The Beauty Shop...

I wonder what they are thinking

My Favorite - you can see Tian's dimples

Trace making sure his brothers can see his reward

It is amazing what a gummy bear bribe can do - this picture took about 50 tries

Poof they are my children - both of their eyes are closed

Ever the princess

It may look loving, but.....

Yes, our house is a jungle gym , at least it is according to Tian when I asked her if it looked one....I guess I need to rethink the decorating scheme.

and yes this was one of the pics while I was trying to get one nice picture

Trace and his new short 'do

The new method for bottles ( I wish)

Last week I finally made it to get a haircut, Tian managed to invite herself along by pointing out that beauty shops are for girls. She came with and was absolutely fascinated. She talked non-stop ( I know , that's a shocker ) and even directed the hairdresser on how to wash my hair and questioned her very step ( Sorry Sheila)....She watched as I got a trim and then had my hair dried. I got up from the chair and Tian started to get in. I explained that since her hair was in pig tails it was not a good day for cut. Sheila backed me up and explained she need an appointment. Undeterred, Tian put one hand on her hip and the other lilting in the air and said very matter-a-factly, "Then let's make a 'pointment." At that point all was lost, so she set up an appointment for herself the following week. Oh , did I mention her inspection of the ladies getting their nails done? She explained to everyone who would listen that she can't have nail polish until she quits sucking her thumb :o) But she oohed and ahhed over every painted nail in the shop.

I managed to forget the camera on Tian's big day at the beauty parlor and horror of horrors I let Trace join us. I figured his poor mis-shapen head could use a professional touch. His new hair cut makes him older and mean..but he is convinced he looks like Spiderman. He was a good sport and dutifully climbed in the chair when Tian commanded him to go first. He was not sure about the whole thing and maintained a look of skepticism during the entire procedure while never taking his eyes off of the gumball machine. ( I promised them each a gumball if they would simply sit still)

Tian loved every minute of her beauty parlor experience. I mean it was a perfect morning for her. She sat in a chair looking at herself in the mirror while we all talked about her beautiful hair - does life get any better. We teased her dad that she got a short pixie 'do, but just a trim and we decided to grow out the bangs. He was VERY relieved that evening.

And yes, they both got a gumball - Trace a nice hairy one since he dropped his and popped it in his mouth before I could say a word. Tian managed to produce alligator tears when a white one came instead of a pink and Sheila produce a quarter for a second try

Last week was a busy one, but we had our last visit with a social worker to file Trace's final report with China. Fortunately, his black eye was almost completely faded.... Feb 24, we celebrated our 1 year anniversary of Trace's adoption. I can' t believe that it had already been a year, but on the other hand I can't belive we have only had him in our lives for only a year. I truely can't remeber life without him.