SEATTLE CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOW

Today started off with Mimi calling her friend Blake on the phone. It was quite interesting watching them having adult conversations. "Hello Blake, what are you doing now? We are getting ready to come over to your house. We'll be there in a few minutes, OK? Are you ready yet? OK, I'm on my way."

This morning, mama and Keri took the kids to the Seattle Convention Center for their annual Christmas shopping and trade show. Since mama is a stay at home mom now, she is trying her best to cook more. She does a pretty good job most of the time. She is always on the look out for good recipes and cook books. So lo and behold, what did she find at the trade show today? A cookbook by Zu Zu. For those of us who don't know who she is, she was the youngest child of George and Mary Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life" Zu Zu was there to sign all of the books too. Mama was quite happy because that movie is one of her favorites especially at Christmas time.

TELLING TIME

This is Mimi's version of telling time.

Papa: OK Mimi, this is the last story. It's getting late and it's time to go to bed.
Mimi: OK. How about thirteen more minutes? OK, how about fifteen more minutes?

Everything that you ask of Mimi is answered with "How about eleven more minutes?"

Sigh.

PICS FROM TONIGHTS DINNER AT TROTTER'S

DINNER AT TROTTER'S

A while back, papa met another China mom while shopping at Fred Meyer's. Tonight we had a get together with other families with children from China. It was also a birthday party for two of the girls.

Rhonda was the China mom papa met at Fred Meyer's. As it turn out, she and her two girls live only 5 minutes away from us. We may end up having more playdates hopefully.

BUSY WEEK AHEAD

Today is the start of a very busy week here at the Putney household. This morning, mama will make the trip to Enumclaw to the Farmers Country Market. She needs to buy several jugs of homemade apple cider to give to friends for the holidays. Also she has to bring some cider to Mimi's school Thanksgiving get together this coming Monday.

Later in the afternoon, we will go to visit with grandpa. The good news is that he will be coming home on Tuesday in time for Thanksgiving. Then tonight, we will be meeting with several other families who have adopted from China. It will be our first meeting with them. Papa had met a China mom a while back at Fred Meyer grocery store and gave her a call. She invited us to a get together tonight somewhere in Auburn.

Tomorrow, mama, Keri, and all of the kids will go to the Seattle Christmas gift show at the Convention Center in downtown Seattle. Our other friend Lisa may come as long as there is food and wine involved. There is, need I say more?

Mama loves the Christmas season. Mimi may let Santa take her picture as long as he is not "Bad Santa". Our last experience with Santa was horrible. This guy really was 'BAD SANTA' (Billy Bob Thorton). He hated kids. Don't know why he was hired. If mama knew who to complain to, she would have and mama rarely complains to anyone.

Monday, mama gets to visit the periodontist. YIPEE!!! Mama may have the dentist take a look at Mimi teeth also. The other day when Blake came over to play, they were both running and bonked heads with each other. His forehead met up with Mimi's front teeth. He got a good knot on the noggin. She did not cut her lip anywhere, just a smidgen of blood on the upper gums. Mama has been keeping an eye on it, watching for any discoloration and such. Most of the time Mimi says that it does not hurt. Sometimes it does though. The dentist had told mama that around the age of 5 is when they start losing the baby teeth and Mimi will be 5 come this January 2008. So maybe in a funny sort of way by accident, Blake is helping it along. Ya think?

Thursday morning, Uncle Jim will be arriving to help celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. In the meantime, mama is still unpacking boxes. Gawd I hate that!!! Fortunately there is not a whole lot of boxes left. Moving is such a big pain in the ass.

DORA AND DIEGO CONTINUED

Mama's friend Keri sent this picture last night. Better late than never. Here is Mimi and Blake in front of the Paramount Theater where the Dora and Diego show was playing last Sunday.

WINDSTORM

For the most part of western Washington, the winds have whipped through up to 100 miles per hour in some parts destroying cars and homes. Although we did have quite a bit of strong winds blowing here in Maple Valley, we missed the brunt of the storm. They say that this IS NOT THE MAIN WINDSTORM !!! It is still scheduled to come up but it is not know when. Egads!!!