I guess if someone has ever had a case of writer's block, I have it bad. I just can't seem to get my act together to write down my thoughts. Actually, I've been so busy since school let out, busier in fact than when school was still in session. I'm really looking forward to vacation at the end of July; I mean really, really looking forward to it. I just want to be in the woods with nothing to do! Maybe see some elk or a bear or something. I don't want to get close to a bear--just maybe see one at a distance again.
This weekend, we made a trip down to Washington, DC to have a reunion with our Chinese adoption group. We weren't able to attend last year, so I was really eager to go and see everyone. We got there late on Friday night and ran smack dab into everyone in the lobby--very convenient actually because I was worried about tracking everyone down.
The girls were having a blast running around the lobby, giggling and playing. They all seemed so comfortable with each other; Jill was slow to warm up to them but was much more comfortable by Saturday night. She had a couple of melt down moments, but was quickly calmed down with bribes of milk shakes and onion rings. All the girls are just as cute as can be and it's so wonderful to see how well everyone is doing.
I've snagged some of my friends' photos because we have some really talented photographers in the group. Go on up and check the links on the left for Tina and Dawn. Their photos are amazing, kind of makes me want to run out and buy a new camera.
Here are the girls back in 2007 in Guangzhou, China on the infamous red couch at the White Swan Hotel. They were all so tiny and not very cooperative.
Here they are two years later. So Big! Can you match the faces up? We were all amazed at how little their faces have changed, they've all stayed the same, only stretched out a bit!
On Saturday, we all headed out to the National Zoo to see the Pandas. It was incredibly hot, but we trooped along and the Pandas came out to see us. Jill was still being pretty uncooperative, but we did manage a couple of pictures with Courtney Mei.
Speaking of uncooperative, have you any experience traveling with a pre-teen boy? M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E. Throw in tons of walking in the hot sun....M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E Seriously, it was all I could do not to send him home alone on the train. After a firm talking to, he perked up mildly for Sunday's adventure to the Air and Space Museum and touring of the National Mall. I was feeling really upset and anxious over his behavior, but this morning I caught the beginning segment of Regis & Kelly. Kelly and Mark were sharing pictures from their family vacation and all they could talk about was how miserable their 12 year old son was. They showed a bunch of pictures and he's scowling in every one. Oddly, this cheered me up immensely! I guess we're not the only ones going through this.
This same child turns 12 tomorrow! My little boy isn't so little anymore and I only have a couple of inches left until he catches up with me. And as our gift to him, he gets his braces on tomorrow! Wow, that could be the worst present ever. I'll call it payback for his attitude on the trip. He's excited though. He won't be so happy the next day when the pain sets in.
Ack, that was a side trip down puberty lane...now back to the trip:
Group shot in Du Pont Circle taken by Dawn. I wasn't sure why Chris was acting like he just won the World Series, but he finally figured out that he was just trying to put his arm around Sam.
The kids had such a blast hanging out by the fountain. We let them splash their feet in there, but it was inevitable that somebody would go for a swim. Little Libby, Jill's former roommate, fell in but was quickly scooped out!
Well, that's it for me tonight. I'll be back next time with more pictures of the trip.
WoW! Loved seeing all the girls since I have been following them since you went to China to get Jill. They are all adorable. Looks like all had a good time, well almost everyone (Sam)... Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see more.
Posted by: gram | June 30, 2009 at 08:48 AM