Counting down the days!

The kids have been counting down the days to christmas with the help of this magnetic cookie sheet. They love it! Each night before they go to bed, they choose a magnetic cookie and count how many sleeps are left before christmas. They are so excited!!!
We've been very busy preparing for christmas these past few weeks. The kids helped with the tree, painted some christmas decorations for their grandparents and teachers, baked some cookies and got an early visit from Santa!!! Thanks Unkie Chris...you're the best Santa ever!





Last year was our first Christmas with a gift for Mia under the tree. We also hung a christmas ornament to celebrate our LID. We chose a kimmidoll with a message of hope on it. I also attached a red thread around the doll and inscribed the year on it.





The red thread has a special meaning in Chinese folklore. The Chinese legend goes something like this: An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumtance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.

This year I also found an ornament for Mia. It's a 'Li Bien' ornament. In Chinese, the phrase Li Bien means 'inside'. The Li Bien ornament showcases the age old skill of inside painting, which originated in the Qing Dynasty. It is a respected Chinese art. Each ornament is delicately hand-painted through a tiny opening in the mouth-blown glass. This process requires great skill since the image is painted in reverse. I found this ornament to be very fitting since it is in the shape of a heart...Mia has been within or 'inside' our hearts for two christmases now.





This Christmas will be very special for our friends Chantal and Bob. They recently got the referral of their daughter (LID 29-03-2006). Isn't she the cutest!!!





They are presently waiting for their TA (Travel Approval) from China and should be travelling to be united with their daughter in January. We are so happy for them!!! Their 4 year wait is finally over.

To finish off, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy and lots of happiness!

Starting to get in the Holiday spirit!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

One year waiting!

Halloween Fun!

The celebration started with a surprise call from Auntie from San Francisco via skype. We love you Auntie!


We then put on our disguises (Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Big Specs Girl) and dropped by Mamie and Papie's house for brunch. Mamie surprised the kids with her funky pirate disguise!





We got home and raided almost all the houses in our neighborhood. Yasmine spent her first Halloween with her cousins. She was so cute in her ladybug outfit (I wonder who will get to wear it next ;0)


We got home, emptied the loot on the floor and pigged out till we could have no more!!!! Here is a picture of Noah enjoying his chocolate.

I just couldn't resist!

When Liam was a baby, I got him this Lamaze travel toy.


He absolutely loved it, and it was for a very long time his favorite companion. He would spend lots of time making the flowers crinkle or moving the bugs on the ring, and the squeaker in its belly would always make him smile. We simply couldn't leave home without it. What I liked about it was that I could easily attach it to his stroller, car seat or high chair and it would keep him entertained for quite some time (making trips to the mall or simple car rides more pleasurable!!!!) I also liked the fact that it washed well. I have washed it in the washer at least once a week and it still looks brand new. Here's a picture of Liam with his froggy.


When I was pregnant with Noah, I wanted to find one for him that he could call his own. This is the one I chose.


I chose a puppy that had rattles in its paws, a squeaker in its belly, crinkly ears and a crinkly bone that vibrates when pulled. Noah loved his puppy and would also carry it everywhere we went. The puppy would even bark when we would pet its nose. Here's a picture of Noah and his puppy.


Ever since we got our LID for Mia, I've been looking around to find one for her. When I saw this one I simply could not resist buying it.


It has the same crinkly flowers, squeaky belly and bug ring as froggy. I hope she likes it. We plan on giving it to her on Gotcha Day.