BUSY, BUSY WEEK....

It has been a busy week for us!

Last Sunday was supposed to be Macey's 2nd birthday party but she was running a fever (she was on day 3) and we had to postpone. Monday was my first day on a new job...not a good time for a sick child! Thanksfully, Kevin was able to stay home with Macey on Monday and Tuesday. He did take her to the doctor on Tuesday but they decided it was just a virus and nothing could be done but to wait it out. She had no fever after Tuesday morning and I took her back to preschool on Wednesday. She was NOT happy to go! :(

Wednesday was also the day that Lena had been summoned to the local USCIS office to swear-in and receive her certificate of citizenship. Let me explain: Lena was adopted in 2005. However, Kevin did not travel to China so Lena's adoption was not considered final until we readopted her in the United States. We did that in August 2005. I just never got around to applying for her COC because I just didn't feel like doing the paperwork and I didn't want to pay the large fee ($200 or so). This past summer, the fees were due to go up so I finally decided to get it done. I mailed the app for COC in July and never heard a word back until about 2 weeks ago. We received a letter that said show up and swear-in on Feb. 13th.

The appointment was supposed to be at 10:30 a.m. Well I guess they asked about 250 people to be there at 10:30! There was a line wrapped around the building and they were only letting so many folks in at once. We had to wait quite a while and it was chilly outside. I had not brought Lena's sweater because I didn't realize we'd be outside so long. I held her most of the time we waited and snuggled her to keep warm. Then another family loaned her a jacket. Oh and Lena had to potty while we waited outside too. So Grammy took her in the bushes and wrapped her coat around her. You gotta do what you gotta do, right??

We finally made it in and it was pretty anti-climatic. A guy had me signed a few papers and gave us the COC. There was not even a real swearing-in ceremony for us because Lena is under 14 years. We didn't take any photos there; there really wasn't anything to photo but also we were told no cameras were allowed (although others were taking photos...nice huh?).

We did go to lunch afterwards with Grammy so here are a couple of photos from lunch:

Finally, I have my COC!


Mommy is so proud!


Thursday morning started with a bang...Macey was NOT happy to get up for school. She kicked me and scratched me...it was not pretty. We finally made it to school and I didn't hear a word all day. But when I picked the girls up, Macey's teacher said she had fallen asleep on the playground at 10 a.m. and slept until 1 p.m. They took her temp and there was no fever but she was clearly wiped out. That night after dinner and bath, at 6:30 p.m. she told me "night night" so I put her to bed. She slept like a log and was a new angel on Friday morning. She just needed her rest. Friday was uneventful. Thank God!

Saturday afternoon we had the FCC-Houston Chinese New Year celebration! We had been eagerly awaiting its arrival. It is always such fun every year and I bought new dresses for both girls when we were in China bringing Macey home. Here are lots of photos from the party and before:

Girls ready to go to the party!


Macey dressed for CNY!


Lena ready for CNY!


Girls having fun!


Macey busy with her booster seat strap.


Lena pouting about something at the CNY party.


Girls posing with the Dragon!


Finally, on Sunday we celebrated Macey's 2nd birthday! She was actually 2 on Feb 2nd. We had a ball and she raked in the goodies. She did fairly well with the new people but thankfully she had met most everyone already.

Big birthday girl!


Look at me..I'm 2!


Macey and Daddy


Macey and Mommy


A Mickey birthday cake...


Blowing out the candles


This cake is YUMMY!


Yes, it is yummy!


Party friends....

Cousin Jessica


Cousin Katie


Friend Siani, cousin Shelby and big sister Lena


I LOVE my new cell phone...now I don't have to fight with Lena for hers!