Dragon Sushi

Dragon Sushi (Avacado) for Nati. One of her favorite meals at Tokyo Sushi.






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Location:Tokyo Sushi in North Haven

China Dumplings

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Location:New Haven

Washmouth

Natalia got a new toothbrush...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrev4ZBAMnU



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CASPY

Nati is participating in a Chinese Adoption program this afternoon at Yale. She gets a "Big Sibling" for the afternoon to play with and do Chinese cultural activities with. She's having a blast.












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Call from Meaghan

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Call from James

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Gymnastics

At the end October, N began a new gymnastics playgroup. The instructors seem very interested in her and engaging during sessions. Yesterday at the end of the session they asked me about the possibility of having her attend a different class. They feel she is ready to attend a pre-team class.
What? Pre-team? She is still a baby to me.


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Gymnastics class

N started her new Gymnastics class today.










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Location:N Plains Industrial Rd,Wallingford Center,United States

A visit, not moving!

During the summer two of our favorite families moved out of state. One family moved to Portland, OR and the other to Hong Kong. N has had many questions; we have had many conversations about why people move and how we may feel.

During one of those conversations I explained to her that sometimes people move in order to live closer to their relatives (mom and dad or grandparents). During one of our conversations when she was wanting to move I explained that if we moved she will not be able to see her Mimi and Papa. At the time, that seemed to be a good reason to stay and she was ready to stay.

Last week she started talking about moving again! This time she seems ready to move to Hong Kong! She explained to me that she has seeing Mimi and Papa enough and wants to go and see Joelle. She would like to live next to Joelle and play with her. In her plan she would like to live next to Joelle for one hundred day and then come back home. I love her idea! I wish we could pick up and go to Hong Kong! I don't think we will be moving but maybe we can go and visit.

Miss you all=)


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Question?

During a recent conversation---

N: Who is going to be my husband?

Me: I don't know. You have to have to wait a very long, long time and then you get to choose.


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Friday Night Jello

N's cooking skills.






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Gutter Ball

N. and I went bowling a week ago. This was one of many gutter balls for the night, but we had a lot of fun.

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October

"N., did you know tomorrow is going to be October?"

Reply: "October? I can't believe my eyes!"






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Bowling shoes

This past Saturday night was men's night out and church and they were all planning to go bowling. When N found out about their plans she wanted to go so bad! You know the rest of the story... She had a great time!




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"th" sound

N has reached a developmental milestone in the area of language. She can now pronounce the "th" sound. At this point is a little exagerated which makes it very noticeable=)
Therefore, no more "Ms Bet" or taking a "bat."


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Happy tears

Last night I went to see Scott Simon from NPR while on his book tour. Scott recently wrote a book about his family after adopting two girls from China.

One of his comments reminded me of a question N asked this summer. N question was something like this -- Was my Chinese mama sad when I left?
My answer, "No, she wanted you to be with us."

No, I did not cry in front on N. I have cried and prayed for her Chinese mother many times; and will continue to pray for her.


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Paper hats

Tonight Dan and N made newspaper hats. N is pretending to be the Duke of York and Dan gets to be her soldier. They are singing are marching around the house=)



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This morning N wanted to watch Martha Speaks ( a cartoon about a dog who ate alphabet soup and is now able to use words). After discussing why we don't watch TV when we first get up, she told me that when she is a mama and makes "all the deals," her baby will get to watch TV in the morning and use the computer in the afternoon. Sounds like a good plan=)


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Our garden

We finally have tomatoes! Yumm...


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Back to school!

It's back to school! N is now attending pre-Kindergarden and is having a great time.


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Sabbath School

Today N attended for the first time kindergarten Sabbath school. She seemed comfortable moving to a new class and happy to be with her friend Joelle.

After attending the cradle roll class with her for the past three and a half years, I felt lost. I did not know what to do or which class to attend. I tried sitting through one of the classes but did not last long. I ended up walking around church and watching her through the window.

N had a great time in her new class. I guess she does not need her mommy in class anymore. I guess my baby is not a baby anymore... As for me, I'll be attending a new class next week=)


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My Favorite Store

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Sesame Street

We went to see Elmo at Oakdale yesterday. N was having such a great time, said "I like this show."




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CASPY

On Saturday we attended the Yale CASPY meeting. We had a fun afternoon full of activities.

In this picture you can see Natalia and her big sib Jasmine as they were saying good-bye.




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At the Peabody Museum

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Lunch with the girls

N, Joelle and Elena at Olive Garden


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Read and Play

Natalia and Joelle at the library during the read and play program.


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Visiting Puerto Rico

N and I have been in PR for the past few weeks. We are enjoying the warm weather and time with my family.

We celebrated my mother's 60th birthday. We had a small get together with family and friends. My mother had a great time! We missed my sister who still lives in Japan.


Last week we went to Vieques and Culebra (N, tio Pitin and I). This time we flew the very small planes (sometimes a total of five people, including the pilot). N was a little surprised to se the pilot so close to her; she even volunteered to fly the plane.








Dan is coming to see us in a few days and then we will fly back together. It has been a great winter break!

Sabbath School in PR

This is a modern version of Abraham & Sarah's tent in Cradle Roll. It's comforting to know that Coleman was around even back then.















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Toys

I'm not sure why we bothered to pack any extra toys for Natalia on this trip to PR. She has been playing with the brooms, dustpans, mops, and buckets of water in the backyard. I don't think her toys have left the suitcase!




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Questions??

Here are some of N's recent questions--

Is it spring yet? I want to plant a garden!

Why don't we have a Christmas tree?


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Treadmill

N has been asking to use the treadmill. So tonight, I set the speed to .5 and she began to walk. She even asked for headphones!






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Sledding

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Location:Mill Rd,North Haven,United States

Drums!

Thanks to Pamela, our house isn't quite as quiet as it used to be!

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Natalia Bread

What better way to learn how to spell your name than to make edible letters!





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Pop

Nati was working by herself at her desk this morning, and I heard her keep saying "Pop" (what we call popcorn). I looked down and there was the word "pop". I didn't believe she wrote it herself, so I asked her to write it again, which she did. I have no idea where she figured out how to do this...




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Location:Mill Rd,North Haven,United States

While talking yesterday N made an announcement, "I am not getting married, I am staying like this. I don't want to wear a costume."


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Location:A statement...