Playgrounds Galore!

Natalie visits 3 different playgrounds in the video at the bottom of this post.  I've edited it down to the cutest parts.  I'm posting this for the Grandparents and Aunties who believe there is no such thing as too much Natalie footage :)

A rare moment with Natalie on something other than a slide

Slide

Tomorrow marks 5 months since we brought Natalie home from China to the Happy Haus.  Physically she has grown about 3" and gained 5 pounds since we met her.  Intellectually she has learned a great deal of English as well as how to do hundreds of things that 2 year olds know how to do.  Emotionally she has come to realize that she is so very loved by her Mommy and Daddy.  Her nightmares have become infrequent. I think Natalie is starting to have faith that her family is for real and forever.

As of yesterday I am letting her play on the big kids' playground at school for a few minutes after I arrive to pick her up.  I was amazed as I watched her today to see how much more confident she looked than when she tried out the equipment for the first time yesterday.  When I arrived at school she ran to me with a huge smile on her face and was laughing as I picked her up into my arms.  Then she started pointing at the playground which adjoins her "baby" playground. As she pointed she said "outside, outside" like she wasn't already outside :)