Progress!

Do you remember this picture?

This was the first day of preschool and my little girl did not want to go.  It was a tough day that first day, and for many more days after.  But then something happened.  We discovered the window.  The window in the preschool classroom that looks out over the parking lot.  A life saver for this mom and dad!  At first, when the teacher peeled Cadie off of us, she took her to the window to say goodbye.  Tears.  Then one day, no tears and a wave.  Then a shout, "Wo Ai Ni, Mommy!"  Then... {brace yourself}, no teacher.  She went to the window, all by herself and waited patiently for me to walk out of the building to my car which I parked right in front of the window. I promptly heard "bye-bye Mommy...have a good day at work, Mom...put Kung Fu Panda on (yes, she loves this song)!"  Oh my, how far we've come.  Here is how I left her on Friday morning as I pulled away...

 I'm so proud of my girl and how much progress she's made in such a short time.  And I'm proud of myself and daddy for hanging in there with her and giving her all the time, hugs and kisses she needed to feel secure in her new classroom.  We love you CadieXin, and we will ALWAYS be here for you!

Sunday Snapshot {hayride}

A few quick pics before we head out the door.

Our resident ghost family.

The Snyder tribe!

My tribe!

Evelyn and Ethan enjoying the ride.

Cadie was very guarded during the ride; and the sky looked a little Sleepy-Hollow-ish in this picture!

Emily after a run down the slide!

Cadie loved going down the slide, but mysteriously her "feets" weren't working to walk up the big hill! 

The end of a fun evening!

On Saturday evening we headed out for our annual neighborhood hayride and brought our friends, the Snyder's, along. It was a 30 minute hayride through a Christmas tree farm, followed by a smorgasbord of hot dogs, s'mores, and hot chocolate around a big bonfire. Throw in a big slide made of drainage pipe, and you have some pretty happy kids!  It was cold too!  But a great time was had by all and we can't wait to do it again next year! I would have loved to get more pictures, but other than the light from the fire, it was totally dark and with all the commotion, it just didn't make for good picture taking time!

Sunday Snapshot {smiles}

We just love this little girl and her big smiles!

The littlest things just make her day...

and fill her with such pride!

There is nothing that she can't do...

She will accomplish big things in her life!

Sunday Snapshot {ghosts&goblins}

We are preparing for Halloween around here.  The ghosts are starting to arrive!

They are popping up all over our yard!

Oh my!
  
These pictures were taken with my sister's Canon EOS 40D on a test drive with minimal editing in Picasa.  This photography stuff is hard work!  I want my point and shoot back!  Enjoy.

Sunday Snapshot {caving 2012}

Christopher had another caving club meeting on Sunday morning in Kutztown, so Cadie and I decided to tag along in hopes of getting to do the tour of Crystal Cave.

While daddy was in his meeting, Cadie and I took off on a nature hike, with bag in hand for collecting treasures.

Getting a 3 year old to stop moving for any length of time is a feat in and of itself, but then to get a smile...priceless!

She looks so little next to the that tree!

Leading the way.

Finally, daddy is wrapping up his meeting and we can tour the cave.  This girl loves it up there on daddy's shoulders.  I'm sure the view is a lot better when you're 3 years old!

Why do they always sell the tickets in the gift shop?  It can take an hour for Cadie to pick out 1 souvenir...and these 2 parents can look like a couple of shifty salesmen trying to coerce her to just pick something! Torture!

Getting "the rules" from our guide before heading in the cave.

It was very difficult to capture on camera the beautiful "crystal" formations while trying to keep Cadie from touching everything!

Heading out after the tour...that was the longest hour of my life!  Cadie thought it was "great!"

The entrance.

The old Inn.

Cadie saying hello to the horse! I tried to tell her it's not real.

Her new friends, Boneses and Batty, from the gift shop.

Daddy trying to steal one of her snacks...love the facial expression. That's  a new one!

Sunday Snapshot {mid-autumn moon festival}

To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival this year, we headed to NYC with some friends to check out some of the festivities in Chinatown.  We are so glad we went.  The weather was beautiful and there was A LOT going on in the city!

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Our first stop was the Museum of Chinese in America (or MOCA), which had several activities for young kids, including lantern making, slide puppet making, and play-dough moon cake making!  All of which Cadie thoroughly enjoyed.  We attempted to watch the traditional puppet show twice, but she said it was "too loud and 'cary!" The wall Cadie and Christopher are standing in front of have the names of donors to the museum.  The engravings are of their Chinese name, english name, and where in China they are from and where they currently live.

Cadie and Daddy reading her new book "My Chinatown" by Kam Mack

Cadie showing Daddy the beautiful lantern she made.

A very old Lion Dancers costume (MOCA).

Some old movie posters featuring Chinese-American actors and directors (MOCA).

Cadie waiting patiently for the Lion Dancers to start at Sara Roosevelt Park in Chinatown, but the previous program was running long...we never did get to see them. We had to get back to the museum to "meet the author!"

Cadie had her new book, "My Chinatown" signed by the author Kam Mack.  Kam was born in Hong Kong and raised in Chinatown, NYC.  His book is a collection of poems and pictures depicting his life as a child growing up in Chinatown.  Kam also designs the Lunar New Year stamps for the U.S. Postal Service and takes great pride in sharing his Chinese heritage with other.  Thank you Mr. Mack for taking the time to share your book with all the kiddos!

My little Monkey King!  I should have bought this mask, she looks so darn cute in it!  And, she was jumping around like a little monkey saying, "I'm the Monkey King, I'm the Monkey King!"  Would have made a great Halloween costume. Hmmm....

Our friend, the Snyders, being interviewed by a local TV station for a piece they are doing on Chinatown.  This totally took the Snyder clan by surprise!  Christopher and I just kept shaking our heads, saying "only the Snyders!"  How exciting for their kids (3 adopted from China and 1 homegrown)!  After their interview, I got to talking to the reporter and he told me that he lived in China for 1 year and worked as a volunteer in an orphanage that only housed special needs children.  He said it was a life-changing experience.  I told him we felt the same way about our adoption experience.  We are truly changed!

Enjoying a delicious meal at Amazing 66 on Mott Ave. in Chinatown.  I read about this place on line and we decided to give it a try.  Clean and quiet, large tables, good food, excellent tea, and great prices.  This was a much appreciated respite from the hustle bustle of Chinatown.

Ethan and Emily...I promised them I would post this on the blog!

This little boy, just 4 years old, was singing karaoke in front of a bakery.  He was so adorable. Cadie was so ecstatic that she knew this popular Chinese children's song...she started clapping and singing along.  (Wish I knew the name of it, but the CD is all written in Chinese)! The red tins contain yummy moon cakes (4 for $15)...so, we bought some!

Cadie and daddy walking the streets of Chinatown, checking out the markets and food stands.

Locals congregate at Columbus Park to play games, socialize, play music, and exercise.  It is quite a busy place!

Walking through Columbus Park, heading back to the car.  A young lady was singing in the park, and this made CadieXin want to stop and dance!  Goodbye Chinatown, see you soon!