Sunday, May 31, 2009
Busy Busy May
Finally, it's May! Rita had been asking about her birthday and counting down the months and days since her last birthday. This year, we had a smaller party with about 15 children over from her class, Indian Princess (daddy-daughter camping) and the neighborhood. Since I was traveling the week before her birthday (NYC for a work conference), Michael prepared everything! We had pigs-in-a-blanket, mac & cheese, veggies and cake (decorated by Aunt Kristin). Michael organized the games too ... yarn dolls and tie-dyed t-shirts. It was a great Sunday afternoon!
On the night of Rita's birthday, we went out for dinner. Rita had a cheeseburger (one of her favorites) and a little fried ice cream dessert. 
And then it was present time from her family.
Rita received a card and two beautiful books from her Great Aunt Tam and Uncle Steve. Grandpa Green sent some cash. (Rita's thank you card to Grandpa ... "Dear Grandpa, Thank you for the birthday card and money. I like your money. ....")
Cousins Ben and Amanda sent a Hannah Montana "make your own" necklace set and microphone. Can you tell she likes to sing?
Cousins Tim and Melinda sent a huge package with games for the pool, water balloons, and a Family Feud video game. We always love packages from Lucas and Lilly because they even decorate the OUTSIDE of the package!
Our special gift to Rita was a silver & pearl heart necklace. Margarita means pearl. I got this for her between Trips #1 and #2 and was going to give this to her after court. But I didn't because she wasn't ready for it, and her English (or my Russian) wasn't good enough to make it meaningful. It was cool because she gets it now and knows what being a family means.
We also gave her money. We are going to open her a bank account and start practicing being responsible with money, ie. spend some / save some. You can also see a peek of the Hello Kitty purse I picked up in NYC for her. (I think I like it more than her. Maybe I will borrow it?)
Birthday week continued for Kristin's birthday. We had the traditional family fare along with Auntie Mary's homemade chocolate cake.
On Mother's Day, Rita and I spent the afternoon having lunch and shopping in Santa Monica.
We met up with our good friend "Uncle Eric" for dinner at the Farmer's Market, next to The Grove. If you know me on Facebook, you'll know that we saw Drew Barrymore and Justin Long.
The following weekend, we went camping outside of Temecula. It was "family camp" for the Indian Princesses. The mom's came for Saturday night so the guys could have their Friday night fun. Thani came with me too.
The farewell session at camp. Isn't she cute?
8 Comments:
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Vernissage Press
we live in l.a...so very funny to see you posting about the grove! i would have been more surprised and excited to see your family then drew barrymore (have seen her 2 times)! not sure if you have been to troyka restaurant on sunset blvd (west of labrea)... delicious russian food. there is another little grocery store in the same strip mall that has lots of yummy russian food to take home.
thanks for deciding to continue on!!
best regards,
rachel k,
rckdesign@aol.com
**excuse the anonymous post... i still have to look up my password:-)
Valerie
I can't get over how much she looks like your biological daughter in pictures. Uncanny how that happens!
Love the card to Grandpa - haha! Your gift was very thoughtful - love meaningful gifts like that.
You saw Drew Barrymore???? What????
Amber & Nala