Dentist, Social Worker and Snakes, oh my!

Last Monday was a day of firsts and lasts...both bringing on a multitude of emotions.

Jon and I religiously go to the dentist every 4 months and Kristina has been in tow each time for the last 3 years.  She is known on a first name basis by everyone in the office.  During the last few visits, they have let her sit in the exam chair in prep for today -- her first dental appointment.  At first, Kristina was saying "no -- I don't need my teeth cleaned today" but it didn't take much before our little girl jumped into the chair and opened her mouth super wide.

"Hey, this is a comfy chair!"
We figured we were off to a good start...

Daddy and I were there as the mini paparazzi.  We were so proud of our little one who passed her first appointment with flying colors!

Dental Hygenist, Nora, was surprised to see how Kristina brushes her teeth all by herself!

Kristina and Nora flash the pearly whites.  No cavities!

Dr. S's turn to check out Kristina.  "Looks like you'll be seeing an Orthodontist in the future."  Sigh...

Agita speaks Russian, but Kristina doesn't remember any words
(except Sebaka [dog] and Koshka [cat] occasionally)

After leaving the Dentist's office, we returned home to finish cleaning up the house for our next appointment:  Theresa, the Social Worker!  How can this be?  Time for our fourth and FINAL Post Placement Report (PPR) to be submitted to Russia -- whoo-hoo!

Theresa arrived promptly at 3pm and we talked for about 90 minutes.  It's not a stressful interview ~ simply a formality of meeting and catching up with all of Kristina's milestones, activities, plans for Kindergarten in the fall, challenges, etc.

Theresa has seen Kristina grow up over the last 2 1/2 years of Post-Placement Report meetings!

We really like Theresa --- she's professional yet super cool. Afterall, how many Social Workers would come into your house and ask to see your snake?

Meet Mambo, our 15-year old (?) Ball Python!

I snapped a surprise photo of Theresa reading one of her favorite childhood stories to Kristina.

Kristina and Mambo "waving" good-bye to Theresa.
No more official visits...unless Russia changes its mind!

Kristina's getting Mambo to play some Hopscotch!

Now all I have to do is go through the thousands of photos of Kristina over the last year and submit only 6 to accompany the PPR!  Here's a few in the running taken in the last few weeks of March:

Taken at the 2nd Annual FedEx Picnic - loves having her face painted!

Such a ham for the camera, even early in the morning when arriving at school.

My little Lucky Charm after celebrating St. Patrick's Day at school.

First day of spring:  38 degrees!

First Spring Rain (a rare occurrence in So. California these days).

Moments after this photo was taken, Kristina was on her way to Nana and Grampa's house for a few hours while we cleaned up the house to prepare for our PPR meeting.  The rain wasn't the only thing flowing at the time; Kristina's tears of not wanting to leave us left us with a heavy heart...

Kristina's our little monkey -- loves to climb, swing, jump!

Can you see why we have such a dilemma of choosing only 6 photos from the last 12 months?!  Such a problem to have...  :)