Disneyworld 2007

Just returned from one heck of a trip to Disneyworld with the extended family. Lots of ups and downs, but overall a real blast. Here is the evidence:

Disneyworld07

Fall 2007 Update

With a new school year, new teachers and a new curriculum, the girls are flourishing. I can't believe the progress they are already making. Zara has begun to use more and more words, and multi-word sentences. She is also more confident and happy.

Alina is making outstanding progress on reading and can now quickly sound out words and write letters if we spell the words out loud to her. We are packing today to head to Disneyworld.

There should be many new photos upon our return. In the mean time, here are a few to hold you over:

Photos of Zara Before Adoption

We were so blessed to have been given these beautiful photos of Zara. They were taken each month over the course of her first year of life by the organization that facilitates foster programs in Changsha. She's such a beauty.

ZaraBefore

Back to School

Alina started kindergarten last week. She absolutely loves it! Zara is also growing up quickly too. Here's a shot of her with the older girls.

Summer 07 Updates

It's been a busy summer of traveling, recitals, graduations and parties. Rescuing and fostering dogs has also kept us busy. Alina also attended an awesome Harry Potter party where she won a special edition of the book by guessing the number of beans in a jar. Photos below.



Zara is really growing and changing. She now says words like Mine, Shoe, Boo, ByeBye, Toe, Tea, etc. And, of course, her favorite word "NO!!" She also likes to sing. She's quite feisty right now and entering the terrible twos but I can tell she has attached fully and is doing really well in her new life.



I just received a nice promotion to Senior Director of Marketing Communications and Paul is doing well in his new position. We were both in Anaheim this week and had to jump through a few hoops to make sure the girls were taken care of during the transition. Thank God for Mom.

It has also been a Summer of sickness thanks to the constant rainfall that we've been experiencing. I cannot imagine what it must be like to live in Seattle! I'm the latest to come down with this week's nasty virus. Here's hoping that the rain clears up and we all get well so that we can enjoy what's left of the summer before Alina starts Kindergarten at the end of August.

Aly and AJ Concert

Alina had an absolute blast at the Aly and AJ/Corbin Bleu concert last night. She even got to meet Aly and AJ as a friend of mine scored back stage access!!

Summer Highlights

Here are a few cute shots from the Summer including Zara as a surfer girl at the Texas coast.