Tim’s First Time Reading A Princess Book

Thanks to our dear Neighbor, Karri Ware, and her daughters, we got gifted every girly book that must have ever existed!   We are truly enjoying them.  Even Tim.  Who, as of 10 minutes ago had *never* read a princess book his whole life.

Mind you, one of the main reasons I married this man was b/c he was all brut.  Didn’t even want to think of marrying a guy who would notice if I cut 6 inches off of my hair, or suggest that I am a ‘spring’ and should avoid wearing navy.

But today, you could almost see it in the girls’ taunting faces that they had lasso’d him into their ultra-girly girl-power world.

Tonight not only was Tim’s first Princess book reading, but it was also a first for AnnaLeigh and Sharly.

BUT, of course, Hunter would *never* ever be interested a stinkin’ smelly princess book.  Not even from afar.

Nope.  Not our 2nd generation brut.

Then AnnaLeigh went over and sat on Tim’s head.  Just in case he ever were to question who was really in charge around here. 

Our Flight Home

After about 1.5 weeks of being in ZhengZhou and GuangZhou finalizing the girls’ adoption, they were finally ‘ours’.  Finally Caltons, as of March of this year.  Sweet AnnaLeigh was exhausted and just slept…  It was a long week and an especially long day!

 

And Sharly?  Well there was a party going on in her car seat.

From the toes, working it’s way through the belly, all the way through the smile-- this girl has a robust laugh.

People sitting around us could hear her laughter. She had no desire to sleep, whatsoever!

Awww… Sweet AnnaLeigh, she’s always been totally punctual.  She just turns limp within a half hour of her sleeping time, and can’t be talked out of it.  Look at those sweet lips!

Left: AnnaLeigh… territorial much?  Yes, this is the girls sharing a seat in the car.  Their car seats got lost in the airport… long story.  I had to tell myself that it was like taking a taxi, the main mode of transportation here in China for foreigners like us.  In fact, I have friends that have never even had to buy a car seat for many of their kids b/c of taxi transportation.  Anyway, still a weird picture setting…

And here they are!  I am so proud of these little troopers.  With all they have already been through in life… I’m just so glad they are ours forever and ever.  We are so blessed.  Beyond measure. 

And, no worries, we got them new car seats (it’s an agreement we made with their agency that they are not to travel without them).  Whew. 

Tye-Dye Muffins. I’m a Copy Cat.

Cool Cup Cake. How’da do it? Copied Ganelle HERE. Her sister Ginger way creative too. I first met them in Colorado through Kristi… who, happens to be the funnies person I know. She is a real, authentic paid blogger. That’s just how funny she is. I’m so glad they blog so we can keep in touch.

And here, below is Ganelle’s much prettier version of this ultra cool cup cake idea she shared with me and the blogging world. you can read more about how to do it on her BLOG.

**BEAUTY** Magazine worthy. Stole the ‘leprechaun cup cake’ pic fair and square from her blog.

Here is my baking crew. Tanner, Sebastian, Hunter, Holty, Audey, Own, Corina, Therese, KwanHei, Shary, AnnaLeigh. We were missing: Josie, Elizabeth, Matthew, and Latney, Tanner's neighborhood BFF. Ronaldo, 14 (oldest on the street) even stopped by later to make frosting.

Truly the funnest thing we’ve ever baked. Everyone got assigned a color, and put a scoop in each cup. Then in the end, they each got to make their own design.

These are all the kids that live on our street. How lucky are we? AND, bonus, they are *all* good kids too!

KwanHei’s cup cake on left. Audrey and Therese on right.

Here they are scooping their individual colors. Btw, anyone realize I painted my walls yellow?

Kids do so well when we parents back off sometimes (hands off mom!).

Hard at work here. Hunter posing with Therese for the camera. It’s so fun to watch him interact with his friends.

These kids all range from 3-11 years. And they all love to hang out at each other’s houses. The girls come over almost daily to play with our little girls. It is sooo cute!

I love this above picture of Hunter taking pictures of the baking muffins. It reminds me of a picture Barry took on Susan (bonus mom)’s camera. He claimed he never used her camera to take pictures of the squirrels. Then she found a picture with his reflection in it. So funny.

The Adoption is FINAL! Baby Blessing Invite

You’re Invited to

AnnaLeigh and Sharly’s:

Baby Blessing

Date: Sunday, April 17, 2011

Time: 8:30-9:00a.m.

Place: (I can send you a map), or

meet at the Calton’s before 8:00 a.m.

RSVP: srcalton(at)yahoo.com, or call 15021814350

so we can reserve your seat there.

** Please, no gifts for this family event **

Below are a few pictures of the girls over the past year…