Thanksgiving Weekend

Happy Thanksgiving!
On Thanksgiving-Eve I went to Tru's school for a Thanksgiving Feast and some entertainment. I would never be surprised if Lin-Ley took center stage during a performance but I was somewhat, and quite pleasantly, surprised to see Tru enjoy the spotlight during their song time.
So... here is "If You're Happy And You Know It" Tru style (check out the moves):



We were thankful to have Dallas arrive safely back home just before dark on Thanksgiving day. The kids were very anxious to see the truck. I had told Tru that Daddy was coming home in a truck and he was convinced that it was going to be a fire truck!

We went outside to check out the truck which currently has a camper on the back. The kids both got a lift from Dad and enjoyed playing around inside the camper while we waited a few more minutes for dinner to be done.

A close up of our little Russian soldier.

And our resident Princess (and ham).

Today we finished up our Thanksgiving left-overs and after nap time the kids played in the leaves as Dallas blew them into piles.

Lin-Ley worked hard to keep the leaves in a pile so she could jump in them over and over. Tru did not have any smiles to offer because the leaf blower was very loud and he was petrified.

We went out-and-about this evening. On the way home I heard Brenda Lee's version of "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree". It's official - Christmas is almost here!

Quote Of The Day:
"Get rich quick. Count your blessings!"
Source: local church roadside sign

Cute Commercial!

Lin-Ley Loves McNuggets. Lin-Ley Loves China. And Lin-Ley LOVES This Commercial!
Check it out - click on this link:

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=132973

Quote Of The Day

I am always hearing or reading inspirational/thought provoking/interesting/crazy things that I wish I could share. Many may not care for my taste in music or reading so I have decided to share these items on our blog. So here is the first entry:

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return"
Song: Nature Boy
By: David Bowie (Moulin Rouge Soundtrack)

There He Goes Again

We drove Dallas to the airport again on Saturday. He was off to Louisiana to visit our families and pick up the new (used) truck that Pa-Pa Bill helped us buy. We have been needing/wanting a truck for three years (since we purchased our home) for yard work, trips to Home Depot, etc. So we are excited about the truck. Yes, we are actually excited that we will be able to make trips to the landfill anytime we want.

Dallas has not seen any family, other than the three of us, since August, 2007 when we came home from China with Tru. So it worked out well that he could visit the families and then drive back in the truck. We expect him home in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

As we were leaving the airport Tru realized that we were "leaving" Daddy. He became upset and said, "Daddy. Where's Daddy?" about - oh - 500 times on the way home!!!

A few hours before he left Dallas and I took the kids to have their photos made. Lin-Ley instantly started striking her poses.

Lin-Ley loved her dress and Tru was very excited about his new shoes. That was really a big deal because Tru has resisted any shoes other than his sneakers since he has had his prosthesis.



While they were waiting they spied on the other kids in the studio.



So... the next day after Chinese School we treated ourselves to mexican food. Our favorite!
The kids were thrilled that we were seated next to the fountain.

Lin-Ley insisted on making a wish. Tru was just happy to be out of his seat.



As usual Lin-Ley is always ready for a close-up.








Not much going on otherwise. Just getting ready for Thanksgiving and Daddy's return.

Tru Is 3 !!

Tru turned 3 on November 12th. How time is flying!


Since Tru does not like cake or cupcakes I thought I would buck tradition with a chocolate chip cookie cake.








When Dallas and I arrived at his school for his party this is what he thought of his cake.
His teachers warned me that he was already sad because they had forced him to go potty before we arrived. Oh the drama!













All of the other children were anxious about the cake (cookie) and ice cream. Tru just kept asking if we could go home. He was very anxious that we were going to leave without him.


The poor little guy just wanted to leave - forget the party!







"OK Daddy. I have my cookie, ice cream and spoon. You hold my juice box and let's make a run for it!"



Look at that face!




Tru's classmates almost finished off the cookie cake so we needed another cake for our family celebration that evening. Dallas picked up an ice cream cake on the way home. Tru has been very into trains lately so the candles and the cake topper finally seemed to spark some interest. However he still had no interest in actually eating any of his birthday cake. But... he did show some interest in wearing it....

