Fall Cheerleading

Katie is starting to like being a cheerleader. When we first started, Katie would often walk over to me during practice and yell, "Why did you sign me up for this!!!" She hasn't said that in a while. Even one of the other moms commented to me the other day how far Katie has come and that she has really started to blossom. Katie loves their halftime dance. I'll have to post it here soon.

1st day of school!!!!

My babies both started elementary school today. Katie is in kindergarten in our neighborhood elementary school and Sarah is in ppcd (preschool program for children with disabilities) at a different elementary school in our district. I was so worried about both of them today, but both did great and are looking forward to going back tomorrow.

I asked Katie if she learned any rules today and she said, "Yes. Do not touch the walls and do not touch the water fountain."

Sisters

Are they "real" sisters? Heck, yeah, they are!!!!

Family is not about blood, it's about love!!

Sisterly Love

Katie wrote the above note to Sarah last night. I think it is so sweet!! And I did not know Katie knew how to spell Sarah. Way to go, Katie!!

Bluebonnet Pictures!!

Today we went to take pictures in the bluebonnets. Sadly, I waited too late in the season to take my girls so the flowers look pitiful. To see our bluebonnet pics from the past few years, click here. The last weekend in March seems to be the best time to go. We'l be going then next year.

Visit With Santa

Here is our Santa pic. It's Sarah's first Christmas, so I was surprised that she wasn't scared.

Elf Yourself!!

We just love the Office Max "Elf Yourself" website. Here are my girls as elves....

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1172816157

Sarah and Katie

Here is a recent picture of my girls in their carseats. They both have gotten bigger than they were in the picture posted here: http://katieandsarah.blogspot.com/2007/03/katie-and-sarah.html

The Big Party

Today we had Katie and Sarah's birthday party. The best part about them being 2 years 1 day apart is that I only have to plan ONE party!! : )

Sarah graduates from ECI

Sarah is about to turn 3 so she "graduated" from ECI (early childhood intervention) today. Her speech teacher, Ms. Marie, brought the cap and gown and a Dora balloon for Sarah. We will miss her. In a few weeks Sarah will begin going to school at our local elementary school.

"Take her back to China!!"

I think Sarah is working so hard to behave at school that she has to release a lot of energy when she gets home. She has been a handful this week and is driving Katie crazy. Last night Katie said, "I don't want her anymore!! Take her back to China. I'll wait here." I had to stop myself from laughing. I told her Sarah was her sister forever and would not be going back to China. I did take Sarah to bed early (which she needed since she is not napping at school) and Katie and I had a nice evening together.

Pictures

More pictures

I just love watching my girls together. I think there is something extra special about a relationship with a sibling of the same sex. I love my brothers, but always wanted a sister.

The Ugly Green Pillows

When we were in Kazakhstan, my mom wanted another pillow to help her sleep. We found a nice one, but it was 1000 tenge and she thought it was wayyyyyy too much money (it was about the equivalent of $7 USD~ my mom was never the math person in our family~ haha). She ended up getting a small pillow that was about $3. Katie fell in love with the pillow and it became her "lovey". She dragged that pillow with her everywhere, including the playground at daycare. It was a wreck. My mom seached all ove town to find something similar in texture, which was impossible for her to do. She did find fabric similar in color and made Katie 5 pillows. She still takes a pillow with her everywhere she goes. Now Sarah has to have one, too. Thankfully, Katie does share with her. When Sarah rubs it, she also sucks her finger just like her big sister.

The International Festival

Some friends and I met at the International Festival today. Lately we have had the most beautifil weather, but today is was terribly hot!! We were all miserable from the heat. We enjoyed seeing the exhibits, especially since China was the featured country this year. Katie loved the miniature "Great Wall" but was not as impressed with it as she was the real one.

American Idol

My kids love "American Idol". When it comes on, they grab their microphone, jump up on the ottoman, and sing. Here are some pictues (ignore the make-shift wall unit~ we're trying to find one we like for that wall). I think Sarah's foster family must have done a lot of karoke.

Bluebonnet Pictures

Today we met some friends at a park to take pictures in the bluebonnets. I love bluebonnets and this is one of my favorite things to do each year. The first two pictures are from 2005 and 2006....

Katie and Sarah

Sisters

We have now been home 3 weeks and 2 days. Things are settling down for all of us and mostly we have a great time together. Katie seems to be having the most difficult adjustment, but overall she loves her sister, Sarah. And Sarah adores Katie. When Sarah and I pick up Katie from school, Katie runs to Sarah first to give her a big hug. I love watching them hold hands in the car and squeal in laughter as the chase each other around the house in their big wheels. Sometimes they even ride one together, as shown in today's photo. All the exhaustion is worth seeing them together.