The Grand Finale!

A couple weeks before Mothers Day, I came across a blogsite of a woman who was making Mothers’ Bracelets to help fund her daughter’s adoption from China. I thought this would be the perfect Mothers Day gift to myself, as well as a nice way to support someone during this expensive journey to motherhood. (I remember ohhhh so well) I customized my order to include Kayli’s and my birthstones. I wanted the phrase “From China with Love” followed by the intitials KF, both mine and Kayli’s initials. This bracelet will remind me that our two lucky souls began our journey of love from China to Kansas, and that love continues to grow with every passing day. I placed my order, including two charms to be added to the bracelet, a silver heart and a Chinese coin, then I waited with excitement. Well, the order didn’t come on Mothers Day, but it was exciting nonetheless, knowing it would be coming soon. The anticipation grew daily, weekly, until… Woohoo, it’s here! I LOVE IT! The woman who made it, included a sweet little bracelet for Kayli as a gift, since I waited so long for my order. What a nice thing to do. Kayli’s bracelet is precious, a little big right now, but nothing a little ribbon couldn't take care of. I like the idea that she can "grow into" this bracelet. Her bracelet has a charm on it of the chinese symbol for Love, and she loves it! We are two Happy Girls!

Kayli's 1st Visit to the Dentist

Today was the big introduction to the dentist. Kayli was excited about the prize I told her she would get, and the ice cream, and the balloon, but she was also getting more anxious and impatient as the minutes in the waiting room ticked by. It was hard for ME to keep smiling after 50 minutes of waiting, while Kayli repeatedly told me “I ready now”, and I kept saying “pretty soon”. FINALLLY it was “our turn” and although reticent, Kayli cooperated. The hygienist and dentist were very “kid oriented” and nice. The dentist even got a good laugh out of Kayli when he asked her to please try not to bite off his finger. Ha Ha Ha. So, she let them clean “tickle her teeth” and seal “paint them with vitamins” and eagerly waited for the prizes we’d been promising. She got a balloon, a bag filled with goodies (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, stickers, sand timer, and a token to put in the machine for a prize) Ever since Kayli saw the little girl in the waiting room come out with a pink rubber ball, she kept telling me and everyone that’s what she wanted. Well, thank goodness a pink rubber ball came out of the machine of a mixed selection of colors, when she put her token in! The hygienist said “You can’t imagine how many little girls “fall apart” when a blue or green ball appears, instead of the pink. Oh yes, I can imagine. Then, as the grand finale, the hygienist brought Kayli a cup of soft serve ice cream and watched her eyes twinkle with delight as she scooped the first mouthful in. With that, they hopefully left Kayli thinking that this would be a place she’d happily return to.

Summer Fun Begins... Hot? No. Fun? Yes!

Today was the big kidfest "Jiggle Jam" down at the Crown Center. The forecast for today, tomorrow, the next day, and the next day was rain, rain, and more rain. This forecast was confirmed at 4 a.m. this morning as I first heard rain on the roof, then the long, loud rumble, then a huge "crack", then "Maaaaamaaa!" and the "lightning speed pitter patter" of two little feet, as they ran to my room and grabbed the sheet to climb the side of my bed better and quicker than any rock wall around! By the time "real morning arrived" the rain had stopped but there was no sign of the sun. So, are we going to let a little rain keep us home today? No way! So, off we trekked, with hooded gear, a stroller with a roof, and a song in our hearts "Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me..." Our timing was impeccable! No lines. No massive crowd. It was juuuust right! It was cool, overcast, and even sprinkled on us briefly, but we just sat under a tree til it was done, while Kayli entertained herself by "booing me" from under her stroller roof. We did everything there was to do. We even enjoyed a "gourmet" lunch of crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Woohoo! Once we were in the car, headed home, it took about "one turn of the corner" and Kayli was OUT COLD! What a day. The video below is Kayli climbing the miniature sized inflatable slide... too much fun!

Milk Kisses!

Kayli goes to a little daycare, 3 minutes from home, and although this is quite convenient for me, the “commute” is sooo short that it sometimes seems to take Kayli off guard, as if she just didn’t get enough “morning mom time” yet. She likes her “school” and her teachers and the kids, and is always happily engaged in an activity when I pick her up. However, in the morning, as is typical with so many kids this age, she tries anything to prolong the separation. I rarely get tears, but instead might get a child whose arms are extra tightly attached to my neck! Then I get some creative coaxing “C’mon mom, sit here” as she pats the tiny little chair next to her. Breakfast is first on the daily agenda and the setup cracks me up. It reminds me of The Three Bears Story, as there is a tiny little table with tiny little chairs, but on top of the table are stacked giant plastic bowls (like butter tubs) and lying next to them are medium sized spoons, and then Dixie sized cups. Parents supply the cereal. It’s so cute to see the kids sitting together at this “3 Bears Table” in front of their giant bowls, scooping mounds of cheerios into their mouths, while the occasional bit of milk drips down their chins and gets quickly wiped away by a shirt sleeve. Kayli always chooses to sit in the same spot, at the end of the table. Then, as I pour her milk and she prepares to take her first bite, a grin slowly spreads across her face as she anticipates what’s coming next, the famous “milk kiss”! As a happenstance one day, she kissed me good-bye after taking a bite of her cereal, and I proclaimed “Mmmm, a milk kiss, yummy” She roared with laughter! Now, we can’t say good-bye without this special kiss! Yes, I realize this is a kiss that only a mother could love and cherish, knowing this too will someday become another sweet memory of her childhood!

