Science Experiment

Science Experiment
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Lesson of the day -- more flour equals thicker/dryer dough, more water equals thinner/stickier dough, and more of everything equals a big wonderful learning mess.

We are celebrating our last couple of weeks in the "old kitchen" before we update it with a new stove and eating area. Ultimately the room will retain much of its 1940's charm while becoming a lot more functional. I'm already missing our Halcyon days of eating out with abandon!

Pucker

Pucker
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Dance update -- on Sunday, Helen did manage to remember every single move to her ballet dance. Apparently a rice krispie treat is memory inducing. ;) The seniors thought the show was stupendous, and so did we.

Pink Ruffly Cuteness

Mini Marvels Garden Shot
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

It is only appropriate that dance year end with an abundance of pink ruffly cuteness. Helen, standing third from left, is almost the tallest (except for Mia, who is a year older) and remains one of the most distracted.

Unfortunately, we missed the Friday where we could videotape the routines for practice purposes. This was evident at dress rehearsal when Helen pretty much just stood there during the entire first song... ut oh... We'll see what we can do in a week, otherwise we're counting on the audience being blinded by the aforementioned cuteness!

Quicksilver View

Quicksilver View
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We went on a two-mile hike at Quicksilver today. Helen and Claire chased each other about half of the trip, and the other half we pushed or carried them. This was actually a victory, because walking for the sake of walking has yet to rank highly on their favorite things list. I keep trying to remember that last year they didn't walk for 10 yards without looking for a bail-out. So perhaps our dream of a family hiking trip before the age of 30 may happen sooner than we thought.

My First Major League Baseball

My First Major League Baseball
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Chris was convinced that if Helen and I smiled sweetly in front of the dugout after each inning of the A's game, we would surely get a ball. After inning number 8 I was beginning to doubt this strategy. But finally, at the end of the 8th, Helen walked away with her first major league baseball complete with dirt and grass stains and chafing from the bat. Talk about excitement!

Sharks Fans at A's Game

A's Game
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We couldn't have picked a better night for a game -- we had great seats thanks to a co-worker, warm weather, and a mercifully short game. The only thing missing was the win, but the Sharks made up for that tonight! They got the biggest cheer in Oakland!

Rolling Along

Rolling
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

This is not our toy, but it probably will be soon. At our FCC play group this weekend, our troops befriended the little boy who owned this wheel, and I dare say that he didn't see it much afterwards. They pushed and pulled each other, dog-piled in and out, and rolled through large swaths of the park. I love how strong and feisty Helen has become. Although at times we have to curb her enthusiasm, her spirit bubbles over regardless.

Whatever Helen feels, she feels intensely. She brought home a drawing today of her reaction to a classical piano piece that they played at preschool. Her drawing expressed the sadness that she felt. She couldn't describe why the music made her feel that way, but music has always seemed to touch her deeply.

We have been having tough conversations lately about her "China Mom" and why she couldn't take care of her. Not easy for either of us, but necessary, and frankly happening later than I expected since I've been opening the door for the conversation for quite some time. While we will never really know what is going on in her head, I want to be cognizant that she might be acknowledging a sense of loss for the first time. Just today I read a blog entry from a Korean adoptee (and adoptive parent) who did a wonderful job of explaining why "it's o.k. to say 'I'm Sorry' in adoption". Her words provide such beautiful insight.

http://heartmindandseoul.typepad.com/

Growing, Learning, Living

Growing
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Everything is growing. Our flowers. The grass "hair" on Helen's chia-pet project from preschool. Feet. (Helen's, of course.) It's spring and everything is blooming, especially our little Ruquan. Our most exciting seasonal development is the introduction of a family Chinese language and culture class. All three of us are adding vocabulary and struggling through using the proper tones. Helen will tell anyone who will listen (for example, the clerk at Trader Joe's or the guy who mows the lawn) that she is learning how to speak Chinese. Hen hao!

Umbrella

Umbrella
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

So my parents have returned from a fabulous whirlwind trip of China. It was great to hear the details about the sites, the food, the people, the shopping... and on that note....

Mom mentioned that she asked Helen before the trip if she wanted her to bring back something special. Helen indeed had a special request. By some fluke, grandma actually found this item and in the midst of the gloating, realized that Helen might not even remember what she had requested.

So I call Helen over and ask... "Helen, do you remember what you asked Grandma to bring you from China?" pause... "Yes, I asked her for an umbrella" she calmly responds. "What kind of an umbrella?" Grandma prompts from the phone. Another pause... "A Winnie the Pooh Umbrella" says Helen.

Geez, and we weren't sure if she'd remember! Leave it to my mom to be able to find something so specific. Leave it to Helen to ask for it. Leave it to me to have the kid that will forever more expect any shopping request to magically appear from half way around the world!

April's 40 -- No Foolin'

April's 40 -- No Foolin'
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

First it was Suzanne. Then Margaret. Then Stephanie. Now April... It' no April Fool -- most of my friends are 40. Which means, well, let's just put that subject aside for now, and recognize our birthday girl in pink! Here is April blowing out the candles on her strawberry shortcake with Helen, Gabby, and Margarito watching from the sidelines. Since April and I have been friends since about 3rd grade, I can honestly say that her age, energy, and good-heartedness have increased at the same rate.