Little brother Max: Chinese New Year Party and the four amigos!

On Saturday, January 26th, our adoption agency held their annual Chinese New Year celebration. It is not really a "traditional" Chinese New Year party but the children have a great time. All of the children were given little goodies by the staff of New Life and they were a huge hit. Every little girl was walking around and proudly showing off their chinese purses and beads. The boys were given traditional wall ornaments.
I was pleasently surprized at the amount of boys that were there. I was supposed to meet an adoption friend, who I met through University Hospital's staff. I have only talked with her on the phone and via e mail but I was so hoping I could meet her in "real" life. She has 3 adopted children from China, two girls and one boy. She had stated that it wouldn't be hard to find each other as there would be few boys. I would say about 1/4th to 1/3rd of the children there were boys! Needless to say I was unable to meet her. I hope I can meet her at the next get together. Anne, if you are reading this, I wish we could have met! Hopefully next time!

After dinner, the D.J. played music that the kids loved and they danced their little feet off, especially "Maxie, the dancin' machine" I've never seen a kid that likes music and dancing so much! As you may have seen in the videos, he's a little bit country and a lot of Rock n Roll (Oh and rap.... and princess music.... and classical and....)!

Throughout the entire party, the four amigos were pretty much inseparable. The four amigos being Sonja, Max, Drew and Luci. You would think that being cousins, brother and sisters, they would want to hang out with others but NO WAY! Drew was, as always, such a sweetie pie. She and Sonja were together the entire time. Drew, the "little Mommy" was constantly taking Max by the hand and taking him where ever they went. She just LOVES Maxie, and Sonja too! I think she will be the best big sister if she gets a little brother. Luci and Max also hung out together and were frequent dance partners. Luci was tired and would occasionally take a break by getting off the dance floor and doing what looked like calestenics and yoga, "down dog" being her favorite position! It was pretty funny.

Sonja wanted Daddy to take a picture of her new purse!

"Little Mommy" Drew with the peanutheads.

The four amigos doing their circle dance thingy. I can just imagine what this summer will be like with them all camping together!

Speaking of camping, Dan and I bought a fifth wheel camper. We don't have it yet, as we had to order it because the one we wanted wasn't available. We expect it to arrive sometime in February. For anyone who's into that kind of stuff, it's a Keystone Montana Mountaineer 345 DBQ. We picked this model because it had four bunks in the back with a wall that separates it into two areas, giving the kids their own separate space and also a half bath. The wall that separates it has closet and drawers on each side. They also have a flat screen T.V. in there! I don't think they'll ever come out!!! Their bathroom can also be accessed from the main living area instead of company needing to go into mine and Dan's bedroom.

My mom even said she might go camping with us now as we'll have plenty of room for her. She never wanted to go up to our camp because it was in the "booneys" and we had no running water. We have a chemical toilet there but it's just not what she's into. Being close to seventy, I guess I don't blame her! I think it will be good for her too. Dan's parents frequently go camping and they are friends with my mom, so she will have others besides Dan, I and the kids to hang out with. I'll post some pics when we get it. I have pics of the one we saw, that's pretty much the same as the one we ordered, that I'll post in my next posting.

Anyways...back to the party!

Sonja and Drew. They absolutely love each other!

L to R. Drew (with back to camera) Sonja, Sarah (Drew's Hunan sista!) and Luci (back to the camera) all having a little pow wow.

Max and Sonja hangin' out near the D.J.

Max with Uncle Deano!!

Drew showing off her new purse!

"CHEESE"!

"CHEESE TOO"!

Sweet little Luci being held by her mommy, my sister-in-law, Becky. I should say sweet little, big Luci! She is taller than the three others and she's the same age as Sonja! She, like Max, loves dancing and music too!