A Special Weekend Guest

 Alexa brought home a special friend from school on Friday.  Corduroy was going to spend the weekend with us and she was to journal their activities together.  The first night he got to sleep in a fancy American Girl bed.

 The second day Corduroy spent the day at the Grandparent's house.  Boy, was he tired from all that playing!

On the Sunday we had a special treat for him and we went to the Desert Botanical Gardens.  Here they are in the Butterfly Exhibit.  It was fun to have the little guy over for the weekend. : )

Zoo Day

 Off to the zoo for the day.  Alexa was on Spring Break two weeks ago and we filled it with lots of fun activities.

 My favorite photo of the day.  This lovely fellow came over and sat on the other side of the window and kept stealing a peek at Alexa when she wasn't looking.  Just a fyi...no there is not soda in that cup. ; )  My girl has never even tried a soda and I'd like to keep it that way.  She gets a half water- half lemonade...I know, I'm no fun.

 Off on her ( and my ) first paddle boat ride.  The Chief took us around the lake and she thought it was pretty cool.

 The Chief and Alexa at the Petting Zoo area.  Phoenix zoo is actually a pretty good zoo for kids.  It's been voted in the top 5 zoo for kids.  I'm not a big zoo lover but I know Alexa really loves animals and enjoys it so we take her.  It pains me to see the animals pacing or just plain bored in their enclosures. 

 She loved the Reptile House and seeing some familiar faces that we encounter here at home.  I'd much rather see them in a zoo than at my house!!

Alexa's favorite was the Komodo Dragon.  There were two of them, each in a separate area. Alexa thought it fascinating that they would kill each other if together and that they eat the "occasional human" as the sign stated.  She loves facts about animals and thought was the coolest one of the day.

Itty Bitty Update

 Here is Alexa on St. Patrick's Day.  It was a busy day.  First it started out with me going to school with her to present her science experiment with her.  She was the "Scientist of the Week" and had to apply the scientific method with an experiment.  She chose to do it on "How Sunscreen works".  It was fun because we prepared two skits to do in front of the class along with explaining her experiment.  The kids were so funny.  After we were done they said "Do it again, do it again!"  I love seeing Alexa in her classroom. It was fun for me too.  I taught school for 15 years and really miss being with the kids.  I love the energy in a class full of Kindergartners!

 After school it was time for 3rd quarter conferences.  This was our first one since we started at this school  in February. They are student led which was interesting.  The kids practiced and prepared and were in charge of their own conference. She presented her portfolio to us, shared her accomplishments and goals for the remainder of the year.  Then she showed us around her classroom and the different areas that she works at during the day.  Afterwards we got her report card and talked a bit with her teacher.  We are very proud of Alexa and her achievements at school. We recently got some good news regarding her abilities and what the future will hold for her in the coming years.

 Here are some photos from last month's Father/Daughter dance.  Alexa was so excited to have a special night with her daddy. Don't they look sweet? : )

 My two loves!!!

Picture Day

Today was picture day at school.  I cannot even believe how old Alexa looks in these photos.  She is my blossoming flower.  Sometimes I look into the future and try to imagine what she will be like when she is 9, 12, 15, etc..  She is just an amazing kid and I love spending every minute with her.  I hope we will always cuddle, pinky swear, share secrets, and hold hands as we get older.  She is my lovebug, partner in crime and right-hand girl!

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!!

Papa's B-day Lunch

 Every year for my dad's birthday we go out to lunch to celebrate.  It was a gorgeous sunny day to enjoy lunch out on the patio.

 Alexa chose her outfit and jewels.  She wore her Chinese dress that we bought in Chicago's Chinatown last summer and lots of accessories. She loves to get gussied up and hit the town!

 Checking out the turtles in the pond.  There was the funniest turtle sitting on top of another just basking in the sun.  I just crack up every time I see his legs...how did he get up there?

 My mom and me.  I thought this photo was interesting that our bodies are positioned exactly the same way...like mother like daughter. : )

 Laughing at those silly turtles!

Happy Birthday Dad.  We are so lucky to have a great guy for a Papa and dad!