Don't Make Me Release the Flying Monkeys

Fall is truly my favourite time of year...but only if snow is not involved.
I love the changing colours of the trees and taking long walks with the crunching of leaves underfoot. The coolness in the air and even the ever shorter days.
But most of all...I absolutely ADORE all things Halloween (much to my DHs chagrin)!
Every year he tells me that I absolutely cannot, simply must not buy one more Halloween item, to which I reply "No...I've got enough" - HA...NEVER!
At any rate, I have been working very hard at getting C-X into the Halloween mood (together with understanding the whole concept of the season, eg. costumes, trick or treating and the now much anticipated Halloween fairy - yup...that's right...the Halloween fairy...second and distant cousin to the tooth fairy - who comes along and swoops up all of your candy once you've closed your tired and weary eyes and leaves you a wonderful present). It started before our most recent trip and is growing daily - also much to DHs dismay!
As for dressing the little lovely, well, we presently have a princess costume and a ladybug outfit and are currently pondering the purchase of unicorn jobbie too. But after I advised our little one that Mama ALWAYS goes as a witch (ala of the West or Wicked the musical)...she decided that a pink witchy witch outfit would suit her just fine. Uh...yeah...sweetie...witch costumes do not usually come in the gentle and tender shade of pink. Try explaining that to a 4-year old little girl who has decided that she LOVES all things pink (and not much else).
Well...October 31st will find us at the pumpkin patch picking out just the right one for carving...which we will do as a family and set out for all to see (which is usually NO ONE...as we don't really get many Halloweeners)...and then off to a friends house for trick or treating (as we are not really sure if C-X gets that part of it).
Anyhow...I've also posted some photos to catch up.

6-Month Review and Other Stuff

Well...The Rouse House had their 6-month review with the social worker...who said that things seemed to be going very well. It was a relief to have that hurdle over and to hear it from a professional that our little girl is doing so good.
We are getting ready to start preschool on Monday...so the usual fall school shopping is going on (check out the new shoes!).
We hit Butterfield Acres, Calaway Park and other fun stuff this summer.
We're doing more swimming in the fall and even a family wall climbing course after our LV vacation.
I can't wait to introduce C-X to all the joys of fall (my favourite time of year), including baking and walking in crunchy leaves and best of all pumpkins and Halloween!! I only hope she wants to dress up as a witch.
We're big into tattoos right now and wearing nothing but our panties around the house.
All in all...Martin and I know we are very lucky...she is a very special little girl who we love dearly! (PS: Thanks again to my friend Paige...were it not for you...we wouldn't have our darling C-X).

Papa's Little Girl

She's 4...and she is fiercely independent.
She learned to swim, doggie paddle style, on her own on our recent trip (with the help of her ladybug float device of course).
She learned the joys of sunbathing with a mister on (and 100 SPF).
She's checking out how she might look with glasses...when she's BIGGER!
But...in the end...she is still Papa's little girl!

What Happens in Vegas...Stays in Vegas

Leaving on a jet plane...oops...already went and now we are back.
Our little girl, who had been so very excited about going back onto a plane, did just great. She sat in her own seat, did up the seat belt and just took in all the sights. She will definitely be a frequent flyer...
We were very glad to have my niece along with us...she was a great help with our little going concern.
And, other than Mama burning her back...everyone had a great time!
I even have the pictures to prove it.

Gotcha Day/Forever Family...whatever you want to call it...we call it AWESOME!!!

Our driver in Chengdu was also a practicing amateur photographer...so here's some photos of this most wonderful of days!!!

Mmmm ice cream...

Too bad it isn't warmer out to enjoy this icy treat.
We saw the Cleft Team yesterday (over 5 hours and lotsa doctors poking and prodding).
Our little trooper did awesome...even after taking a header down the slide during our lunch break...Mr Martin was just glad we were already at the hospital, but thankfully it was not required to use the services any further.
The speech therapist was thrilled with her progress and told us to keep doing what we are doing and to come back in the fall.
And during our bedtime routine this evening Martin is fairly certain that Miss C-X said that she loved Mama and Papa. (If the little nose kisses she keeps laying on us are any indication, I'd say he might be have heard her correctly.
So...things are good at The Rouse House.

Panda Preparation

Our going concern likes to makes sure her "chumars" (AKA stuffed panda bears) are also tucked in safely and have a sufficient food supply...as this picture will show.
Excellent job Miss C-X!!