Gramma & Pappy's Birthday Party

Tonight, we had a pizza party to celebrate Gramma & Pappy's January birthdays! The grandkids put questions in jars for Gramma and Pappy to answer... favorite childhood pet, best friend from elementary school, favorite meal, a goal for this year, etc. Beilyn was shocked to find out that not only did Pappy not have WiFi as a kid, but he didn't even have a TV or phone! Those that know her well can hear her "What?!?" 😂 (He grew up Amish so technically, he didn't even have electricity. 😉)

We love you, Gramma & Pappy!

More of January

I think SuzyQ was sent from heaven for this sweet little girl.

Some of our friends brought Beilyn a special gift, a cute bed for SuzyQ S'mores!

BellaMei - "Mom, I here too!"

Someone loves attention. 😄

Beilyn shared a book and snacks with her friends for Chinese New Year.

We love our library and story time each week!
They think it's their school. 😉

Big, big deal! I promised our brave girl Beilyn a new LOL doll if she went a whole week without sucking her thumb. Her reward says it all! We are proud of her! (The mattress missing from the bunk was in Xiaoyun's room for her mom's visit.)

A kid in 2020- pumped about being tall enough to switch between water and ice on her own. 😆 She LOVES her "icy water."

Our last night with Selina.

Chinese New Year {Year of the Rat & a New Name}

It was an extra special Chinese New Year having Selina and Xiaoyun here with us!  Our friends came over to celebrate with us and Selina cooked up a feast!

Turns out, the quail eggs were a favorite!

Making wishes on lanterns for the New Year

Recently, Xiaoyun asked me to choose an American name for her but not just any name. She asked for a B name to match her sisters! 💗 While her mom was here, she asked me again to choose a name.  So I made a list of about 10 B names - no small feat for someone who has already used 6 B girl names. 😄 She & her mom looked over the list, made sure they wouldn't have negative meanings in Chinese, and narrowed the list down until they decided on Berit. It means Splendid.  Xiaoyun will always be Xiaoyun to us, but she's excited to use her new name next year when she returns to complete high school at another school. She truly is a splendid young lady and we love her! We will miss her next year when she lives with a new family in Ohio.

Selina gave the girls more gifts after the party!

It was an extra special Chinese New Year!