Summer's over????

It is so hard to believe that summer is over..... Victoria heads back to school on Tuesday. She has had a great summer but is definitely excited to head back to school. Her focus is something that amazes me and it is so wonderful to see her so organized, full of excitement etc. about her future, her school and of course her friends. This year, she is rotating 'study night' with 3 of her closest friends. Every Wednesday the 4 girls will take turns having one another come over immediately after school. They'll have supper and then do some studying. I know that they are all dedicated students, so I am sure they will actually accomplish some work! This Wednesday is our turn.... It is with these same three girlfriends that each Friday (also rotated between the girls) will have supper and host movie night. Also, Victoria has enrolled in a Mini Medical school which will meet weekly and they will have different topics and guest speakers. This will take place at one of the Hospitals. She is BEYOND excited about this!

As for Mara-Grace. Well.... she is into dinosaurs lately. I promised her that when Tori goes back to school we will do a little project on them. Go to the library etc... and also when we finish our project, we'll make a point to take in the dinosaur exhibit at a local museum. She is very excited about this. Also, I have her place reserved for craft and story time at the library this year and we'll also head back to playgroup. There is also storytime at the Ecomuseum and we will get back into our weekly outing there. We were hoping to enroll Mara in gymnastics, but I am still waiting on the info. We'll see. I am toying with the idea of delaying that until the spring and taking her to a class which is closer to home and is held weekly with Parents and Tots. Given the fact that we will be heading off to China, and I don't expect my Mom to drive all over the place, I am trying to find casual commitments close to home!

We talk about Hannah Faith every day and we are busy preparing for her arrival! And also for our trip! I wish I knew EXACTLY when we would be travelling. As it is, we are trying to get everything prepared both for her arrival and the trip there, but also at home. We will most probably travel in November. I would like to be ready for Christmas BEFORE we travel. Before that is Halloween and Mara's birthday. We have been talking a lot about both. She is going to be a Kitty cat for Halloween and we have the costume! And as for Miss Mara's birthday..... well.... I love to have a theme. It makes decorating and planning so much fun! I LOVE planning! So I have been talking with Mara about some possible ideas.... Here's the kicker! When I asked her where she would like to have her party and named a few places she said, "Nooo..... I really want a 'home sweet home' party." OK.... At home it is! And I asked her what she would like to eat.... She says, "Some nice cosy cake". ALRIGHT! Now, who would she like on her napkins (and of course this sets the tone for the other decorations)?????? Her answer is one that hits it out of the park for me! She said, "Tori". TORI? I know she loves her sister but really??????? She is absolutely adamant! She would like to have a picture of Tori on her napkins. LOL OK! So.......... I have been trying to convince her of something/someone else. Barney? Little Bear? Kai Lan? Dinosaurs? Farm again????????????? Zoo?????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO--------------TORI. Actually, tonight she said, "How about all our family?" Victoria is so impressed that she was her choice! She even suggested we play pin the hair on Tori- as she will just have had her head shaved for breast cancer awareness! LOL

May it be a safe, healthy, enriching year ahead at school! Enjoy!!!!!!! xoxo

News......

Please head on over to our other blog for some exciting news!

xo

http://www.ourchinadreams.blogspot.com/

Beach time!

We had the pleasure of meeting some very dear friends at the beach! It was extra wonderful to see them as they have moved West and were in town for a visit. It is always so great to see them in PERSON! The extra terrific part of seeing them was that we were finally able to meet their son face to face! As we always keep in touch via our blogs, it felt as though we already knew him well! They are the type of friends that even though we rarely get to visit, when we do, we catch up right where we left off. Also, on a side note, they are the sweethearts that put together Mara-Grace's coming home video for us! What an amazing gift that was.

Our only regret was forgetting our memory card for the camera. We did however get a few snaps of the munchkins before leaving! A shame we didn't take them playing in the water or on the sand!