~ THE BEACH ~

My parents are lucky enough to live a few blocks from a beautiful beach. We met our family down at the beach yesterday and this happened to be Mia's first time ever at the beach! She was curious, yet hesitant. . .

"Poooo", she points to the water and says "pool"

Mia walked around with her water shoes on

and then wanted them off. She would not step off

the blanket ~ happy to sit with mommy!

She dug in the sand. . . on the blanket!

While Mia stuck close to "home" , the boys enjoyed time playing with their cousins. Eddie and Joey played down by the water, while Anthony and Frankie dug "trenches" deeper and deeper!

Mia loves her cousin, Krissy!

This is Mia's reaction whenever I

tried to put her feet in the sand!

She would NOT let her feet touch,

and daddy caught her "determination" on camera!!

I ended up getting Mia to put her water shoes back on and she did walk around the beach with me. I showed her how to throw the rocks in the water and she really started enjoying herself. It was so cute - whenever she threw a rock and it didn't reach the water - she would go and get that exact rock and pick it up again to throw...until she got it in the water!

My niece took my camera and took a few pictures of Mia and I on the lifeguard chair:

Thank you Kris, I will treasure these pictures - Mia's hugs are special and SO awesome!!

We ended our night by making a small bonefire and roasting marshmellows:

It was a beautiful night spent with a beautiful family ~ we love you all!

~ LITTLE MERMAID ~

Mia Hope has taken to the water like The Little Mermaid ~ she taps her arm for her "floatie" to be put on and then steps right in. She giggles ~ laughs ~ screehes with joy; and it brings a smile to everyone's face!

Of course, I have pictures to prove it :) These photos are from our super fun BBQ at Aunt Barb's house, Mia is under the waterfall in the first photo:

As you can see, my favorite "pose" is her back float :) We are enjoying all of Mia's firsts to the fullest because she takes on every new experience with such gusto and enthusiasm; and of course that smile which lights up her precious face!!

Oh and her first experience with fireworks were a success! She kept pointing to the sky saying "bang" ~ I had to cover her ears a few times, but it was LOUD! We stayed close to home (parties across the street and next door -can't get any closer than that!) and watched from the front lawn. I hope everyone's 4th was as happy as ours. . .

~ 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