2 little roses

Happy Hannukah!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:20:00 +0000

here is what Hannukah looks like at my house this year-

super special hockey celebration!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:39:00 +0000

Instead of a birthday party this year, I promised Jena I would take her and her best buddy Jason to a hockey game. When I made this deal I figured we would go to one of the minor league games- the Phila Phantoms. I then found out the phantoms no longer play in Philly and thought I would be stuck paying big bucks to take two 5 year-olds to Phila Flyers game (at 150$ a ticket for the cheap seats!) Well- lucky me- the Phantoms came back to Philly for one game only and we were there. To say Jena was excited would be an understatement. As you can see she was literally on the edge of her seat.

Holy bat-party! theres' a five year old in the house!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:32:00 +0000

My superhero chose a batman theme birthday party and a bat-crazy time was had by all! Nothing says party time like a couple of two year-olds doing the hokey-pokey and, as a special treat, Stef played happy birthday on the guitar. Jena loved every minute of her party and tomorrow we have cake and goodie bags for all her friends at school. Since Jena considers herself everyone's friend we had to get special permission to bring the two 4-year old classes together so that everyone (all 50 kids!) can celebrate together. With a Spiderman cake, of course! That's my girl!

pumpkin time!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:33:00 +0000

We had wonderful fall weather for our trip to the pumpkin patch with Aunt Sarah Uncle Dave and Rafi (who is almost 2!). After picking out the best pumpkins in the patch everyone had fun at the new playground. Jena even got to wear her costume to the costume parade at Chinese School.

Shana Tovah-- Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:40:00 +0000

three years of Jena

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:44:00 +0000

It is hard to believe that it was three years ago today that Jena joined the family. It is even harder to believe that Jena is now older than Stefanie was when we traveled to China. She continues to look at the world thru her rose colored glasses, always looking on the bright side. Every so often she will test out her angry attitude and march off in a huff. It seems so out of character that it is hard not to laugh at her. She is suprising us everyday with things she has learned like "look- I wrote 'Mommy' on my paper!"Everyone is her friend and everyday is a party. The world would be a better place if there were more people like Jena in it.

2nd grade already? and one happy peacock!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:05:00 +0000

First day of school for Stef and true to form the bus didn't come. Why should this year be any different? Stef is thrilled to have two of her best friends in her class this year. Jena is now in the peacock room. Her 'elephant' class from last year has been mixed with the 'fish' class. Some of her friends are with her in the peacocks and some are in the giraffe class. I carefully explained this to her before the first day, a little worried that she might be upset. Her response to me was "That's GREAT- I get to make new friends!" I love her always positive outlook on life.

back from the beach --time for school

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:21:00 +0000

we had a great time with friends in the Outer Banks, NC. Wonderful weather, the girls spent all day in the ocean or the pool. And, big milestone....it was the first time in 6 years that Mommy got to sit on the beach with a book! Now time to go back to school.

come and play......

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:43:00 +0000

...everythings A-OK....we had a visit from Julie T, Kacey and Nana Susan too and all went to Sesame Place for the day. The kids had a great time and I am happy to say the adults were pleasently suprised to have a good time too! Here are some pictures of everyone enjoying the day. Jena loved meeting the characters and Stef got her 'hair wrap' that she had been waiting for all summer.

summertime fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:34:00 +0000

It was visiting day for Jena at camp and here are a few pictures of her having a blast! Stef was at free swim during my visit and came over for a quick hello. I've also posted a picture of our driveway chalk-artwork.

..and the years keep rolling by...

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:10:00 +0000

It is the last week of school already. Stefanie spent the week playing games and winning the first grade spelling bee, Hebrew bee and a coming in second in math. Jena was the proud winner of the friendship award because "she is a friend to everyone". A few pictures to compare to the first day of school. Camp here we come!

we're still here

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:25:00 +0000

we've been busy helping Zayde adjust to his new hip. the girls have been real troopers, putting up with multiple long drives and visits to the hospital and rehab. We are all happy that Zayde is now home and doing great. Here are a few new pictures of Stefanie from Authors Night at school. everyone in the class wrote books and read them aloud to the parents. The pictures of Jena are from her pulmonalogist appointment. All I had in my purse to play with was my camera, so she had a great time taking pictures of herself as we waited for the doctor. Two more weeks of school- yippee!

