Alpine Groves

Fun playdate today with the FCC group at Alpine Groves!

Pony Party

Angel was invited to Carolena's pony birthday party. They had ponies, snow cones, pin the tail on the donkey, tatoos...fun! We were wondering if the weather would hold out but it was a little cold but at least the rain held out. Angel rode the pony 4 times and was having a blast. Do I see some riding lessons in the future?


Angel and Carolena

Waiting for a snow cone

Major meltdown

Just going on record to say that my sweet little Angel had a major meltdown in Walgreens because I wouldn't buy her a little rubber band toy thingy. I absolutely refuse to give in to that type of situation, so she melted down quite nicely. It took both me and Josh to get her out of the store and into the car. As I was putting the toy thing back (they were located right by the register and she picked it up as soon as we entered the store) she was trying to grab another one!! The nerve!! She rarely has this type of tantrum, in fact I believe this was only the second or third time. The last one was during Christmas time in the mall in North Carolina with Grandma over Buzz Lightyear pajamas. Of course, grandma wanted to buy them for her and said no way! What does that teach? Anyway, I wonder what triggers these outbursts and I thank God they don't happen too often. She cried a little while during the drive home but was ok when we got home. Of course, no playing or treat after that craziness. You can't have your cake and eat it too, sister!

Chinese New Year 2010

We celebrated an awesome Chinese New Year with our local Families with Children from China group. The night included a silent auction, raffles, yummy buffet, children's craft table, entertainment, which included 5 groups of dancers from our very own FCC group. And last but not ever least, the Lion Dance.

Angel's picture was also featured in an online article about the event:



The children of the organization performed dance routines to help celebrate Chinese New Year.

Adoption Group Celebrates Lunar New Year
Chinese Culture Of Adopted Chidren Honored At Annual Event

POSTED: Saturday, February 20, 2010
UPDATED: 11:34 am EST February 21, 2010



The children of the organization performed dance routines to help celebrate Chinese New Year.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- About 400 members of a group supporting Chinese adoption rang in the Year of the Tiger Saturday night with a gala event.

In an event full of food, fellowship and entertainment to celebrate the Chinese New Year that included nearly 100 adopted children, the most honored guests were the youngest: 12 children united with their forever families in the past year.

Older children, from preschoolers through middle school age, dressed in silk and performed dance routines. The evening was capped with a traditional Lion Dance, which became a parade of smiling children.

Families with Children from China has gathered to celebrate the lunar calendar's new year and their children's birth culture for 10 years, growing from two dozen people in the back room an area restaurant to an annual gala that fills the largest ballroom at the Sawgrass Marriott.

More Pix:


Angel ready to go

Angel and Josh

Angel and Julia



Angel and Kimberly

Angel and Sienna

Chinese New Year for Angel's class

Goody bags
Raina is another adoptive mom who brought her daughter home in December. Naia and Angel are in the same classroom, so Raina and I presented a Chinese New Year to their class. We talked about some of the intersting facts and traditions about cny, including how to present a red money envelope, Raina showed the kids how to use chopsticks and we let them pick up cotton balls. Angel taught the class to count to 10, say hello, good bye and thank you in Chinese. We also had a snack of mandarin oranges and rice cakes. The kids each got a goody bag filled with Chinese items including a money envelope, a couple of craft items, pencil and notepad.

Raina, Angel and Naia showing how to use chopsticks

Counting

Showing some Chinese money

Another road trip - this time for some snow!

This past weekend we headed to Western NC to see some snow. Little did we know that the south east was going to get hit with a winter storm. So we ran into snow as early as South Carolina! But we made it up to Boone, NC Friday night and settled into our room. Saturday we went out and started playing in the snow. We drove to Blowing Rock but the actual Blowing Rock attraction was closed because of the snow. But we played around there and then went into the little town of Blowing Rock. I have such fond memories of this area. I remember coming here with my family as a child and into the teenage years. Then several years ago, my aunt and uncle bought an old house in this area and fixed it up. So within the past several years, we have been here several more times, both to stay at my aunts house and also with friends, to ski. Josh saw his first snow in this area and now, this weekend, Angel did too. She loved it!




Snow Angel


Sledding

Happy Chinese New Year

We wish everyone a wonderful Year of the Tiger!

Valentine's Day celebration at school

Going through her treats.

Road trip to Hollywood Studios

Today we took a road trip to Hollywood Studios. We had a great time. It was not overly crowded so we were able to do quite a bit while there. It was nice to have the three of us together enjoying our day.





Us before riding the Tower of Terror.

Watching the American Idol competition



Angel dancing in the parade



Angel with Buzz and Woody

100 Days of school

Today Angel's class celebrated the 100th day of school by having a fashion show to show off their 100 Day creations. Each child was to create a shirt or hat with 100 items etc. Angel created a tshirt with 100 spelled out with fabric paints dots.

Just Living Life

Well I haven't posted in a while. We have just been doing the normal stuff - school, chinese lessons, cny dance practice, hanging with friends.

hanging out with Raina's kids at their playground







Dressed up like Hannah Montana