Missoula Children's Theater: Little Red Riding Hood

We have been visiting my parents this past week in my home town. My nephew and Hailey had the chance to participate in the Missoula Children's Theater's production of Little Red Riding Hood. It was a "fractured fairy tale" as the story was told from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf. Hailey was part of the "Wolfgang" and my nephew was "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". They worked so hard all week and the performance was absolutely adorable. They really pulled off quite a show in just a weeks time. If you ever have the MCT come to your town, take advantage of it. They do an outstanding job. They have been traveling throughout the US and Canada since the 1970's to bring the theater experience to communities and children. We are so proud of Hailey and B. and look forward to doing another show in our town this Fall.

The Birds and the Bees

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take my 6 year old out for a quick lunch before she went to her rehearsal for an upcoming Children's Theater performance. Out of the blue I get the ever dreaded question:
"Mom, how do you get pregnant?" As I am silently groaning inside I am trying to not blush or appear flustered. Keeping in mind that she is only 6 and certainly on a need to know basis with this subject, I keep my answer fairly safe. "Well, when boys and girls grow up, they fall in love and get married. They love each other very much....." and I am cut off. "No, Mom, I mean after all that love stuff...how do you get pregnant?" Mind you once again, I am talking with my 6 year old who is reading at a 4th grade level. Her favorite TV shows are on the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. At this point I am beginning to think that she could possibly have more information on this subject than I know about.
"Mom, I know that babies start out as tiny little molecules. But what make the molecules grow?" Can you believe this?
"Well, honey, it takes a boy and a girl."
"Oh. So they mate?" Mommy takes a big breath...
"Yes. That's right."
"But what about the molecules?"
"Well, part of the molecules come from the girl and part of them come from the boy. When they get together, then a baby starts growing....Come on and eat...we're going to be late." (I had to get out of this...) Hailey looks out the window for a minute, then something catches her eye on the restaurant TV. She is quiet and I can just see the wheels turning behind her innocent green eyes. I am bracing myself for the next question. And she says, "Mom, can I have some more chocolate milk?"
And off we go to rehearsal. Evidentally, she was satisfied enough with the conversation. I sooo hope so.
I am constantly amazed by this little child of mine. She is much too smart and aware for her mere 6 years although I prefer it over the alternative.
Last night, we had friends for dinner and as they were leaving and saying good-bye, our friend said to Hailey, "Are you going to start 1st grade?" Hailey nodded her head. Our friend continued, "You sure are smart." "Yes," replied Hailey, "I know alot." God Bless her...

We Have to Believe...

(This image was found on the web. It is not Hanna...at least not that we know...)

Three years ago today Hanna was found at a marketplace in Shan Wei City, Guangdong Province, China. She was lying in a paper box, wrapped in a towel and wearing white baby clothes. We have to believe that the woman who placed her there did it with the utmost love and hope for her baby. We have to believe she held her for about two days. Looked in her eyes, swaddled her, stroked her cheeks, gave her soft, sweet, kisses. She did all of the endearing, amazing things a mother does. And then, she said good-bye so that her baby could have a better chance. We don't know the reasons behind the painful decision this courageous woman made. We have to believe that if she could, she would have held her baby in her arms forever. Instead, now, she only holds her in heart. The politics in China are unfathomable to us here in the US and other developed countries. But for the people in China, the politics and policies are a way of life. They are poor. They are hungry. They are hard workers. They are people who make sacrifices every day. They are honorable. They are bound by tradition. And, they press on. For whatever the reason, we are so grateful. God had a plan for that baby, placed loving for someone to find, and she is a dream come true.

Motherbridge of Love
Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not know. The other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life; the second taught you to live it.
The first one gave you a need for love; the second was there to give it.
One gave you a body, the other taught you games.
One gave you a talent. The other taught you aims.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One found a home for you that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child; her hope was not denied.
And now you ask, of course you do,
The question others ask me too:
his place or your birth place--which are you a daughter of?
Both of them, my darling- and two different kinds of love.
~Anonymous

To learn more about Mother Bridge of Love and its many offerings, you can visit their website at
www.motherbridge.org

Birthday Pictures

Happy Birthday....Part 3

After pictures the girls and I went to Red Robin for lunch. H. loved her sundae (mostly just the whipped cream and chocolate). However, she was petrified when all the staff came over to sing to her. She took it pretty well though. Then we went to the store and she chose a bouquet of flowers in honor of her birth mother. There is definitely something very bittersweet about a birthday for an adopted child relinquished at birth. We want to try to maintain some perspective for Hanna and hopefully turn today into something positive. We had a fun little backyard party with Hanna's cousins. They played limbo and splashed in the sprinkles and pool. Cake and presents followed and then it was off to bed. It was a great day and I think Hanna really "got it" that it was her special day. We had one minor meltdown while singing "Happy Birthday". I'm not sure if she just didn't like the candles or if it was all of the attention suddenly focused on her, but she completely lost it...huge crocodile tears were flowing by the end of the song. We are still learning...
Happy Day to you Hanna. We love you so much!

Happy Birthday....Part 2...Photo Session

Happy Birthday ...Part 1

Happy Birthday Hanna Mei! We are so happy to celebrate today. No huge plans...just a fun day together and then dinner with all the cousins and Gramma and Grampa tonight. After a birthday breakfast we are off to the store so Hanna can choose some flowers to honor her "Tummy Mommy". More to come...stay tuned...

A Song and A Smile

Bug #2...In her own words...
Skidamarink Take 1 ...



Skidamarink...Take 2...

Oh, how you have blessed us! We love you T.Z.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Day to the Daddies! Thank you Daddy G for all you do for us. You are a bright light for your little girls in so many ways. We love you!

Country Fair and Festival

Lot's of fun last night at our town's Country Fair and Festival. We went to the opening night concert with friends. I'm biased, but, based on the pictures, could they get any cuter?...

Swim Meet

Bug #1 had her second swim meet of the season today. The first meet, last weekend, was a whole new experience for her and really nothing to "blog" home about. But today, after lots of hard work this past week, was an amazing improvement. The deal was, if she swam both of her races without stopping, she could go see the new movie Kung Fu Panda. (The movie opened last weekend and, based on the whole first meet, etc, etc...we didn't go. A parenting topic for another post.) Well, today, was once again the 25 meter Backstroke and the 25 meter Breaststroke and Bug #1 gave it her all. She swam her little heart out and we couldn't be more proud. We realize there is still room to grow, but with this being only the second meet and still four more to go; we'll take today.

Here is the backstroke race (forgive the amateur photography...mommies get excited). In this race Bug 1 improved her time from last week by over 1 minute...like I said, we have a long way to go...but we love improvement...and I think Bug 1 now understands the benefit of NOT stopping to take a break in the middle of her race (e.g. last weekend). Praise The Lord!

In her Breaststroke race, Bug 1 improved her time from last week by 46 seconds. Way to go!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Welcome

Welcome to the life and times of a mom, a dad, and their two little ladybugs. We live a simple life in the suburbs. Mommy works, Daddy works, and the bugs go to school/daycare. What happens in between is often ho-hum but at times humbling and even hilarious. Right now Mommy and the bugs are enjoying a summer at home so maybe the Chronicles will begin to take shape. Happy reading...
erin