At the End of a Long Day

Katie loves her stuffed animals, which are always there for her no matter how she's feeling.

Sometimes when you're tired and have had a long day, stuffed animals are the perfect resting spot for your head!

Sunday Games

Sunday is always a good day for Katie and my sister to play video games together.

We played some Animal Crossing this week!

One More Toss

As we went back home, Katie decided to throw one more snowball.

I wanted to see if I could get the snowball on the roof.

Score!

Snowy Fun

 Even though it didn't snow much, Katie couldn't pass up an opportunity to play a little.

I always love to touch the snow.

My mom thought I was crazy for playing in the snow without mittens or gloves!

It was good snowball-making snow.

I decided to see how far I could throw the snowballs!

Eleven Years Ago

We woke up today to a dusting of snow on the ground, and right away, it took me back to this day eleven years ago. We had a much larger snow storm to begin that day, and to end that day, I received my official referral from China to match me with a baby named Fu Jing Tian. It was a day full of fun surprises from beginning to end!

This was the first glimpse I received of Katie eleven years ago.

Eleven years later...

A "Late" Christmas Gift

At Christmas I had gotten Katie a coloring book, and I had accidentally wrapped it up with my mom's word search books. It was only this week that I had noticed it in between the word search books.

Even though this book had been in the house since Christmas, it was new to me!

Arepas, Anyone?

Arepas have quickly become one of Katie's new favorite foods, and she's really good at making them for the whole family.

I think it's fun to make arepas!

A Virtual Playdate

Since they were both home for President's Day, Katie and Kai decided to have a virtual playdate.

We spent time playing on the Nintendo Switch, playing other games, and watching a movie. We had a lot of fun!

Happy President's Day!

Since Katie has had an interest in presidential history since she was very young, we always celebrate with a few presents.

I came down to my gifts, and I couldn't believe I had forgotten it was President's Day!

Thank you for my gifts!

I've been learning about the Revolutionary War and school, so I got Revolutionary War figures (including George Washington), a George Washington action figure, and a new book about the Revolutionary War!

Just Watching TV

Katie likes to take advantage of having a TV in her room.

This is just such a comfortable way to enjoy the weekend!

Entertaining General Washington

Katie got a sticky alien for Valentine's Day. She loves to throw it at the wall and let it stick. She quickly realized it provides lots of entertainment for General Washington.

I love to see the General try to get the alien!

Making Bracelets

Katie has been into making rubber band bracelets again. She loves to create!

I spend most of my time making bracelets for my friends.

School Art

Katie is always so happy when she gets to bring home her art from school.

This took me a long time to create, and I was proud of how it turned out!

A Valentine's Gift

Katie really wants a pet hedgehog, so I decided to get her stuffed Valentine hedgehogs for a gift.

They aren't real, but they are cute and really easy to take care of!

A Snapchat Valentine's Day

Another holiday, another day on Snapchat!

Lego Construction

Katie started putting together her Lego set she got for Chinese New Year. It was a lot bigger than any set she has ever put together, so Jennifer gave her some help.

I didn't get very far the first day, but at least I got it started!

Enjoying the General

Katie always takes time to enjoy General Washington when he is around!

I love you, General Washington!

Decorating Her Bulletin Board

Katie has been wanting to change up her bulletin board in her bedroom, so she bought some things and redecorated.

I really like how it turned out in the end!

A New Teacher

Katie got a new tap teacher. As much as we will miss Mr. Doug, she also loved her new teacher, Ms. Anna!

I couldn't stop smiling after my first class with Ms. Anna!

Balancing

On commercial breaks during the Olympics, Katie practiced her own sport...stuffed animal balancing.

Not everyone can balance a stuffed animal like I can!

Oh No!

My sister had cleaned out a cupboard at home and found two packages of Katie's beads. Katie decided to bring them home. We put them on the steps, so Katie would remember to take them up to her room when she went up. Before that could happen, General Washington found the beads and somehow pushed both containers off the steps. They rolled down to the main floor and both packages crashed open and covered the floor with beads.

General Washington made a big mess. It took my mom and me about an hour to pick all of the beads up!

An Old Favorite

Last weekend, Katie found one of her favorite games, so of course we had to play!

Kerplunk is always fun! Who will spill the marbles?

Where's Waldo?

What's better on a late evening that looking for Waldo?

It's always fun to look for all of the characters in the Where's Waldo puzzles.

A Keychain

When Katie's friend, Kai, went to Hawaii, he brought back a Hello Kitty keychain for her. She couldn't wait to attach it to her backpack.

It's sort of hard to see in this picture, but the keychain is right at the top. Thank you, Kai!

A Snapchat Chinese New Year

Katie asked me if Snapchat had a filter for Chinese New Year. We found one that had a cat, and we pretended it was a tiger for Year of the Tiger.

You should always wear a "tiger" on your head for the Year of the Tiger.

All Dressed Up

Katie decided to get dressed up in her traditional Chinese attire to celebrate Chinese New Year. She looked so grown up.

I love wearing my Chinese dresses!

Happy Lunar New Year!

To begin the Year of the Tiger, Katie got a few gifts.

I got a stuffed tiger for the Year of the Tiger!

I also got a Chinese character practice workbook.

Last, I got some money in a red envelope!

Happy New Year!

Keeping the Cats Happy

Katie is always willing to give the cats the attention they desire.

I was busy with my own stuff, but when I saw that Mr. Limpet needed me, I was there for him!