FCC-AZ Chinese New Year

~Be Mine~

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday Baby...well you're not a baby anymore, but still. : )

 It's our family tradition that if it's your birthday you get a homemade cake.  No fancy store bought extravaganza for us.  It may not be the best looking but it is made of pure love and tastes yummy!!

 Opening up some gifts.  Alexa was very patient all day and opened up two before the party started.  I found these great paper dolls at B&N.

 Alexa REALLY wanted a watch for her birthday.  As you can see from her expression she was really excited to get it.  She has been telling us what time it is ever since...

 How cute is this?  I love that Alexa gets excited about the simplest things.  It is such a joy to watch her and know that all she is really interested in is being together and having a good time.

 Making a wish!

 It wouldn't be a party without PohPoh and Papa!

 The Chief getting some cherries on top of that cake.  Alexa decided she had to have cherries on top.

Happy 6th Birthday Alexa!  We are so proud of you. You make each day full of wonder, laughter and love.  You are the best daughter in the world!!!!

I heart February~ and a little update

 I think February is my favorite month of the year. We traveled in February of 2006 to China to adopt Alexa, her birthday is the day before our Gotcha Day ( tomorrow..my baby is 6!), I love Valentine's Day, all things lovey dovey, girly and pink.

 Alexa started a new school last month and we are loving it!  It was a difficult decision to initially make.  All year long my gut has been telling me something was just not right about her old school.  I wasn't confident leaving her there like I used to and just could not put my finger on it.  Well,we left just in time.  The school sadly is falling apart ( thanks to the owner) and her Kindergarten teacher actually just left midyear.  They were having lots of financial troubles and it just was trickling down to the kids not getting a proper education.  So we made a big leap from Montessori to public and she is doing fantastic.  Every day she says her day was "incredible!"  She has learned more in the few weeks she has been there than in the 6 months she spent at the old school.  Here she is on her second day at the new school.  We all could not be happier!!

 My smiley girl.  Alexa is a ball of energy 24/7.  Talks nonstop, is constantly busy and laughs all day.  She is infectious! We laugh all day too.  She is turning 6 tomorrow.  I'm sure 6 will be even more fun than 5 was.

 "Before" photo of 8 month Tika below...please someone help this dog...what a mess!!!  I brush her every single day and 5 minutes later, this is what she looks like.

 "After" photo of Tika....yea!!!  Isn't she so cute?!  It's like having a brand new puppy.  She is so soft and cuddly...love my little teddy bear.

 My bloggy friend Deb sent Alexa a cute little package all the way from Scotland.  She really enjoyed sewing this puppet.  Thanks Deb.  I have to say, I love how blogs have opened up literally a world of friendships.  Deb had been following my blog and then we started emailing.  I feel like I have known her for years and we have never met ( hopefully we will someday).  I feel like people come into our lives for a reason and we just never know where they are going to come from. : )

Hope you all are enjoying your February so far.  We have Alexa's family birthdayparty tomorrow, a father/daughter dance at her school next weekend, her friend party/luau here at the house and FCC Chinese New Year still on our calendar.  I will try and take lots of photos this month...gotta get back on my camera!!