Playdate with Rooney & Aunt Chelle

Today we met up with Rooney and Aunt Chelle at the Science Center. The highlights for the boys were the paper airplanes and running through/in/around the color maze outside. Chelle & I had fun catching up!!

Quilt Fabric Piece #46

Handmade by Aunt Chelle

Thank you Aunt Chelle & Rooney!! We had a really fun time today!! And I love love love the blanket!! I can not wait to see Kathryn snuggling with it!!

Does anyone else have this problem??

Our house is plagued with Superheros!! Last night at Bunco, Dash from the Incredibles made an appearance. He behaved himself very well so as not to be sent back to bed. And then this afternoon, I walk into the living room to find Batman lounging back just enjoying some Blues Clues!!

Friday Park Playdate

After school day we went to a park Keegan & I hadn't been to before. We met some friends there and it was alot of fun.

In other news...

There seems to be a disagreement on who's sunspot this is. In Rusty's defense, he was there first. But he was 'motivated' to move when Keegan came home. As soon as he moved, Paxton was all over it.

Update: As of now, the sunspot is completely empty. Correction, Rusty is back in the spot.

Keegan's Lucky Number

We went to the bakery today to prepare for Bunco tonight. I let Keegan pick out a cookie. He picked one that is supposed to be a Cardinal Jersey with the number 24 on it. He keeps telling me it's a football jersey with his lucky number on it. I'm not sure how he decided that 24 was his lucky number, because he seemed surprised when I asked him if it was his lucky number because that's what day is birthday is on?!?!? The other thing I find amusing is, that all (Chad, mine & now Keegan's) of our 'lucky' numbers are even numbers. Oh yeah, I'm a math dork!!

Apple Pickin' Wednesday

Girlfriend fending off all those crazy boys!!!

Keegan, Brian, & Sydney

Keegan and his buddies

We went to Eckert Farms apple picking with Keegan's school this morning. It was a really fun morning! Our little buddy was Brian, and he was just a hoot. Keegan & Brian together were simply hilarious! Above are the pics, below are the pieces of conversation...

Keegan asked me yesterday if I was going on the field trip. I informed him that I was. He was so happy!! He said, "Oh good, then I won't miss you." And then followed it up with, "You can sit in the seat behind us." Thanks, dude.

Keegan to Brian: I sure wish Sydney was sitting here, instead of you.

Brian to Keegan: I wish it was you, me, Sydney and Libby.

Keegan: Oh, yeah, that would be good!!

On the way home, Brian & Keegan were telling me how much fun they had. That they want to go do it again. Brian asked me, "Do you know where I live?" I think he wanted me to come pick him up to take him apple picking again. I told him I did not know where he lived. He said, "Our house is the biggest house on the block. Do you know where I live now?" I just had to smile at that one!!

After we had planned on how we were going to go apple picking again, Brian says, "Group hug!!" Just thought it was so cute!!

A Day w/ Bai

Keegan & I got to spend the day with Bailey, my nephew. We had so much fun!! I hope that he did!! We went to the Planetarium, Science Center, and then to the Zoo!! We got to see a space ship, watch them drop things from the top floor of the Science Center to the bottom floor, and then go hang with some animals!! Bailey is such a wonderful young man!! He was so patient with Keegan and so "go with the flow". He did not even mind having a little 'shadow' all day!

Thank you Bai for such a wonderful day!!

Sunday Afternoon - Cardinal Style

Cousin Bailey

Cousin Bailey & Uncle Burt

Chad & Keegan

Keegan

A good time was had by all!!! Thank you so much for the tickets!!

Why it's impossible to keep cookies in the house...

I'm trying to make cookies for Care Group this afternoon.

But, someone's bat radar must have gone off.

Because I walk into the kitchen finding BATMAN eyeing my cookies!!

He just couldn't help, but lick his bat lips!

Later he is seen with cookie, munching away...

Daddy day off

Chad took Friday off. We took Keegan to school together, and then went to Chick-fil-A for breakfast. Then we went to Target and Kohl's. It was great!! After we picked Keegan up from school, we took him to the Magic House. They had changed the construction site exhibit to a race car exhibit! You could check the fluids, change the tires, change the muffler, and of course check the horn. Keegan had a ball! We were there for probably at least 30-45 minutes. He LOVED it!!

