Book Banning

As a teacher and a parent, I do not believe in book banning. Jason told me the other day that books 2 and 4 of the Twilight series have been banned at his school. This bothered me a lot. I believe that only a parent should be able to tell their child not to read something unless it comes in a brown paper wrapper or is criminal (how to build a pipebomb, etc). After talking to several people, I now think that the books are banned in his classroom but not by the school. One parent told me her daughter's teacher (different teacher, same grade as Jason) sent a note home saying the children could read the book in her room but that she thought parents may want to check the book out first before allowing their children to read it. Vampire romance is definitely not a genre I'm really into but I am reading the first book now and I will read the rest of the series so that I can give an informed opinion about it. One of my friends doesn't believe it's appropriate for kids up to high school to read and wants to know what I think after I read it. She said some of it is violent. Considering I've given Jason permission to read The Shining, I don't think she and I will see eye to eye on what's appropriate. Basically, if it doesn't come in a brown paper wrapper or from a store with blacked out windows or details how to do criminal acts, I'm okay with him reading it. This allows him the ability to talk to me about what he reads rather than hide it. If a book does get his attention that I feel is inappropriate, I will deal with it - ME, NOT the school.

Good thoughts, prayers, lit candles welcome


My mom's in the hospital again. She's living with my sister now and woke up with chest pains the other day. Tricia brought her to the hospital. We feared a heart issue but turns out it's not. Still not good news though - her hiatal hernia which she's had for years has twisted. Doctor said that she really needs surgery. My mom and I are alot alike - we are both strongheaded, opinionated, and certain that we are right - made for some stressful times growing up. She wants to go home and think about the surgery; after hearing from Patricia what the doctor said, I want her to have the surgery right now. It seems the doctor feels that while she has a moderate chance of surviving the surgery, her chance of surviving without the surgery is much less. Please pray, light a candle, cross your fingers, think good thoughts or whatever it is you do in time of need.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

We celebrated Mother's Day yesterday by going out to dinner with my mom, my brother, sister, niece, nephew, DH and the kids. It was nice to have us all together which doesn't happen often with my brother living in CA. Today I took the kids to church and now DH is taking them bike riding. I think I'm going to go get something to eat at Simply Divine if they're open and read my book. DH is making burgers for tonight and I'm making a chocolate pudding pie - yum!!!!

Playing Catch-up

It's been busy so I've fallen WAY behind in my blog. Here's a quick photo recap of what's going on in the Land of the Sullivans.

Jess came down with hives. No clue where they came from. Poor baby.

Our pond on my way to bringing Jason to karate.


March snowstorm

Jess being cool. One of my paras gave her the sweater.

Kids at Capron Park Zoo.


Jason at fencing. He loves it. I told him that since we're so busy this summer with Calumet, swimming lessons and our trip to California, I'd let him sign up for the late spring session when this session ends.

We went to New Tokyo for our annivesary. It's a Japanese hibachi restaurant. The food was awesome and the entertainment very good.

Jason tried the soup. He didn't like it but that wasn't a surprise.

Jess tried the soup. She liked it; again, no surprise.

The local shopping area has a community room where you can take free pictures with your camera. Jason was less than thrilled about getting his picture taken but he wanted the candy the bunny was giving out. Jess asked if she could go back again the next day because she loves the bunny - what a change from last year!!

We went back the following Saturday and Jess hopped right onto his lap.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!!!

Two years ago yesterday, a little girl was placed in my arms halfway across the world. Life hasn't been the same since*S* I was looking at baby pictures of her and it's hard to remember how little she was. I cannot believe how much she has grown. She's running, climbing, into everything (typical 3 year old*S*). She loves the Wiggles, Dora, Ni Hao Kai Lan, and Elmo. She likes to sing and dance. She knows her name is Jessica Kangchan Sullivan and she knows she came from China. She recognizes Keira from our travel group when we go onto looking at blogs (sometimes calls her "Keira with a K" to differentiate from "baby Ciara", one of my friend's daughter). While she isn't as clingy as she was, she is definitely a mama's girl. Lately, her favorite hairstyle is 2 braids (never thought her hair would get long enough for that!). Her favorite word is "Why?" She has questions about everything. She can't wait to go to California and talks about seeing Uncle Nicky there. This year, she loved Santa Claus (terrified the year before) and Halloween. She loves Jason who she refers to as "My Jason". She loves to pretend to talk on the phone and is frequently pretending to call Jason's friends Seamus or Colin, both who are very nice to her.

July 2008

The Little Angel 12/08


Searching for treasure on the map 1/09

Feeding baby Ciara 2/09

Look how our baby has grown!

