Chinese New Year

This year we had a little celebration on Chinese New Year.  After the girls had taken a bath and were in their nightgowns the opened a few small things.  When we were in China almost 7 years ago we bought a ton of "little somethings" knowing their would be special occasions such as these.  Anna was thrilled to bring her traditional Chinese Red Envelopes to school for all of her friends and even more excited about our party at home.  

Wish I had a cute little post with great pictures of what was really going on in our house right now... you'd all love it!  Scott is loading mouse traps with peanut butter... he'd never let me get a picture of all of this.  Yikes, tomorrow HAS to be a better day!

Endoscopy

There were some fun times!  Abigail loved the attention.  She loved riding the Little Mermaid car.  She loved the special jamies and the big girl bed that sat up.  She loved the nurses and the blue band. 

She loved her two special bracelets.

She didn't love the decision I made to not give her the versid (sleepy medicine).  So this time instead of not caring about the IV going in as she was half awake, this time she knew exactly what was going on.  It was such a hard decision for me to make.  But after watching her try to wake up after the procedure too many times; pulling out tubes, thrashing, and crying for hours I thought I'd give it a try.  So this is Abigail mad.  "I'm never, ever, ever coming here again!" 

She really was a trooper.  She sat still and just cried a little while they tried each arm. 

And after...  she did wake up much better this time.  Here she is in daddy's arms. 

I was so proud of her that day.  Unfortunately we didn't get the results from the biopsy that we were hoping for.  Her eosinophils are still there.  So we're not sure what the next step will be. 

I was also so very proud of Anna this past weekend.  I do love seven so very much.  The morning after the endoscopy Abigail woke up so sick with a fever and yucky stuff to clean up after all day.  Anna was my special helper.  Getting me everything I needed.  Distracting Abigail and loving on her.  I love that they are sisters. 

Views from my Kitchen Sink

I have to say happy one year blogaversary (is that a word yet?) to Pam.  I love her blog to pieces. It's one of those real life ones.  When I read it I really feel like I get to know her down to earth personality.  I love her home and it's home -e- ness!  It seems to ooze with yummy smells in the kitchen to warm family gatherings in the dining room.  Pam has inspired me to try some new recipes, try out new traditions, reattach my self to some old ones that I'd let go, and just remember to soak up every minute with my little one at home.  Thanks Pam! 

So here's my view from my kitchen sink. The window looks over my back yard.  I can see the Middle School that Scott once taught at years ago when I was first a stay at home mom.  I can also see the girls playscape.  (the one they love in the late fall and winter but would never go on in the summer for fear of spiders), and snow, more snow than I've ever seen out this window.  Oh, and the white picket fence with the arbor.  So pretty.  I really do love my kitchen.  Sure there are tons of things I'd change.  I've got a running list in my head but kitchen changes are oh so expensive! 

A Big Day

We're going here tomorrow.... and when I told her about it tonight she was so excited!

"Special Jammies", the blue band, pretty bracelets, what day could be better? 

She seriously loves it!  I can hardly wait! 

Happy Chinese New Year

Remembering her first Chinese New Year home with us

A Double

A double snow day that is... and I'm in heaven!  Another day of all of us home.  Another day cozy with the fire on.  Another day with no where we have to be.  Another day with tons of time to just be together.  Another snow day.  Another gift. 

Today I spent a lot of time doing one "nesting thing" I love... organizing! I love a cleaned off desk, always has to be that way otherwise I feel out of control.  I love organized clipboards.  When I'm all organized my mind can rest enough to play "Candy Land" for the tenth time in one day. 

Reading like crazy in front of the fire while her little sister naps... ahh!

Turning the page

I love pretty calendars.  I still use a "real" one instead of the computer and phone.  Crazy, but I love it.  And I love turning the page to a new month.  Just when I can't look at January anymore...

And little bits of Valentienes Day are beginning to show up all around our house.  I always start with books... baskets of them scattered all over the house, books stood up on stands, books everywhere! 

And of course a wreath

It was a cozy kind of day.  I love Snow Days.  I love the slow pace the staying inside, the cooking, both girls home with me... ahh!  I think we might be in store for another tomorrow!