Later that afternoon, we went to the Hot Air Balloons in Forest Park. We met up with the Burkey's, Kim's, and Trotta's. It was a lot of fun and I think everyone had a ball! Hot air balloons, night glows, perfect weather, lots of sugar, great friends, and fireworks!! Perfect combo for a wonderful evening!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

HUGE thank you to Miss Claire and Mr. Jeremy!! In one full swoop, she has solved my packing problem, got an adorable doll for Kathryn, and Keegan is just on cloud nine with the flags, drum and Olympic stuff!! And to find out that she bought the doll when we started the paperwork!! WOW!! Thank you!! That's all I can say, is Thank you!! :-)

My Purse for China

I'm sure everyone was waiting with baited breath on which purse I will be using for China. As you know, I'm a tad of a purse girl. One could even say, perhaps, a tad of a purse and shoe girl. Anyway, I found this really cute tote on Etsy.com. I love Etsy. My friend sells beautiful jewelry on there, Vivian Gaston Designs, so be sure to check it out!

I found this purse at Midnight Creations on Etsy. It's a beautiful tote, very well made. Perfect size. It even came with a really nice handwritten note. I'm super excited to be using it to go get my daughter. Just thought I would share...

I've also been kicking around the idea of selling my car blankets on Etsy. They can be used to protect upholstery in the back of your car, picnic blankets, or something to spread out and let baby sit on. What do you think? And what do you think I should I call these 'all-purpose' blankets? I'm trying to think of a cute and clever name for them, but my mind is having a little trouble functioning these days. (Please see previous post!) Let me know your thoughts...

Sinus Issues

Well, my sinuses finally caught up with me. This happens twice a year, but I actually thought that this year I might bypass the Fall issue ones. I didn't. So I am trying what I did earlier this year with stop drinking soda, plenty of water/tea, and taking some zinc. Let's hope it works!

It's so funny to stop drinking soda. Many of you that know me, know me with a can of Coke Zero or Pepsi One in my hand. I stopped cold turkey, so I've got the headaches. That's fun. But I keep thinking of that commercial where the person stops smoking. Have you seen that one? There's actually a couple out, but they basically portray a person trying to do everyday things with difficulty because they are not used to doing it without a cigarette in their hand. That's what I feel like. Like I'm forgetting something, or just something is off. It's crazy! Funny, but crazy! Probably a sign that I should quit drinking the stuff, huh?? Now, that sounds like crazy talk! ;-)

Tentative Travel Schedule

This is our tentative travel schedule for China. These are tentative dates, and we have not yet been given permission to buy plane tickets yet.

Thurs, Oct 30, leave the US
Fri, Oct 31, arrive in Beijing (Average temp 55 - 60)
Sat, Nov 1, sightseeing in Beijing
Sun, Nov 2, fly to your child's provincial capital city (Average temp 65 - 70)
Mon, Nov 3, meet your child (GOTCHA Day!!) (subject to change)
Tues - Fri, Nov 4 - 7, adoption process in the province with free days and sightseeing
Sat, Nov 8, Fly to Guangzhou (Average temp 75 - 80)
Sun, Nov 9, free day
Mon, Nov 10, medical for children
Tues, Nov 11, free day (Holiday at American Consulate)
Wed, Nov 12, first choice for ACS appt
Thurs, Nov 13, take oath at the ACS and get child's visa late in the day (depending on confirmed date at the ACS)
Fri, Nov 14, return to US

On this Rainy Day

As it begins to get cooler out, I thought I would change the blog a little to reflect. I LOVE Fall!!

Quilt Fabric Piece #46

Thank you Grandma Bonnie & Grandpa Orvin! We look forward to seeing you guys when you are on your way to FL!

Quilt Fabric Piece #45

Thank you Grandma GiGi!! We hope to see you soon!! Will you be at the airport?

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Thank you Uncle Ryle!! Hope everything is well in Chicago! Can't wait for you to meet Kathryn!

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Thank you Aunt Rachel! Very cute! And I just bought Kathryn a Hello Kitty DVD!!

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Thank you Aunt Michelle and Uncle Burt! We look forward to seeing you guys soon!

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Thank you Bailey!! I bet Kathryn will love playing basketball with you!