Thursday, February 10, 2011

"The Best Birthday EVER!"


That was how Bryn described turning 5.

Last night she was so excited she could hardly sleep. "I'm way more excited than I thought I'd be!" was her comment just before falling asleep.

Today, from the minute she woke up til she went to bed we let her decide what she wanted to do. And what a fun day it was!

Bryn had French toast for breakfast and ice cream at lunch. We went toboganning in the afternoon and out for her birthday supper where she had fries and chocolate milk and more ice cream. Then we went for a visit to the bookstore to play with their train set and home for a chocolate cupcake topped with a mountain of whipped cream. She had more sugar today than she usually has in a month. This kid sure knows how to work it when she's the decision maker. :)

Today it was just the three of us celebrating. Girard and I both took the day off to spend it with her. It was a great day and when I asked Bryn what the best part was -- fully expecting her to say one of the many treats she had or opening her pile of presents -- she said "being with you". Awww. Sniff. I can't believe my baby is five.

We're having her big party Saturday but here are a few photos from today.


Big five!


It was the perfect day for toboganning.

All dressed up for supper.

Fries and ketchup. Does it get any better?

Yes it does! Though she was a little leery of the sparkler.

The volcano ice cream was so cool.

She only wanted one candle today but we kept relighting it
until she'd blown it out five times.

Happy 5th Birthday, Bryn, we love you!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Forever Family Day

Today is Forever Family Day and also Forever Friends Day. Four years ago today we became a family of three (plus one dog). We shared the day with our travel mates, who became families of three, four, even five, and who also became our treasured friends.

Each year we say how much Bryn has changed our lives and how much we love her, and each year I think we should be saying more. But there are only so many ways to say how incredibly lucky and proud we are to be the parents of such an amazing little girl and how much joy she has brought into our lives.

Happy Forever Family Day, Bryn. We love you to the moon and back -- a boogazillion times. To paraphrase our girl, "A boogazillion million plus the universe, plus as high as an apartment, plus all the way to Jupiter, plus 24 and 63 and all the other high numbers." And more every day.

Today, Forever Family Day is being celebrated by our friends from Vancouver to P.E.I. and points between. To our Forever Friends, we miss you and hope the day brings special memories for your families. Hugs and love to you and your girls!


Our first night together in Beijing and the beginnings of a smile.

Bryn with her Chinese passport. The photo on her passport was
taken about an hour after we first held her. As you can see, she wasn't
as happy to meet us as we were to meet her!


Thursday, February 3, 2011

Xin Nian Kuai Le!



Gong Xi Fa Cai!