on the farm..

Alex n gal pals

Friends get together!

Tik... Teet

Alex aka Thomas the train enjoyed his first Halloween and trick or treating. He really doesn't eat Candy but our wonderful neighbors were so kind as to introduce him to lots of "chocolate".

Pinata fun at McKinley's birthday Party

Had a great time at McKinley's Birthday Party. Alex is getting the hang of hitting the pinata.

The boy was quiet...

Baby powder "everywhere" !

pumpkin patch

Alex had to go get a "pompin"...

thus the trip to the pumkin patch.

October 2010

Octobers been a busy month with so much to do. We had FCC friends over but sadly didn't take any pictures. Alex really enjoys the Girls, Brea, Gigi, Amelie and Baby Amelie.
Octoberfest at the German American Club and Fall Festival at the local elementary school were fun. We still have the Fall Fest at his preschool, his Friend McKinley's birthday party, and Halloween. More pics to come!

Baba Birthday

Alex doesn't understand much about a birthday. The Cake is OK-not a cake lover. The singing of "Happy Birthday" kinda fun. Slly string-really didn't like it-yucky. But the poppers-now that's fun!

First Hair Cut

Alex had his first US hair cut. We didn't shave his head!

His hair does one thing so we went with it! What a big boy!

Beach Day

We have tried to take Alex to the beach a few times and he really wasn't too sure about it. This time he was ready for it!

In all the years going to the beach it was first-sharks feeding off a school of fish-the teens in the water let us know-thanks!

No Alex the surf edge is just fine!

Pet Blessing

Took our two gurlz to the annual blessing of the pets on St. Francis day. Bebo was nervous and the priest blessed her first, Blossom got right up on the bail of hay for her blessing and then Alex figured it was his turn so he walked right up leaned on the bail of hay and bent over like he was praying and waited for his blessing. The priest didn't stop a beat, just blessed and went on the next pet...

Fire Truck at the zoo

The annual zoo pass is great. Alex got to try out the Whoo Whoo (fire engine) that was there!

Choo choo Museum Miami

We went to the TrainMuseum in Miami. It was a hot n sweaty day but Alex loved it. Even wore his Thomas the train shirt for the occasion. And he is going to be Thomas for Halloween! Choo Choo!

open house

Can you say "mortified"?

We attended Alex's first open house at preschool last pm. Well as it was winding down, we stepped into the hallway, very crowded, I had to pick him up. Well he saw a red lever on the wall. Being the curious sole he is he reached out an pulled it. Yup you guessed it the FIRE ALARM! Well everyone evacuated (except us of course since we knew there was no fire).

Thanks Alex that's one way to end an event!

Yes we did own up to it and he is still allowed to attend school.

kids expo

Highlights from the kids expo were the horsey ride, in the mustang with his gal pal driving. He loved all the characters, Sponge Bob, Clifford, the princess's..could he be a Dolphins fan with Baba a Giants fan?!?

1st day preschool

Our little guy's first (official) day of preschool. He is doing great adapting and learning. It took while for him to take off the back pack and put his lunch box away. But it's all good now.

First Birthday Party in America

Alex was invited to his friend Gigi's 4th Birthday party. It was a petting zoo and they had a pinata with a dip in the pool after. He had a great time! Thanks for inviting us.

grow picture

Our friend and neighbor Randy gave us an orange tree when we went to China for Alex. eating oranges means you will have a sweet life.

We'll get to watch them grow and flourish.

Alex at home

We get asked all the time how our Gurlz B&B get along with "the boy".

Blossom usually wins the tug of war and she is the ever oportunist and sits under him when he eats to get the spillage. Bebo goes to bed with him every night. I haven't taken a pic of bedtime yet because I'm afraid to wake the boy.

Welcome Home DLR Family and new Mei Mei Amelie

We headed for the airport to Welcome Home the DLR Family with the 3D's, Brea and Mama Kim and M&M's. Alex couldn't wait to see the Baby. Gigi and Brea are right there to show him the ropes.

Friday night at the zoo

Alex and his friend McKinley tackled the Zoo Friday night. Grandma Eli and Her daddy Jason and Mama and Baba tagged along. Is he the same kid that was mortified of water and the fountain?

Sorry for not posting

We've been home for 2 months now and Alex is blossoming! I haven't posted much as I thought Alex had finally broke the camera. it's kinda sorta working so I've taken some recent pics to update until I get a new camera.

June 6 2010

33 hours travel Beijing to Shanhai to NYC to WPB. As tired as we were it was so emotional to see our friends at the airport with their signs and "Welcome Home" wishes. Gigi gave Alex a panda bear gift and he hugged and kissed her! Too cute. Thanks to Ana, Ron, Gigi, Ed, Kristen and David for being there to be the first to welcome us home!
We also came home to gifts and lots of food! Totally overwhelming!

June 5 2010-Our 18th Wedding Anniversary!

Words cannot express how blessed we feel to be spending our 18th Wedding Anninversay in Beijing with our Son Alex and seeing such magnificent sights. Tianamen Square, the Forbidden city and the Great Wall. Simply amazing!

June 4 2010 travle to Beijing

Travel day to Beijing! We know what to expect on the airplane ride so we're ready.
We arrived in Beijing and our guide won't get there until tomorrow. We checked in to the Poly Plaza and went walking to the mall thinking we would eat at the food court. Needless to say too much we could not identify and the english translations were-um-questionable. We went back and had dinner at the hotel. We would have loved to have more time here but we are anxious to come home.

June 3 2010 last Day in Guangzhou and the White Swan

Our last day. Alex will miss the boats. another little milestone-he got "near" the pool. He wouldn't get out of the stroller but he didn't cry. It was almost blue skies today, one of only a couple days the entire time so far in China. We'll miss our new friends we made while here. We'll miss the resonding "Hi Alex" when ever we entered a room or Lucy's and they all heard his little whine!

June 2 red couch picture day and Oath Taking at the American Consulate

This was a good as it gets. No cameras allowed at the American Consulate. The Oath Taking ceremony was very emotional but we didn't cry.

park with not very tall trees

The park was descibed to us as the park with not very tall trees. Kelly could not take us there so Shannon took us. Alot of Tai Chi going on and a concert in the park too!

June 1 2010 Park at Shamian Island

Alot of the island is under construction but the city playground along the pedestrian walkway was great. This was his second trip and decided he wanted to play on everything.

may 31 trip to Jade and Pearl Market

Alex is an impatient shopper and Mama and Baba wanted to shop! Castor got his photo taken with the finger painting artist at the Jade market.
All is good in the van though.

May 30 2010 Chen Family Temple and Museum

We visited the Chen Family Temple and then the museum. Alex loves the bus trips and is not overwhelmed on the tours. Our guide Kelly was great.

May 29 2010 Playroom at White Swan

We arrived at the White swan and had lunch at Lucy's before heading to the playroom. The hotel and area is more western friendly than Shijiazhoung. Alex met Summer and Winter and other friends Lily, Ella, Naomi, Issac and more from our travel group as well as other agencies. It was wonderful to watch them all play together.