~ DANCE CLASS / CHINESE CLASS ~

Mia really seems to enjoy her dance class and I love to watch her "practice" some of her moves when we are at home. I took a few photos from behind the "mommy glass", not the best quality; but oh so cute!

I just think it is precious!

Mia, Meggie, Taylor and "T"

We had our second Chinese culture and language class this past weekend. The time for this class is proving to be a challenge, it's in the middle of the afternoon; which is Mia's naptime. This and some other concerns have me re-thinking this class. . .

"Hello friend!"

The girls watch as the mats are layed out

strutting her stuff

While learning colors, the teacher has the kids repeat after her and then she will hand them a colored circle. Mia speech is still delayed and would not/could not repeat the word back to the teacher in Chinese. Well, this photo above is when she did say the word, everyone clapped and she was so proud !

*This is what I meant by another concern in taking this class at this point. I'm afraid I may be doing Mia a disservice and should just concentrate on her speaking English. . . I will have to see what happens in the next few weeks ~

smile!

The girls run around after class

sitting pretty

I shot a quick video of the Mia and Meg before class began:

~ I'LL MEET YOU AT THE PARK ~

Mommy and Mia met M & M at the park with their mommy - one of those last minute, "let's meet up" things; which always turns out to be a good time! We've been having some gorgeous fall weather here in NY and it has just been such a pleasure to be outdoors: My adventurous girl had to swing on the bars

on the high slides!
Notice how the little girl on the right is looking
at her - I was hoarse from yelling "NO!"

Maddy & Max, two of the sweetest

little ones you could ever meet!

Star material!

Mia on the swings,

always brings a smile to my face :)

Hangin' out

We got such a kick out of how cautious

Mia was going down the small slide ~

meanwhile she swings on top of the

large slide!?

~ little buddies ~

~ MIA AND MOMMY'S FIRST DAY OF "SCHOOL" ~

We started our first day of Chinese Heritage and Language "School" on Saturday! I have been looking so forward to this day, and what makes it even sweeter is that Meaghan Grace and her mommy are going too!

~ pretty princess ~

~ silly princess ~

~ happy princess ~

This program sounded so interesting ~ we will learn language, heritage, culture and dance! I love that Mia and I take the class together and learn side by side. We joined through our local FCC and the first day was fun! We learned colors, how to introduce ourselves and a few songs. Mia seemed to enjoy herself and really had fun with the songs, but tired of sitting on the mat while learning colors ~ it is just a toddler class and I'm sure they have seen worse.

~ Meaghan Grace and Mia Hope ~

~ pretty girls ~

~ school girl ~

~ "I don't want to be late!" ~

~ in class, Mia pulled up a chair at the table

and wanted a snack (that's my girl),

I pulled out the stickers and they were a hit ~

~ watching the girls, sitting together, learning together

just warmed my heart, as I'm sure it did Michelle's ~

~ after class, we attempted a "photo shoot" ~

~ they covered every inch of this bench ~

~ checking out their goodie bags ~

~ China Sisters ~

It is my dream that someday Mia will return to her birth country, maybe to teach or help others. My hope is that she will be involved somehow, someway in bringing more of her China sisters home . It is my dream and hope and not hers (as of yet), which I am well aware; but these dreams and hopes we have are what keep us going. . .

Meaghan's mommy and I have talked about returning to China with our daughters, maybe to work in an orphanage, to help in some way. What a blessing to have them in our lives and to share in these hopes and dreams together.

"T" is for TROUBLE!!!

Mia + Hope + Yudan = TROUBLE!

Penny's first lollipop!

I know I've mentioned how active my little princess is; but have I mentioned all the trouble she gets into? I must have. . .

I catch Miss Mia ALL the time doing things she should not:

One day I was cooking (she must know I am distracted at this time and takes full advantage, as any trouble-maker would!), and I hadn't seen missy in a few minutes and called and called for her - I found her standing on the window sill in the living room, granted these windows are tall, but she pushed over a wooden box (treasure chest-like - oh, it's the one I am always posing her on...) and climbed onto the window sill and was standing there "holding" onto the window - body, hands and face smushed up against the window!

