Mia Rose's tribute to her lost cat...{#video}

You may remember that we lost one of our cats in September of 2012; Mia Rose still misses our Zeppy and in her class she wrote a little book as a tribute to Zeppy.  Me - the mothership - thinks this is so sweet and this is why I am sharing it with you today...

#Video Mia Rose sings Gong Xi Gong Xi Gong Xi Ni Ya

Have I ever told you, that Mia Rose loves all things Chinese?  Well, she does and has it all figured out. When she is grown up she wants to live part of the time in China, part of the time in Porltand, and part of the time in Germany.  Yup - that is her plan :)

In school she gets about an hour of chinese lessons a week and for the Chinese New Year's Celebration the Chinese teacher performed this song with a bunch of 1st graders.  Since this has been Mia Rosie's favorite song and she sings it all the time.  Ron captured her perfectly - and if you watch until the end you can also see her Cross Country Skiing :) Thank you! ~ Signed by one very proud Mothership Bea

Alena's #story in #song {#Newbornscreening} #video

You may have read Alena's story before on my blog, or at another site - just in case you are not familiar {and are interested} here is our story again.  For the full story please click on this link, in a nutshell  at 6 days of life Alena's Newbornscreening test came back positive for Classic Galactosemia.  We were already in the hospital, the diagnosis came in, she was taken for a spinal tap, and by the next morning E.Coli had grown in her spinal fluid.  She seized, was transferred to the PICU {Pediatric ICU} where she was diagnosed with E. Coli Mengengitis which can {does not have to be} a effect of Classic Galactosemia, and the baby's exposure to Galactose {at least that is how I understand it - I am a Mom a layperson so double check with your physician}.  As far as I understand it is not understood why some babies with Classic Galactosemia develop E. Coli Mengengitis.  Let me just say that was THE worst moment of our lives.  We are so thankful for the Newbornscreen because without it Alena would most likely not have survived.

Now, what does this have to do with a song?  Well, Ron {my dear husband} makes New Years Resolutions {unlike me} and his 2012 goal was to write one, and publish one song a month.  Congratulations, Ron because you did it yay :) - I am not off topic - really just bear with me....for the December song of 2012 Ron put his recollection and memory of this frightful event into words.  You know, unlike me, he really does not like to talk about that time.  I am so glad he got it out - it is a song for me, for us, for our kids, and also to tell the world about the importance of Newbornscreening.  In his song, he put our fears into words and beautiful music. It brings me right back to that time and yes, it makes me cry....and yes, we are the lucky parents because our child survived.  Both of our children are alive because of Newbornscreening...Please share our story with your friends, those that are expecting babies, or those who just like to listen to music.

Alena's story by my dear husband...

See the craft we made after school {#video}

We have been collecting chestnuts and today was finally the day the girlies together with a friend made magical crafts.  In the video the three girls introduce the fairies they made.  And yes,  all self created, and unrehearsed...just our healthy girls...

I know it is a little long, but they are so cute and unfortunately I did not have enough memory left so it cut off too early...Thank you for watching :)

Back to school interview...

with our new third grader Alena, and with our new first grader Mia Rose.  Without anything else, here they are...Oh, and if you are wondering I interviewed both girls :)  And yes, both Alena and I revert to German a couple of times...

Alena

Mia Rose

I should have also done a "post first day of school interview".  Well let me summarize.  "It was great" - "It was a looong day" - "It's like camp" - "I had fun"....Yay!!!

Our girls playing on the monkey bars

Ron put together this video of the girls - Alena is wearing jeans, and Mia Rose her pink "Rapunzel" dress - playing on the monkey bars with their friend.  He is playing the guitar - thought I share the fun here :)

Kindergarten Dance Performance

Today was the last Friday of the school year and Mia Rose's Kindergarten class performed a dance for the parents, and other special persons.  Where did the year go?  I cannot believe that the school year is essentially over and our baby will be entering first grade.  It seems just like yesterday when she started preschool.  Oh, it is such a bittersweet moment...

Here is the video of the performance. Can you find Mia Rose?  She is wearing a bright pink skirt, short purple dress over it, and has a big fluffy pony  tail.

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful day.  Certainly almost everyone must have had one here in PDX as it was just a gorgeous day with lots of sunshine.  Perfect to just hang out, or go for a hike, or bike ride - or like me just hang out.  I had a lovely day,  Ron did everything while I relaxed and read my book on a lawn chair in the back yard. Total bliss!!!

And yes, Ron also made breakfast, as well as dinner it does not get much better than that...

Ron and I toasted with delicious Gruet Rose and Lemon Sorbet.  The girls joined us with a big glass of lemon sorbet...

For dinner Ron made steaks on the grill, oven potatoes, and - you know we love it - salad...

The girls gave me a big smile.

And Ron even recorded a cover song for me...

Thank you so much!!! Signed with a singing heart, the mothership...

Alena in the Talent Show - March, 2012

Here is our big girl playing for the first time in front of a large crowd :)

Giddy-up kitty

This is Ron's latest song and it includes our girlies, as well as our cat(s). And, do you know who eloped Ron come up with the title? It was Alena, she told him that it sounded just like "giddy-up" horse - but since the cat participates in the vocals as well as video Kitty seems much more appropriate. By the way, the girls are so excited about this song, and the video :)

Alena plays "We wish you a Merry Christmas"

Mia Rose plays "Away in the Manger"

Mia Rose sings "You are my sunshine"