Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Five Little Babies, All in a Row

It's A Dragon Cake!

Can you guess what the Forever Home girls did during their holiday?!!


One of the things they did was make this cool dragon cake. Someone sent us a picture of one months ago (thanks Ruth) and we decided it'd be a great project during the Chinese New Year holiday. Holly and Elly put on some of the decorations.


Hannah, Holly and Elly thought this was pretty fun!


The girls had a great time making, decorating, and eating their dragon!
Monday, January 30, 2012

The Little Details

Over the weekend, we asked a question on our facebook page. What do you like to read blog posts about? Among other things, one subject that was mentioned a few times was "the little details." Those small, though momentous in a child's eye, details that can so easily be over looked.

Today we're going to give you some details on a few of our children.

Like our Wendy, who is not camera shy at all. She's always willing to pose for a picture, as long as you let her see it when you're done. Then the funniest thing happens. Wendy puts her finger on the camera's viewfinder, and swipes back and forth - as if she's using an iTouch or iPad. How she picked this habit up, we do not know.


Then there's Calvin, who is almost always happy. If he's not, though, a mere smile in his direction will produce grins and happy, kicking feet from this charmer. Obviously, he's adored by all of his big sisters.


And CJ, who just has to be in the picture. Or Brooke, who noticed all of the attention that little brother Calvin was getting in her nanny's lap. She couldn't let that problem go un-addressed. Can you see glimpses of their personalities captured below?


 Jonathan has always been a generally happy-go-lucky kind of guy. He's just recently figured out the crawling thing, and discovers new things every day as he explores the playroom.


Joshua is always proud as punch to show off his standing skills. He's getting stronger and stronger. He did the puzzle in his hand all by himself, along with three others. Feel free to be impressed.



Esther, an itty bitty thing who loves to coo melodically and be held, is tackling a new challenge: sitting up. She's not so sure that she likes it yet, but with a little practice here and a little practice there, Esther's nannies have high hopes that she'll be sitting up on her own soon.


Last but not least, one of our newest babies, Nathan. He's got a grin that could melt the Rockies. We discovered soon after he arrived, that Nathan's passion is dancing. Stand him up on your lap and suddenly he's footloose, bouncing and smiling as if he's doing what he was meant to do all along.


And to think of all the other "little details" that happen in a single hour for these special children! We'll try to keep ya'll updated.

Naptime Antics

Rumors were circulating about the nap time antics of Angela and Samuel. Stories of them (somehow) maneuvering their beds so that they met in the middle of the bedroom... of the games they played and the mess they made. 


Usually a nanny would catch them in the act and the fun would cease. Yesterday, though, we applied a different strategy: wait until the kids do 'their thing', then guard the door so that no one disturbs them and run and get a camera.


The mission was much more successful than we could have hoped. Not only was the room totally rearranged, but so were the should-be-napping kids. All three of them were in Wendy's bed, reading a book together and giggling like they were committing the silliest crime of the century.


The camera's entrance disrupted Wendy and Angela's discussion about the pictures of veggies in the book, and suddenly everyone was smiling for the camera. Then, they wanted to "kan kan!" (which is to see) the pictures that had been taken. Finally, we plopped Samuel and Angie back into their beds, pushed the beds back against the wall and hushed their repeated requests for, "just a little drink of water!"

But did the beds stay where they were placed? Did the kids finally close their eyes for a short afternoon nap? Maybe security cameras are in order, at least to stifle our own curiosity.
Saturday, January 28, 2012

Year of the Dragon: Dancing the Night Away

This is the last part in our series of Chinese New Year 2012 posts. Have you been enjoying them? (Fireworks; Dumplings; Our Little Dragons; New Year Kisses; Celebrating in South China; Festival Drums)

Dancing is a beautiful and exciting part of the New Year festivities. The nannies love to dance. In fact, our nannies are often waltzing with the babies as they practice their steps. Cora picked up her feet and danced a jig during the party last week. She looks like she's having fun, doesn't she?


Have you ever been at an event, where some random kids run onto the central floor, in front of everybody, totally lost in their own play-world? Noah and Timothy were 'those kids'. In between acts, right as the music was about to begin again, they came running in, playing ping-pong together with an escaped balloon.


And then there was Kendra and her foster mom. We love this picture, and the joy that is in both of their faces as they go a-whirling and spinning across the dance floor.


We hope that you have had a wonderful Chinese New Year. Oh, and the anwer to Tuesday's inquiry: How many dumplings can Samuel (age two) eat? 18
Friday, January 27, 2012

Year of the Dragon: Festival Drums

She's the one who started it. Yes, that delicate, feminine, and 100% rambunctious Eliana. Finding the drumsticks laying out, and the drum set unattended, she decided to provide the pre-performance entertainment. A "Prelude," if you will.


Eventually, though, the guys decided that girls can't have all the fun. Joel and Elliot, with the help of Shushu Brian, formed a little band. They're nice little boys, so they included Eliana, letting her bang away on her own drum.


They're not quite professional yet, but we were impressed!


Does anybody own a dinner theater? We've got your opening act right here!
(Does anybody need a little boy? We've got the perfect one right here!)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Year of the Dragon: New Year Kisses


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Year of the Dragon: Our Little Dragons

Cora and Caleb were certainly dressed for the occasion at our New Year celebration. Don’t they look fine? Caleb’s outfit was given to him by a “grandma” and he could not have looked more handsome. He must have known how sharp he was looking, for he carried himself about very majestically.


Cora was captivated by the dancing performances that the nannies put on. She imitated their movements, clasping her hands and sighing with the music’s emotion.


