Wednesday, May 26, 2010

3 (continued in pictures)

(you might want to check out the first part of this blog below ... just scroll down a bit and you'll see it)

First gift of the day ... hmmm

Look at me ... I'm a princess!


Oh, how I love this shot!






It's official ... not only is she 3, she's also a princess! Happy Birthday, Princess Noli!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

3

In true princess form, she slept in on her birthday. We spent much of the morning talking about this day being her special day, and that she is no longer 2 and now she is 3. She's watched 5 classmates turn 3 over the past 2.5 months and knows that on your special day you get presents and lots of 'happy birthday song' singing. A song she knows well having practiced quite a lot preparing for Oma's birthday in April, and mine last week.

With breakfast came surprise no. 1 -- a bubble wand. My girl cannot get enough of bubbles and bubble making contraptions.

After breakfast, it was time to watch a bit of Mickey Mouse and Clifford while mommy took a shower. Then it was off for a secret mission to fetch the mini birthday cake specially made by Publix, along with a few other tiny errands.

The cake was decorated in sweet princess colors with room for Cinderella and 3 candles.


Lunch was up next and Nola had her usual feast of Boar's Head Ovengold turkey breast, a small rye bread sandwich spread with laughing cow cheese, and some grapes. Then it was off to nap so that she would be fully rested for princess party festivities.

Fast forward a bit and let me just mention -- don't bother trying to nap an excited 3 year old on her birthday ;)

Omi and Moni arrived around 2:45 to help set up the scene. Nola couldn't contain herself any longer and was just too excited to stay in her room knowing her COOL Tante Moni and Omi were in the house. So, we prepped around her and she just talked on and on about her birthday.

Out came the princess attire and I have not seen a girl so anxious to quickly change clothes. She was so proud!

The story continues in my next post ;)

She's three (sneak peek)

Perhaps I should have allowed Nola her morning milk before performing so soon after she awoke today ;) In any case, it was a magical birthday! I'm far too exhausted to blog about it now, but will leave you with this one picture of 3 year old, Princess Nola.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Will you consider helping?

My friends,

I received the following note from the director of our adoption agency. Won't you take two minutes to read this and consider a small donation to help purchase food for the children? Just write that check and drop it in the mail to Adoption Options (details below). Just think how many mouths can be fed if we all chipped in just a few dollars. BIG thank you from Nola and Nola's mommy!

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Dear AO Families:

As some of you may know, adoptions from Kyrgyzstan have been on hold for almost two years pending the implementation of new adoption laws and regulations. Since the new laws have been in place we have been hoping that re-opening was imminent, but last month the government was overthrown and Kyrgyzstan is now in the process of replacing its government. Again we are hopeful since one of the politicians that are being considered for Premier is a strong child advocate that we believe will be supportive for finding permanent homes for the orphan children. We do not expect the program to open this year but are hopeful for next year. In the meantime, several of the families that are waiting for their adoption from Kyrgyzstan have asked about the orphanage conditions and the numbers of children in the orphanages. We assumed the numbers were mounting over the past two years since adoptions were stopped. I have listed below a desperate plea from the Kyrgyzstan government for public assistance for food for the orphanages. Please read:

In children's homes and boarding schools of Kyrgyzstan shortage of a food is observed On April, 10th 2010, 17:37

CA-NEWS (KG) - In subordinated children's homes and in the boarding schools of the Ministry of Education a shortage of food now is observed due to the lack of financial aid.

The coordinator of the social sector, public relations and mass media of the Provisional government of Kyrgyzstan, Elmira Ibraimova addresses all businessmen and people that are not indifferent to render feasible help with this problem.

As of April, 1st, 2010 the mentioned below establishments have 3776 children, girls —1617, boys — 2159, children in special needs establishments — 2521, girls — 1084, boys — 1437, children in children's houses-boarding schools for children-orphans — 1255, girls — 533, boys — 722.


In response to this request Adoption Options would like to sponsor a donation drive to purchase food for the children. We are asking you to consider sending money to support this effort to supply food. Adoption Options will arrange for food purchases in Kyrgyzstan for the orphanages. 100% of your donation will go towards the purchasing of the food. Please send your donations to:

Kyrgyzstan Orphan Food Relief
Adoption Options, Inc.
411 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92108


In the meantime, Adoption Options will be contacting the US State Department for assistance in assuring that we can get the relief to the orphanage. Unfortunately, since Kyrgyzstan is so poor, we need to make certain your donations do not get intercepted and used for something else. We appreciate your consideration of this issue. Also please consider reaching out to others for help such as schools, churches, etc. Let us all offer our help to these children in need.

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