With some help from Dallas, Tru was soon decorated with icing. He finally started having some fun!















And Lin-Ley too!!
















Time for presents. We are keeping it simple so Mom and Dad gave Tru only two gifts.
First there was Chicken Dance Elmo. Elmo was an instant hit!
Tru hit the button repeatedly to see Elmo dance and sing,
"Elmo wants to be a chicken, Elmo wants to be a chicken."








Next up it was the Wonder Pets and their fly boat. The kids have watched some Wonder Pets videos and Tru picked up their theme song and was singing it for two weeks before his birthday. He was very excited to see the Wonder Pets.












But Elmo won top prize.
Tru and Lin-Ley practiced their chicken dance the rest of the evening.



In the end Tru finally did enjoy his birthday. Happy, Happy Birthday Big Boy!!!

Mulan and Dr. Tru

Tru wants me to make it very clear that he is NOT fond of doctors!! However he did enjoy dressing up in his doctor costume. He may not quite know the whole concept of Halloween but he definitely has the "candy, candy, candy,...." line down!!










Tru and his classmates had a Halloween parade around the business development near their school.
Here they are getting ready to go. You should see the line of other parents standing beside me. It was like a preschool version of the paparazzi.

The kids made it up a rather steep hill and take a rest.












I had to include this photo because is it the only one with Tru actually wearing his stethoscope. Tru insisted on carrying it around rather than wearing it.












The kids then hit a few restaurants. We took the kids' parade into and through the restaurants. The first one was a nice sit down restaurant and kids paraded all through the dining customers. The patrons really seemed to enjoy it. At the end the kids received their first treats.
Tru wasted no time picking out a piece of candy. In this photo he is saying, "Open please! Open please!!


Next they hit up the pizza restaurant. The employees there were extra generous.










It was then back to school for lunch and nap. Tru was not happy to have to change out of his doctor costume.













As soon as nap time was done it was time to party!














Tru continued his love of cheese puffs.










This year we opted to attend our church's Fall Festival only rather than trick-or-treating. There was everything a kids could want there: games, friends, prizes, fellowship and of course lots of candy.

Here is Mulan and Dr. Tru with Daddy.

Lin-Ley was Mulan for the second time this year. I wonder what next year with bring??








Dr. Tru could not have been any happier because while Dallas carried him around on his shoulders Tru was able to gobble down two tootsie roll pops!












Mulan participated in all of the games and activities. Of course there was an incentive - after she completed each game she received a prize for her goody bag.













Mulan and Cinderella.
Or Lin-Ley and Rayna.















Lin-Ley and Tru both had a great time at the Fall Festival. This morning Tru's first words were, "Candy, candy, candy, ...." Then he saw his costume and wanted to put it on also. Dallas then said he needed to do some yard work so both kids asked if they could go out with him. Oh the adventures with Daddy....

Today's mission was to clean up the leaves around the house. Dallas hooked up his Cyclone Rake which basically vacuums up the leaves and small twigs into a large container. Here Lin-Ley receives a tutorial on the operation of the rake.
Tru is hanging out in the background far away from the noisy machine!

Tru is doing his own thing. He is very content collecting small sticks and digging holes in the ground.

Here she goes. Lin-Ley is ready for her solo.

She seems to be enjoying her new project!

And Tru is still quite pleased to have nothing to do with it.

After a delicious lunch (if I do say so myself) it was rest time. Have I ever mentioned how much I love rest time!!!!

Tru and I napped upstairs while Dallas and Lin-Ley took a cat nap downstairs. Soon I heard the loud rake in the front yard. Tru and I headed down to check it out. There was Dallas sucking up the leaves and there was Lin-Ley walking around with a spackle tray. I knew she was collecting something but I did not know what it was.

She was quite happy to show me her worm family! And the snake skins she and Daddy had found!!

An hour later Dallas and kids took off in search of ice cream sundaes.

Now Tru's new phrase is, "ice cream, ice cream, ice cream, ...."

And so goes another quiet (happily quiet) weekend.