Our first glimps of our new little girl. She's 8 months old in this picture.Gotcha Day 2007 - a few minutes after she was first placed in my arms

Gotcha Day Anniversary 2008

Gotcha Day Anniversary 2009

Hug Your Kids
Since we got started in the international adoption process a little over 4 years ago, I've been following people's blogs and websites who are also in the process, finished the process or thinking about the process. I also subscribe to umpteen Yahoo groups related to adoption and of course religiously keep up with what's happening in the Rumor Queendom. I'm nosey; when we drive by people's houses and the shades are up, I look in (much to Mike's chagrin). When blogs are open to the public and they're interesting to me, I read them. And yes, if you have a really loud cellphone conversation right next to me in line at the grocery store, I will listen (I will try not to add my two cents though). When you start to follow someone's blog or site, you get to feel like you know them even if you've never met them in real life or talked to them outside of leaving comments. A little while ago I learned about a little girl adopted from China with Jason's birthday who had a Caring Bridge site and I started reading and following it. Caring Bridge is a service that provides free websites for people who are critically ill so they can keep their friends and family updated. The little girl had leukemia and today she got her wings. I cannot imagine the pain her parents are feeling right now. Time to go hug my kids.

Year of the Ox

We went to a party in Braintree for Chinese New Year this year. It was fun - the food was good, we watched some children put on cute dances and the martial arts demos were very good. There were more crafts last year. Jason was disappointed we didn't win any of the raffles. I was a little disappointed the masseuse wasn't there that was there last year. The massage I got last year hurt when she did it but my back felt awesome afterward! Jess wore the Chinese outfit Chuck, Sandi, and the girls gave her for her birthday. She was going to wear the red shoes Jen gave her but they are a little too big right now so she wore the sparkling silver ones. She got lots of rave reviews on them. She calls them her sparkly shoes. We went out the first day of CNY for Chinese food at our local restaurant. It was very good as usual.

New Years Eve Snowstorm

Here are the kids during the NYE snowstorm. I came out to take pics and then went back in where it was warm. Mike nearly totaled my camera by aiming the snowblower at me as I was taking it out. We got about another 10 inches or so and it was much windier than the last storm and much, much colder. I'd be happy to be done with snow for the winter but Jason's hoping for lots more although he doesn't want any snow days because that means school goes longer (I don't want any either for the same reason).

Happy New Year!!

Hard to believe it's 2009 already! I was surfing the net and came across Project 365 by Becky Higgins. It's a scrapbooking kit where you take a picture every day. I loved the idea but the colors and designs in the kit weren't really me so once Mike gets home, I'm going to take my Michael's gift certificate and get myself what I need to do this on my own. I already took today's picture. The pictures are supposed to be something to represent the day. I took the kids to the Hearth and Kettle for breakfast and snapped a pic of them together. Jason doubts that I'll keep up with a pic every day but I think I can do it!

The Day After Christmas
















On our way home from the hotel, we stopped at Lynn's house. It was her daughter, Ciara's, first Christmas and we wanted to drop off our gifts to her. Jess kept asking to hold Ciara so I had Jason help and was able to get a pic of the 3 of them. Aren't they cute together?

Paula

Merry Christmas!!

Today was Jess's second Christmas home but the first one she really understood. We got up at 7 and went downstairs to open presents. Santa was very, very good to the kids! Jess was so cute. After each present, she'd ask if she could open the next. I think one of her favorite things is her new toy cellphone. She was very excited to get a new Wiggles cd as her old one was skipping a lot. Jason loves his new Mario Kart Wii game; he and Mike are playing now. In a few hours we'll be off to Mike's parents and then to his aunt's for a party. We're visiting a friend of mine after that; it's her daughter's first Christmas. Tonight we'll be staying at a hotel. Jason's excited about going swimming. Santa was very good to me as well. I got gift certificates to a scrapbooking crop that some of my friends are going to; I can't wait!!




Before everyone got to the presents




































Mommy's little helper










































Jason's always wanted to learn how to juggle











































Next year's Christmas card?

New Favorite Christmas Song

I was on Rumor Queen (what else is new?!?) and found a post about an awesome Christmas song. It made me remember how we were waiting two years ago and so thankful that our little girl is home with us for her second Christmas now. The song is Merry Christmas by Third Day. The guy who wrote it adopted a little girl from China and his family pics are in the video. What a beautiful family he has!

Fun in the snow and the Christmas pageant

Friday we got out of school at 1 because of the blizzard they were expecting. The snow started coming down at 3 and by the end we got about 12 inches. The kids loved playing in it. Thankfully it was soft and fluffy so the only place that was hard to shovel was at the end of the driveway where the plow had packed it down. Friday night we lost power at 9 and it came back on the following morning at 8. I was just happy that it didn't stay off like in western MA. It snowed through Saturday. Mike had to work and the kids and I decorated the tree. Sunday we had our Christmas pageant at church. Jess went back and forth over whether she wanted to be in it. She wanted to during Sunday's practice but when it was time for the actual pageant she didn't want to do it. Luckily I got some cute shots during practice of my little angel. Jason was a reader and did a great job being front and center.

