Celebration

We decided to celebrate the Fourth of July with the Kern County Association of Chinese Americans in a popular city park. It was a lovely and unseasonably cool day, only in the 80s. The big heat wave is predicted for next week and would have made today unbearable.

Chloe and Pearl made a new friend Grace. Her family just joined the club today and the three were inseparable most of the afternoon. It is nice to associate with other Chinese families and not just families who have adopted children from China.

We began the festivities by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. It was passed out in writing for anyone who was unfamiliar with it. I almost chuckled to myself, but realized that many of these families were immigrants and non necessarily familiar with the pledge. We are making more friends all the time and now have been to a few homes for dinner.

There was a water balloon toss contest and there were water guns that all the kids and many of the adults used to drench each other with. Chloe and Pearl were soaking wet, the theme for the Summer. The girls are finally getting old enough that they can play on their own without Mom and Dad constantly escorting them from one activity to another. It is so nice to relax and watch them play from a distance.

Fireworks

Every year on the third of July, we have the best seat in town to view the fireworks display, right in our own front yard. Many of Mom's coworkers from City Hall come over and set up camp in the yard, some even bringing trailers. Our view is so good that we can even see the people on the ground lighting the fireworks. Chloe and Pearl ooohed and aaaahed all the way through the show. This year Chloe was less afraid and even though the loud booms bothered her, she still enjoyed describing what she was seeing to me in great detail, play by play ("Mommy, this one has rainbow colors" as she waves her arms in a sweeping arc). It was so cute.

We celebrate on the third of July so that our small town can get a "Big City" quality show. Most of the fireworks companies are booked at the larger venues on the 4th, but this gives us a chance for a first-rate show on a local level. Then, if we want, we can travel somewhere on the 4th and continue the celebrations.

This year we will be joining the Kern County Chinese Americans as they celebrate Independence Day in a park in the city. We'll be sure to post pictures later on.

Sprinkler Fun

Today Chloe had a dental appointment to fill a hole in her tooth. Mom and Dad were both dreading this day, and Dad finally volunteered to take her. After Dad and Chloe arrived at the dentist's office, she was brought back to the exam room, but the dentist decided not to work on her because she has a cold. Consequently, her appointment was postponed until September 2nd. I am still not sure why they have to work on a baby tooth. Chloe is such a sensitive child and I am afraid this experience will totally turn her off from ever wanting to go to the dentist again. I just dread the thought of them giving her gas.

The rest of the day was a typical Summer Wednesday. After the girls came home, they put on their swimsuits and played in the sprinklers. We do have a nice big swimming pool, but they like to mix things up a bit and it just seems easier to clean up after a run through the sprinklers than having to wash off all the chlorine.

I Can Sew!

After seeing Lynn's creation on her daughter Olivia's blog (another Qinzhou girl like my Chloe), I became motivated to make something for the girls myself. As the timing worked out, I was one day away from traveling to the mountains to move our stuff out of our vacation home (we sold it) and one of the items I kept there was a sewing machine.

Well, I am certainly no expert. I haven't sewn in about 7 years. I bought my new sewing machine 7 years ago and only used it once. It came with a video instead of an owner's manual and now I have lost the video. I really don't know how to use this machine, but I played around with it until I could accomplish a couple of different stitches and I started with this very simple project. I also had to research on the internet to figure out how to thread the needle and wind a bobbin. I never did figure out how to backstitch. The first top must have taken me 5 hours. But, then the learning curve kicked in and I was able to crank out the second top in about half that time.

The girls had so much fun in the backyard picking oranges and grapefruits in their new tops. Chloe's is a bit long, so it looks more like a dress, but she likes it that way. I guess that just means she will be able to wear it for a long time.

Farewell to Chris

Another daughter has left the nest. Chris was our second exchange student from Beijing China and she has become like another daughter to us. Chloe and Pearl were out of sorts all day after Chris left, acting out and being moody. It was clear that they missed their big sister, who has returned home to China for the Summer and then will return to the United States in the Fall to attend college at the University of Washington in Seattle. We are making plans to have her with us for Christmas. Pearl keeps asking when Christmas is.

Dad drove Chris to the airport at 3:30 AM so that she could catch her 6 AM flight to San Franscisco and then onto Beijing. Her friend Alana spent the night so that she too, could go to the airport to say goodbye and wish Chris well. Chris, we wish you all the best in whatever you do and we will always be here for you if you need anything.

More Pics from Hawaii

Here are a few more pictures taken of the girls while we were in Hawaii. Dad took them shopping and bought them two dress-up outfits to keep them entertained while we just hung out at the condo.

We're Home

We had a wonderful vacation! We have been home for three days now and we are still recovering from the colds that we picked up. It has been a lazy few days. Our trip home was very long. Our plane landed in LAX at 4:30 AM and we had to wait at the airport for nearly 7 hours for the bus ride (3hrs) home. We didn't sleep well on the plane or the bus, so we were pretty much exhausted when we got home. If I had realized the schedule would have been this bad, we probably would have driven to the airport and paid for the two weeks parking.

Chloe and Pearl seemed so happy to be home and to play with their toys in the playroom. They spent the entire day Friday down there and they never even managed to change out of their pajamas. But they did manage to brush their teeth, if not their hair.

Chris will only be with us for a few more days before she has to return to China. I could tell she was starting to pack and "thin out" her stuff because the girls kept bringing me gifts from their big sister. She gave them five little mascots from the Beijing Olympics and she also gave them a fan from China. This is what spurred Chloe to dress up as a princess and display her new fan.

