"...my life is different now."

Yup. That's what she said on the way to school today. In a quiet, serene tone that I've only known since the day she began school.

Then, when I got out of the car to open her door and walk her in the building...

...there were these big, silent, crocodile tears rolling down her cheeks.

This is killing me.

Any suggestions?

Pitifully Regretful,

~Kate-Lyn~

Miss Grace's First Day at MTA

It was a momentous day in our little one's life on Wednesday. We thought long and hard on this one. Letting her "go" did not come easy to me. It was only yesterday that I was rocking her to sleep with a bottle wasn't it?

Today she became a student at MTA. Yes it's a Pre-K Program but it's SO much more and that's why we did it. I'm hoping and praying we made the right decision. She's learning Spanish, she's learning the piano, she goes to Chapel everyday, she's in school full-time five days a week,  she has homework every night. Sigh...

Here she is outside with her BFF, don't they look happy?

Notice how they are holding hands for moral support? Too dang cute fur words...

Here she is inside after entering the classroom for the first time. Doesn't that look say it all?

So...it's been two days of mixed emotions. She misses her "old school" and her friends and teachers there. But she enjoys doing her homework and in off-moments we hear parts of her day which tell me she is doing OK. Please keep our little one in your prayers (and her Mom and Dad too).

Pensively~ Kate-Lyn

Gotcha Day Celebration 2010

So the day has come and went. Gotcha Day that is. The day that we became parents to Zhang ChunXue. In some ways it seems so much longer ago than 3 years. Yet in others it seems just yesterday. In part, that is because of the awesome group of people who have come into our lives as a result of our adoption travel to China. Our family has grown. Our hearts have grown to encompass these four families in a way that is truly unique. It is impossible to share those moments of becoming parents together and not be bound together in a way that is deeply moving and lifelong. I liken it to being in the delivery room together ( all right that may be a bit of a stretch but not much really). After all two of the four were first time parents. What a privilege to share these precious moments together. They are permanently etched on my heart, irreplacable. What's even more awesome is that our group has stuck together. All equally committed to seeing that our daughters walk through life together. These once a year visits are truly treasures in my Mom's heart. And I know in a short few years, the girls will all feel the same way. Right now, it's just playtime, vacation time. But soon they will realize that they are part of an intimate, exclusive group who in time can lean on each other, learn and grow in understanding of their roots together, and likely share in the mystery of how they came to be US citizens.

Our short four days together came and went all too quickly. But what a whirlwind of fun it was! On Thursday we ate dinner together, played and laughed together and eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rest of our group.

On Friday morning the excitement grew as the rest of our group was due to arrive.

Uh-hum, this might be a good place to add, that most of the time it was excitement. Our Miss Grace had what my father would call a "character building moment" or two as she had to turn her house over to five friends and share all of her toys exclusively. Sometimes it was lovely, sometimes it was ugly. But in the end she's better for it, at least that's what I think :)

Oh the joy when all six girls and all five families were reunited! We ate lunch together, went to the playground together and after dinner we went to the classic Hoffman's Playland together. If I were to place a dollar figure on every smile, squeal or giggle that night I'd say we got a 10-fold return on our modest investment. It was an awesome night.

Six Smiling Girls, Priceless!

The Zamboni Man was a hero to these southern gals...snow in August?! Never mind the playground!

Miss Grace's photo of the Mom's and Dad's playing Catch Up at the Commons (hurry back Ed!)

Now that's alot of Pinkness for one train, good thing we had Sam in the back to keep those girls in line!

Can't you just hear the giggles? What a great day!

On Saturday we took the girls on a special outing to Yaddo Gardens. I must admit, this is the part I was looking forward to the most. Mama Darling from over at Desheng Darling and Doodlebug made these absolutely angelic dresses for all the girls. In like one day. She's amazing.She provided the lovely daisies for their hair too, it's was perfect! We arrived at 10:00 am all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready for the camera with lots of smiles. Don't ask me how things were at 11:00 just as we were leaving, lol! The girls really turned on the charm for our awesome photographers Kyle and Debbie. These photos are a few ours of course. If you'd like to see their work over at Unforgettable Photo email me and I'll send you the event code and password.

Such joy, such beauty, I was overwhelmed to tears. What a wonderful moment to behold all my days...

After Yaddo we all went to the Saratoga Race Course for the afternoon. I think it's safe to say that Sharon was the big winner. We all had a great day, even if we left a little money behind. For me, it's all about people watching and those beautiful horses.

Thank you Debbie for the "back stretch" fun! Notice their matching Anhui Girls shirts? Too dang cute fur words!

After a little rest time, we all had dinner together for one last time and some yummy S'more for dessert. Thank you Mr. Skip! Oh, and this would be a great time to insert another genunine "Thank You". This one is for the brothers who have given the limelight over to their sisters for three days straight. You guys are AWESOME brothers!

What a tasty way to wrap up a super fun day!

