Broadway

So...it's in my profile...I LOVE broadway shows and can't wait until Leila is old enough to go with me to New York. Until then, I've been taking her to local productions of shows, seeing if I can get her to sit through a whole show. She saw some children's show call "The Boy Who Could Talk To Penquins", and did really well, until the Penquins came out into the audience to play hide and seek, at which point Leila jumped in my lap for protection. But other than that, she sat through the whole thing and enjoyed the show. The next show she went to was a local production of "Cats", she LOVED it, and didn't even mind the Cats running up and down the aisle. She was even dancing in the aisle at curtain call. I'm now trying to find a local Christmas show somewhere to take her to, since she seems to do so well at live shows and enjoys them. But very soon, she'll be seeing the neon lights of Broadway with Mommy, I feel certain.

My Broadway Wall...and this is just about half of my collection, because this was all I could hang without a ladder. Hopefully I can get my friends over soon and get the rest hung.

China Video

I've been meaning to put this Link up. I did it several months ago, as I was exploring ways to make video's of all the photo's I have and want to organize. I'm also trying to get into digital scrapbooking, and that will be my next project to conquer.

So here's a link to the video I made. I don't think it will be the final video of our China trip...but it works for now.

http://server3.inalbum.com/ia30/show/wantbaby61/

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

So, thanks to Comcrap (and I'm being kind), I've been without internet for several days now. Unfortunately, they're the only game in town, and I'm stuck with them.

Anyhow...on to happier things, we've decorated the tree, and Leila got a letter from Santa Claus, and she's at the top of the "good girl" list!!! Quite honestly, I'm not surprised...I'm an upfront kinda mom, I'd tell ya if she was a "bad" girl...but she isn't...and she never is. She's almost too good, and I worry about what she's going to be like as a teenager...will I be paid back then?!?!? I'm trying to be a "cup is half full" kinda mom, but Leila is just too good to be true sometimes! Alright, alright...I'll stop the whole Kathy Gifford routine!!!

Santa Claus...

So today, a couple of 2nd's for my girl....second haircut, and second time to sit with Santa. We are very lucky here that we get the "real" Santa in our small burb. I mean really, after you stop looking at the beautiful Leila, look at Santa...it's really him, nothing fake about him at all. I love that he doesn't wear a Santa suit, he's the casual Friday Santa, and I'm a casual Friday kinda gal, so I dig him! He was here last year, so I was happy that he was back. I thought maybe the "real" Santa rotated cities or something...but no, he likes our little city.

We were 3rd in line, and Leila was anxious to spew forth the list of presents she wanted. When she got on his lap, she was going a mile a minute with her list of must have's. When she was done, she came to me and said "Santa didn't give me any presents"...AHHHH, I hadn't thought of that kind of logic in a 4 year old. So I quickly explained to her that he's just taking her order, and he will deliver the presents on Christmas...I hasten to add "if you're a good girl". I swear I'm milking this whole naughty and nice thing!

Anyhow...here she is...waiting for Santa...then finally, he arrives!

I'm a Christmas Freak...

And I LOVE these video's. With the advent of "You Tube" they are so easy to find now. For the past few years I always had to hunt them down. This is one of my favorites from last year. They won't put up 2007's until the 2nd week in December (and it's supposed to be bigger than last year's), I'm on pins and needles to see what they do this year. Meanwhile, enjoy last years, and as soon as their 2007 one starts going, I'll post it. It's 6 minutes long...but be patient...it's SO worth it. If you'd like to see more, go to their website www.lindsaylights.com.



Holly cow...I found another one...this one has FIREWORKS...all I can say is WOW!

What a difference a year makes...

It's amazing the changes that take place in a child in a year. You never forget your first's with your child, and they are precious memories, that you never forget. But I've come to find that the second's are just as joyous and amazing. Mainly because your child is just so different each year. How they look is different, and how they react is so different as well. So even the second's are as memorable as the firsts, because your child is just as joyous the second time around as they were the first time, if not more so. Also, Leila's age, and time in this country, makes a big difference, because this time, she understands things so much more. So here are a few firsts...and some seconds.

1st Easter 06

2nd Easter 07

1st Fourth of July 06

2nd Fourth of July 07

1st Birthday (she turned 3) 06

2nd Birthday 07

1st Halloween 06

2nd Halloween 07

1st Christmas 06

2nd Christmas 07

To Be Continued...

It's the simple things...

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, and I, once again, have much to be thankful for. First and foremost is my darling daughter Leila. She makes me smile everyday, and the most simplest of things makes her happy. She made the most hideously ugly boat "The Mayflower" at school today. She could not be more proud of this thing...so her joy is my joy, and we proudly display this sculpture as if it belonged in the Louvre. For this boat, and for her, I am most thankful.

Get this...it's 3D hideous

My Little Gymnast

Well, today we went to Leila's BFF's (or at least until kindergarten) birthday. After consuming plenty of soda and ice cream, and feeling the powerful high that can only be gotten by a 4 year old on sugar, my darling Leila decided to suddenly, out of nowhere, start doing flips off the couch. Guess I might start those gymnastic classes sooner rather than later.I'll give her an 9.5, she stumbled a bit on her landing!

Time to update the blog

Well...a few friends have been bugging me to update my blog, so that they can watch the little bean grow. It's now been almost 2 years since I brought Leila home, and the changes are AMAZING! You know...I went into my adoption, hoping for the best, but also preparing for the worst, especially considering some of the issues the Leila could have ended up with. Well, she's better than even my best hopes and dreams. She is an Angel sent to me from Heaven, and I have been truly blessed. I often think of the movie "The Sound of Music" when Julie Andrews sings "somewhere in my youth, or childhood, I must have done something good" because that's exactly how I feel...I must have done something good, to get such a wonderful child. "Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could".

So here she is, 2 years later.

At the Halloween carnival, up the street from our house. She got to pick what she wanted to wear. She's got a keen sense of style.

Walking home from the Halloween Festival.

Trick or Treating with Uncle Jay
Back from Trick or Treating and hanging with Aunt Kimmy
Going in for her laser surgery. She was a trooper!

The Pledge of Allegiance