Cora and Caleb are two of our most amazing little dragons. Neither of them should be alive today because of serious heart conditions. But not only are they alive right now, they’re thriving.
Monday, January 23, 2012

Year of the Dragon: Dumplings

This is one tradition that I'm sure you all are familiar with. Dumplings, called Jiaozi in China, are the special New Year meal. Families gather together on New Year's Eve and prepare Jiaozi to feast on at midnight. Most families still prepare the entire dumplings from scratch - mixing the dough and then rolling out the wrappers - a long and tedious process. Pre-made wrappers are also sold nowadays, and this year we decided to take the easy road. The fillings were all prepared by hand, though!




The kids loved watching their nanny's fingers fly during the dumpling preparation, and then feasting on the yummy jiaozi. Samuel is the holder of NDFH's all-time dumpling eating record. Can you guess what that record is? We'll announce who guessed the closest guess later this week.
Sunday, January 22, 2012

Year of the Dragon: Fireworks

Fireworks are a huge part of Chinese New Year. For days before, and for days afterward, they are let off, filling the air with puffs of smoke, loud booms and bright lights. If it were daylight, the children would certainly love watching the fireworks get set off, but that's not often the case. We decided to show the children what all of the noise was about, so we set off some fireworks in front of the foster home, and then lit a dozen sparklers for the kids to wave about.


Wendy wasn't nervous at all! She is recovering amazingly well since her heart surgery, and gets stronger and stronger each day.


Angela was willing to hold her sparkler, as long as her nanny held it as well, and it was as far away as possible.


Claire got to wave around a couple of sparklers. She's a huge fan of fireworks.


Brooke, in her oversized coat, wasn't frightened of the sparkling wand in her hand.

Tonight, in China, more fireworks than you can imagine will go off. Even at this very moment, there are explosions going on outside. Are you doing anything to celebrate New Year's Eve?
Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Apple of His Eye


We can't begin to express how much we respect the foster families of New Day. They're amazing. Sage's family is a great example of dedication. Sage is the family's fourth foster child. They have two biological children as well, a daughter and a son. The son is married and lives nearby. H is self-employed as a driver, and fondly remembers each one of his foster siblings, admitting to crying when they left to be adopted.


All of the foster children came in to honor our sponsors last weekend, and Sage was brought in by her foster father. It was impossible not to notice the closeness between these two. She seemed so comfortable in his arms, and he looked so content. She's the apple of his eye, which is the best place for a little girl to be.
Friday, January 20, 2012

The Threesome

A package came in for Emelia before Christmas, but with the pre-Christmas madness going on, we decided that it would probably be best to wait until after Christmas to give Emelia her gift. It would be more special for her, and we would be able to take better pictures.


Inside the package Emelia received three stuffed animals for her to share with her foster siblings. She happily picked out an animal each for Lucy and Micah, and then cuddled her new stuffed lamb close.


Micah


Lucy


After the distributing of the gifts, Micah and Lucy and Emelia bundled up in their foster mom's cart to head home for lunch.


We'll see you three later!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: What's Wrong With These Pictures?



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

It's Party Time!!

Today was New Day Foster Home's Annual Chinese New Year party. As is customary, we all get together and make jiaozi then cook it and have a meal together. The Forever Home girls always love cooking and every opportunity to do that is a great time. After lunch, there were balloons, games, fireworks and performances. What a wonderful afternoon we all had!




Monday, January 16, 2012

Joel's Next Milestone

Life is like a path, marked with milestones which are, daily, monthly and yearly, completed. Sometimes the milestones in life come naturally; sometimes they are difficult to overcome. Joel, in his short life, has completed his share of milestones. He didn’t begin his journey in the best of shape – a “disabled” orphan certainly has their work cut out for them – but during the past two years we have watched as Joel not only accomplished, but conquered, many milestones that should have been unsurpassable.


For much of his life, Joel’s mobility was very limited. Without therapy, he would spend the rest of his life limited to the four corners of his crib - unable to experience, unable to explore.


Joel’s weak legs didn’t keep him from getting around when we gave them the chance, and we discovered that he was skilled at maneuvering about on the floor. He became nearly independent, and could do so much on his own.


Therapy gave him strength. Braces enabled him to stand. Joel’s world began to open up but that wasn’t all. Joel’s physical horizons were not the only ones broadened; other things began to fall into place, and Joel was placed in a foster family. He was one of the top preschool students, so he joined our new Pre-K class. Joel did well. He learned quickly and soon was ready for another transition.


The time just seemed right, last month, for Joel to graduate once again into our backyard school. He now studies hard with Serena, Elly, Hannah, Alex and Holly, doing his schoolwork at the Kindergarten level. He’s learning things like math, Chinese, writing and PE. Recently, Joel was putting together a puzzle during the class’s “fine motor” period. Joel loves the challenge this new classroom brings him.


Of the many milestones in Joel’s life, two are still ahead of him - two very important milestones, both of which we cannot wait to witness. We dream of the day when Joel will take his first independent steps, and eagerly wait for the day when he will have a Mom and Dad of his own.


Joel is almost seven and a half years old today.  Seven years is too long for a little boy to not be able to run and play. And seven years is too long for any child to be without a forever family.

But that spark is there, in Joel’s eyes. He is determined to do whatever he can to walk one day, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to make that possible.


Joel is a happy boy, but he’s also very aware that he is missing something. Even living in a loving foster family, he knows that there is something more. He’s watched his friends leave; he’s watched as they learned of their new families. Joel has rejoiced with them, but he needs a forever family too.

Could you be Joel’s family? Please e-mail foster@newdaycreations.com if you think that you are.