"Helping" me shovel

Jess's first snow angel

Jess's ornament from last year - Elmo

Something nice Xerox is doing for our troops
If you go to this web site, www.letssaythanks.com , you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It's free and only takes a minute.

Success with Santa

Last week we went to see Santa arrive at the community room at the local shopping center and took a ride on a haywagon with him. He sat right next to us. Jess wouldn't get off my lap but she did wave at him which was more than she was willing to do last year. Reading those Christmas books all year long must have helped*S* We waited in line to see Rudolph. When we got there, Jess didn't want to get near him but as soon as we were out of line, she started crying she wanted to see him. This week we went back to see Clifford. She went right up to him and started patting his nose. Then we waited to see Santa and she went right up to him as well. She told him she wants a dollhouse. Next week Patricia's taking her there to see Curious George.


Jason and Santa















Jason and Rudolph.

Jess and Clifford the Big Red Dog

Telling Santa what she wants

I missed the smile but at least there are no tears.

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year which I really enjoyed. I'd been sick from Monday night through Tuesday and was really weak and achy on Wednesday but by Thursday I was ready for some turkey. My mom, Patricia, Michelle, Scott, Lynn and Ciara joined us. Jess was a little jealous of Ciara but by the end of the day was telling her she was "so cute".


















Jason, Jess, Ciara and Scott

Jess looking cool with her sunglasses and Ciara's Minnie.

The whole crowd

Lights, Camera, Action, WIGGLES!!!

I took Jess to see the Wiggles today. What a blast!! We had okay seats - they were on the floor but were in section 6 and over to the left. Jess stood on my lap and was able to see fine. She was in awe the entire show. I didn't know if they'd allow cameras so I bought a disposable one that I could throw away if I had to. Of course, it turned out you can bring cameras in so if we go back I'll bring my digital. Once I get the camera developed, I'll post some pics. I told Jess she could pick something out from the kiosk they had. She chose a Captain Feathersword hat and sword. She looked adorable with them (of course!). After the show, we went to Bugaboo Creek for a late lunch since we had a long drive home (show was in Worcester). While we were there, a woman started talking to us about how cute Jess is and asked how old she is, etc. Then she said "Let me show you why I'm asking so many questions." and called her 3 year old over. She has an adorable little girl also from China. It was very nice not to have someone say "She's so little!" or "Wow! She's tiny, isn't she?" I know people don't mean anything bad when they make those observations, but it does get tiring. Jess had a long nap both on the way to the show and the way home so I'm sure she'll be up rather late tonight. Thankfully there's no Sunday School tomorrow.

Halloween
Jess was a Patriots cheerleader for Halloween and Jason's costume didn't actually have a name although he did look a bit like a dementor. He used a voice changer under his mask so he sounded scary. We all started off together at Jason's friend's house. We've gone with several families the past few years. I knew we would probably get separated since Jess was much younger than any of the other kids and we wouldn't be keeping up so I just told Jason to call me when he was done. Jess and I walked (rather, I walked, she walked sometimes rode sometimes) for 2 hours. She got the hang of saying trick or treat and thank you very quickly. She did ask one woman for more candy - oops! Everyone gave her costume a lot of attention - Go Pats! I should have dressed up as a football player - maybe next year :) By the end she was getting cold so she wrapped up in a blanket and my sweatshirt. I'd taken her out last year but she was too little to really understand it then. She had a blast this year!

Jess's Birthday Party

We had Jess's birthday party today. Jess had a friend from church over; this is the first time she's had a friend over - my little girl's growing up*S* I had planned on Disney Princesses but Jess wanted Tinkerbell as a theme. Before everyone got there, she was dressed in a leotard and green/white tulle skirt with green wings. By the time everyone came over though she'd gotten tired of that and changed into a Tinkterbell t-shirt and jeans - at least she was still in theme. She got a lot of great gifts and will be having a great time playing with everything. I'll get started on thank you cards tomorrow that she can sign. I was reading a letter in the Globe Magazine by a woman who doesn't let her child open presents at his birthday party. That in itself isn't horrible; I've heard of some doing it afterward although I wouldn't do that. This woman though only lets her child open 1 present per day and then he writes the thank you card. She said that sometimes he goes days or a week without opening a present but she feels that as long as the thank you card is sent out eventually, it's all good. I think it's very strange to be opening presents weeks later that you actually received at your party and that it is very rude on the parent's part. Not a problem in our case though since we let our kids open their presents right away. We had a pinata and Jason pulled the magic string setting off a free for all for candy.

Jason and Jess playing with Jason's voice changer. I thought she'd be terrified by this but she loves it.

I call this preteen angst. Jason had been yelling "pinata or presents" and had been told to stop. I got the eyeroll.

Mike helping the kids with the pinata. I love the ones that you pull strings on rather than hitting with a bat.

Jess telling us she's 3.

The cake I made.