Valentines Day & Chinese New Year

This year Valentines Day and Chinese New Year fall within a week of each other.  So, we've crammed a lot of crafts and activities into a small amount of time.  We typically don't do much for Valentines Day.  This year Liam helped me make a Valentine for everyone in his class.  They turned out really cute.  The kids also made Valentines in Sunday School.  Lilly got to decorate a Valentine at BSF too.  We exchanged cards and we gave the kids a little treat.

For Chinese New Year, we made another dragon to add to the ones we made last year.  Liam painted egg cartons green and then helped me put the dragon together.  The kids also made Chinese drums out of paper plates.  I found a lot of other really great craft ideas on Pinterest, but decided we should keep it simple, so we have things to do in the years to come.  We got out the decorations we made last year and put them up around the kitchen.  Denny and Carol joined us for supper.  We had sweet & sour chicken, broccoli & beef, rice, rice noodles, egg rolls, spring rolls, and dragons for dessert (rice crispy treat/fruit by the foot).  The kids opened their red envelopes full of chocolate coins.  I was pleased to find coins that looked like actual quarters.  They also got one large golden coin.  I know there will come a day when they prefer actual money to chocolate money, but for now, chocolate is much more appealing.

First Trip to the Dentist

Liam and Lilly had their first trip to the dentist. We picked Dr. Darrow because she was recommended at Lilly's cleft clinic. She understands cleft palate mouths. The night before going we read Little Critter Goes to the Dentist,  so Liam was confident he knew what was going to happen. The kids loved her office.  It is a beach theme with sharks and fish hanging on the walls and a huge fish tank in one of the walls. Lilly was apprehensive at first. She gets skeptical when people want to touch her mouth. Liam agreed to go first to help her be brave. He was a rock star. They were even able to get adult style X-rays. Most 4 year olds can't tolerate the camera in their mouth. He did well during the cleaning and had no cavities. He of course, made friends with all the nurses. Lilly went next and got child sized X-rays, but sat well becaue she had seen Liam do it. She also sat still for the teeth cleaning. Dr. Darrow found several cavities, which wasn't surprising to us. Lilly had poor nutrition and dental care at the orphanage. Children with cleft palates also tend to have more cavities. We will get them filled soon. Unfortunately, Lilly will need more dental work as she grows because cleft palates can cause crowding. We're thankful we have a pediatric dentist that understands all that.

January 2015

We had a fun month.  Here's what we've been up to...

Lilly spent some time with Daddy at his office

I started a new workout routine (Insanity Max 30) and the kids like to do the workouts with me.

Liam continues to make great Lego creations.  I especially love the woman in the back seat with the beard!

Lilly loves to play kitchen.

We walked over to the Methodist Church to enjoy the snow piles.

cold day activity

Leo-Cedarville Park

What's better than popcorn and a movie?

Lilly accessorizes everyone in the family.