More Dragon Boat Race Pics!

Dragon Boat Race!

Today we headed for Chinatown for Chicago's 8th annual Dragon Boat Race for Literacy. We had a perfect, hot, sunny day. The park in Chinatown is just beautiful. It sits adjacent to the river and has a great children's park. There were many vendors, yummy chinese cuisine, chinese acrobats, lion dances, and much more.

A couple of families that we traveled with to adopt Maya belong to the Oak Park FCC (families with children from China). This group registered to compete and needed a couple of extra rowers. Dominic decided to step up to the plate and volunteer. At the time, I don't think he quite understood that there would be 20 people in each boat, time trials, and multiple races. He ended up having a great time and actually enjoyed the rowing.

The team did a fantastic job. They won their first 2 races and shed seconds off their first time. They lost in the third race against a very fast and highly ranked team. We were all proud of our rowers. The kids especially loved cheering for their mommies and daddies as the boat neared the finish point each race.

Maya enjoyed playing with her "china sisters" and Kai seemed to enjoy the festivities and company as well.

The second image is a pic of the dads and mom of the kids in Maya's travel group. The following pic is of the entire Oak Park FCC team.

By the end of a 10 minute stroller ride to the parking lot, both kids were fast asleep. This is always a good sign that great fun was had by all.

Even More Fun at the Park!

The Rock Climbing Queen!

Just a Fun Afternoon!

Since we had to make another boring journey to the Dr's office for yet another cast, I decided that Maya and Kai needed an afternoon of just play (no errands, no phone calls, no doctors....just pure old fun).

That's exactly what we had. We decided to check out the South Bend Zoo which was just perfect for young children. The kids rode the train, spent a long time under the misters, and looked at the animals. I think they had more fun at the new park across the street that had just opened up that day (what timing!).

Maya was a star on the rock climbing wall and independently climbed to the top.

Overall it was just a great day!

Cast Off, Cast On, Cast Off, Cast On!

On Tuesday, Kai was due to get his cast removed. Unfortunately, the x-rays showed that his arm wasn't quite completely healed. As a result, the cast had to go back on for an additional 2 weeks.

The cast that was put on looked really tight, and even though I questioned the fit,I was assured by the doctor's staff that it would be OK. Well after 2 days in the new cast, Kai had a blister and some skin break down on the base of his index finger. He was also waking in the middle of the night which is so unusual for him. When I contacted the doctor's office, I demanded that his cast be changed. The orthopedic doctor actually called me at home and apologized for the ill fitting cast.

Unfortunately, the doctor is over an hour away from our home (the only doctor under our insurance plan who works with water proof casting material). Fortunately, the same nurse who fit his original cast put his new one on. What a difference. He is using his right arm again and seems to be so much more comfortable. I guess it's good to be a pain in a doctor's side sometimes.

It's the Doodlebops...Live!

Believe it or not, the Doodlebops decided to make an appearance at our county fair. Maya LOVED this group through most of her "2's", so when I read that they would be coming to our fair, I asked if she might like to go. I was rather surprised by her responce as I really thought she wouldn't be that interested. Instead, she said, "The Doodlebops!!! Did you hear that Shao Shao...we're going to see the Doodlebops oh yes we are...Yeeeeeeeey!".

The concert date was the same day as our family reunion, so all the young kids and their Moms decided it might be fun to go to the fair for a couple of hours and see the Doodlebops.

The concert was not crowded at all (probably due to the weather) which gave us room to spread out, dance, jump, and just have a great time. Although the kids were tired and hungry, they all seemed to enjoy the music and the entertainment.

A Taste of the County Fair!

We were able to experience a bit of the county fair today prior to the Doodlebops show. Due to weather, the show was postponed which gave us some time to visit the fair attactions. Maya and Kai had a great time with their cousins. They got their faces painted, ate popcorn, carried balloons, and played mini-golf. I especially like the picture of 4 very "cooperative" children getting their picture taken while posed on the tractor. Can you tell that they were anxious to finally get to the Doodlebops show?

Our Family Reunion!

Our family reunion was more of an "extended weekend" reunion rather than a single day. My mom hosted most of the meals and guests and we had a few guests on the weekend. My mom's entire family was here including my aunt and uncle from New York, my aunt from Seattle, my sister and her husband from Phoenix, my Grandma, and my aunts, uncles, and cousins from Indiana. Needless to say, my Mom and Dad had a very full and busy house.

Maya and Kai really enjoyed hanging out with their Auntie Jil and all of their cousins.

Shoes are a Girl's Best Friend!

Almost 4 years ago, I discovered an amazing pair of sandals. I have worn them every warm day for four years and they still look almost new. They are comfortable beyond belief and are practically like wearing a pair of running shoes. They are my "Chacos".

Well, Maya has been wanting a pair of sandals like "mommy's" since she discovered her love of shoes, but I wasn't about to spend that amount of money on something that might fit her for a couple of months.

I guess that's what aunts and uncles are for. Yesterday in the mail, Maya received her first pair of Chacos from Auntie Debbie and Uncle Rick. She was so excited and had to wear them right away. She also made sure that I was wearing mine for the duration of the day. She wouldn't even take them off during quiet time. This morning when she woke, she grabbed her Chacos and put them on with her PJ's while still in bed.

Thanks Autnie Debbie and Uncle Rick for a wonderful gift. We really like the slip n slide too. We'll get that out after Kai gets his cast off next week.

Kyle's Birthday Party!

This afternoon, Maya and Kai had a blast celebrating with friends at Kyle's birthday party. I was so surprised to see Kai climbing up through the tunnels, over the rope traverse (with a bit of help), and sliding down the slide with the big kids.

Maya learned to hang upside down from the low monkey bars and just couldn't get enough of this new activity. She was so proud of her accomplishment.

After playing in the tunnels and slides, the kids loved eating pizza and chocolate cake. They even got to eat a sucker on the way home. Wow were they in need of a bath tonight. What a great time.

Just Another Day at the Park!

This morning, we met our friends Tab, Kyle, and Kaitlyn at a new park. Maya and Kai loved climbing on the variety of stairs, rock walls, and ladders. They especially liked traversing across the "monkey ropes and pods".

Happy Forever Family Day Maya!

Today marks three years since we first held our precious Maya and became a family of three. My how so much has changed since that amazing, life-changing Monday in the Civil Affairs Office in Guangzhou China. That day seems so far away, yet I remember it like it was yesterday.

We celebrated by going out to dinner (Maya's choice). Where did we end up? You guessed it, Mcdonalds! Maya thoroughly enjoyed her cheeseburger happy meal and ate every last bite.

Maya, Kai, and I also had a nice lunch today with Didi at a great new cafe that just opened in town. The owners are wonderful people and we're so happy their restaurant is a success. When I asked Maya where she wanted to go for her special lunch, she said "David's restaurant".

To our favorite girl, who continues to amaze us each and every day. We are so proud and priviledged to be your Mommy and Daddy and can't imagine life without you. Happy Forever Family Day!