Tea Party with Spirit...

Aunt Bea (Bernice) gave Jasmine a tea set and made her a new dress.......

Guinea Pig Show.....

Today we went to an art exhibit... then to Pet's Mart to pet the animals. There happened to be a huge Guinea Pig show there. I have never seen so many pigs in one location:). The people there were very friendly and one of the judges spent about an hour explaining to me what they look for in each of the pig breeds. I had no idea. The kids have to be 5 years old to show the pigs, and 9 yrs old to show them in 4-H. I signed up for a Cavy newsletter so I can start learning about showing GPs!! and teach Jasmine some day. They said you can get a top quality show pig for $65.00 and the best cage set up for less than $500.00. Much cheaper than horses or dogs:) Anyway, Jasmine loved petting and holding the pigs. The pig owners explained to me that they are like a big happy family. They travel around the country showing their GPigs and just hang out together. Their headquarters are in Tucson, so many of the shows are in Arizona. Ha... a new hobby.

Also, something funny happened. When I was talking to one of the ladies who was showing, one of her little pigs escaped and took a walk around Pets Mart. Everyone in Pet's Mart was looking for the little pig until finally we found him under one of the display shelves:)

Busy weekend....

Our weekend started Saturday morning by our car not starting. It happened because on Friday, Jasmine fell asleep in the car...as she sometimes does. I took advantage of the situation and was able to read the newspaper for about the 2-3rd time since returning from Vietnam. I left the overhead light on... so the battery was dead. After AAA jumped the battery and the computer in the car still seemed to be malfunctioning, I took it into a local garage and had it fixed in about 18 seconds. From there it was all fun for the rest of the weekend.... even though I missed my morning workout. My body gets stiff if I don't exercise every day. Missing one day is kind of ok...but missing 2 days in a row:( .... is not good.

We made it to the Casa Grande Chili Cookoff by about 10:30, tasted all the Chiil's, voted for the one we thought was best, played on the playground for awhile, then went home to get ready to go out with Joan, Jolee and David. First we went to a nice Chinese restaurant in Tempe, then to the Chinese Art Academy dance recital. The dancers ranged from age 3 to adult and all were very talented. They also had an art exhibit with some amazing drawings by young children. We got home really late and slept in on Sunday morning.

This morning, Jasmine opened the present from Joan and Jolee for her adoption finalization. It was a little Disney music box. There was also another bag with an "adoption necklace" in it, which I thought was for Jasmine.... but later Joan told me it was for me:) Jasmine wore it all day today... and it looks like it might be hers at this point.

Today we went to the Renaissance fair, ate junk food and rode some rides. The games will be more appropriate for Jas when she gets a little older.


Photos:
Opening present from Jolee
Judging the chili
Looking at the fish with Jolee. We forgot to take the goofy bib off... but it *has* saved a few dresses.
At the Chinese Dance
Jasmine and Jolee
At the Renaissance fair eating an orange icee.
Photo with a fairy

Better photos from Jas and Jolee's playdate....

It's official.....

Today, on "square root day", 3/3/09, Jasmine's name was officially changed from Nguyen Thi Tam to Jasmine Tam Stolz in a process called "re-adoption". You would think that after two years, we would be done with the paperwork, but no... there is more. Now I am in the process of getting her American birth certificate which is not a simple process. Typically, if you wanted a copy of your birth certificate, you would just send in the $$ and get a copy, but if you are "foreign born", you must send in a copy of your Visa, Driver's License (mine), certified copy of the Adoption Decree which we just received today, the $$$ and the application. Then, when we get the birth certificate, we need to quickly apply for a Social Security Number so that I can get my taxes done.
I just love this time of year. The weather is beautiful- which brings out all the snowbirds, lots of traffic and accidents, as well as the yearly continuing education marathon and taxes. I have about 1/3 of my CE done with 7 more full days to go. Very expensive and mostly irrelevant to what I do... but "required". Jasmine stayed part of the time with "Aunt Bonnie"... a neighbor who is a licensed foster care provider and babysitter, then last weekend with Grandma and Grandpa... otherwise known as Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw. The only thing about her staying with them is that now every time we go by their house- which is multiple times daily since they are our next door neighbors.... she starts waving and yelling, then crying because we can't go into their house every single time.

The photos today at the hearing were taken by the County Attorney, Craig Cameron. I asked him to take them while I was talking to the judge:)). They all came out either too dark or blurry. Good thing he is an attorney rather than a photographer.

Jasmine looking very official in the courtroom
Jasmine, Judge Joseph Georgini and Judy
Getting ready to go to the hearing with the dress and sweater given to Jasmine by Jolee.
Honing up on our computer skills.... not really. The Casa Grande Library doesn't do a good job of keeping their computers in good shape, so they don't usually work correctly.
Goofing around with my sunglasses.

Oh yeah, we found out recently that we are going on a couple of trips. In April, we are going camping with Arizona Adoptive Families. I don't know if I am insane, stupid or brave to camp in a tent with a 2 yr old. Over Memorial Day weekend, also with Arizona Adoptive Families, we are going to the YMCA Camp in the mountains south of Tucson. We will will staying in a lodge with some other families... not a tent... that time. They say they have activities for 2 yr olds such as pony rides and crafts. I sure hope so:). Then, in July, ... Joan, Jolee, Jasmine and I are going to Minnesota for the Vietnamese Culture Camp. The kids play Vietnamese games, do Vietnamese crafts, dances and other events, while the parents attend classes... and I am sure that alot of the events are parents and kids together. Joan used to be a flight attendant so she was nice enough to give us stand by tickets that are at a great discount.... otherwise, it would have been questionable if we could have gone. We are also going to share a car... so, it should be lots of fun and a great time to get out of Arizona for 5-6 days. The culture camp is held every year in Minnesota and New Jersey. I wasn't planning on going for a few more years, but Joan talked me into it:))

Playdate at Jolee's

Getting ready to go to Jolee's
Jasmine likes to wear my shoes and walk around the house almost every morning
Eating our home made tacos
Making sopapillas
learning the names of the bones
dressing up as "Princess Jasmine" and Snow White

President's Day....

On Monday, President's Day, we went to the mall to have lunch with Joan and Jolee. Jasmine had her first Merry Go Round ride.
Then we went to Lee Lee's Market and purchased some Asian vegetables and two Vietnamese videos. Here is Jas and Jolee after their ride.