Storytime and new car seat tray

Tuesday afternoon getting Miss A up from her nap.  I often bring her sippy cup with me when I get her up as she likes hanging in her bed and I can pick up her room.

 Tuesday I found that she had taken Nick Cave Soundsuit magnet to bed with her.

 She is so compliant in posing with Nick Cave.

Her love for his art is still somewhat a mystery to us.

 In the picture above she is signing and saying "I'm fine."

 Playing and singing her piano.

  Then getting out Yahtzee.

  Which we played for a little while until we decided to paint our nails.  Miss A was so patient about getting her nails done and waiting for the polish to dry.

Ta-da!

 Wednesday at Miss Kelly's Movers and Shakers library class.  Audrey rarely gets off my lap during this class but she did about 3 times this day.

 We also met an interesting family (right hand corner).  The little girl in the pink shirt was born in South Korea 2 days before Audrey.  These are not her parents (who are both doctors working full time) rather her care takers.  She just came to the US 6 months ago and not speaking English yet.

 Miss A drawing on her new car seat tray.

  Her art (on top of some ABC's I wrote earlier).  I included this because as she was drawing she mentioned foster mama and baba.  Aaah.

Gotcha Day

 Miss A wearing her new holiday pj bottoms on her head at breakfast this morning.  Happy Gotcha Day Miss A!

 We ran errands this mornig including a trip to Home Depot (more later when I edit this post) and to Target to buy for our tree kids for our church.  I am too tired now to write much.

  Audrey at lunch ... as if she is saying "no more pictures"

 At PF Chang's.   If I can get the video downloaded I will add Audrey sayig "Happy Gotcha Day".  Cute but proving mroe than I can do tonight.

  1 year ago this morning.  Our group waiting to be picked up from our hotel, Kuntai in Beijing, to be taken to the airport to go to our respective Gotcha day locations. 

 Minutes before walking to the Gotcha Day conference room.

Gotcha

Pumpkin soup, last post adoption review, Peanut Butter & Jam Brasstacular and Balluminaria

 Audrey eating the pumpkin soup Baba made.

  This was also the night we had our first fire in the kitchen this season.

  Good thing Miss A would cooperate with the bib.

 Walking to Bow Tie this past Thursday.

  Cute even if she is wearing her "creepy" (baba's description) hat.  It covers her ears so I don't really care if it is creepy.

 Playing the piano at Bow Tie.

  Friday afternoon was our final post-adoption review with our social worker Cherie M.  Cherie was the very first person we worked with relative to our adoption (beginning July 14, 2005)  and just a complete joy to work with.

 Coincidentally Cherie happened to be a friend of Paula's so Paula came over after our review and we all had a sweet visit.

 Saturday morning Audrey and I went to Peanut Butter and Jam Fall Session titled Brasstacular.  In the above picture Audrey is dancing near the musicians with our neighbor Donna who was facilitating the event.  The video also show Audrey keeping beat to the music.  Cute.

  Saturday afternoon was Balluminaria at Mirror Lake in Eden Park which is just a 5 minute walk from our house.  Fortunately the weather was just wonderful.

 

 Miss Audrey had so much to take in from this event which she thoroughly enjoyed.

The balloons starting to go up.

 Paula's daughter Jen was working this event as balloon artist on stilts. 

  Jen at work.

  Firing up the balloons.

  There was a lot to take in at this event for Audrey.

All balloons lit up! 

 Playing with Lucy.

 And hugs.  To cap a beautiful night off we enjoyed an impromptu pizza party at our house.

Culture Kids, Krohn Holiday show and Lollipop Symphony

 Friday we attended the Art Museum's Culture Kids class titled Daring Designs.  Culture Kids is offered the 2nd Friday of each month and is a more structured event meant to "nurture your preschoolers interest in art in these intimate hands-on workshops designed for parent and child".  It is also meant for Ages 2-5.

  First one of the teachers read the book Not a Box.  Then half the class went on a tour and half the class designed a "not a box" with materials provided.  In between sessions they provided a snack.

  Audrey on the tour.

  Audrey waving to her reflection on the ceiling of the elevator.

 Drinking from a cup at snack time.  She enjoyed this 1 1/2 hour class and we will certainly try to attend the next one in December titled A Stroke of Genius.

 Friday afternoon we went to Krohn to see friends, find some vendor information for co-workers and to see opening day of their holiday show titled Trains, Trestles and Traditions.

 Saturday we attended the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Lollipops: All Aboard show.  Paula, Anna and Lucy came too!

  The concert started at 10:30 but the Kids Zone sponsored a pre-show an hour before the concert.  This picture shows a Suzuki violin student and her teacher playing the violin. 

  Lucy and Paula at the water fountain.

 In our seats.  Because we signed up for tickets with Miss Amanda (A's music teacher) we had some really nice seats... 5th row center.  Audrey does not look very happy in this picture but she had a ball.  The new conductor, John Morris Russell is really terrific and the hour just flew by.

  The beautiful chandelier that we learned takes 3 days to clean.

  The view from our seats!

This week we also received a letter from Audrey's foster family.  So incredibly special and sweet.