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 ...