A Trip to see Volcanoes

We departed our condo this morning on a trip across the Big Island to the Volcanoes National Park. Chloe was afraid to go because she didn't want us to get hurt by the hot lava. We explained that we wouldn't be near any hot lava, but she was still apprehensive.

It took about 3 hours to get to the park, so we pretty much wanted to see the highlights and get back on the road. We went to the visitor's center and a volcano museum. Next, we went to an area where steam vents come up out of the earth all over. It was fun to walk on the trail where we were very cold and then come up close to a steam vent where we could warm up for a few brief moments. We forgot to pack any sweaters or raincoats. Then we went on a trail to walk through a lava tube. I didn't know what to expect, but a lava tube is a very large cave or tunnel that is left behind after the lava flows out of the center. It was very exciting. Kilauea was the volcano that we were observing and it is the most active volcano on earth. We didn't get a chance to go down by the ocean where the lava is actually running into the water, but we had a fascinating trip anyway. We didn't make it back to our room until nearly dark.

Father's Day in Hawaii

This was a great Father's Day to spend together as a family, filled with swimming and playing and more swimming and more playing. Chloe and Pearl love their Daddy so very much and he clearly loves them too. These are the moments we treasure and hang onto as long as our memories allow.

Arrival on the Big Island & a Submarine Ride

Arriving at our new home
Our kitchen for the week

Hilton Grounds
Tram ride at the Hilton


We have been on the Big Island for 3 days now. It seems like only one. The time is flying by so quickly. I have come down with a cold, but everyone else seems to be faring well so far.

This island is dramatically different than Kauai. We haven't ventured out to see the green side yet, but the scenery here is mostly black lava rock, dry shrubs and a palm tree-lined coast. We are staying at a very luxurious resort in Waikoloa. This place is very nice and very touristy. Our condo is amazing. This place must be 1400 square feet and brand new. It is a large complex and mostly empty, so we have all the great facilities to ourselves. There is a nice pool, and a wading pool with a sand bottom for the kids, a hot tub for grown ups and a work-out room. The beach is just a few steps beyond the pool and it is loaded with amenities. You can rent anything from kayaks to scuba gear. It would be very easy to spend all our time here without seeing the rest of the island.

We are sandwiched between some very high end resorts and the Hilton Waikoloa is within walking distance. This place is a destination in itself, situated on 62 acres. There are lagoons, shops, restaurants, multiple towers with rooms and it takes a tram or boat ride to get around. Hopefully, we will take the girls here later to experience a dolphin encounter. The grounds are spectacular and there are beautiful statues, bridges and works of art everywhere.

Last Day in Poipu

Staying here 5 days feels short. It has been an awesome location on a beautiful island. The sandy beach just outside our condo wasn't the best beach for the kids, but it was a great place to view surfers and wildlife. A monk seal came upon the beach to sunbathe and local staff cordoned him off to keep the tourists from getting too close.

Just about a half mile from our room, was Poipu Beach State Park. This beach was perfect for the girls, lots of secluded and protected shallow water to play in, a lifeguard on duty, restrooms, playground and covered picnic structures. And of course, across the street, one could find refreshments such as Hawaiian shaved ice. Every spare chance we had, Dad took the girls to play at this beach.

On our last day, we had a few hours to pass between check out time and airplane boarding time. We found a nice shopping center, had lunch and let the girls play one last time at the playground.

Next stop, the Big Island

The Pictures are Real

Sunset view looking west from our patio
Sunset view looking east from our patio
Chloe at Sunset

I noticed one of our blogger friends Donna mentioned that the backdrop on our first Kaui photo looked fake. I hope that the posts since then have cleared the matter up. Thanks for commenting. It's so nice to hear from you. Now I will have to go check out how Gwenny and Maddie are doing.

Here are some more pictures from our patio. Hopefully, they look a little more real.

Waimea Canyon

Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon" of Hawaii, Waimea Canyon is a beautiful place with gorgeous red earth and green plantlife. The drive is narrow and winding, but worth the views. It did remind us of the Grand Canyon, which is a very special place for Pete and I as we were married right on the rim.

The island of Kauai is overrun with chickens. They are everywhere and they are not shy. There is something strange about relaxing on the beach in lovely Hawaii listening to the waves pound the shore and the roosters crowing at all times of the day.

Luau in Kauai

We couldn't come all the way to Hawaii without experiencing a luau, so we booked an evening at Luau Kalamakua (I probably misspelled that). This is a fairly new theatrical production and they are on a large plantation. When we arrived, we took a train ride around the plantation and looked at lots of the plants and wild pigs. Then the train stopped and we disembarked to feed the pigs. This had Chloe and Pearl squealing with joy as they tried to feed the babies and avoid the big ones. Be assured that these scrawny wild pigs were not the same pigs served up as dinner.

The show was very nice and the performers were great. I wasn't that excited about the food (considering the hefty price tag), but all in all is was a memorable and enjoyable experience.

The Napali Coast

Our third day in Kauai, we took a half-day catamaran ride out to the Napali Coast. The cliffs are so steep and rugged that the only way to see them is by boat or helicopter. At points, they rise more than 3000 feet above the shoreline.

Since we knew that Pearl was subject to motion sickness, we all took Dramamine beforehand and consequently, Chloe and Pearl ended up sleeping through much of the ride. This was an amazing journey, but the ride back was like one long roller coaster ride. There wasn't a dry rider (we are talking dripping soaking wet) on the boat by the time we pulled into the port. This trip is awesome, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone 3 or under.