A Mini Reunion

We finally managed to get together with the lovely Sara Suny (shown in photos), and her equally lovely mother, Ann (not shown in photos, which was a major oversight on the part of a distracted photographer). For those of you who read this blog with great attention to detail, and who possess a good memory, Sara is one of Gemma's oldest friends - from the House of Grace. Remember the video clip of Gemma in China when she was scooting like crazy to get to a piece of candy? That was Sara she was trying to edge out. One thing I could not get over is how many similarities I now see in Sara and Gemma. Of course it helps that their hair is the same length and they are the same size, but they seem to have grown more similar in appearance since we last saw them together. It was a beautiful fall day and we were SO happy to get to visit with Ann and Sara. Another larger House of Grace reunion is coming up shortly - so stay posted!!

Et tu, Gemma?

Sam is back at school, Edie is back at school, and Gemma.... well, she has a little "school" of her own this year. I call it school, because Gemma likes to think she is doing ANYTHING her older siblings do, but actually she is attending a toddler playgroup three mornings a week. The playgroup is known by most families who have attended as "Dieke's House." Dieke is a mother of three grown children and has run this playgroup for years out of her house. There are 6 children, all two-year-olds, each morning. Gemma will be with the same children each morning she attends - five girls and one very brave little boy. Dieke does structured activities with them, and feeds them snack and a hot lunch before they come home for their naps.

Of course, I was worried sick that Gemma would cry when I left her, and I wondered what kind of terrible mother I was to leave my daughter, home from China less than a year, with another caretaker. T prepare Gemma, I sang songs about Dieke for the past week, telling the tale of how I would leave Gemma and come back, and I sang about the fun things they would do and about all the other children there. I am so sick of that song. But it worked! Gemma had a GREAT first day. I came a bit early, thinking she would be ready to lose it, but she was in the bathroom happily sitting on a little potty (Gemma likes to sit, but doesn't accomplish much else). She didn't want to leave - of course! Phew! I will relish my free mornings and hope Gemma continues to love Dieke and her new friends.

Here is Dieke's house:


Gemma sitting in the entry way:


And here is Gemma with Dieke!

Edie's First Day of First Grade

Edie had a great first day of school. She is in class with her best school friend, Chloe, and she says her new teacher, Mr. Miller, is "AWESOME." Interesting, but as I type this I seem to recall that my first grade teacher was Mrs. Miller. Or maybe I am making that up?? Mom?

Back to Edie... here she is in her new dress selected for the first day of school.




She seemed so mature to me as she walked into the school. It is a big change from Kindergarten and all of the kids seemed confident and ready for their new year. In addition to school, Edie has swim lessons, tennis lessons (for seven weeks only), gym class and Chinese school on Sundays. And she wants to do more! I am holding the line on activities - although there is talk of a Brownie group. Edie is so friendly and happy to be doing things at school and with her friends. We are looking forward to a good first grade year - even the homework!