Friends

 Ariel and Melissa had their last ABA session.  Melissa has been great, and Lisa, too.  We'll all miss them.  That's our Groundhog Day/Chinese New Year tree behind them.

 

 We visited Jaime, my friend from Washington Hospital Center.  We worked in the lab (blood bank/transfusion) together on evening shift.  Now she's Blood Bank Supervisor at Fort Belvoir Hospital.  It was great to catch up with her.

 

 Tricia was in town for a class (she lives in Norfolk, Virginia.)  It's always special to have her stop by, since she's allergic to cats.  She was showing her boyfriend, Jenz, around the city.  We wish Jenz lots of luck!

 

packing

 Lots of details to attend to this week.  Above is an old sheet of my favorite things to say in China.  Although I rarely said "BU YOW!"

Nene and Ralph help me pack the kids' stuff, medicines, and gifts for the nannies/officials/orphanage director.  Hao Yu will be in Ariel's old clothes.  So far, weather looks warm in all of our cities.

Cats and Gymnastics

 Ariel likes getting in the cat tent with Ralph and Nene because she can kiss them a lot in there.

 Nene sometimes gets a little feisty with Ralph.

 at gymnastics with Miss Cris

This is through Fairfax County Parks at Audrey Moore Rec Cetner.

 balance beam with Daddy

 Kissing Nene after school.

Celebrating Nene's 3rd "forever family" day with us!  We love you, Nene-chan.

resting and Sandie's visit

 Finding comfort in Keller the bear

 and with Doraemon (the doll, not our old cat, although that would be nice)

 with Haley the doll and Nene (in our bed)

 springtime with my son

and Sandie came for April 5th weekend!  We were glad the weather cooperated.

pre-spring

A rare warm day in March

 We went to Burke Lake Park

 and again the next day (although not as warm)

and to a mall play area

We got to attend another Chinese New Year party at a restaurant in Rockville.  It was for a Chinese language and culture school (mainly for adoptive families and other Chinese Americans.)  I lady I met through Families with Children from China invited us.  The best part was the lion dance!  Ariel got to participate and feed money to the lions.  Alice was in town for a short visit, so she got to go with us. 

We also visited my friend Norma, who I worked in a lab with.  She has a son, Miguel, who is Ariel's age.  It was the first time we'd seen each other in 7 years.  Forgot to take any pictures, but we had a nice visit / play date.

The next day was warmer and sunny, so we had a nature walk at Huntley Meadows nature preserve.

After Alice's visit, Ariel caught up on her rest with Nene.

 Ariel has a renewed interest in Doraemon, a Japanese cartoon cat.  We have one Doraemon video with English songs, and this Doraemon doll that I got on a whim from a thrift store in Japan.  Little did I know these items would become so loved.  Of course, it's all guided by the spirit of the real Doraemon, one of Ariel's first cats.  His portrait hangs in the dining room.

Nene & Ralph's daily cuddle time.

snowy times

 We had lots of snow and cold weather in February.  

 Grateful for cozy clothes, blankets, and cats.

 Valentine's Day crafts (we were snowed in.)

 The cats have really enjoyed the critter-fest outside.

Old friends, new place.  With Laura (right), who I knew from long ago in Colorado, and Tricia, my friend since college.  This was Tricia's promotion party!

Year of the Horse

 Welcoming Year of the Horse, and getting ready for our party.

 Getting ready for Setsubun (Feb 2) when you throw soybeans to chase away devils (bad luck) and bring in happiness and good luck.

 Reading a new favorite book, Cat on the Mat, about Cat and her friend Rat who take gymnastics.  We've decorated the pictures with glitter and stickers.

 We think we have a mouse!  I don't blame them coming in during the very cold weather.  I hope the mouse survived.  Ralph & Nene were vigilant.  The white thing is a piece of paper towel and cat fur they pulled out from under the fridge.

Ralph had a dental cleaning.  Nene comforts him during his recovery.

Christmas cats

 Nene climbs the Christmas tree.

 Ralph watches

 See Nene?

Sweet children.

staying warm

 Checking out the fish at Petsmart.  A favorite activity lately!

 Nene and Ralph having together time.

 I went to a workshop and learned about decorating books to make them more interesting.  Ariel has learned that if you take a book in the bath, its pages are fluffier when it dries.

A model home in Bowie.  We're not moving there, just exploring the new developments after a visit to Mr. Tommy Lee and Ruthie on our old street.