Hinchie Holidays

This past weekend we headed south to spend an early Christmas with Mike's family. There was good food and great company. The kids especially enjoyed hanging out with their cousins. And despite having an unexpected delay coming home and spending a night storm-stayed in a small roadside motel we had a fun time (the motel wasn't even so bad once we brewed some hot chocolate in the coffee maker and watched Christmas specials on tv).

Auntie Erin and cousin Jacob

Margo and Maia

Ran and Daddy

Sniffles and Santa ...

Actually sniffles is a bit of a misnomer. It should really be insane hacking coughs accompanied by fever and ear ache. That's what we've been dealing with since Wednesday with the girls. Finally we dragged them to the doctor last night. The diagnosis: viral bronchitis for both, a full blown ear infection (complete with antibiotics) for Ran and a new inhaler for Maia (it seems her long lost asthma has decided to rear it's unwelcomed head again). Despite how grim that all sounds they were feeling significantly better today after a few doses of medication.

We were especially grateful for that since today was Santa day. First we had the kids' Christmas party at Mike's work including crafts, a clown, snacks, presents and the big guy in the red suit. He stuck around after the party and tonight he took up the rear in our town's annual Santa parade. We were joined by Auntie Shari and Uncle Wayne for dinner, hot chocolate and Santa spotting. It's been a long day and the little sickies are all tucked into bed. I will be off to join them shortly!

Mike, Auntie Shari, Ran & Maia

Welcome back!

Once again, the craziness of life has kept me from upating the blog, but I am finally taking some time to catch up. First, I spent the month of November participating in a writing challenge called NaNoWriMo. The object is to write a 50,000 page novel in just 30 days. I am proud to say that despite the difficulties with working novelling in with our regular routine I completed the task, and five days before the deadline! However, since the challenge is about quantity and not quality don't be expecting to see my masterpiece on your local book store's shelves in the near future. Or ever! But it gives me the confidence to tackle other projects now.

My grandmother was also hospitalized for a while. She is now back home and doing much better. I do find my days somewhat busier now though since I am helping her out a bit at home and making sure that she gets where she needs to go.

Then we had to dig out ...

And of course with December upon us we are fully into holiday preparations. The decorations are up and the ginger bread house is decorated. Now I just have to finish shopping, complete three sewing projects, write my cards, get a package in the mail for Ran's former foster parents in China and do my baking!

Here's some pictures to help you catch up with what we've been doing ...

Halloween ... Miss Hermione Granger of Harry Potter fame and the Pretty Pink Princess.

Digging out from the first storm of the season. When all was said and done there was over a metre of snow in our front yard!

The annual decorating of the ginger bread house. This year the girls did it all on their own!

The result ...

I think they did a great job!

Thanksgiving recap ...

I've been a bit negligent lately (like that's news!), but I do finally have my Thanksgiving post. I did have some problems with my internet access for a few days, so that's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it.

We had lots of fun and feasting this Thanksgiving weekend. We started in Sarnia, spending some time with Mike's family. Saturday afternoon we took Maia & Ran and our niece Margo to a fun farm. They had corn mazes, hay rides, animals, mini putt, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and pig races! The girls had a great time. Definitely something we will redo in the future.

Later in the day we had a yummy Thanksgiving feast cooked by Grandma Helen complete with pumpkin pie baked by OJ's food class. We also celebrated the fall Hinchie birthdays with wishes extended to OJ, Maia, Margo, Jacob, Sean, Mike & Frank. We wrapped up the festivities Sunday with a family skate with the London Hinchies (Maria, Sean, Margo & Jacob).

Monday was our second feast with my family cooked by yours truly. It has taken my belly a couple of days to recover! Memo to self: at Christmas we will not over indulge!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPAYA!!

Yesterday Maia turned six. Happy birthday Peanut - we love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!!!

It's hard to believe, but today our Olivia turns 17!!!

Happy Birthday!!

We love you OJ!

The Karate Kid

As promised, here's a picture of our proud papaya in her brand new karate gi ... cute as a button. A little, tiny button. It's a size "00" and I still had to shorten the pants about four inches!


Not to be outdone, here is the always fabulous Ran Zhu modelling the latest in princess attire!

Just Hangin' Around

Not a lot to report here these days. The girls are settling into their school routines. Swimming lessons started again last night. Maia is now in Swim Kids 5 and has made the jump to 60 minute long lessons. I actually found it quite stressful watching my tiny little peanut flailing around in the huge deep end of the pool (not flailing in the sense that she can't swim, but her technique still needs a lot of refinement!) Miss Ran has now graduated to the level of "Duck" and no longer needs mommy to accompany her in the pool. She was quite at home on the "tot dock" and seemed just as comfortable with the drills as her "Salamander" classmates (she's in a split class).

Maia has also started Karate lessons. This is her new activity this year and so far she loves it. Classes are two nights a week, so it keeps us running. Hopefully she will get her "gi" tonight since she's been very anxious to have a proper uniform. I will post a picture once she has it (I'm anticipating she'll look pretty cute).

Other than that, as I said, not a lot going on here. Just enjoying this beautiful fall weather ... my favorite time of year!

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Yesterday we celebrated the mid-autumm moon festival. We got in the mood earlier on Saturday when the girls and I made mooncakes. Yum!

Then yesterday we had a delicious Chinese feast. We finished it off with tea and mooncakes.

Back To School!

