At The Beach Again - August

Constantin put a lot of work into the pond this year. He restructured the stones to create a softer water flow and tried all sorts of natural ways to keep it algae free. Ah, success! The water is now running crystal clear.

Katerina's been a big help in the garden. Unfortunately, the chipmunks are eating all of the tomatoes! We watch them head out toward a plant, climb the stem and branches and munch away. Or they run off with a tomato in their mouth that's almost as big as they are! So I've been getting tomatoes from the farm stand.

Katerina and Julianne playing volleyball. Well sort of. There are a ball and a volleyball net and they are playing.

JULY 2008

July went by so fast. Katerina went to camp at her nursery school for 6 weeks, ending July 31. She did very well, except for the first day when she cried and wouldn't let me leave for 2 hours. Even though she was at the same school, she was in a different room, with different teachers and there were only 2 kids from her 3's class. She needs time to feel comfortable in new surroundings and with new groups of kids.


I had the opportunity to observe her several times during the month since I am the treasurer for the July 08-June 09 school year and we've had a couple of emergency board meetings related to an enrollment issue; I also have to go in every week to sign checks. It breaks my heart to see her always by herself in the yard or with a teacher. I had noticed it the few times I saw her during the school year outside, and I've also observed it at birthday parties. There were also several occasions when camp let out that everyone would gather in the side yard and continue to play. Katerina would drag me over to the yard and want to stay, but would just stand and watch. One day last week she sat very close to a group of 5 girls who were playing with gravel and proceeded to play with the gravel by herself. I spoke to the teachers and to the Director and none of them thought there was a problem. They said she interacts very well but is shy about initiating play with others. Which is certainly not the case once she's comfortable with kids. She's very much the initiator. The teachers said she is on the young side (October birthday) and it is developmentally appropriate. They believe we'll see a lot of development in this area during the upcoming school year.


Katerina and I spent a few days at the Jersey Shore - Point Pleasant with Phyllis, Jessica, and Julianne while Constantin worked on some projects at home. We had such a good time; very relaxing, beautiful weather and lots of fun.

It was Tessie's birthday in July and her party coincided with their annual block party so it was off the charts fun and entertaining for the kids.

We went one evening to Playland with Joseph and his new girlfriend Victoria who is a lovely person.

FCC Picnic

Our second annual FCC Westchester Picnic at Croton Point Park was a huge success. The weather report was iffy, but luckily there was no rain until everything was packed up and we were on our way home. We had lots of fun activities for the kids including jewelry making, burlap sack races, kickball, a clown/face painter/ magician and lots of great food. Everyone brought a dish to share and we provided the hamburgers, hot dogs, and water. We had to cut off registration at 128 people because the permit only allowed for 125 on the site. We had the same location as last year, right on the river and between the beach and playground. We were joined by several teachers and their families from the Huaxia Chinese School where some of the membership attend. A few OCA and Evergreen Association members also attended.

It was also nice that Deb, Cindy, and Paige joined us. Cindy and Paige live out on Long Island and we only see them a couple of times a year when they come to visit Deb. Last year, they joined us at the Fall Festival at Muscoot Farm. The next day was Katerina's birthday party and Paige joined us. Paige is adopted from Russia and knows she shares something in common with Katerina and the other Chinese adoptees, but she knows that they are from China and she is from Russia.

JUNE - Trip to Florida

We had a fabulous trip to Florida. After getting off the auto train in Orlando, we drove to Gainesville to visit Joan and Dan for two nights. Unfortunately, we didn't get too many good pictures there.

On the train

In Orlando, retrieving car

Joan & Dan's Porch

Dan and Constantin

We then drove down south to visit Mom, John, and Sue. We stayed at Mom's house but had lots of time with John and Sue. It breaks my heart thinking about the long wait they have to adopt their daughter from China. I think I am having a more difficult time with it than they are. I think about it all the time and cringe every time I hear new information about the slow down. I am praying that once the Olympics are over that things might speed up again. If any couple was meant to have children it is John and Sue. They bond so easily to kids; Katerina and all of the nieces and nephews on Sue's side. They are very special people and I can't wait till they come home with Katerina's cousin.

Princess Katerina with her GrandmaUncle John & Aunt SueOne of 2 Iguanas frequently seen in Uncle John & Aunt Sue's backyard

John and Sue had a birthday party for Sue's brother Robby and all her family was there. It was great to see everyone again. We had a great day and Katerina enjoyed the kids of all ages. I got introduced to the Wii and I am hooked.

What? No fish?Robbie & RyanSue's Mom, MiriamDid someone say cute?Mmmmmm these strawberries are grrrrreeatAnd here's all the kids.

Father's Day: On Sunday, which was Fathers' day, we went over to Hollywood Beach where Dad lived the past few years. It was a bittersweet day. We had a nice lunch on the boardwalk. I miss Dad and continue to think about him every day. Sometimes very fondly, and sometimes with anger and regret that he couldn't embrace life with the limitations he had toward the end.Dad used to talk about O'Malley'sOn Monday morning we left for Disney World and stopped in Stewart to have lunch with Aunt June, Aunt Kay, and Ray. Aunt Kay made us such a lovely home cooked meal and it was so nice to spend time with them.And then we were at Disney WorldFirst stop......Princesses

.....then China

If you never had the Mickey Ears ice cream bar, you are really missing out. That's Dove chocolate on the outside!

The day before we left we were able to get together with 3 families from my Yahoo DTC April2005 group at ESPN restaurant for lunch. It was so nice to put faces to names and to meet the girls who in some cases I've been following since referral. Meeting the Moms, husbands and other siblings was very special. We even met Dallas' grandparents who were a lot of fun. Various people keep talking about a "reunion" at Disney World of as many families as we can get there. I guess the biggest hurdle is having someone(s) begin organizing it.

From left to right: Dallas (Mom Kerri), Mary Grace (Mom Colleen), Katerina and Grace (Mom Terrye).

From left to right: Terrye, Kerri and Colleen

Mary Grace with her big brother Chance Dallas with big brother Jett (Devon was camera shy)
These feet belong to Bill, Kerri's husband. He had hurt one toe and the nail turned black and then decided to paint all of his toes black! What a wild and crazy guy!

We headed back to our hotel with the Shirley family with whom we spent an afternoon when we were in Orlando in December. Grace and Katerina have this special connection that on some level they must be aware of because they immediately bonded the first time we met. They are from the same orphanage and were adopted a week apart and we even think they might have been crib mates. And as we were waiting on the boardwalk, the first family to arrive after us was the Shirleys. Katerina and Grace spotted each other from far away and it brought tears to my eyes as they ran the length for a big embrace.

I didn't take any pictures back at the hotel. (I'm going to ask Terrye to send me a couple to post on the blog). We were so busy chatting and after we finally got ourselves ready to go out to the pool area Katerina and Grace no sooner put their toes in the water when we heard thunderclaps. Back we went into the unit and the girls played in the bathtub for a little bit. Grace gave Katerina a beautiful gold necklace with a heart, which we will all cherish; not only the necklace but the friendship.

One last picture before we said goodnight and goodbye until our next visit to the Magic Kingdom.