Some kids take a teddy bear to bed...

Kayli is my "night owl" and often doesn't fall asleep until as late as 10:00, no matter what time I put her to bed! I like to get her settled in by 8:30, and after "jammies and teethbrushing", we read 5 or 6 stories, dim the lights, sing our prayers, and rock in the rocker. But, once I leave the room, she lays in there, making up songs, talking to her dolls and stuffed animals, "re-reading" the books we just read (I hear her telling the story just like I did) and thinking of things she needs to tell me like "I heard a noise" "Is it morning?" "I need to go potty" She also is one who, not only enjoys choosing one of her soft blankies to bring to bed with her, she always has to choose some "treasured objects" to bring along, and snatches up the last toy/object or two that she's been playing with. She might bring to bed a toy train or a turkey baster, you never know. As Kayli likes to have "props" to "act out" or "participate in " the tv shows we watch before bed, she often brings her props to bed with her. If the show is about Dora the Explorer's band, Kayli sleeps with the flute, maracas, and harmonica. If the show was the Doodlebops Dancing Routine, Kayli wears her tap shoes to bed and snuggles up to her pink feather boa. One night recently, Clifford the Big Red Dog was sipping juice in one chapter and sledding in the snow with his friends in another, so you guessed it, Kayli was wearing her pink winter hat and holding her plastice juice box holder when she went to bed. Last night, since I pulled out the big fan for our sun room, she had to find her baby fan, carry it around all night, and finally sleep with it. I have no problem endorsing these night-time "comforts", except if she wants to take something miniscule in size to bed, like a seashell or a dandelion, because if she wakes up in the middle of the night, she likes to check her inventory, and if something is amiss, you guessed it, she comes to me for help in locating the lost item! Oh, and if she needs to come and "check on me" in the middle of the night, she will bring her treasured items with her. So, early in the morning, when the sun comes up, and she comes to check on me, and I tell her to just climb in my bed until my alarm goes off, you can see from the pictures, that she climbs in and promptly falls back asleep next to her treasures! Oh... this child of mine... she is so funny!

So Sweet!

The day after Mother's Day, Kayli brought home from daycare this handpainted flower with her picture in the middle. This was "wrapped" inside a white paper sack that she had colored "beautifully". Pasted on the front of the bag was the sweetest poem! This is what it said:
My Mommy Cuddles Me
My mommy cuddles me, kisses me,
hugs me and misses me.
She pampers me, praises me,
always amazes me.
She washes my clothes for me,
tickles my toes for me,
giggles and talks with me,
and goes on walks with me.
She says “sweet dreams” to me,
and sings sweet songs to me.
I’m so glad that she belongs to me!
*Now that is sweet enough to bring a tear or two to my eyes! Thank-you sweet pea!

Happy Mama's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, Mama! Kayli was so excited to give me my "prize"! Aunt Suzanne had taken her shopping and gave her the opportunity to choose an array of items that might make good "mommy gifts", then, she told her to pick the very best one. She apparently stood strong on her choice, and was more than happy to "open my prize for me" this morning! (It's a mother-daughter keepsake box by Willow Tree, pictured below) I also let her help me make my coffee, and as we usually walk out to get the newspaper in our jammies, but Kayli insists that I carry her, along with the newspaper, today she agreed to walk next to me while carrying the paper. Kayli also "gifted me" a LONG shower while she watched Clifford the Big Red Dog DVD. Thank-you Kayli. It was a beautiful sunny day today and we enjoyed it by spending most of it outdoors. I ordered "Car-side to Go" Applebees for dinner and we both enjoyed a dinner with no dishes which left more time to play! This "mom-job" is not easy, but it sure can be fun!

Here are some pictures of my special "prize", my cards, and my helpful girl:

Listen to the extra special "record your own message" card "Kayli got me":

More Wine Please?

So... tonight I bring Kayli home from daycare and she's telling me her tummy hurts. After trying the obvious "visit to the potty room" with no change in condition, I think... she needs to drink something carbonated. Kayli has never shown an interest in my Diet Coke, nor have I ever offered it to her, but now I pour a small amount in a cup and tell her to try it. She drinks a bit, then a bit more, then finishes it, smacks her lips, and says "Mmmmm, more WINE please mama."

Oh Dear! No, darling, all of mom's drinks are not called "wine". This could get rumors started...

Indoor & Outdoor Water Play

Just when we think our warm weather is here to stay, and we spend a beautiful day outdoors wearing shorts and playing with Kayli’s new water table, we get hit the next day with a windy, wet, cold, indoor-play sort of day. So, what do you do? You bring the water play indoors! It began quite innocently (sort of like the Cat in the Hat story) as I started to fill the washing machine, then, standing on the stool in front of the washer, Kayli did her part by putting in the soap. Then, while she’s rinsing the cup under the running water (as she has seen me do) she gets an idea and begins to swirl and dip the clothes, and now she’s up to her elbows in soapy water and immersed in fun! So, I leave the lid open and she proceeds to entertain herself for a good 30- 45 minutes while I fold clothes, etc. etc. Her jammies are soaked at the end of this clean, fun game. So we toss them in the washer and move on to the next fun game. Amazing, how one can find fun in the most unusual places!

Indoor Water Play:

Outdoor Water Play: