Playing big time catch up...

I have been extremely negligent of the blog and posting of photos as I have been reminded multiple times. Here is my post dedicated to those people who have been, uhm, gently reminding me to get some darn pictures up that I plan to accomplish it this week. And there is alot to cover....

• The entire month of June which included visits with Nana and time down the shore
• 4th of July weekend
• ChangDe Reunion in Myrtle Beach
• Pop Pop's 65th birthday party down the shore
• August vacation
• Horseback riding with Molly
• 1st Day of Kindergarten
• Maryland Renaissance Faire & visit with Nana

And those are just the ones I know I have to fill in! For those that are friends on facebook you've seen some pictures, but soon, really, there will be more posted here!

Memorial Day Weekend

Yes, I know, Memorial Day photos posted near the end of June? But I'm sure I'll be forgiven since I'm posting a few photos of our adventures... We had a fun weekend going down the shore to LBI. Mom Mom and Pop Pop were watching Molly for the weekend and Kevin, Tina and the boys also came down. Kristy, Chip and Cole were away at some traveling sports tournament for Cole. I forget if it was soccer or baseball - he plays both so I have a hard time keeping track not being into sports (besides hockey!). It was relaxing and we were excited to be down the shore - we're very lucky!

It was a gorgeous weekend and we went to LBI where we hit the bathing beach to try out our boogie boarding skills. Madeline spent most of the time searching for jellyfish. Not in a good way, for some reason she was overly afraid of them. Last year she wanted to pick them all up and had a much more curious approach - don't know how that turned into being afraid. I'm guessing it has something to do with school - she "learns" so much stuff from her friends that we soon try to unlearn at home *chuckle*

Here you can see Mom Mom letting Molly get sunburned *teasing* I think she has now successfully sunburned almost all of her grand kids at one time or another *laugh* She felt SOOOOOO bad.


We also spent time on the big beach (ocean beach, instead of bay beach). There was lots of playing with cousins this weekend which was a lot of fun for Madeline. I just find it funny that out of the whole beach - they all cram into this one spot to all play together.

Madeline still can not swim on her own...she is a sinker. She loves the water and loves to go swimming but she asks to wear her life jacket when we're at the big beach (it protects her from the big waves apparently) - Molly is here being very motherly towards Madeline. Which they both love - Molly being the mom and Maddie being babied by Molly.

There was lots of wave jumping and splashing. The water was still a little too cold for the grown ups to go in any further than the water's edge.


And, no they are not staring in awe of the ocean...They are all standing on boogie boards waiting for a wave to "surf"


The last day was a tad cooler, but we still found fun stuff to do, such as flying her kite at the playground.

Hope to be back down the shore soon!

Creatures of Culture was Zoo-riffic

This Saturday we spent, basically the entire day, at the Philadelphia Zoo as part of the Creatures of Culture series that they are kicking off this weekend. This first focus is on Asia and the Pacific Islands - to experience different cultures and animals from around the world through performances, demonstrations, etc. Well, the Chinese Folk Dance Troop was offered a chance to perform and the "little girls" got to perform as well!

The highlight may have been the fact that Mom Mom, Pop Pop, and 3 of Madeline's cousins came to watch her perform in front of everyone. She was so excited! Of course I was a proud Mama at how well she did. The "little girls" troop ranges in age from 5-10 yrs old and Madeline is the youngest. I'll admit a lot of the time she'd be just as happy as jumping in place on the stage than doing the actual dance, but she's getting better at doing the dance and following along - I think it's mostly because she wants to learn how to do the fan and ribbon dances and I told her she has to prove she can do the dances she's been taught before she can learn new ones.


The "little girls" performed 3 dances, this being the first one... Props are always a big hit with the kids. Watching them practice with the handkerchiefs can be amusing.

The troop based from the Chinese American Community Center had 5 dances in total. There were other performers from other organizations as well all throughout the day. The other thing Madeline wanted to see was the Lion dancers - she *LOVES* the Lion dance.

This was Miss Dahlie trying to get the girls organized before heading up on stage...


Now, it may look as though I'm taking pictures from behind the stage, but really, this is how the dance starts.


I don't know if she was more excited about performing or that she got to wear lipstick as part of her costume. Oh, and no, I did NOT french braid her hair. I spent 30 freaking minutes trying to do it - 2 french braids, one on each side and it looked horrible. Finally Madeline said I should just let one of the other Mom's do it - heh. And you know what? That's exactly what I did!


