A glorious day in history!

9 years ago, Gordie and I becme parents to a beautiful one year old baby girl, Qin Li Cui from Hepu, Guangxi.  What a fantastic day it was!

Party Time!

Part of the excitement of celebrating a birthday around our house is actually figuring out what kind of party we will have.  This year, no great thoughts came to mind so pajama party it was.  In fact, it was a great idea!  Cara-Li enjoyed it tremndously!  10 girls for her 10th birthday!

Home made birthday banner in the party colours.



Potted veggies and dip.

Girls decorated their our fluffy slippers with foam flowers.

I needn't cook as they made their own pizzas!

Cake pops for the dessert bar.

Dessert bar = fruit skewers, cake pops and 'smores cookies.

The birthday girl with the birthday cake.

Opening present is always fun!

They're staying!

6 girls left behind to sleep.  It was not quiet!

Fruit platter for the morning after.

The Big Ten

Someone I know turned 10 years old today.  That someone is my baby, Cara-Li!  Hope that this landmark birthday lives up to her every expectations.  Love you, Cara-Li!  Enjoy your day.

And the celebrations begin...

Tonight we celebrated a couple of birthdays.  SQ who turned 9 on the 21st and Cara-Li who turns 10 on the 26th.  The cool part of their relationship is that they are from the same orphanage and were both adopted one year apart by 2 Montreal families.  So we always make a point to be part of each others lives and frankly, we've done a great job!  We see each other all the time and are always there for each other's important landmarks (and other stuff too!).  This happened to be an impromptu dinner at the cottage and a grand time was had by all!

Roasted Chicken from the grocery store.  That was our first dinner in our new kitche.  We didn't even have the time nor the energy to actually cook something :)  Well really, it's because we have yet to receive our stove which we ordered in June.  Apparently someone forgot to order the nice fancy stove from Italy!   But we are very pleased with the way our kitchen turned out  It is awesome!






September also marks the end of the Mo-West soccer season.  And since Gord is coaching both girls' teams, he is running from one park to the other!  Both girls had fun most especially on the last day when chips, juice and medals are given out.  Till next year!

 

A new school year

Of course, after a big move comes the beginning of the school year  :0

Alexia began kindergarten this year so it was really a big back to school.  She was so ready and did not even flinch when it came time to going into her class.  We, the parents, got to meet the teacher.  Well, in our case, we met her privately since we missed the actual parent-teacher meeting!  We got the letter during the packing process and somehow thought it was at 2PM when in reality it was at 11AM.  Imagine my shock when I found out we missed it!  Anyweay, the school was very understanding and they were very accomodating.  A few days later, Cara-Li also started school, the 4th grade.  My Lord, where has the time gone!  And something new to manage this year... car-pooling.  Yup.  No more school bus.  Yikes!  Hope it goes well!

Alexia, first day of Kindergarten.

Cara-Li, first day of 4th grade.

The 3 car-poolers acting completely silly!  It's going to be rough year!

Pals!

8 years later...

This darling little baby of 16 months, Li Cui, became our daughter 8 years ago somewhere far, far away.  What a wonderful day that was!  There are no words to describe the emotions I was feeling.  All I can say is, Wow!  And to my beautiful daughter, Cara-Li, I love you with all my heart and I am so glad that our paths crossed on the very special day.  Wo ai ni.

Hepu Reunion 2011

As we have for 8 consecutive years, we got together for the weekend with all the other families who adopted at the same as we did Cara-Li.  Nothing much has changed over the years.  The dynamics are still great, the bonds are still there and the girls are just as beautiful.  The only difference is that the girls have gotten bigger and the parents have gotten older :)  It's funny.  Every time we get together, the same stories are told and the same laughs are shared.  There is something about these families, they mean the world to me.  Not only did our children share the first part of their lives together but also these people were there with us, for us, clear across the world when we were alone with our new experiences as parents.  I will also remember each and every one of them :) 

 

Here we all are on our annual boat ride around the lake.

The girls swimming around.

All the girls dining on their own at the kids table.

The Mammas. 

And The Papas.

Our little family of 4.

The girls.

Without further ado...

Introducing our new home, lovingly referred to as 'The Money Pit'!  We took possession of it late this afternoon at which point Gord and I rushed over to check it out and drink champagne, of course!  What else do you do when you buy a new house?  Why go to watch your daughter compete in a swim meet, of course!  And we are proud to announce that she came in first in both her races.  Go Cara-Li go!

End of School Pool Party

Why is it that when I was a kid, we didn't do fun things like this?  A girl in Cara-Li's class invited the entire class to her house on the last day of school for a pool party.  Boy, did they ever have fun!  Swimming, pizza and cake with all your friends.  It doesn't get any better!  Hope this girl is in Cara-Li's class again next year  ;)