Happy Anniversary Uncle Frank and Aunt Mina

On Saturday we were happy to celebrate Wes's Uncle Frank and Aunt Mina's 50th Anniversary. It wasn't the actual day but since they live in Elliot Lake, we were very happy that a lot of the family could get together to celebrate such a wonderful and happy event. The afternoon party was in Newmarket at their son, Dale's house. We were a little worried about Sarah missing her nap and of course she was up early that day and had a very busy and energetic morning. She did manage to have a short power nap in the car which seemed to serve her well. There were a lot of family who were able to attend and everyone had a wonderful time visiting and catching up. You just never get to see family enough so it is so enjoyable when you do get the opportunity.

Sarah was shy and clingy at first but eventually she warmed up. There were two little girls there and Sarah was very curious to play with them. Eventually when she saw them playing on the swings she wanted to join in and then the slide and eventually the teeter-totter - Daddy had to help with the teeter-totter. Sarah also found the play kitchen which she loved - she cleaned dishes and made cookies.
Then it was time for cake - Sarah lost her shyness and joined the kids at the coffee table for the cake cutting. Sarah got part of the blue flower.
We were lucky enough to get pictures with all the Aunts and Uncles. Sarah liked playing with Aunt Mina and Aunt Colleen.
She also likes playing with Uncle Bobby - she told him to go away and hide - which she thought was really funny.We all had a wonderful afternoon and thanks to Dale and his family for hosting the celebration.

Happy 50th Anniversary Uncle Frank and Aunt Mina.

Big Girl Haircut

It is so true what they say - they do grow up so fast. Today Sarah got a big girl haircut - which means she sat on the "board" all by herself. Sarah has usually just sat on Mommy's knee and our hairdresser, Laura, has had to jump around me and Sarah to cut her hair. Well today she was willing to sit up on the chair on her own and have the cape put on. Mommy had her hair done first as it had been a while since we have had our hair done so Sarah was making a little shy. We were very pleased that she was willing to sit up on the chair but I know our little Sarah loves her picture taken so it was a bit of a bribe and a tool to keep her still so Laura could cut her hair. Even so, Sarah was very cooperative and had the full hair cut experience. Laura couldn't get over how she was so shy, wouldn't smile or talk to anyone while Mommy was getting her hair done, but as soon as the camera came out - there she was, flashing her best smile for the camera - that's our girl - she does love the camera.

Sarah wasn't all that crazy about getting her hair water sprayed but she tolerated it in good spirits.

She even let Laura put the clips in her hair.

Pink Kitty, as always, accompanied us for the experience and sat and watched Sarah get her hair cut - she sat on the counter so she didn't get covered in hair.

Now Sarah was climbing all over Mommy while she was getting her hair cut and as it turned out - got some hair inside her shirt. Well, about half way through Sarah's hair cut - she started to get a little itchy and we lost the smiling face, but she did persevere until the end - blow dry and all.

We solved the itchy clothes by doing a little bit of stripping in the shop and we brushed out the inside of her top.

Since Mommy and Sarah were now beautified, Daddy took us out for a nice dinner. Sarah has the restaurant routine down. We met Daddy and Daddy already had a table so Sarah jumped in and started her colouring.

We have absolutely no worries about Sarah's fine motor skills - in fact, that was something we noticed right away about Sarah. Sarah was very pleased with herself and we were very impressed that she was able to stand the sugar packets on end along this little ledge.

You may notice the wardrobe change - it seems we were not successful in getting all the hair out of Sarah's top, luckily Mommy had a change in the bag.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter. This year Sarah seemed to understand more about the Easter Egg hunt. The Easter Bunny visited Sarah on Saturday night and she woke up to a lovely Easter basket on her dresser - somehow the Easter Bunny knew that Sarah liked cars!
Sarah was very excited to get started with the egg hunt and didn't have any problems finding them upstairs and downstairs.
After an early nap it was off to Grandma's for a tasty Easter dinner. Grandma and Auntie Heather always do a beautiful job setting the table and pulling together the dinner. You also can't forget the great job Auntie Janice does with the clean up afterwards - a not fun job but Auntie Janice has a talent for going into the kitchen and tackling the disorganized mess in record time - Racheal did a great job of helping her Mom. Sarah always has a great time playing with her Uncle Greg - he always does his magic with Sarah and she just loves it - this year he added some other little games.
Uncle Kevin and Sarah share a common interest - cars - so it's no wonder that they spent some time playing with Sarah's large collection. Looks like Molly wanted to play as well.
Uncle Kevin also gave Sarah a fun ride.
Rachael also came up with her own version of a ride which Sarah seemed to enjoy as well.