Mothers Day: part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:54:00 +0000

We met Aunt Sarah, Uncle Dave and Rafi at Storybook land (our local amusement park) and everyone had a great time. The girls rode every ride at least once and Rafi did a lot of watching and pointing. Stef was especially happy to have her Uncle Dave there who agreed to go on all the crazy spinning rides that Mommy won't set foot on. We then had Amah and Zayde and our good friends Alisa, Dori and Kate over for a barbeqe. Fun, friends, family and food : everything a Mommy could want for a great mothers day!

Happy Mothers Day: part one

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Stefanie and her class prepared a wonderful Mothers Day brunch. They made pictures and wrist flowers for all the mothers , as well as bagels and homemade kugel. I also brought home a beautiful flower in a handpainted pot. On sunday we are going to celebrate with a trip to Storybook Land and then Amah and Zayde are coming over for dinner. More pictures to follow.....

Party Like a Rock Star!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:10:00 +0000

Stefanie celebrated her birthday with a Rock Star party and 17 of her closest friends. They all had hair, nails, and make-up then had a dance party. I'd say a great time was had by all.

this is what 7 looks like-

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:26:00 +0000

Happy birthday Stefanie! we love you! and a picture to let you know Jena is back to her old self.

this is jena---this is jena on steroids----

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:38:00 +0000

Good news no pneumonia, bad news bad 'asthma exacerbation'. My sweet baby is a demon child. There is no telling what will set her off.It is like the lion cage at the zoo- throw some candy at her and run the other way. Thankfully she is much better and only 3 more days of the evil meds left.

6 years already???

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:17:00 +0000

yep- 6 years ago today I was in China meeting Stef for the first time. 6 years went by in the blink of an eye. I am at work and she is out celebrating by doing her favorite thing- shopping for new clothes!

two new Roses

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:29:00 +0000

I gave in. We now have 2 fish in the house, Lemonaid and Orange Juice. It's been 24 hours and they are both still alive.Wish me luck.

Hag HaSiddur

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:37:00 +0000

a very special celebration at Stef's school tonight when she was presented with her own prayer book. The class put on a hour long performance of song for all the parents. Stefanie was very proud to have a solo part. The prayer book cover was needlepointed by out good friend Judy- it has Stef's hebrew name and a very Stefanie-esque picture of Jerusalem on the front, the China symbol for love on the back and hard candies and roses along the spine. Pure Stefanie style all the way. Everyone agreed it was a beautiful program.

snow day!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:23:00 +0000

finally- a snow day! sledding, snow angels, pink rosy cheeks and a nap on the sofa. Perfect.

a Monster in the house

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:42:00 +0000

Jena is on oral steroids for a rash gone wild. The last two times she has needed steroids she has been a beast. We are waiting for the monster to appear!

Friends and Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:15:00 +0000

we went to Longwood gardens and met up with our friends BJ and Olivia. Stefanie and Olivia are China Sisters, having lived in the same orphanage and, although she only lives about 2 hours away, we don't see her as much as we should. My mother and Jan hadn't seen her since she was 4 and now she is 7! The girls played together great and are thinking of becoming penpals.

E-A-G-L-E-S---GO EAGLES!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Everyone ready for the big game. Here is also a picture of Stefanie the last time the Eagles were in the superbowl...

Jena the ENT surgeon....

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:20:00 +0000

so we had spaggetti for dinner on tues night. Halfway into the meal Jena tells me her throat 'feels' funny. She isn't choking and is talking without a problem so I figure there can't be too big of a problem. I have her eat more noodles, drink some water, eat some bread. Nothing makes the 'funny feeling' any better and she is also a little gaggy. I had a GI bug last week so I wondered if she isn't just getting sick. I have her sit on the sofa with a tupperwear puke-bucket (just in case). She seems fine but continues to gag and say something is 'funny'. Finally I figure maybe something went down the wrong way and she needs to throw-up. I take her into the bathroom and, in a mother-of -the-year-award-winning-moment I stick my finger down her throat several times, (never too soon to teach your daughter the key to bulemia!) she gags but that's it. Finally I get a flashlight and look- there are two strands of spagetti stuck in the back of her throat, hanging back behind her tonsils! I get on the phone to my pediatrician to try and brainstorm how I can get the noodle out without taking a trip to the ER. We talk about squirting water down her nose, grabbing it with forcepts etc. As we are on the phone problem solving, the girls go into the bathroom to check out the problem for themselves. Next thing I know Jena yells "I got it!" and comes out holding 6 inches of spaggetti noodle in her hand! It was like once she understood what the problem was she just went ahead, stuck her hand in, and took care of it. This will be a great story to tell at her medical school graduation- preformed first foreign-body removal at age 4.