Mom Mom and Pop Pop brought Gulian, Gavin and Grant to the zoo so once all of the performance stuff was over - we all went around to see the animals!

Madeline was excited to see one of the birds so close to her.


Madeline and her pal - if there was a statue to climb on....she climbed on it and asked for her picture to be taken with it. Don't worry, I'll spare you all of the pictures and just stop at this one. =)

We had a good, but tiring day & were glad to see everyone!

I blinked...

and it was May. Where did April go? It was a mass of activity, I mean, I remember it - but I apparently totally neglected the blog! I know certain people are clamoring for photos, so here is a visual recap of the goings on in April, and I'll try to do better in May...

Well, let's start with Easter weekend...Madeline and Ling were all dressed in their pretty dresses and jewelry on a beautiful sunny day.

Ron, Nana, Madeline and I went up to my sister's in New Jersey. We were joined by my parents and my Great-Aunt Carol who just recently celebrated her 91st birthday. Unfortunately my brother and his family had other plans - we missed them! Ron, Chip and my Dad set up an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids outside.


Now, as is true with most kids...give them the rules of the game and they'll find a way around. Cole is the oldest and his rule was all eggs he found had to be above his waist, thus leaving all of the lower eggs for the littler kids. Which is funny as Madeline would walk right past eggs on the ground to run across the yard to get the ones up high. So in the spirit *grin* of the rule, Cole would get in push up position to ensure the eggs he found were above where is waist was at that moment. It was ingenious and funny to watch.


We also had some - make up performances from the Snow storms in February. Madeline's children dance troop had been booked in a couple of places to dance as part of Chinese New Year celebrations but one kept being re-scheduled and re-scheduled. But it did eventually happen. Here she is in her "uniform" that the girls all wear to the performance before changing into their costumes.

And here is a beautiful example of french braids (which they ALWAYS seem to have to have their hair in). No, I have not yet mastered the art of french braids. I have tried, but my efforts are not photo worthy. Another mom took pity on us and did these =) Want to see my next attempt at french braids? She'll be performing at the Philadelphia Zoo in May!

Now, we're not all dresses and frilly things here...we also get dirty. This is at the Blackbird Creek Reserve in Townsend where we helped plant trees.

And, uhm, climbed on things, and ran around, and searched for bugs and worms and birds.

Madeline also flexed her fashionista muscles from time to time. Here you can see her pairing patterns with abandon! And matching socks - HA! That's for fashion amateurs.

Her favorite animal of late are horses. I don't know if that was influenced by her cousin Molly or not, but she LOVES them. Well, you know, she did always talk about her brother and sister that lived at her horsey's house (whose name was strawberry shortcake) where they got to watch TV all of the time. We went to Ag Day at the University of Delaware again this year and ran into some friends including one from Madeline's class.

We had fun doing kids crafts, going on a hayride, visiting the exhibits. If you haven't gone before, add it to your list of a fun weekend family activity. We've been going since 2006 when we met up with the Coffey Clan...


And as you can see, she has always been on the run...even back then!

4 Years ago...

We were in China and went from a family of 2 to a family of 3 and nothing has been the same ever since!

March 2006

March 2010

Weekend wrap up

We had a wonderful weekend and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. We made the trek down to the Delaware beaches for our annual beach grass planting spring weekend. This year we were assigned to Fenwick Island and had over 100 volunteers ready and willing to join in on the fun (I'm sure the beautiful weather had no affect on the number of people that wanted to come to the beach this weekend).



Friday night we headed down to Ocean City and checked into our favorite hotel (Thanks Betsy!!!) We packed our suits and headed to the indoor pool and swam, splashed, and floated around the pool until we all resembled prunes. Saturday morning had us up early and on the beach waiting for the beach grass and volunteers to arrive. Happily both did and after 3 hours on the beach we went back south to the boardwalk for some playing in sand, lunch and then back to the hotel for a much needed nap (for Madeline, really!). We then caught up with some of the guys for dinner which was good - we miss them all! Sunday was short and sweet frolicking on the beach, seeing Miss Betsy and then the long drive home to be there in time for Chinese school and the extra long Chinese Dance class as there is a performance this Thursday!!!