Today was a big day at our house ... the first day of grade one for Maia and the first day of nursery school for Ran.

Ready to go!

Maia had Ran up and both of them dressed and ready to go by 8:00. Unfortunately the bus doesn't come until 8:40!

Back to school happy dance (Mommy was doing one too!)

We were a little concerned about Ran's reaction to school. She was excited to go, but she also has had difficulties being separated from Mommy. But, much to my surprise she was more than happy to stay and didn't have a problem with me leaving. When I came to pick her up at noon Ran didn't want to leave! It seems she has missed being around lots of other kids. This is such a relief. We've been thinking nursery school would be good for her. Early indications are that it will be!

Congratulations Papaya ... again!

Another big congratulations to Maia, this time for soccer. This past Saturday was her end of season tournament. Maia played some of her best soccer all season (we think she wanted to impress Nana Faye). Her highlight of the tourney was when papaya scored on a break away late into the first game. We are so proud sweetie!

Stay off the sidewalks!!! (*updated)

Cliches aside, we would like to congratulate Olivia for passing (on the first attempt!) her learner's permit test! Another big step on the road to adulthood (and ulcers for her parents!)

And a big congratulations to the papaya for passing yet another swim level (that's two this summer)! Onto Swim Kids 5 in the fall!

Wow, what a busy couple of days!

Things in our house have been hopping since last Thursday. It began when Olivia and her friend Sam arrived in time to join us for our "Family Day" celebration. Since we were celebrating the anniversary of her joining our family, Ran got to choose the menu. Hot dogs! And she would not be moved. No pizza. No noodles. It had to be hot dogs. Fortunately no one seemed to mind.

We also had a chocolate cake (Ran is a chocolate fiend). We had brought an ornate candle home with us from China last year. We saved it for this very occasion and excitedly adorned the top of our cake with our candle. And this was no ordinary candle. If all went well, once a central fuse burned down it would shoot up sparks, start to play music, drop arms down that were adorned with smaller candles (which would light from the central flame) and then the whole thing would spin. Well, when the fuse burned down it was more like a flame thrower than a happy sparkler! Maia hid behind Ran and cried in fear. Ran stared in horror and then began crying hysterically. It actually was quite comical (not that I normally take pleasure in my children's fear). It definitely wasn't the intended reaction to the treasured candle! Once everyone regained their composure we realized that it was still playing music. And it wouldn't stop. It played and played. Mike threw it into the backyard. We could still hear it (and I'm sure the neighbours started cursing us). Finally we had to submerge it in a watering can to get some peace and quiet.

Last week the papaya attended her second year of the Kincardine Summer Music Festival. Friday was her class' concert. Our budding star was quite excited by her surprise guests, Daddy and Auntie Erin.

Once the show was over we all rushed home to get ready for the Cancer society's Relay For Life. It was a great night (although our team missed our usual anchor, Grandma Helen, who was busy winning the senior division of her golf course's club championship!). The organizers of this event did a fabulous job and everyone had a wonderful time. A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me and supported our team. We raised $25oo towards the event's total of $80,000! Thank you also to all of the Hinchies and Sam for participating with us and a big round of applause to Shari for all of your hard work organizing everything for our team!!

Catching a ride ...

One year ago we met our youngest daughter, and fell in love ...

Beijing Olympics 2008!

There is a lot of excitement in our house as the Olympics begin. We are a somewhat sporty family and we love watching all of the action. However, with the venue being Ran's homeland the 2008 Olympics are that much more exciting for us.

We had the privledge last summer while in Beijing to see the Olympic stadium, nicknamed "the bird's nest and the "water cube", home to the aquatic events (the giant bubble wrap that covers the building's exterior reportedly changes colours at night). While we only had the opportunity to view the exterior of these structures they are truly phenomenal.


We are also very emotional about these games. Ran's foster family has communicated to us the immense pride and importance of hosting these Olympics to the Chinese people. Because they have loved and cared for our daughter we love them. We feel their pride. I doubt there will be a dry eye in our house tomorrow as we anxiously watch the opening ceremonies.

Hinchfest 2008

The August Civic holiday saw another annual Hinchfest family weekend. Thank you to Sean and Maria for hosting this year's event! Here are some of the highlights ...

It's not a Hinchfest if there isn't some flying involved. Unfortunately some of the would be aviators were temporarily unfit for flight duty...

Hinch-chicks!

Great Grandma and the girls.

While half of the Hinchies took to the links the Senior/Junior tour was heating up the putt putt course ...

Hey, who said this was a team event?!

OJ demonstrating that what really matters is that your ball and footwear are co-ordinated.

Analysing the shot.

More questionable play on the part of one Miss Ran Zhu ...

Cooking up some post-game treats.

OJ & Jake, guitar heroes ...

An evening at the beach with Auntie ...

Last night Auntie Erin was in town on business, a perfect excuse for a visit.

We started out with a feast at the local Chinese restaurant, followed by ice cream. We wished we had the camera handy when Ran's ice cream toppled from her cone. The look of shock was priceless (as mean as it sounds we couldn't help but laugh). The incredulous expression was quickly followed by a mournful wail. Fortunately the girls working at the ice cream shack were kind enough to reload Ran's cone.

Last, but not least, we headed down to the beach for an evening dip. The water was perfect. It was still as glass and quite warm. What a great way to end a great day.

Auntie Erin, Daddy, Maia & Ran.

Mommy, Maia & Ran.

Goofing around.

A quiet moment ...