Giving

So keeping with my Lenten promise I am looking for the same things to celebrate each day. Today it is around a conversation with Malia following a long morning (to many fits to count) and a full day meeting with vendors.

Malia: Is Chinese New Year done?
Me: No, why?
Malia: I think we should give candy to kids that don't have any.

So the back story around this is that we have been talking more about how some kids don't have food like we do. They have also been talking about helping Haiti at school. It made me so proud that she was thinking of this on her own. Good job Malia!

Friday was nice. Malia went to grandma and grandpa's after work so I could go out to eat and to a movie with friends. I am still amazed at how much difference there is in Malia's hearing and speech after the surgery on Monday. She noticed one of my parents dogs barking for the first time. It reminded me to think of how fortunate we are to have each other now.

Today was crazy busy. Swimming, breakfast out with friends, party at my sister in laws house, and a birthday party for one of Malia's friends. We got home around 5:30 and collapsed. Now I am enjoying a movie and Malia is asleep. It was a good day with family and friends.

Time Together

Today our focus was on spending quality time together. I got to spend time at Malia's school this morning to talk to the class about Chinese New Year. I had an art project ready to make laterns, we talked about how Malia was born in China, and we read a couple books. It was a nice time to see Malia in her element and for the class to learn about this Chinese holiday.

My Lenten promise

Instead of giving something up this year, I am going to make it a focus to identify something to be thankful for each day. Today it was laughing with Malia. She loves to crack me up first thing in the morning which is saying a lot since it takes me some time to fully wake up.

Photos Jan 2010 (91 photos), by Michelle Anderson

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Happy 4th Birthday Malia

We celebrated Malia's birthday on Saturday since Christmas Day was pretty busy and we wanted to get back home to relax. Malia got to pick what we were going to do that day. First we went to the Mall of America and did some shopping and went on rides. Next we went to a party store to find Tiana plates for later. Then we got back home to get ready since the family was coming over around 4. She wanted pasta for her birthday dinner and of course a Tiana cake with ice cream for desert. I was pretty excited that I could surprise her with a Barbie house for her birthday. So far this has been the worst thing to put together and then hide it. She was completely surprised and it was a big hit.

Happy birthday sweetie. I don't remember what my life was like before were my daughter and I am so proud of you!

Love, Mommy

Wonderful Christmas!

We had a great Christmas. I was able to take some time of work this month and it was so nice to really enjoy the time and get ready for the big day. We still had a lot of events but we also did some things that we didn't have time to do last year.

Malia got to see Santa many times this season. I think her favorite was seeing him at the Mall of America. You can set up an appointment and Santa sits and really spends time with each kid. Malia was so excited that she even forgot what she wanted to Christmas. The moment completely reminded me of Christmas Story where Raphie forgets to ask for the Red Rider bb gun and says yet to the football that Santa brings up. In Malia's case it was a princess doll:)

We got to go to the Holidazzle in the middle of two cold sweeps. It was still chilly but not to the point that we had to skip. We were able to meet up with some friends. After the parade, we went to Macy's to see the exhibit - Day in the Life of Elves. Malia had a great time and of course we had to see Santa, again. It was nice to keep up this tradition.




Another highlight for the month is seeing the Princess and the Frog movie (not once but twice already). Malia wore her Tiana dress that we got on our trip to Disney and she had a blast. She didn't like the 'mean guy' but loved the rest of the movie.

On another note, we had a memorable time making Christmas cookies. For anyone that knows my cooking and baking skills this will not come as a surprise. I really wanted to take the time this year to bake some cookies from scratch. My idea was to make spritz cookies with Malia. We seemed to start out good. We mixed together all of the ingredients but the 'dough' was way to liquidy, So then we add more flour, and more flour, and more flour. It finally seemed to have the right consistency. So we proceeded to get the first batch ready. It looked like normal going into the oven but when I checked if they were done I was in for a big surprise. See the pictures below... Well, it seems like I refilled my flour canister with powdered sugar by accident! I can't believe it still but it really happened.




As for Christmas itself, it was special even with the extra snow. We spent some time at my parents house so we wouldn't have to travel back and forth. We loved spending extra time with my parents and my sister's family.




In addition, Malia got the long anticipated piano from Santa but her first comment was 'It is not very big'. Our response was that Santa brings toys and therefore she got a toy piano. I don't know where she got the idea that she was going to get a real full sized piano. At least she played with it after that. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and my thoughts go out to those still waiting to see their child for the first time.

What happened to November?

So time continues to fly by this year. I can't believe that it is December tomorrow. Malia is just so excited for Christmas that Halloween and Thanksgiving just passed by quickly.