Now the boys, Gavin and Liam who are great friends as well as cousins, enjoyed some quality time playing video games together.

Once again a wonderful holiday spent with family.

No Favourites Here

As they say - kids like to copy their parents and it appears that Sarah is no exception to the rule. Sarah also doesn't like to play favourites between Mommy and Daddy.

Here she is trying on Daddy's cowboy boots - they do seem a little big and she did have a bit of a problem walking around in them.


Sarah didn't want Mommy to feel left out so a few days later - here she is - trying on Mommy's lipstick - I think she will need a bit more practice but Daddy is not too interested in her practising her makeup this early - not too sure what to think of the pose - should I be worried?

Family Day or Gottya Day

We can't believe that it was a year ago today that we held Sarah for the first time. So many things have happened since then and the time has just flown by. We can't remember a time without her and are so lucky to have her. Last night our Social Worker came by to do the final follow-up report for China which is the end of the paperwork chapter. It's had to imagine the quiet, scared little girl that we met a year ago since today she is happy and rambunctious . She has changed so much - she has grown and developed faster than we could have imagined. Sarah is certainly our perfect little girl and we are so grateful to have her.

Snow and more Pig Tails

Last night it snowed - we have been very lucky this year and not had much snow - well since I'm not a fan of winter I call it lucky - I'm guessing the skiers are not as pleased as I am. We got a great deal on Sarah's snow suit but we haven't had much of a chance to use it - so today we got all suited up and headed out to help Daddy shovel the snow.

Sarah still loves to help Mommy and Daddy with just about everything so it was no surprise that she wanted to help with snow removal - although she wasn't out too long before she was ready to hang up her shovel.

She did manage to break in the snow suite and make a few snow balls. Daddy helped with this one as she had already taken her mittens off.And the throwing of the snow ball was more of a drop at her feet. Oh well, maybe she is like her Mommy and won't be a fan of the snow.
Now onto the quest for Pig Tails. I think Sarah looks just adorable in them - Sarah likes them but only for a few moments then wants them out - I have to bribe her with the promise of a picture just to get her to come downstairs with them still in - then I try a few distraction techniques but she doesn't fall for them very long before she is insisting that they come out. You can decide for yourselves but I think they look very cute.

Here is a close-up so you won't miss what they look like.

On a side note, Sarah still loves her cars and when we go out we always make sure some are packed in the bag - Mommy and Sarah went out with Grandma for lunch after some shopping - here Sarah is showing off her balancing skills - very talented.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Happy New Year Everyone - we are ringing in the year of the Tiger. We were not sure if we were going to do a family celebration this year as we have had a lot going on with Wes's surgery and his recovery, Christmas, finding a good babysitter, which we thankfully did and getting Mommy and Sarah use to going to daycare. After much thought we decided that we were going to need a number of trials before we got a New Year celebration that worked and was uniquely our families so that meant we better start sooner rather than later, that way we would have everything right by the time Sarah was old enough to understand. Sarah got all dressed up in the dress we brought back from China - it just fit her even though the size says it's two sizes bigger than what she is wearing - she just looked beautiful in it.

We had tried pig-tails earlier in the week and Sarah is very good at letting you put them in - she wants to see what they look like and is very willing to pose for a picture - then - she wants them out.

Grandma was very pleased that she let her put pig-tails in once she was all dressed up - Sarah was happy to pose for her picture - then they came out.

I did manage to get some great pictures of Sarah in her dress. Luckily Daddy bought Mommy a new camera that has a setting for pets and children as Sarah insisted on showing how you can jump in her dress.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of our friends and family, or the tons of food we had. We tried a combination of making some simple items like rice and doing the M&M thing for some other dishes and then we just broke down and ordered a couple of the others.

Our neighbour was kind enough to make a couple of dishes for us - she makes spring rolls to die for and I'm not a big spring roll kind of person but I just love hers. Sayham came over early to drop off her wonderful home cooking and I got a quick pic with Sarah.

At the end of the evening I also managed to remember to take a picture with Auntie Nancy.We think we did a pretty good job with our first Chinese New Year Celebration - we had too much food but we think everyone enjoyed themselves. Sarah started the morning off not feeling too good and needed to cuddle with Mommy for a while, which I didn't really plan for - a quick call to Grandma who then came extra early to help out to save the day and Sarah then had a good nap on Daddy and then she was up happy, feeling better and ready for the party. Sarah is so well behaved we just can't believe how lucky we are with her and again she was just as perfect as can be at the party. I do need to give a huge thanks to my Mom for coming over early and helping me get ready and all her help during the party as well - also a huge thanks to Auntie Lolo and Kiki for all the wonderful and yummy food they brought and all their help during the party - I really couldn't have pulled it off with out you.