Peeptoe Pumps and Pearls

Yesterday was SO fun. We had a huge dress-up party for the kids with costumes, play shoes, and face painting.

Do y'all remember when you were single and pictured having children someday? I do this often. I imagine having dress-up parties and tea parties with my kids~ in my vision they are calm and quiet and everything is nice, neat, and tidy. When I ask them to pose for photos, they give me their best. Well, this was not that kind of dress-up party. It was wild but SO much fun. I love how creative the kids were with their costumes.

Yesterday was my birthday (or today in the States). My mom left Carrie a comment on her blog letting her know about my birthday. I probably wouldn't have said anything and my mom knows that. :) Yesterday afternoon the Foster Home staff and kids had a little surprise party for me. I was REALLY surprised, unlike the last surprise party someone tried to give me (sorry, Amy). They had a fancy cake with a really cool Chinese birthday candle and the kids sang "Happy Birthday." Just being here is the best gift ever but this really topped it off.

Last night we decided to stay in. I was exhausted and Carrie is still a little sick. Jacob made a great dinner and we got a chance to really visit. I love talking to Carrie. She knows so much about China, orphans, and adoption. We didn't talk about China all night. We also confessed who we had a celebrity crush on and many other random topics. It was funny! This afternoon I'm going shopping in Beijing~Pearl Market here I come! Since Carrie can't go (boo), I'm going with the intern at the Foster Home, Lauren. She is amazing! Lauren just finished high school and wanted to volunteer in a Chinese foster home or orphanage for a year before starting college. I was not mature enough to do that when I finished high school. Lauren is pictured above with the blue and green stripe shirt.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes! Thank you Danielle for writing a nice post about my birthday! Can't wait to catch up on all your blogs.