She kept walking around saying..."I'm Lola and I will not go to bed!"
So pretty...I hope this photo doesn't come back to haunt me!.jpg)
I just cannot believe it's been four years already! On October 31st 2005 a little girl from Northern Guangdong Province was placed into our arms in Guangzhou. Our forever family day...'Piper Day'..jpg)
The past four years have been a whirlwind, so much joy, so many challenges. We are so proud of who you are, Piper Lily, we love you to the moon and back and then some.
empty cauldrons mean there is work to be done! No time for this standing around taking photos crap!
Meet Violet Incredible...aka Piper(in case the disguise was just too convincing!). She has waited for over 2 years to wear this costume and there was no way that it was going to be a one time deal. On Saturday we met up with some friends for a trick or treat festival in the City burbs(we go every year because it's awesome!)
there was mucho candy. 
from the grocery store to her Gymnastics Team party...complete with a haunted house(which she hated and refused to go in). Then today, she is allowed to wear her costume to school, and on Friday she has a Halloween party at one of her little friends houses and SATURDAY it's actually Halloween. I must say, this is the best year for Halloweenieness EVER!
The papers are going to New Zealand today by courier. I'm so so so happy that our girls will soon be New Zealand Citizens as well as have their passports! This will open up a WHOLE NEW WORLD of opportunity for them as they get older. The ability to work in many different countries, to attend Universities around the globe and best of all...access to a national health care system and reciprocal access in other countries that honor the partnership!
Halloween is almost here, but the parties start tomorrow and continue throughout the week! Piper has wanted to be 'Violet' from the Incredibles since she was two and a half, but the costumes were all far too big...this year her wish came true! I think she makes an awesome Violet if I do say so myself. As for little miss Paisley, she couldnt make up her mind...first she wanted to be Ariel, then Lola, then a bunny, then Lola, then Snow White, then Troy(HSM) then Lola....thankfully Pipers old costume won her over! She makes a cute cute Lola!
Okay, I admit it...we have a thing for tshirts in this house. I've always tried to get the girls upbeat, rockin' and unique t's. Some I've received as gifts...like the super cool Sandbox Threads Obama tshirts Auntie Kris gave the girls! Or the Ramones and Pixes tshirts the girls wore on 'oath day' at the American Consulate in China(I don't have anything against stars and stripes, but seriously IMO nothin' rocks oath day like rock n roll!)
Please go check them out...they will do custom hand screening on fantastic quality tshirts...forget Mickey Mouse and lame'o sports teams...get your kids personalized tshirts!
DOGHOUSE ROCKS OUR HOUSE!
they jumped in piles...
she started her three day a week program. We ended up getting the afternoon program, but we're so glad we switched, it's a lovely school and both of her preschools are in the same building, as is her tap class(musical theatre..more on that later!) The difference in weather was pretty crazy, from the 80's to the 60's in just two weeks...but hey...that's Minnesota for you! 
Meet Vivi...isn't she stylish! I don't know when I came across her Mom's blog, but when I did I breathed a sigh of joy...I'd at last found my twin sister in the 'kiddo' fashion department! A little quirky, never predictable and her kids...well, they always look AWESOME! Not only do we both have a penchant for knee socks, but our kids seem to have similar flair in the 'what to wear' department. Anyway...Kim is having a great giveaway on her blog and I just wanted to let you all know...she's giving away a wonderful dress..so that your sweetpea can look as cool as hers!
