Meeting More Family

We had another amazing but quick weekend with Aunt Julie and Uncle Mal ( because Malcolm was a little hard to say!). We went out for a great dinner on Friday and then off to the zoo on Saturday. Uncle Mal is a wonderful photographer and we laughed because every time we went to an exhibit, the animals would go into this great pose position. I had just finished telling Malcolm and Julie that lions sleep most of the day and not to expect much. Lo and behold we come up the hill and there is the lion sitting up beautifully with his head held high! It was really funny! The gorilla exhibit was packed full of people up against the glass and all of the sudden one of the gorillas slapped the window and ran away. People were screaming and laughing. That's the great part about the zoo.... it is different every time. We love that Jodi is getting to meet her beautiful and amazing family and just wish we all were closer. We know that she feels loved and very special with the wonderful hugs, gifts, and time given to her.

Our little Jodi has quickly learned how to conquer and divide Mama and Baba to get what she wants. Fred and I are having alot of quick meetings to make sure we are on the same page. Amazing how fast they pick up on this! We are definitely having to teach her boundaries and the meaning of the word "no" which she is starting to question. I guess that makes her officially a 5 year old. Lots more for Mama and Baba to learn!

School, Family, and Lots of Fun

Jodi had her first day of preschool last Tuesday. We were very anxious to see how she would do since it was her first time away from us for any period of time. We are so proud to say that Miss Jodi was once again an trooper, going right to her class with only a little upset. Later that day when she was walking with her class, she passed by a room that Fred was in and just said, "Hi Baba." She LOVES school and also started Kindermusic which she will participate in once a week. She still shys away from the other kids some because her language is not where theirs is but we know that will get better.

Jodi got to meet her Aunt Laura and Uncle Bobo AKA Latham over the weekend. She was shy with them for about one minute before becoming her silly self. She immediately took them to her room to show off her toys and clothes which was so funny. We're having to teach her about boundaries as Saturday morning she decided to give Uncle Bobo a wakeup call by walking right on into his room to get him up! We had a great time at the zoo and saw a chimp up close and personal. It was truly amazing to see him so close behind the glass and to realize how similar he is to us (some of us more than others.....:) ) We then got to meet up with the wonderful Earnhardt family for dinner which was great! These are our cousins on my dad's side of the family. What a special day!! We got to sing Happy Birthday to Aunt Laura on Sunday and celebrated all day which Jodi thought was pretty cool. Now that Jodi understands more about birthdays, she keeps asking when hers is. I hate to tell her she has to wait until May!! She continues to blossom before our very eyes and we cannot express how blessed we feel to be her parents. She keeps us smiling and on our toes! Love to you!!

Jodi's First Show

We got to take Jodi to her first big show which was an amazing performance by Chinese artists. The dancing was so beautiful and the singers were unbelievable. They had a full orchestra and the show overall was incredible. It lasted a full 3 hours and we weren't sure how Jodi would do. Believe it or not, she was great most of the way through (a little squirmy at times since she is 5) but she seemed very interested in the dancing and beautiful costumes. She'd look back from time to time and say "beautiful!" When the curtain first opened, I (Mama) starting tearing up because the dancers and set were so pretty. It made me feel so proud of our daughters culture and Fred and I are so grateful we got to experience it firsthand when we went to get her in March. Jodi of course loved getting all dressed up in her dress that "twirls" and kept asking us if she looked pretty. I think she knew the answer!!!

Fred and I also learned firsthand that when your child gets sick, you very often manage to get it too! Fred battled the cold first and now I'm coughing and sneezing my way through. Oh well!! So much for my Labor Day projects. Love to you and yours and Happy Labor Day!