July

Summer is in full swing and we are super busy.  Aiden came down and spent a week with us. Sophia always loves to have him around.  Steve also went up to Aiden's college orientation at Ithica with him.  Aiden is really looking forward to starting college.

The biggest event of the July was Sophia getting her braces off.  She was so excited and her teeth looked great.  She now has retainers and is being super responsible taking care of them.

Sophia kept us busy with her swim team practices and swim meets.  She enjoyed herself and improved her times at every meet.  She won two of her races in the novice meet.  This was a great way to end the season.

Sophia and I visited Grandma in July.  We were there one day and then she ended up getting sick (we did not infect her!)  She had pneumonia.  I am grateful I was there so I could get her to the doctors, pick up meds, help her with grocery shopping and around the house.  Sophia spent two days AND an overnight with her Aunt Linda and the kids.  This was her first sleep over and I feared my sister and I would have to be meeting up at midnight but she did EXCELLENT.  She didn't even call me in the morning.



























Sophia and I took a couple of walks on the beach while we were visiting my mother.  There was a full moon one night and it was beautiful.

Sophia and I also went to Maine for our "China Family Reunion."  Five of the six families that adopted together eight years ago were there.  The girls had a blast.  It amazes me to see how they all get along.  We went to the beach.  The kids and a couple of the fathers swam in the 64 degree water.

Sophia has been hanging out with Steve because they are both off all summer.  They are having fun at the pool, doing outings and even babysat for Steve's co-workers five month old baby for a week.

Shadow, who normally runs away from Sophia, let her cuddle with him one day.  Noelle has been sick and we are hoping she feels better soon.  She doesn't want to eat or play.  We hope it is a temporary set back but it has been four days so far.  Sigh.

Noelle was glad when we got home from Maine.  She had her sleeping buddy back.

Sophia and Shadow

July 1st through the years

On July 1st, 2006 we received our referral.  Every July 1st since I have taken a picture of Sophia holding her referral picture.  It is amazing to watch the growth from year to year.

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 (a little grumpy)

2014

2014

In 2007 the top of Sophia's head barely reached the X in the door frame.  Now her shoulders are way about the X.  She is growing up too quickly.

June update

This month has been a great one.

Sophia joined the neighborhood swim team.  She is loving it.  She enjoys the practices and had her first meet.  She improved her time in both freestyle and backstroke.  She is motivated and tries real hard.

Sophia finished second grade.  She had a great year and is looking forward to starting third grade.  Sophia found out she will be getting her braces off in July.  She is very excited about this.

Sophia's best friend Katlyn spent the night with us.  They are such good friends.  They have known each other all their lives and it shows.





















We went to the Folklife Festival.  One of the countries featured was China.  Sophia enjoyed learning about the culture.  She loved watching the dances.






















Sophia and I planted our garden this month. She is making a wonderful butterfly garden.  We also planted tomatoes and cucumbers.

Kaegogi had surgery to remove what the doctor thought was an impacted salivary gland.  It turned out to be a huge tumor but luckily it was benign.  She looks so much better now.

Before

After

Aiden had a huge month.  He went to his senior prom.  He looked so handsome.

 He also graduated from Nutley High School.  He will start Itacha College this fall and major in music education.  Steve and Aiden will go up to orientation in early July.  Aiden can't wait to start this new chapter in his life. He has done extremely well academically and musically in high school.  We know that he is going to succeed in college.

We are very proud of all Aiden has accomplished.

What a month!

May has been a very busy month, busier than most.  The month started off with Sophia performing in the school's Multicultural Night signing a song in Mandarin.  She learned the song by listening to it on YouTube and then practicing a few times with the group.

She competed in the final schooling show of the series.  She placed 3rd in the walk class, 2nd in the trot class and 1st going over the poles.  She won Reserve Champion for the spring series.  She loves riding but also just loves getting Mirage ready for the show, brushing her, helping to give her a bath, getting her stall cleaned and polishing the tack.

I was away for the weekend when the azalea bushes bursted into full color but Steve knows I take a picture of Sophia each year in front the the bushes.  He made sure I didn't miss the yearly photo opportunity and took the photo for me.  What a guy!

Sophia washed my car as part of my Mother's Day gift.  She had a blast doing this.  Our neighbor Katelyn helped her.  I think she had more soap on her than the car did.

The agency that we adopted with hosted a retirement part for the woman who has been the Chinese liaison for over twenty years.  Her both brothers traveled with each family as they met their child in China.  They were both at this event as well.  It was great to so many families that ATI and Xiumin have helped unite.  We were able to talk to Shihong who traveled with us and brought us to the hospital when Sophia was sick.

Sophia and I joined many girls from our Brownie Troop at the camporee.  Sophia and I went up for the day but had a blast.  I think Sophia might even consider staying the night next year.

Sophia started her swim team practice for the local pool.  The water is cold but she really enjoys the after school practice sessions and being part of the team.

Sophia made a project as part of her enrichment seminar at school.  This was on display during the Enrichment Fair.  She stood by her project for 30 minutes explaining it to the children and parents who attended the fair.  She also participated in an enrichment math class and was chose to stand by that project board for 30 minutes explaining that to the guest.  She was very proud of her work.

Sophia was in the in house Memorial Day show.  She did an awesome job.  She took 1st place in equation, 2nd place in pleasure and 4th place doing some Simon Says game with the horses.  Red, White and Blue... seems fitting for Memorial Day.  She also participated in a trail course which she loved.

To finish off this very busy month Sophia was in a play.  This was part of her after school Drama Kids class.  She joined the 3rd-5th grade class in January  because they thought she could handle the work.  She did more than handle it.  She really blossomed and it showed in the play.  She appeared confident and projected her voice.  I could not believe how clearly and slowly she spoke.  She said she was nervous but it did not show at all.

 Our air conditioning broke mid month.  We are still without air.  After working with the warranty company we will have a new one installed mid-June, with just a little help from the warranty.  We are NOT happy with the warranty company but we will take the little money they are giving us then canceling our policy.  Needless to say we have been sleeping with the upstair windows open.  The cats have been loving this.  Noelle is here now but it usually Shadow in the window.