~ MIA'S FIRST 4TH OF JULY ~

We are having a fun and busy 4th of July weekend ~ it is our girl's very first and I have had so much fun putting patriotic bows, clothes and shoes on her :)

Don't let the flag touch the ground!

Mia helps to hang it up!

"Now, this is more my size!"

"I'm outta here guys!"

Our Chinese-American Princess!

~ MOMMYS' PLAYDATE ~

My good friend came to visit the other day from Chicago! Oh, how I miss her (she moved away a few years ago, but thankfully still visits at least twice a year). We met in a Gymb*ree class when our oldest boys were 9 months old! She is the kind of friend you feel at home with :)
The girls dressed "A" up ~ yes, those are earrings in his nose! Such a good sport, although I think he enjoyed it (a bit too much!). I didn't get any pictures with "A" and their oldest - he left early with his dad for a Yankees game.

"E" and their youngest (who is a year younger) got along wonderfully. It makes for a fun and happy visit! They recently added a dog to their family: "Happy"! She traveled well during the long car ride - what a trooper! The kids were so excited to meet "Happy" and she didn't disappoint - she is a wonderful chocolate Lab!

"E" was sad to see Happy go - although I cannot say the same for Penny! She was very thrown off and a bit aggravated! Another dog on her territory? She was not having it!

My poor girl is back to herself today though :)

Thanks for a wonderful visit - it was fun catching up, laughing and just enjoying each others company!

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!