Sneak Peek at Preschool

Autumn had a sneak peek at her preschool yesterday..look at our big girl.

So sweet

Hershey Park and camping

Well we are back from our trip to PA. We visited Chocolate World (free samples...go Hershey) and Hershey Park. Micah rode the Ferris Wheel for the first time and Rich and I got to ride ONE roller coaster (long lines). The campground was nice with two pools and a game room. Micah got three new superheroes but they were very entertaining for him. He had a wonderful time at the playground and met new friends.

First day of Kindergarten

Well, my big boy started his first day of kindergarten here at the Hartman School House. Before starting class, he helped to make pancakes for breakfast. There is no dress code here so you can dress up like Robin if you want to. He packed a snack in his lunchbox and wore his back pack down to the classroom. After some learning we shared a snack on the school room floor.

New Artwork

My friend Tara has a painting business. Check out the most recent plaques she made of my sweeties!!

It's in the mail !

Ever open up the mailbox and found this? This is a picture of Autumn taken at VBS...what a cutie!!

My Girl

Autumn loves to wear princess stuff like Micah likes to dress up like a Super Hero. Here she is dressed up in her new Tinkerbell costume with her "Autumn Smile" (no eyes). Love that girl.

My kiddos

We took a camping trip with friends up to Lake Fairfax in Reston , VA. They had a waterpark there and the kids had a good time....Micah is getting braver.

We have her...

and she is wonderful. We went to the Gov't office and the babies were there waiting. Many of them seemed to cry when handed over. Autumn did not cry nor was she overjoyed. She seemed to take everything in stride. Rich did get her to smile/giggle once and that was nice.
Today, Autumn is not too crazy about Daddy. Not sure what is different from yesterday.
Wendy went to the orphanage and saw where she stayed. Most of the group got to see the spots where each child was abandoned but our spot was too far away.
Trying to include pictures. Hopefully it works out.

HIghlights from our adoption trip

So far I have spent more money than I was planning on.

Having said that, we went to the Great Wall of China yesterday. What an amazing feat years ago. The guides can tell you that the emperor sent a bunch of guards and 300,000 laborers and the years it took but they aren't able to explain how all of those people were logistically supported in the mountains (that many people for a long, long time). Now that would be interesting.

Thankfully, the weather wasn't that cold while at the Great Wall. BUT, today we went to the Forbidden City which was the "main" palace of different emperors. It is 10 football fields by 7 football fields. Pretty big. Today it was below freezing but it was the wind that really made it almost unbearable. Wendy did pretty well considering her comfort zone. To top the cake, after we toured the city, we all went on a Rickshaw ride. No sides, no front, no escape from the wind.

Drivers are crazy and not mindful of pedestrians. Richshaw drivers are not mindful of automobiles. They need to be taught the lesson of "The Law of Gross Tonnage". I'm sure some of them have learned the hard way.

Spent all kinds of money at "Silk Alley". Bought nothing for any Family and Friends:)
Did buy a few outfits for the Boy and for Autumn and a couple of things for Wendy and me. Wendy is a HAGGLER. I was willing to pay $50 USD for a chinese style silk shirt for me, for her, a pair of "pajamas" for Micah and THREE sets for Autumn. Wendy kept holding out for $35. The salesgirl finally came down to $37.50. We had to walk away twice and the salesgirl kept calling us back. She finally gave in to Wendy and gave up the $2.50. I gave her the money and she made change but I had her keep the $2.50. I felt pretty bad. If you take into account my "hourly rate" from the US Navy, I figure I lost around $250.00 during the whole haggling escapade but I guess it is worth doing once (I actually did it in Israel back in 1984 and I wasn't any good at it then but I didn't mind upsetting some of the Palestinian men as much I did upsetting a couple of the young Chinese girls.

We pick up Autumn tomorrow.

Oh, I didn't get a T-shirt at the Great Wall but, for some reason, I decided to buy a painting from a student that is of the great wall. More important, she did one in each of the four seasons. Naturally, I picked the one that was done of Autumn.

Wendy will probably try to e-mail pictures. Depends on the computer situation at the next hotel.