Merry Birthday!

Pre-Christmas Catch-Up

Beatrice's first published work as an author. (Go figure that the one time in my life I break down and BUY cookie dough, it ends up in print!)

Have I mentioned that Beatrice loves Angelina Ballerina and all things ballet? While dumping out the "little camera" I found this video taken a month ago of her dancing around our bedroom. Notice how she is the "ballet-er" and the orchestra all in one!

Video from her school Christmas show on 12/9. "Prosty Da No-man" was a big hit!

Today she was in the "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" chorus of the prayer service at school.

"Is today Christmas?"

That was the question I got last Saturday from Beatrice when I told her what was happening . No wonder, in addition to her school's Christmas show, she enjoyed....

getting and setting up the Christmas tree,

rediscovering favorite ornaments,

Heading out to see The Nutcracker,

getting one's first glimpse of REAL "ballet-ers,"

and visiting our friends' new puppy, not to mention watching Frosty AND Rudolph and setting up the manger. This week she did Christmas shopping for Daddy and me and has two wrapped gifts for us of which she is very proud, both because she's keeping secrets successfully and because she only spent $6! Today we visited a new friend who was also adopted from Vietnam and we celebrated my brother's 50th birthday. It's going to be a long week because this 3-year old is rarin' to go and has had one round of excitement after another!

Ho Chi Minh Hanh

Is it me?

Or does this person resemble an almost-4-year old?????

p.s. apologies for the breakfast crumbs. The sunlight was just right and there was no time for cleaning up before running to grab the camera!

and the holiday season begins...

We had a whirlwind 3-night trip to Anthony's parents in Maryland and had a wonderful, wonderful time. We packed in a visit with Samantha, one of Beatrice's orphanage sisters, lots of time with cousins, a trip into DC, and more food than can be imagined.

Beatrice and her daddy in Watkins Park, where Anthony spent many hours of his childhood.

When Samantha arrived, the two girls took off toward the playground. There was no transition time between them, just smiles and fun right away!

They were perfectly balanced on the seesaw,

and had fun on the tire swing!

I think they proclaimed themselves to be fortune cookie sellers in this "shop."

Airborn on the bouncy bridge!

After two hours they were "pretending" to be asleep on the playset. And within 30 minutes each was probably sound asleep for real! What a fun visit on a beautiful Thanksgiving morn.

A gang of 30+ people went to my sister-in-law Lucy's house later that day, and the basement became a playground. Here's B. with Miles and Liza playing the "drum" (tambourine).

Very serious conversation going on here.....

Movies were running and here are some tv-head faces

But B. only lasted so long before she created a kitchen and got busy cooking with Miles and Rain.

Her cousins Linden and Raina slept over and the next morning more fun was to be had. B. awoke and was rarin' to go.

Pig pile!

Off to DC to the Museum of Natural History

Gorgeous weather was icing on the cake

There was a fantastic exhibit that remains on my mind.

B. just loves her older cousins!

As usual in world-famous locations, my daughter fell asleep and missed most of the museum.

We headed to Chinatown to grab a mid-afternoon meal.

Another serious chat with Raina while waiting for the dumplings to arrive.

Big hug as Miles heads home.

The girls left happy with 2012 calendars in hand! More sad goodbyes came later. Tomorrow we attend the Holiday Dazzle light parade here in town, which is the official kickoff in my mind to the Christmas season and, in preparation, Beatrice got to wear her Santa's Helper pajamas that she has had in her closet for about 18 months. First they were too big, then it was too hot to wear them, and finally it's time! Or should I say 'tis the season? I have a feeling this is going to be a very, very special Christmas with my little family this year.

I waited nearly 44 years....

...to experience the unique bliss of seeing my kid in a school play, and today was the day. Beatrice's pre-K put on a Thanksgiving skit today and it was a classic, complete with forgotten lines, kids starstruck by the audience in front of them, loud off-tune singing, wardrobe malfunctions, teary eyed, smiling parents, each convinced their child was the cutest and best one there, filming every minute of it, and my child, who could NOT stop beaming or saying hello to us from the moment she spotted us until the end. I told Beatrice ahead of time how proud we were of her and that if she sees Mama crying it's only because I'm so proud of her and that they are happy tears. She implored "Don't cry mama. Try hard not to. Bring a towel or tissue to dry your eyes and wipe your drippy nose." Here she is, in her on-stage debut, Beatrice, better known today as "Pilgrim letter I."

A few pilgrims/Native Americans got snatched up by their parents before they had a chance to return to the classroom for a cast photo, but above are most of the cuties from her class.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, INDEED!