The Best! Birthday! Ever! (for the 2nd year)

Is it just me, or does six seem a lot older than five?

When Bryn was about four years old she asked me when she'd be able to have gum. I told her she could when she was six. Over the past couple of years she's checked with me countless times to make sure I've remembered and to be sure that six is still the magic age to have gum.

As soon as the excitement of Christmas was over she started to focus on her birthday and she reminded me almost daily about the gum. We had one particularly funny conversation about it a few weeks ago:

Mom, remember you said I could have gum when I turn six?

Yes, Bryn, I remember.

Can I have the first piece on my birthday, Mom?

Sure. But just because you can have gum when you're six doesn't mean you'll be able to chew gum everyday.

Oh, I know, it will only be on special days. So do you think I could have another piece when I turn seven?

She cracks me up. :)

Bryn had a great birthday. The Best! Birthday! Ever! according to her. She took cookies to school to share with her friends and they sang Happy Birthday; we went out for supper with her papa and cousin Jacey and the entire restaurant sang to her; she had cake and presents and cards and phone calls. And her party was still to come the next day. By the time bedtime came I didn't think she'd ever get to sleep she was so excited about her day and her upcoming party. And the joy...it would have put a smile on anybody's face to see the joy she felt over everything.

Thanks to everyone who came to help Bryn celebrate the Best Birthday Ever II.

Happy Birthday, Bryn, we love you!

First photo of my 6-year-old.

Presents after breakfast.

Gum!

I'm six!

Spinning the Birthday Prize Wheel at the restaurant.

More presents!

Bryn chose a ladybug cake this year.

Cutie bugs Bryn and Caia.

Best buddies.

Five Years

Five years ago we became a family of three and the parents of a beautiful baby girl when we met Bryn in China. It was the most incredible day of our lives. Our time in China was magical and an amazing experience we shared with people who have become treasured family.

We've spent today remembering those first days as a family and counting our lucky stars for our beautiful Cai Xing who has changed from a tiny, frightened baby into an amazing little girl. She has brought more happiness into our lives than we ever thought possible and we love her more every day.

Happy Forever Family Day, Bryn, we love you. xxoo

On our way home.

Merry Christmas!

May your season be filled with love, peace, happiness and Christmas miracles.

End of Year Catch Up

It's been busy since Bryn started Kindergarten. School, field trips, dance, two rounds of swimming lessons and every day life has kept us all hopping for the past few months.

Bryn has grown up so much since starting Kindergarten. She's suddenly not even a little girl anymore but a school age girl. She loves, loves, loves school and is soaking up everything she can. She reads on her own now and writes stories and draws everything she can think of and more. It's like her imagination has exploded.

We had a beautiful fall -- summer weather in September. And December has been unbelievable. There's hardly any snow and we're worried it might be a brown Christmas. Bryn and I are hoping for snow!

We're now almost ready for Christmas. The gifts are wrapped, the tree is up, the baking is done. Bryn's school concert is Monday and she's been practicing for weeks. And to say she's excited about Christmas is a huge understatement. I'm sure she'll bounce right up to the ceiling by the time next week rolls around. I love seeing her so excited.

Here are some photos of what we've been up to in the past few months. Watch for Bryn's annual Christmas video coming next week!

School picnic.

Papa was here for his birthday and Jacey

moved to Saskatoon to start university.

Fun at the beach.

Nana and Pubba were here for a visit.

Making s'mores.

Jessie is famous! Her photo was chosen

to be in the 2012 365 Dogs calendar.

Jessie turned 10 and Bryn made her a cake.

We finally had professional family photos taken.

Girard's cousin's wife, Amy, did an awesome job.

Fall fun.

A witch for Halloween.

And Jessie is Yoda. Again.

Jacey turns 19! We love you, Jacey!

Loving the first snowfall.

Dance class.

One of Bryn's letters to me.

I came home one day and found this on the fridge. Yikes! Thankfully we didn't have to have "the talk" because all she wanted to know was "how do people get love in their heart?".

A new tradition -- choosing our Christmas tree at a tree farm.

One of Bryn's many drawings. A campfire with a horse (note the hoof) and the moon complete with craters.

It's time to decorate the tree!

Our annual tree decorating gang.

Making chocolates.