tell the girls about the surprise and Sara and Ruth thought we were heading back to NANA and PAPA's house....glad they can not read a map yet.


Oh yea....Sara taught Ruth how to blow a bubble. I have learned that if the girls are busy blowing bubbles, they are too busy to talk....we will ALWAYS cary bubbl gum on long tripe hehehe

Horors, and taking the Fifth

It has been a while...but we are back and running. Both girls got on the A/A-B honor roll and we are very proud of them. Soccer practice is in full swing. One evening we practice at their school, so we take Sara's bike and some friends meet her and they ride for the time. Ruth's soccer skills are amazing!

On Saturday after an early practice, the winds kicked up to 50 mph and we suddenly had west Texas in our laps. We lost some shingles, power went out everywhere, and we could hardly see to drive. We ordered new windows for the home, maybe these will keep west TX out of the house.

Last Sunday miss Sara was a bear and so I saddled her with her dad...hahaha! I went with Ruth's 3rd grade class to see the movie Bridge to Terabithia...not so sure I would have taken her if I had viewed it first. I thought it was a bit mature for an 8 year old, but I guess kids grow up fast. Jeff grilled and Sara was so excited that she insisted I take a number of photos. We had a picnic outside and enjoyed the day.

The girls are also planning ahead for the trip to their grandparents and we had to go get new swimsuits.

Monday I got the call from school, and I was not sure which one would be coming home since Ruth had been feeling bad too.....it was Sara. She has Fifth disease, usually a childhood virus that includes cheeks that look like thy have been slapped, though not an original name! She slept for two days, got to visit the doctor, and back to school on Wednesday in time for school pictures-rosy cheeks and all. Also able to attend her teacher's birthday celebration.

Yesterday we got a radiant barrier sprayed in the attic, ridge vents installed, and more insulation added....planning for the 110 summer! Last night was open house and the book fair. Both girls were proudly showing off their school work and Ruth bought 3 books, Sara 3 fancy erasers....I hope she is not NEEDING this many era seres, but is only thinking they are cool!

Tonight is soccer practice, followed by a high school girl's soccer game. Tomorrow is the first game, followed by a trip to my sister Lisa's home, followed by a quick drive back to town for a sleep over for Ruth....always on the go.