The Boys!

The "Sit" Tree!

Today was another beautiful day for a hike. This time, Didi and Papa joined us on our favorite trail.

Along our travels, Maya and Kai decided to measure the circumference of the trees by the number of people that were needed to lock hands around the tree's base. For example, one tree was quite large and required my mom, Maya, and Kai to all join hands around the tree's trunk to cover it's circumference, thus getting the name...."a 3 person tree". They found 2 1/2 person trees (that's where it takes 3 people, but their arms were bent instead of stretched out straight). Most of the trees were "2 person" trees with only a couple getting the prestigious title of 3 1/2 or 4 person trees.

Towards the end of the hike, we came across "the Sit Tree". About 5 feet from the ground was a stump that stuck out just like a chair. Maya and Kai had a blast trying out their new chair in the sky.

Fun at Bellaboos Part 2

Fun at Bellaboos

Kai Man

Rollerblading Firsts!

Still Best Friends!

The friendship that Maya and Kai share on a daily basis is truly something to celebrate. They love living in their fantasy worlds of princes and princesses, chefs and restauranteers, school teachers and pupils, doctors, hairdressers, "Handy Mannys'",and the list goes on. Their friendship puts a smile on my face every day, and for that I am so thankful.

Happy Birthday Papa!

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen!

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen have been the topic of conversation around here since Maya and kai met both of them personally at Disney. Kai even said that he wished his skin was brown so that he would look more like Prince Naveen.

My ever so talented mom decided that she would take the kids to the fabric store and let them help pick out fabrics that might resemble those of the Prince and Princess's clothes. She must have been sewing like a mad woman these past couple of weeks as she was able to unveil the completed masterpieces today at my Dad's birthday celebration. I don't think I've ever seen Kai so excited. He ran through the house with his cape in hand yelling "Presenting Prince Naveen!!". Maya loved her Tiana dress just as much.

Thank you Mom (Didi) for the wonderful costumes. You really out did yourself this time.

Our Hike to Chelburg Farm

After Maya entered her very first blog entry (and took all of her own photos) about her hike to Chelburg Farm, I thought I'd post a couple of my favorite photos from my perspective. It was so fun to see Maya's mind at work as she carefully planned all of her photos throughout the hike. Kai insisted on hiking with his binoculars today and looked frequently upward into the trees, but I'm not sure if he ever really saw anything.

We searched for signs of spring and talked about making maple syrup.

"My Hike to Chelburg Farm"...By Maya.

"Today, we went on a hike and Mommy, Kai, and Benson and Hunter went with me. We had so much fun. We saw the maple sugar coming out of the trees into the buckets. We also saw the flowers blooming which means it's almost spring time. The leaves are almost blooming on the trees. Kai was so goofy...he was sticking his tongue out and making funny smiles. The boys (my dogs) were so good. When they saw school trips, they came right to mommy. Mommy was telling us all about maple syrup and the "boys" were having so much fun running and going swimming. My favorite part of the hike was taking pictures and going on the stairs and bridges."

Happy Forever Family Day Kai!

Two years ago today, we held our son (and brother) for the first time. I will never forget the emotions I felt as the most beautiful and scared little boy was guided into a room crowded with anxious families. We crouched down next to him and tried to ease his fears. Maya proudly and tenderly handed him a homemade stuffed bear named "Kai Bear". Dominic and I took turns holding our amazing new son and reciting over and over the few chinese phrases that we had learned during the months prior.

To celebrate Kai's family day, we dressed in old clothes and shoes and walked along one of our favorite trails with the dogs (it was a beautiful, clear 60 degree day). According to Kai, his favorite part was walking through the mud and getting all dirty. We then spent a couple of hours at our local playground, followed by dinner at Dairy Queen (Kai's choice of course).

To our favorite boy....we are so proud to be your mommy, daddy, and sister and couldn't imagine life without you. Happy forever family day!!!

Painting with Pudding!

Handy Manny Tool Boxes!

Yesterday, Kai got a big "thumbs up" from his surgeons at Shriners at his post op visit. They couldn't be happier with the results of his surgery.

In the past week, Kai has discovered that he can actually blow onto his hand. We were all so excited that we served cupcakes and candles for dessert so he could practice blowing his candles out for the first time. He's also blowing bubbles in the bathtub, articulating his "p" sounds, and beginning to speak with so much more confidence and volume.

Every time we visit Shriners hospital, Kai and Maya are showered with gifts. This time, they each took home "Guess How Much I Love You" bunny stuffed animals, a couple of cars, home-made bags, and craft kits for "do it yourself art caddies".

Today, we decided to spend the afternoon making the art caddies. Maya and kai helped sand the wood and hammer the nails. When they were finished, they decorated their caddies with markers and stickers.

After some thought, they both decided that their caddies would serve a much better use as Handy Manny tool boxes, which is exactly what they became. They spent the next hour making house calls to "fix" various appliances, chairs, and windows.