Sadly Sunday had to come. We all met for breakfast at their hotel so we could have one last bit of time together. Did I mention that we snuck in the back door and crashed the breakfast buffet? The girls romped and played one last time before we gave lots of hugs good-bye for one more year.

Footnote to Sunday...

After the largest part of our group left we decided to show the Darling Family a little bit of the Adirondack Park. Since it was a rainy day, what better thing to do than take a ride? The girls were great in the car while the grown-ups chatted a little more. We did as much as possible considering the soggy day. Then we wrapped up the fun with a little Mexican food for our Texas friends with hearts truly a big as Texas. We miss having you as "neighbors". Can't wait until we all meet again.

Still Smiling ~ Kate-Lyn

Just 'Cuz...

Ya know how you take a photo and you just can't stare at it enough? Likely it's of your children or someone or some place that is really special to you. You know the ones, well here are a few recent ones that I just can't help but post, just 'cuz...

In Sweet Reverie ~ Kate-Lyn

SU Lacrosse Camp

The day has finally come. The day that they have been talking about, planning for and wishing time would fly by for...

Syracuse University Lacrosse Camp has begun. They are on campus, doing as SU players do. This is their highest aspiration. What they are working hard to achieve. I pray nothing gets in their way.

Have a great week guys. Play hard, learn alot and have tons of fun. Can't wait to hear all about it!

Happy Lax Mom,

Kate-Lyn

A Perfectly Perfect Day...

Today we quite spontaneously decided to go to the Saratoga Race Track. Actually, it was our little giveback to Grace for all the time she's spent on the lacrosse field since May when the season began. She majorly deserved this day of "horse fun". This was her first trip to the track and it was great to share in her excitement. The fun started right away when we were parking the car and she saw all the horses in their stalls. She was SO excited, turning heads with her squeals of delight out the window from the back seat.

Little did she know what lay ahead. Awe set in again as we walked to the gate and she watched the thoroughbreds getting their baths from the grooms.

Today was "Hats Off to Saratoga Day" where the ladies wear their fancy hats to the track. We did our best, but it was a lame attempt compared to others. Perhaps next year I'll get out my hot glue gun and really do it right.

At the gates, ready to buy our tickets...

Girls in Hats, what fun!

When we got inside she played on the playground, ate some yummy track food (I suggest the sausage and peppers personally), checked out the bathroom (she was amazed at the lady handing out towels and candy), people watched...

...need I really say anything?

Then, finally, the first race started. She must've asked a million, no two million, questions. Thankfully, she's only four 'cuz I know zip,zero, nada, about racing. But in her eyes, I knew EVERYTHING. Oh how, I miss those days with the boys, lol!

And their off...!

Equally fun to our Grace was the cooling off walk where these gorgeous animals come up close and personal.

Or the Post Parade...

All in all, it was an awesome day at the track indeed. But, all good things must come to an end sooner or later. So to help soften the blow, we decided to take a stroll in Congress Park. Much to our delight the Shakespeare Actors were there performing Hamlet. So, naturally, we pulled up our chairs and enjoyed this wonderful talent. Miss Grace again, asked a million questions (mostly she needed translation, lol!). She was good up until the part where Ophelia died. Then when Hamlet got in the sword fight, she decided she couldn't watch any more. She kept hiding her eyes, then peeking out asking if it was over yet. It was half cute and half not when she just couldn't get the concept that they were REALLY just pretending.

Thankfully, when the play was done the actors strolled the lawn and she got to see that Ophelia REALLY was alive and well.

And Hamlet too...

Not wanting to end the fun times, we had a picnic dinner in the park too while we waited for a concert to follow. Naturally, we needed dessert too. So we strolled Broadway to find a potty yummy treat.

Thank you Coldstone Creamery!

No trip to the park would be complete without some photos our our little one in the beautiful evening light at the Canfield. Well done, Daddy!

Or some candids taken by our own budding photographer, Miss Grace...

Warm, beautiful summer days like this just make you wanna dance...

It just brings out the kid in all of us...

What a perfect day indeed!

Joyfully,
Kate-Lyn

Girls Day Out...

Yesterday I called Elizabeth's Mommy and asked if she was available to do something spontaneous. She (as I 90% expected) said, "Yes".  I love that about her! So we took Elizabeth and Grace to the "Spa City" or "the City in the Country". To most adults this beautiful city represents horse racing, gambling, our own Socialite Marylou Whitney, trying to catch a glimpse of a celebrity in August, entertainment on Caroline Street and shopping on Broadway.

Speed ahead to two good friends who are 3 and 4 years old. To them it has an entirely different meaning...

....like

Playing Ring-Around-The-Rosie in the Rose Gardens

Or...

Pretending to be movie stars at Yaddo

Or...

A smiled-filled ride on the historic carousel in Congress Park


And the best for last....

An ice cream at Ben and Jerry's on Phila Street

Ah, does summer get any sweeter than this?

"Best friends are the most important ingredient in the recipe for a happy and fulfilled life."
Author Unknown