Two days ago I was looking for noodles (again, it's dinnertime) and I open the pantry, pull out the bottom drawer and find it empty! "MIA!!!!!!!!!!" - I find her in the playroom, pushing her shopping cart; which is piled up high with the contents of my pantry drawer! She stacked 5 boxes of pasta, 2 boxes of rice, 2 boxes of lasagna noodles and 2 bags of stuffing mix in her cart!

The other night, I found Mia Hope, plastic chair pulled up the light switch, two crayons in her hand, drawing on the wall and switch cover!!! I have never experienced this before. I do have two boys, two very active boys; however, they have not done half the things their sister is doing! She is a wild woman, she keeps me on my tows, she is precious, she is Mia!

Wild + keepin' mom on her tows + precious = Mia Hope Yudan!

Oh, how I adore you Mia!

~ FALL IS FUN ~

The air is crisp
Sweaters are on

The season has changed

Welcome Fall!

Good-bye summer

Hello,

Fall memories . . .

~ MORE DANCIN' AND MORE BOWS ~

I am having so much fun dressing Mia for her dance class, watching her dance and making bows for her to wear! It is so much fun having a girl ~ I love girly stuff! Mia did amazing again in her dance class ~ this time she ran in as soon as the door opened and I just stood by the window watching, admiring and oogling over my girl! She was doing wonderfully and just seemed to have "had it" the last 15 minutes; which isn't bad considering it's a 45 minute class. She has come such a long way and I am so excited to watch her go the rest :)

How darling is this?

Taylor, Meaghan and Mia

watching the prior dance class,

and waiting for their turn . . .

Before leaving for dance class I had an idea for a new bow ~ a "Charm Bow" ~ I had bought a small package of charms and tiny rings which I attached onto the bow with thread. I chose a charm that said HOPE (Mia's middle name) ~ it looked so adorable; but trying to get a picture of it with my active girl was near impossible!! She was in such a dance-able mood I video taped her:

~ MID-AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL ~

We enjoyed celebrating the Autumn Moon Festival with our China Princess. I read the boys the story of this holiday from our "Moonbeams, Dumplings and Dragon boats" book. Anthony had to take out his telescope to see if he could see the Jade Rabbit on the moon; and lo and behold, he did see "something"!

Mia by the light of the moon!

I tried so hard to get a good photo,

but my girl would NOT stand still!

Honestly, as we were outside viewing this very bright moon, all the kids wanted to do was go inside and eat the mooncakes! I warned them that the "cakes" do not really taste like our American version of a cake!

Can you see the anticipation?!

Mia really enjoyed them!

We bought black bean and lotus seed filled mooncakes. They are very heavy (to hold and once in your stomach!) and the boys were not too impressed. The black bean mooncakes had a more "familiar" taste to them than the lotus seed. We each had a few bites and then I shared mine with a "hungry" golden retriever:

Yes, she gobbled it up!

"I'll have the rest!"

This is our first year celebrating under the moon ~ even though we were home from China with Mia last year. You see, we were still adjusting as a family and then my big boy fell and broke his arm! It was a crazy time and the last thing I thought to do was order some mooncakes. I'm glad we could gather as a family under this cloudy, yet bright moon. We are all together :)

HAPPY AUTUMN MOON!

"Autumn Moon Festival, literally ‘Mid-Autumn Festival’, or the Birthday of the Moon is a time to have the family together, eat a festive meal including moon cakes, and enjoy the moonlight. Children & adults carry paper lanterns and climb hills to get a good view of the full moon. They give thanks to the bright, silvery moon of the eighth lunar month. Some call it a “Chinese Thanksgiving”.

Mooncakes are round like the moon. The round shape is a symbol for togetherness and harmony. Made of flaked pastry, they often have egg yolks in the center, to represent the moon, and sweet fillings of red bean paste, lotus seed paste, coconut or nuts. The sweetness of them represents good fortune or good harvest.

On the evening of the Autumn Moon Festival, people carrying paper lanterns climb hills and mountains to get a good view of the full moon. They give thanks to the bright, silvery moon of the eighth lunar month."