Snow Day!

As if we don't have enough going on in our lives between planning our China trip and moving to a new house, Mother Nature decided to throw a little snow our way. We ended up with more than five inches! Chipmunk was a little upset it happened on a weekend and he didn't get a snow day from school; but the kids were SO excited. They love the snow and so do I! I used to dread snow days when the boys were younger because it seemed like it would take at least 30 minutes to get them dressed and ready to go out and it never failed that after about 5 minutes they either needed to go potty or were miserable and were ready to come inside. Now that they are older, they are able to get their snow clothes on all by themselves and I only have to get HD ready. So much easier!
I wasn't quite sure how HD would like the snow, as she did not like it at all last year. Once I got her bundled up, she ran out the door and slipped on the snow. I was completely expecting the big tears to start but when I reached her she was giggling. She LOVED the snow! She loved running in, sitting in it, playing in it and, of course, eating it. The kids had so much fun. My favorite part of it? How tired the kids are after playing in the snow for hours. After a little hot chocolate, they all take great naps!


I think she likes it!


My little angel


Monkey will swing in any weather!


The boys thought a snowy slide would be SO much fun


I think HD agrees!





I had to add this one for Maria. This is what HD does any time you ask her to smile for a picture. I really hope this phase doesn't last too long!

We are going to China!!

We got word from our agency last week that our TA (travel approval) was on its way from China. Today our coordinator called and said our TA arrived and they had already scheduled our CA (consulate appointment). We leave for China on February 26th and come home on March 12th!!! We should have Pudding in our arms March 1st, I think. Woohoo!! Not only am I so excited to finally have travel dates, but we won't have to miss HD's 2nd birthday (on March 16th). Looks like she'll have quite a birthday present this year (although I'm not sure she'll be as thrilled as we are).
I have a feeling that this next month is going to fly by as we finish renovating our new house, pack up everything and move, as well as prepare our family for our newest little blessing. Life is never dull around our house.
Look out Pudding, Mommy and Daddy are going to be there soon!
*Edited to add that we heard from our agency today and we will be leaving on February 23rd...4 weeks from today!

Calm Before the Storm

It has been so nice to get back into routine after our chaotic Christmas break. The boys do so much better when they are on a schedule, which makes me a better Mom.;) I'm trying to enjoy these quiet days while the boys are at school and it's just us girls at home. I know these days are quickly coming to an end and I want to absorb every last second before our lives are turned upside down (in a good way). We closed on our new house last week and take possession next week. I think we've got at least 3 weeks worth of work we want to do in it before we actually move in. And, of course, we're awaiting our TA (travel approval) for Pudding. We are hoping to receive it in the next couple of weeks. But, as I've said before, we don't expect to travel until late February/early March due to Chinese New Year celebrations in February. While I hate to wait even a second longer to pick him up, it will be nice to get settled in our new house before we travel and bring him home.

Since I don't have any idea how to sit around and twiddle my thumbs, I've embarked on a new project. While we are waiting for the arrival of Pudding, we are starting to work on a "100 Good Wishes Quilt" for him.

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or "100 Good Wishes Quilt." It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

Anybody that knows me knows how much I adore blankets. I still sleep with my baby blanket under my pillow (yeah, I can't believe I just admitted that!!). There is nothing I like more than cuddling under a big blanket. I can't think of a more wonderful idea than covering Pudding each night with a quilt that was made with love and joy from our family and friends. I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it....

If you'd like to participate, all you need to do is send one 9×9 in. square of 100% cotton, washable fabric. It can be any pattern or color; just something that is special or meaningful to you. And the fun part: send us a card with a good wish for Pudding and a scrap of your fabric (glued to the paper). Your wish can be simple or elaborate, handwritten or typed. It can be something you wrote or a favorite poem, lyric or quote. Be as simple or as creative as you want. These wishes will be placed in a 12×12 album so that your wishes will always be remembered.

If you would like to join, just leave a comment and I'll shoot you an email with the address where you can send the fabric.
I cannot wait to see our little Pudding wrapped in his quilt!