Open Wide...

Today was Margaret Rose's first trip to the dentist. It went very well and I'm so glad we waited this long to go. She was able to understand what was going to happen and was all for getting pretty teeth. Margaret Rose is all about dressing pretty and just doesn't get why Mary Clare is not. She once told us that she liked pretty clothes and that Mary Clare liked ugly ones. This incensed MC who declared that it was not true. Instead she said she liked "pwain clothes." We did discover today that we could get Mary Clare to wear something cute by telling her it was "sporty". When the nice folks at the dentists told her she was pretty she replied, "No. I don't do pretty." At least she didn't strip down to her Thomas the Tank engine panties which she has been known to do when her clothes are not to her liking.

The dentist's office is a fabulous place that's decorated like a jungle. They even have a glass floor that when you look down you see 2 hippos in an elaborate pond display. The kids LOVE it and the decor does make a great distraction. Here's Margaret - ever ready to pose for a picture with her lovely smile about to get lovlier. PoPo stayed with her while they cleaned her teeth and said she was just amazing - polite and cooperative.

It's been almost a year since Mary Clare was there but they remembered that last time they'd not been able to get in her mouth at all. We went because she bumped her front tooth and it had turned slightly gray. They were very patient with her but the dentist was only just able to get a glimpse of the tooth last time. Today she was Miss Coopeative. I was so proud of her! When she was finished she asked me if her teeth were "sparkly". I told her they were so bright I needed sunglasses to look at her mouth. She kindly offered me the ones she wore for the cleaning.

Outside the office Mary Clare had to practice her rock climbing. Oh, and in case you ever run into her, that IS NOT a skirt she's wearing. "Skirt" is a dirty word to MC- she even hates me to wear one. We called this "sporty shorts" to get her to put it on. It is a skort after all. We went to the IHOP afterwards. Margaret Rose adores pancakes and eggs and they have grilled cheese for Mary Clare. I got this picture right before MR decided to snitch most of PoPo's onion rings! I can't believe how white MR's teeth are!

Presidents' Day

Poor Baba had to go to work today but all the girls had the day off and we made the most of it. The girls did playdough all morning and made tons of food and animals. Then we went outside and used the sidewalk chalk and planted our pinwheels like flowers. The girls had popcicles and apples. We played at McDonalds playland before taking Mary Clare to tippy tap.
We had an interesting etiquette lesson from Margaret Rose tonight. We had soup for supper and Mary Clare insisted on slurping. I reminded her that it was rude to slurp and then added "in this country". MR jumped right on that and said, "Yes! In my China, we eat very loud. Here I eat quiet - use my good manners."

YIKES! We tried on 5 shirts this morning before finding one that almost fit Maggie Rose. She has had a huge growth spurt. When we met her in China in July she could wear Mary Clare's 2T clothes. Most of the school year she's been pretty solidly in 3s but now she skipped right past most of the 4s and is wearing some 5s. She LOVES pointing out that now she really is the big sister and just laughed herself silly this morning during the shirt search. She'd throw the things that were too small to Mary Clare who would shriek and scream, "No! No! That's pretty.

I don't like pretty!"

A Fishy Tale

We were supposed to take the girls sledding in Boone again this weekend but the weather didn't cooperate. Then Pa & Grandma had a family obligation come up so we ended up in Charleston instead. We all enjoyed our trip to the aquarium.

This turtle has a really looooooong neck.
Soft!


Mary Clare has a peek at the baby jellies.

An after aquarium gummibear snack

More Valentine's Day

The girls were so happy to wake up yesterday and find balloons and special Valentine's Day dishes. Mary Clare, having more experience with such things, especially loves a holiday! PoPo gave them some Valentine's treats and they've really latched on to the zebra and purple poodle.
When we picked up Mary Clare from daycare Margaret Rose immediately dug into her box of Valentine's goodies and gave MC the pixie stix that she received. She knows MC just loves that "straw candy" and she is very good at sharing. MC was most impressed with the "cool Spiderman" valentine that she got from one of her daycare buddies.
Yes, that is macaroni cheese that you see on her breakfast plate. It is the breakfast of choice for Mary Clare.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our sweeties have been looking forward to Valentine's Day! Mary Clare is still excited about it but after writing her name 30 times on her cards, Margaret Rose is looking a bit like I used to at this time of year when I worked at the florist. Margaret Rose used rubberstamps to make beautiful cards for her classmates and stuffed the envelopes with American and Chinese candy. Then she helped Baba fill up the treat bags for Mary Clare's daycare class. She's worn holiday clothes to school each day this week and is just thrilled that tomorrow she gets to wear the Valentine's outfit she picked out herself from our "best store" Target.
Mary Clare is all about hearts these days. 2 nights ago when she was having a hard time going to sleep, Lee and I were sitting on her bed with her and she told us that we were in her heart and that Maggie Rose and PoPo were in there too. "We're all in there?" I asked and she answered "Yep! We are all sqooshed up in there together!" Lee told her that we couldn't be all that squooshed as she had a huge heart that is very good at loving. After tippy-tap on Monday she told me she needed to go see her PoPo for just a minute and really did just want to give her a kiss and share a silly word. Tonight she kissed PoPo and told her that she loved her and that she was in her heart. Mary Clare has become much more affectionate since Margaret Rose came home. MR is a very open, loving little girl and has obviously been a great influence on MC.

Laissez le bon tempts rouler!

Tonight our parish had its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Mardi Gras party. PoPo, who sewed these fabulous costumes, came with us and we all had a great time. The music was wonderful, the food delicious and the company divine.
The girls almost had more fun than we could stand!

The revelers LOVE Father Lyon!

Roger Pemberton and friends were fantastic! The girls loved the music! Margaret Rose danced and it took all we had to keep Mary Clare from joining the band.

Margaret Rose could eat her weight in pancakes!