And another little party for all of AnnaLeisa's adult friends

So Sunday morning I invited many of my friends who were at AnnaLeisa's welcoming to come for her birthday. All of her aunties and uncles who have loved her in so many ways. She knows each of them intimately and she sees them often. We love what each of you brings to our life. AnnaLeisa firstly played with her Dora Car and then we were outside again. Coffee and watermelon.

It is not complete to finish our birthday postings without remembering and acknowledging all of AnnaLeisa's China birth family. I was in bed at night with great gratitude and of course with much poignancy.

Birthday Party!

AnnaLeisa had a wonderful birthday.... and I think I can do the birthday Mom thing?! It all came together when the weather was 28 degrees and a little pool for the 4 Three year olds was a success. We decorated little chocolate cupcakes and all in just played and chatted with the parents. For all that AnnaLeisa knew of birthdays I am sure we could have had very little and she would have been happy but the celebration and the "making of special" was important. There were no major meltdowns or problems with sharing ... just three children playing and playing... as they should.

AnnaLeisa's Third Birthday week end......

AnnaLeisa's birthday events started at Daycare where the party happened with all her friends at snack time. It was so fun to see her excitement and most of it was about the candles. Not just blowing them out by herself but also licking the bottom too!!!
After daycare everyday AnnaLeisa wants to "run in the field". Here you can see her long legs as she truly grows and grows in so many ways.

Paint Porfolios

AnnaLeisa has been immersed in paint. Daycare comments frequently at her art and we now have walls covered in out little home. I love watching her total body involvement and her concentration. I don't remember playing like that with color and with such imagination. Of course it does involve some cleaning and some bathing and the pillowcases are smeared in the morning but it is worth it! So we posted our recent images and can only kiss those little cheeks and smile in admiration... or is it adoration?

Make a Smilebox postcard

We had a wonderful time on the West Coast recently and saw many old and dear friends. It was great to leave the snow and frolic on beaches and in playgrounds. AnnaLeisa had a great time finding new stones to take home and also cruising on the ferry to Victoria. As some of you may now know we were contemplating a move to Victoria. It now seems wise to take our time uprooting as we are still a young family and the stress in the process seemed huge. So we loved seeing Laurie, Sean and Sarah, Auntie Dawn and Grandy Dorie, and meeting little Sam. Thank you all for the warm warm welcome. We will wait with an open heart to make a big decision regarding our home.

Winter is dripping away - hurray!

Finally signs of spring and the thaw... I really do love the renewal of all that is alive. Naked trees start to dress and the mud smells refreshingly like all that is to come.... I think I endure winters and especially now that it involves so much dressing when AnnaLeisa and I venture out. But here are some images. One is of AnnaLeisa in a New Years hat with her hockey stick and skates indoors. The others are also of Mom when she was here at Christmas. So yes, we do get out, we do have fun and Halleluliah!! - it appears to be ending. Days are longer, daylight savings is here, we are on trikes and as AnnaLeisa says 'no mittens Mommy?"

Chinese New Year was as poignant as always for me! The time spent waiting and now the celebration of our children's heritage and cultures. We had fun playing games at a Chinese party for our Mandarin class and as you can see the gentleman enjoying AnnaLeisa's flying demo! She is also posing with her orphanage friend with the funny faces and I love that they continue to see each other also. Thank you to the local Chinese community for your gracious invitations!

A photo shoot!

We quickly ran into Sears to have a photography session late in November so that we could send some nice Christmas presents to our family and friends. I was very sceptical, both in terms of the final quality, and also whether AnnaLeisa would be able to sit and engage. Well were we impressed! The black shoes dominated the dress photo but the Chinese outfit won hands down.
She had a lovely time with the young photographer and she was able to "catch" AnnaLeisa in many many ways. We were thrilled and so were the receivers. I have been remiss in terms of finally posting them and as you can imagine she is already changed and new again. She bursts forward again and again and I love every little stage. She is talking away... singing constantly and plays with full force.

The Hairstylist? or the Doctor? Or Nurse?

AnnaLeisa is having fun exploring her vocation. I'd say she has some interesting clientele - (Especially the guy with no hair!). Some days I think she will be a musical prodigy; others have me quite concerned that I am going to be a "hockey mom" in the bleachers screaming. Whatever, her imagination is quite intact and her range in terms of the gender gap is healthy. Today she mentioned she is a boy.... so each day brings new surprises and the new year has begun. Happy New Year to everyone! From us......

Our First Christmas at Home has been Magical

We have been enjoying our very very simple season with G'ma and G'pa and it has been so perfect. Quiet and magical with AnnaLeisa's innocence at this time of year. We have been skating and on horse drawn wagon rides; we have sat with Santa and watched string quartets play carols and we have opened our first stocking on Christmas morn. All AnnaLeisa could say was "came, Santa came" with total incredulity; she was in magic and miracle. So we are happy in our little home. Quiet in the snow with little movement to Malls and the like. Seems it should be a tradition to just keep it simple. Quiet and very restful. Thanks to G'ma and G'pa for those delicious lie -ins in the morning.