Don't talk to strangers

Tonight, we went out to eat with some good friends - two other China adoptive families. Treasure #2 was sitting at the opposite end of the table from me and she got up from the table to come tell me something. She was so proud of herself ... she said that a lady had asked her a question and she didn't say anything back to the lady because the lady was a stranger. I, of course, congratulated her in doing the right thing. Then the conversation went something like this ...

Me: So what did the lady ask you?
Treasure #2: She asked me if I would move my chair out of her way.

I think I need to better explain what I mean by not talking to strangers! I asked her if she moved her chair, and she said, "No! I wasn't suppose to because she was a stranger!"

This kid takes everything so literally!

No braces yet

I took Treasure #1 to a second orthodontist to get another opinion. The new orthodontist took a panoramic x-ray of her mouth and showed it to me. She still has baby teeth that need to come out. Being a conservative orthodontist, Dr. McClendon told me that unless she was having self-esteem issues because of her teeth, that he would recommend that we wait for another 18 months before getting braces on her teeth. Needless to say, there are no self-esteem issues going on over here! This will bide time for a couple more of her permanent teeth to appear, but before all of them break through in the tiny spaces that she has in her mouth. I appreciate a more conservative approach and will gladly wait to schedule and appointment in March of 2009! Anyway, I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for braces during the paperchase phase of this adoption, so this helps out a lot.

On another note, yesterday was my first home study appointment. The girls and I cleaned the house all weekend and made it spotless! When Treasure #1 got home from school yesterday, she ran upstairs to my office and said, "What did the Inspector say?!" I think she had a mental picture of a woman with a white glove going around checking for dust! Too funny.

Treasure #2 had a hard time with going to school yesterday. Not sure why, exactly, but as we sat in the parking lot at her school yesterday morning, she cried and cried, asking me to let her stay at home. So, we turned the car around and headed back home together. Being in K4, I figure it's okay to skip school once in a while. This morning, she went to school with no problems. Maybe she just needed some mommy-time, which is great for me too! I love being with my little Treasure!

Breaking the Rules ...

We have several rules in our house, one being that there should be no eating in the den. All eating needs to be in the kitchen and dining area. After school today, my two Treasures were playing in the den while I was working upstairs in my office. Lately, Treasure #2 has had trouble remembering this rule. I came downstairs and saw them playing in the den. The conversation went like this:

Me: Treasure #2, did you eat in the den anytime today?
T#2: No, Mommy.
T#1: Yes she did!
Me (with raised eyebrows): Treasure #2, did you eat in the den today?
T#2: I didn't see myself do it!

I just had to laugh at her response. Later, she confessed that she did eat in the den. Little stinker!

Arthur welcomes a new character!

ARTHUR and friends welcome a new character - a baby sister for Binky Barnes - this fall when the Emmy-Award-winning series tackles adoption from a child's perspective. On Friday, September 7th (check local listings), the series starring Marc Brown's beloved animated aardvark, captures a family's experience with adoption in a special 2-part episode. In "Big Brother Binky", Arthur's friend Binky's family adopts a baby girl from China and Binky learns not only the importance of being a big brother but that families come in all different shapes and sizes. Binky manages the joys, and sometimes difficulties, of understanding his new sister with humor and imagination and becomes the proudest big brother in Elwood City. Expanding upon the series' well-established commitment to addressing topics that children of all backgrounds can relate to, this episode undertakes a topic that affects millions of people every day in all parts of the world. By exploring the adoption process from Binky's anticipation of the baby's arrival, to the ups and downs of getting to know one another, and finally to the joy of welcoming the baby into Binky's heart and home, ARTHUR opens the doors for discussion around adoption among parents, children, and educators. According to ARTHUR creator Marc Brown, "What the series does best is reflect the lives of kids in an authentic and fun way that resonates with both viewers and their parents. Because adoption is so important to so many families, we thought it was a great opportunity for ARTHUR to explore this subject." Executive Producer Pierre Valette adds, "We put a lot of work into this episode -- including extensive research and interviews with many adoptive families. To tell this story thoroughly and well, we decided to devote both 11-minute animated stories in the episode to it --something that we rarely do. We hope that the millions of families touched by adoption in this country, and around the world, will find familiarity and accuracy in our portrayal of the experience of these characters."

Bedtime Trials

This captures the trials at bedtime experienced by parents everywhere. Very cute video ....

The First Week of School

This week was the first week of school. My Treasure #1 started 3rd grade. It is so hard to believe she is already in 3rd grade. Where has the time gone?! When she got off the bus Monday afternoon, the first words out of her mouth were, "Mommy, third grade rocks!" We have already started homework everyday this week. She really likes school and likes to learn, for which I am grateful.

Treasure #2 started Pre-K (or as she corrects me all the time ... "Mommy, it's Pre-Kindergarten - not Pre-K!). On the way to school on Monday, I told her that she is going to be learning all her letters and numbers this year. She replied, "Will I have to learn them all today?!"

Teachers, braces, and a new scooter

We went to the local elementary school today to meet Treasure #1's new 3rd grade teacher. There was a stack of papers to fill out and then the new teacher took a picture of Treasure #1. She posed for the camera and loved being the center of attention for the moment. Both of my Treasures were so excited to be at the school and can hardly wait for Monday to get here. When we got home, Treasure #1 asked if she could get her backpack out of the car so that she and Treasure #2 could play school. She absolutely loves school ... and for that, I am thankful. I'm sure Treasure #1 will be the teacher and Treasure #2 will have to do everything the teacher says. What fun!

Treasure #1 has her first orthodontist visit in two weeks to get the first treatment (whether that will be appliances or actual braces - still to see). She is excited about this too. Treasure #1 is generally an optimistic person who sees the good in everything.


I thought Treasure #2 needed something special this year for the beginning of school, since she will be entering the K-4 program. So Treasure #1 and I purchased a three-wheeler scooter. Treasure #2 had played with one over at a friend's house and loved it. I think it appeals to her because it offers more stability than a two-wheeled scooter. Treasure #2 is a more conservative and cautious person than her older sister. I can't wait to give it to her on Monday morning before school!