Big Day Coming Up

This Wednesday, October 5, will be Shaling's first birthday with us. That of course also makes it her first birthday in America. She'll be turning 10 -- her age is going to TWO digits. The school decided to celebrate by going on a field trip (ok, maybe that was just a coincidence). She was supposed to see Dr. Huang (another post-op check on her ear) on her birthday, but due to the field trip we had to call and reschedule. She'll be seeing him later today.

We are going to celebrate Shaling's double digits by celebrating twice. On her actual birthday, she is having a roller skating party with friends. Then, on Saturday, we're having a simple cake party in Carlinville for family. I've sort of phased out family birthday parties for Preston as he's gotten older, but since Shaling's never had one, I think she needs one! Watch out world, she's going to be a spoiled diva this week.

Heck, she's already had a mini-party. One of her friends, Jessie, won't be able to come to the roller skating party because she will be in Texas visiting her older brother before he heads off to Iraq. Jessie was disappointed, so her mother was kind enough to have Shaling over Saturday morning, along with a third friend, Katie. They had a birthday cookie and Jessie gave Shaling her birthday present. I was out of town for the weekend (Galena, Illinois), but they were nice enough to send me a picture. I was thrilled to get it, but not so thrilled with the shirt she was wearing.



Just for comparison's sake, take a look at these pictures from Shaling's birthday a year ago. We had a cake and presents sent to her through a service. The orphanage was kind enough to send us some pictures.