Here is the quick Halloween recap. We went to the Park Reserve for trick or treating but Malia had the most fun with the petting farm. She was a bride for this event (OK, it was an used Flower Girl dress). The next event was at dance class where she was Alice. Then there was the Halloween parade at pre-school. She was Cinderella for this. She didn't like this at all last year but I was hopeful this year. She was laughing and smiling as she first passed me but when she came back the other direction she was in tears. I think she got worried when she lost sight of me. Finally it was time for Halloween night. We decided to keep it more simple this year. We went up to my parents house. It was weird to trick or treat with my daughter in my old neighborhood. She had a nice time. She even tried to walk into the neighbor's house when they open the door. Her favorite questions were "What is your name?" and "Do you have a dog?". The night ended with a Frosty the Snowman parade (tradition to play Christmas music after the last trick or treater).












Next I guess I should catch up on November. I took some time off work so Malia and I could spend some quality time together. We have enjoyed this special time. I have been talking with her so she would know that we are together forever (good or bad). She has been still working though some feelings. Most of the time she is doing well but then all of the sudden she gets caught into a weird place. We have been talking a lot. Malia has been loving swimming and dance classes. In addition, she has been attending Sunday school. She had a school program and she was a pilgrim. It was so cute and she repeated the play and song all weekend.






For Thanksgiving we went to my aunts house and Malia had a wonderful time with the family. She also loved that Uncle Mike had a gum ball machine (which she can't use until she is 4) and a sucker tree in the stair landing.




The best moment lately has been that Malia is so excited for Christmas and she has been watching a Mickey Christmas show. In the show Mickey 'wacks' down his Christmas tree outside and Malia was sure that we were going to do the same. I love a real tree but I usually buy one that is pre-cut. The rest of my extended family always go to a tree farm the Saturday after Thanksgiving to cut down fresh trees. We have never gone with but I decided with the warm weather and Malia's wish that we would go with this year. We headed in the car caravan to Wisconsin and found a wonderful tree. Malia helped me (and grandpa) saw down the tree and she was so incredibly happy. It was a great moment.




Today I took the day off and we decorate the tree and the house. She was amazed by the decorations and loved helping with everything. The house is all ready for Christmas and we even did the outdoor decorations last week when the weather was warmer. I think this will be a special Christmas for both of us. I just keep thinking how incredible it is that she has not even been with me a year yet. I can't believe she is turning 4 soon but she is an wonderful, special little girl. I am so fortunate that I get to be her mom. My heart and prayers this Christmas go out to those that are still waiting for their forever families.

Ups and Downs

So this has been a weird day.

Ups: Malia did excellent on her first overnight away from home. She had a great time at grandma and grandpa's. Thanks! Mom had fun at the Metallica concert.

Downs: So after work, I was picking up Malia at my parents house. My mom was giving me the update and one part had me in tears for my litte girl. I guess Malia asked her if she was now going to be her mom. I guess she was worried that she was going to live there now even though we had huge discussions about her just going for one night. It proves my point when I tell people that being a parent for a child that was adopted (especially as a older child) is different than a child by birth. It is so sad that she even had that thought at all.

All is well tonight. I guess we need to gear up for more forever family discussions.

P.S. On a non-related note, please vote for Malia in the Gap Casting Call. You can vote once each day!

http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/Mander71/672315423/

Thanks!

Cinderella, Alice, and more!

Malia had a fantastic time at Disney World this past week. We were able to go with my whole family and friends also joined us (thanks Elizabeth, Taylan, and Grandma Kay). It was so busy but a ton of fun as well. Yesterday we spent the entire day at home relaxing until it was time to meet friends to celebrate the Moon Festival.

Sunday we arrived at Disney and headed out to Epcot. We had dinner at China and did a couple rides.







Monday we meet up with my brothers family at Hollywood Studios to celebrate my sister in laws birthday.









Tuesday we got to eat breakfast at Cinderella's castle. It was incredibly cool and Malia was beyond excited.








Wednesday we went back to Epcot since grandma and grandpa arrived. We also did some shopping at Downtown Disney. Disney's sales should have spiked last week. We also got to see our friends Dave, Pam, and their daughter Grace for a little bit.











Thursday we were all together and my sister's family arrived so we headed to Magic Kingdom for one more day. We had the whole family for dinner at Chef Mickey's. We also all enjoyed the Not so Scary Halloween Party that evening after naps. It was a ton of fun and worth every penny for a special last night at Disney.
















Friday we were supposed to be heading home on a 12:45 flight. On the way to the airport we received a message from Orbitz that our flight was delayed at least 4 hours. OMG!!! We had to keep 4 tired kids occupied for 4 hours? Luckily there was a outlet next to us at the waiting area so we plugged in the DVD player and watched movies. Malia even took a nap on the floor of the airport waiting area. Needless to say everyone just wanted to get home.




One final note: Malia is a dare devil and loves roller coasters. Here is her in action.