Josie's Birthday Week

Hi Everyone,

Little Josie Dong Dong turns 2 years old on Monday, November 10th. I am taking the day off from work to spend with her.

I am teaching Josie an old favorite saying of mine about birthdays-- it goes like this . . .

It's my birthday-week!

Emphasis on the week!

In keeping with this, we are having a fun filled week.

To kick it off, Saturday we had big fun with the China Care play group at Brown University. Josie has big baby fun playing with the other kids and especially the University kids. This month's theme was cooking and we made scallion pancakes.

"Mommy, can you help me flatten the pancake dough?"

After cooking it was fun games of Simon says and Red light Green light.

Daddy gave Josie a big lift across campus back to our van after the festivities.

Josie always naps before the big China Care play date, and while she was napping, Mommy and Daddy seized the opportunity to prep Josie our living-room/Josie's playroom for her big birthday toy--- a Step 2 play Kitchen!

It was ready and waiting for her when we got home from the China Care playdate and I have to say, it was an excellent choice.

Josie absolutely loves it!

Her whole face lit up when she saw it and she spent most of the next 2 hours playing with it-- she only took a few intermittent seconds out while playing to run and give mommy hugs and kisses for her new toy.

She was all laughs and giggles as played with the microwave and discovered the turkey roasting in the oven.

"Hi Everybody! Welcome to Josie's kitchen."

"I'm frying a fish for dinner."

"What is in here?"

"It's a turkey!"

Today after church we had big fun at the City Park on the Bay playing with Josie's friend Angeline and her mommy. They started off having fun on the swings.

"Weeeeeee!"

Next they moved on to the slides and had fun taking turns sliding down.

To end, here is a cute little video of Gabrielle trying to get Josie to dance.



Stay Tuned-- More of Josie's Birthday Week events are to follow. Her big party is next weekend!

Reena

Quick Video Fix Times 2

Hi Everyone,

I tried to get Josie on film dancing, but as soon as I get the camera she becomes much less cooperative.



Here is another video of me trying to get her playing with her purple Llama.

She can be such a stinker!

And--- She loves and I mean LOVES watching her videos.

Enjoy!

Reena

Happy Halloween

I had hoped to get this posted earlier in the week—but, well, I’m sure you all know how that goes!

Halloween has been a very busy time for Josie Dong Dong, who dressed as a clown for her first Halloween party. She really likes her costume and wants to wear it around the house. The pictures below are from the Halloween party at our YMCA.

Josie didn’t care too much for the crazy teeth that Daddy wore with his costume, but she didn’t seem to mind Mommy’s wild hair.

"Let me GO! No kisses with those silly teeth!"

"Ummm, everybody looks kind of weird."

Some of the staff dressed like scary witches and Josie didn’t much care for them too much either (do you blame her?!). When the witches said “hi” to her she looked away from them and said, “no.”


Inside the facility there was much activity and Josie enjoyed climbing the spongy stairs and jumping off of them, but she wanted Mommy to stay close.




She also enjoyed a fun game of “drop the clothespin in the pumpkin.” Josie quickly decided she wanted ALL the clothespins and tried to make a quick get-away.

"This is a fun game, but . . .

having all the clothespins is even more fun!"

There was also a craft and coloring room at the party where Josie enjoyed coloring for a little while before she tried to make-off with a tub filled with crayons.

"This is GREAT! Mommy only lets me have 3 crayons at a time!"

Back inside the main party area a DJ played fun Halloween and kid themed music. This DJ was awesome and really got into his act. Words simply cannot do justice to his impression of Elmo being 'scary Elmo.'


















Josie enjoyed the dinner I brought for her while listening to the music and then we joined in to dance to some tunes with the other party-goers (those green things she is eating are witches fingers) .

Wim thought this costume was the scariest of them all.

We also carved our pumpkin, which really peaked Josie’s interest.

She seemed a little concerned when I first started cutting the pumpkin and came over for a quick hug.

"Ummmm . . . . . . . .

Mommy needs a hug."

Josie had a great time playing with the seeds that I pulled out, but she didn’t want much to do with the “guts.”

"Ooooooo, What IS that?"
"I just don't know what to say."

We had some major pumpkin cleaning-up to do throughout the carving process. For someone who wanted nothing to do with the stringy guts, Josie sure did manage to get it all over herself.

"Mommy, I have some of that slimy stuff on my toes."

"My pumpkin has a face."

Josie Dong Dong was quick to point on the pumpkin’s eye, nose and mouth and when I asked her where his head was at, she went and got the top I had cut-off and put it back on top.

"This is its head."

Josie Dong Dong also had a Halloween party at her school and I am waiting for some pictures from her teacher. I'll post those when I can.

I hope everyone has a Happy Ghoul-night!

Reena

October Cutie-Pie ReCap

Hi Everyone,

My attempt for a "few" quick pictures and details. OMG! It is sooo hard.

From our tip to the aquarium-- Josie picked out a cute stuffed seal pup to bring home as a reminder of her fun time.

The entire night was all about her new "baby."

"baby, Baby, BABY!"

"Life is Goooooood!"

Really when you look at the little guy-- What's not to love? I mean just look at those eyes! They practically take up his entire head!

"Yeah!!! I'm Happy!"

Josie has also managed to keep Daddy busy with various activities. Lately, the activity of choice involves stickers . . . .

"I have plans for you Daddy . . . He He heeeee!"
"You just sit there Daddy-- I have something more for you."

In case you can't quite make it out, oh yes, now we can see-- Wim is sporting a very cute little "Hello Kitty Mermaid" sticker on his cheek.

We've been out and about on nice days enjoying the lovely fall colors. Even Phoebe has joined us on some of these adventures. As you can see, we are still working on all our travel seating arrangements.

"Thhhhanks! I want to sit with the bbbbbabbbbieee!"

On some days, Josie is able to enjoy some quality play time with her big bro.

"What do you mean you don't want me to tell anyone about you playing with my toys?"

Lastly, Josie Dong Dong had a great time playing with some Chinese and Chinese-American college students at Brown University. We are very fortunate that these students at Brown participate in the China Care program where college students sponsor monthly play groups and mentors to children adopted from China.

Josie is typically shy with new people and in new environments, but not at the Brown China Care play group. She had a great time with Sophia and hooping it with fun games of chase.

"You can't catch me!"