Almost Cut My Hair

So today, I broke down and bought an air card for my laptop. Here I sit at almost 3am at work, and I am finally able to update this blog on a more regular basis! I'm gonna like this!

Today was full of fun... a little background... we have a fenced in area of the yard for the dog, right off the lanai. We leave the screen door open a little so Penny can go out to do her business or play or whatever without us, since our time is a little more occupied now with little Miss running all over the house.

SO... I go out there this afternoon to find a grackle flying around the lanai! (for those who don't know, a grackle looks like a crow that shrunk in the wash)

So I'm trying to figure out how to scoot this guy out before he puts a hole in the pool cage... I walked slowly towards him with the pole from the power sprayer. First he flew around it, under it, over it, etc... then he landed on it but jumped off as soon as I tried to move it... finally he ended up on the ground in the corner of the pool cage. I walked closer, and the little guy actually let me pick him up! I held him with one hand and petted it gently with the other while I walked him out to the door and I set him free... and before anyone freaks, yes I scrubbed my hands really well and even used hand sanitizer.

After that, we headed out to get the air card... from there, it was off to my parents. Mom fed the munchkin some dinner while dad colored my hair. Phew... what a busy day!

Rachel has also discovered she really likes corn on the cob... you can't see it in this picture, but she had it in her hair, up her nose, and naturally all over her legs.. but she still munched away! These pics are actually not from today, but I didn't take any today so these are for fill in purposes! :-)

Oh Say Can you See

So I am a total slacker once again. We had our annual Shrimp Boil/BBQ for Memorial Day and could you believe I did not take any pictures that whole day???? I am SO mad at myself! I do have some shots of Rachel, who looked adorable in her little "all american girl" skirt set... Wish I remembered the camera for her red, white & blue bathing suit!

We had quite a big crowd this year... I think it was the biggest one yet. The food was outstanding as usual, (thanks to my brilliantly talented hubby, the chef!) and the company was great. There were a few no-shows as usual, but it's ok, since it was a pretty packed house most of the time! This year of course, was a bit different since we had kids here for the first time. My friend Meri brought her roommates kids and Alexis was an amazing baby sitter. She kept Rachel occupied all day, and most of the time, I didn't even know where she was, but knew she was ok!

Alexis' brother Gavin was just the cutest little guy too... he kept trying to carry Rachel around, but I think she weighs almost as much as he does!

We also had Jack & Abbey, my friends Tasi & Justins kids... Jack is all boy, and just the cutest thing you want to see. And Abigail was by far, our most adorable guest... She is only a month old and OMG, she is sure TINY! Because Rachel was already 9 months old when we met her for the first time, it's hard to imagine her ever being that teeny..

Later in the day another little cutie, Mikey, stopped in for a visit too! He was born roughly a week before we left for China to get Rachel! He was just the sweetest thing... so smiley!!!

All together, I think we had about 30 adults and 6 kids including Rachel. Thank goodness for the pool! It was pretty hot outside but we had some good pool time in there...

All in all, I think it was a pretty good day... Good friends, Good food, Good weather... what more could we ask for??

Frère Jacques

Finally... we have been home for 8 months already, and finally Ilyse & Jodi got to meet our little Rachel! Since we got back and since Ilyse moved back here after living in France for the past 15 years, we are now less than 3 hours apart but had not been able to arrange a visit till now! So, Ilyse, her sister Jodi, and my "little" G-dkids Steven & Juliette finally came to visit. It was REALLY short, but I am just so glad they made it! Rachel had a TERRIFIC time playing with everyone, but seemed to take a special shine to Aunt Jodi & Juliette!

We all had fun in the pool before they daily deluge of rain (another typical Florida day), and the kids had fun playing with the bubble wands Aunt Ilyse bought!

Oh... and thanks to my G-dson Steven, we FINALLY have our Wii connected! I kicked butt in duck hunt, but everyone else was having a great time with the Wii Fit games. Aunt Ilyse wasn't feeling too well, so that wasn't fun. But all in all we had a great little visit. Penny had a blast with all the extra playmates around too!

Later tonite we are going to Linda & Tony's for dinner and Rachel will be so thrilled to have some yummy pasta!

Your Mother Should Know

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! Started out Saturday going to my friend's son's 2nd birthday party. Rachel had her first real swim day! She absolutely LOVED the pool, which didn't surprise me since she has so much fun in the water...

And even Momma went in the pool! It was really very nice. The water was warm and the company was terrific!

She had a good time playing with Ben & the other kids at the party. Of course, all that sun & water just knocked her out, so by the time we were headed for home, she was zonked out!

Then of course, we celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday. I got beautiful roses with balloons, and a DVD. And I think my favorite gift was getting to sleep in! I slept for 5 whole hours and it was just wonderful!

After waking up, it was time to get dressed and go pick up my mom. We all went to a local seafood place (Ariel's) and had their Lobster Special for dinner. It was way yummy... although Rachel decided she is not ready for lobster. She had french fries & grouper fingers instead.

Then today (Monday) we had Chris Cifatte from Wink News came back to film another segment with us! This is becoming a new hobby! Today's subject was online coupon codes. I think they shot much more footage of Rachel the last time, and I have no idea when this one will air, but like last time, I'll post a link when it's available!

We may do another one next time about reading emails for pay and taking surveys for pay... just wish they could use my referal links so I could get the credit for them!

Teddy Bears Picnic

Ok, so I just stole these pictures from my friend Lori's blog... but I just loved them, and I'm pretty sure she won't mind.

Sunday we had an awesome time at Lakes Park with our friends who have also adopted little girls from China & Vietnam.

From left to right we have Hailey, Hannah, Taylor, Rachel, Amelia and Kaylie. Rachel loves water, but not when it splashes her, so this bench was a real challenge for her.

The picnic was really great. Lori & John were there with their girls Amelia & Kaylie, and Trish was there with her 3 little beauties - Hailey & Hannah from Vietnam, and Taylor who is our newest arrival from China! The girls all got along great. Rachel was a little stand-offish, but I think it's just because she is the youngest, and the other girls can all communicate with each other.

Rachel was still kinda stuck to me like glue! So even though the water park was meant for the kids to enjoy, I got soaked too. Good thing it was warm out so I didn't mind getting wet!

After we all played in the water, we had our picnic. We had to wait for daddy to get there with our food, but in the meantime, Rachel sat on a blanket under a tree and nibbled on some crunchy snacks... and dug her hands into the dirt! yummy!

When it was time for everyone to go home, hugs & kisses were shared by all the girls. They were really TOO CUTE!

After leaving the park, it was time to go to Nana & Papa's for a good old fashioned Italian dinner... Spaghetti, Meatballs & Sausage... way too much food as usual, but it was all yummy. And Rachel sure loved playing with Mom's friends Linda & Tony. We had lots of fun blowing bubbles too. Wish I had not been so tired by then. I would have remembered to pull out the camera and take more pictures!