ON THIS MORNING . . .

Mia wakes up, opens up the drawer in her room with her silks and Chinese pajamas. She takes out this pair and motions to me, this is what she would like to wear. . .

~ China Princess ~

This is the outfit Mia wore to meet her brothers, family and friends when we arrived home from China on September 13, 2007 ! When I took out the photos taken from that day, well "wow!" what changes occured!! She has grown and matured immensely! The pj's that once hung on her thin frame, fit her perfectly. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos, my scanner is not working and these were taken "freehand".

She will always have those lucious cheeks though :)

Although Mia has been through so many changes, there is one thing that will never fade ~ she has China in her heart and so does her family ~ forever!

~ BABY BALLERINA ~

She's all ready for her 1st dance recital!

Some of the neighborhood kids came out to wish her luck!

At the dance studio,

mommy poses with her darling daughter!

The recital begins and Mia waits her turn. . .

Good V-seat Mia!

"Hop, hop, hop . . ."

"Ta da!!!!"
Pretty ballerina, Meggie!

Mia receives her trophy and certificate

(the certificate was for "Most Improved" dancer!)

She loved her trophy!

Beautiful ballerina, Taylor!

Meg & Mia

Mommy & Me Dance Class 2008!

Proud Daddy!

~ 1st Dance Recital momentos ~

My baby ballerina had her very 1st dance recital today. We joined our mommy & me dance class in October, a month after Mia arrived home. There were many times I believed I started her too soon and just as I would think that thought, well she would participate and strut her stuff in class! In the beginning, I had to have some kind of food in my pocket and would feed her like a little seal! Or she would have to leave the room for her juice - all comfort items to Mia - she needed to know these things were always availalbe to her. Then, she slowly began to relax and enjoy and dance!!

The recital was cute, but chaotic ~ little girls in tutu's running here and there ~ you never knew what was going to happen next ~ that is the beauty of it I guess :) Miss Mia did really well and for the most part participated. She had that glazed over look in her eyes at times as she watched the other kids or the audience. I could tell she was happy and proud of herself ~ what more could I ask?

I guess it goes without saying, I was one proud mother! Can you tell the way I'm beaming in some of the photos?!

What did I ever do to deserve 3 such special and wonderful children!!!

(The crazy part of today is that Anthony's play off game was scheduled for this morning also!! We had to divide up the family, thanks to Gma & Poppy "A" made his game ~ my sweet boy was so upset he missed his sister's recital. . . but there's always video!)

~ PRESCHOOL GRADUATION ~

We attended a very sweet graduation ceremony this morning ~ we are so very proud of our little guy for all he's accomplished this past school year. "E" started the school year with his mommy and daddy in China for 15 days, and then had to adjust to his role as big brother. It was a tough school year and there were many times I thought of pulling him out. He pulled through, we pulled through and he learned that school can be an amazing place. Eddie made many wonderful friends, one of whom is a sweet little girl with a similar personality to him. He looked forward to seeing "E" and talked about her constantly ~ the teachers said he would take her on "dates" during class! He tells me he will marry "E" and that she is a great mommy to their baby doll...

Yes, my little guy has grown leaps and bounds these past months. It was a very emotional ceremony, which I wasn't prepared for (no tissues!). The tears just kept streaming down my cheeks. My smile did not fade. I was one proud mommy :)

Here comes my graduate!

So proud!

Eddie and "H" have been friends since they were babies,

it was extra sweet that they sat together!

Eddie and his teacher!
Each child in the class made a "quilt square"

which had a theme of "A whole new world".

Eddie and his future wife:)

~ Sweetness and innocence ~

It was just darling to watch them at play.

They wanted to walk out together. . .

Good-bye preschool

Hello kindergarten

~ FIELD DAY FOR MY BIG GUY ~

I just love this time of year - so many fun activities and celebrations going on with the end of the school year approaching. Tuesday, "A" had his Field Day, the weather was perfect and the kids had a blast!

Keep that ball rolling!

3 legged race!

While watching the games, we came across a "sandbox" and "E" got creative making a sand castle while little sis looked on. Mia stepped into the sandbox but quickly jumped out, pointed to her shoes and wanted the sand off her feet! She was happy to sit in the stroller or walk around the sandbox even when we ran into Meggie and her brother, Mikey:

Meggie's having a great time! Hmm, wonder

how she'll react to her first time at the beach??

China Sisters!"Bye-bye Meg"

Anthony's class doing "knuckles" with Mia!

Popular lady!

~ A HAPPY FATHER'S DAY ~

Happy Daddy's Day!

We made daddy a yummy breakfast of pancakes and freshly picked strawberries (our neighbor has a wonderful garden and let the boys pick strawberries the night before! Thank you "T" ). It was a warm, but overcast day and we had plans to visit Poppy and Gma and then head out to a quaint little town by the water (near our old stomping grounds!).

Trying to get a picture of my pretty princess. . .

She's always "in action", which makes it difficult!

The boys told Mia to "smile like Belle",

she has a sippy cup with Belle, from Beauty and the Beast;

and according to Mia - this is how she smiles!!

I put Mia in our "photo spot" in the livingroom -

but she gazes out the window. . .

"Can we go out, mommy?"

Mia was happy to run around outside and play while the boys got ready to go to Poppy and Gma's house, where we ate and gave Poppy his presents!!

I brought over daddy's favorite - carrot cake!!

It's just yummy, if I don't say so myself :)

Grandma is an RN and always concerned about her family.

After hearing about "daddy's" last blood pressure, she

decided to check for herself. Eddie was happy to help.

I'm relieved to report his pressure is just fine :)

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful father (who I neglected to take a photo of with his grandkids! Sorry Dad!) You are and have been a devoted and loving father and I couldn't adore you more!! You are so very special to me - we love you!!

After our visit, we headed off to a little town by the water. We had such fond memories of strolling around this town when we lived in this area years ago; the park, the boardwalk, looking at the boats - it was so nice to go back with ALL of our kids. Eddie was just 8 weeks old when we moved to our current house. . . we took a picture on Father's Day 5 years ago when he was a teeny tiny baby:

It seems like yesterday. . .

Anyhow, here a few photos of our day:

"We want ice cream!"

"Yum"

"Yum"

"YUM!"

Back at home again and into the pool!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

WE LOVE YOU!!!