It's been a long weekend but a good one - I think Madeline would agree =)

i heart faces: bundled up

As soon as I read about this theme I knew exactly which picture I thought would fit right in. Thanks to the Snowpocalypse that hit our area last month, there were several photos of us all bundled up and frolicking in the snow. But this one is my favorite


Be sure to check out the other photos at i heart faces!

The Sun!!!

Yes! It was a wonderful weekend. Warmer (relatively) weather, lots of sun...it made it feel like spring is actually approaching. We spent a good chunk of time playing at the park. Over the course of our playtime, 3 friends in Madeline's class showed up to enjoy the park as well at different times for some unplanned play dates.

Hope all of you got a chance to soak up some of those rays!

Camp out! In the family room?

This past weekend we attacked Madeline's room with a vengeance. Things were thrown away, others recycled, even more bagged up for goodwill, there was a "fashion show" trying on all variety of clothes to see if they still fit (I swear she's growing like crazy!!!)


This is what she chose to wear for the day once we were done trying on clothes.

Ron built a new dresser for her and we carefully put everything back in its place - it's Wednesday and I have to say, so far, it's stayed cleaned up as well, which might be a record.

On Saturday, Mommy and Madeline also had a super special camp out, in our family room. We set up one of Maddie's play tents, piled it full with big pillows and blankets. Madeline picked out which dolls and stuffed animals had to join us and she placed them around her tent very carefully.

We also had hot chocolate and stayed up late and watched a movie just the two of us. Then it was time to snuggle in and go to sleep - her in her tent and me on the couch *grin*


The next morning, I was stiff (heh) and she was bouncing off of the walls so happy asking to do it again every night. I think next time it's a Daddy and Daughter camp out and Mommy gets to sleep in the icky, horrible king sized bed with lots and lots of pillows. Daddy had to endure that torture this past weekend. I just can't put him through all that again!

Considerate aren't I?

Fashion Friday!

It's been a while since I have posted any of the outfits that Madeline has put together, so on this glorious day off (which for some gosh awful reason had me up and awake at 4:30am when I could be sleeping in late) I thought I'd add a little something to the fashionista world.

Yes, she does pose. Yes, she does it with attitude.


I still don't understand why she thinks this matches.

I also noticed that these pictures were all taken as we were heading out the door somewhere - so yes, we do go out in public like this! It is amazing the big smiles you get from people when they see a little girl just excited and loving (or oblivious!) to what she's wearing.

Celebrating over the weekend...

恭禧发财 - Gong Xi Fa Cai - wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year

Saturday we spent a good 7 hours at the CACC. We signed up to help set up for the New Year Celebration, so Ron was moving tables, chairs, setting things up while I helped decorate and setting the tables until it was time for Madeline to practice with the dance troop for the performance that night.

There were 14 different performances on the schedule, the children's dance troop were to perform 4 different dances. Madeline was in one of them - the swallow dance.

Here is Madeline getting ready for the big show! Her shirt says it all...She's full of sugar but can turn on the spice in a heartbeat =)

Here she is in her costume, yes that frilly pink feathers on her wings was my homework assignment that happily I finished in time *grin*

They practiced and practiced and even did a dress rehearsal in one of the classrooms before going onstage.

In the end they did a great job. Bill filmed and took pictures...I'll post the link to the dances when he loads them online for the grandparents to check out. I spent the majority of the time back stage helping herd 4-8 yr olds and organizing costumes, flower balls, etc. I didn't see all of the performances either & we missed the Lion dance which kicked off the evening. Madeline was not amused, she was sooo looking forward to seeing it.

Sunday we went to the Delaware Art Museum.

Beautiful glass in the main entrance windows! It was a celebration for the Chinese New Year done in partnership with Chinese School.

In class the kids had made art projects which were on display at the Museum. Madeline, who remember, wants to be an artist, was very excited to see the lantern she made hanging in an art museum!

Art from the kids in the class were hung around several areas while there were other activities going on, such as having your name written in Chinese calligraphy.

Lots of craft areas, and a shadow puppet show titled "Tiger Tales"...

learning how to play with a chinese yo-yo (Madeline was better at it than Ron!)

Madeline was happy to finally see the Lion dance - my favorite!

新年快乐 - Xin Nian Kuai Le - Happy New Year

This coming week we have 2 more dance performances at different places around the town plus gymnastics. It's going to be a busy week again, and more snow is forecast for tonight!