Today was such a busy day. It started with a trip to the movie theatre to see Shark Tale (I was not impressed). After the movie we went to JC Penney's to get a portrait taken of Xiao Yu. Of course, I had not done a really good job getting across the plans ahead of time, but I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. When it was almost time for her photo appt, I asked Sarah and Zoey to take her into the bathroom and change into the sweater I had brought for her and get her hair brushed. She came out and Sarah said, "mom, she won't do her hair." She stood near the entryway holding her hair with her hands, and clearly refusing to budge. Then.... we watched a bit of a two-year-old temper tantrum. I am not much into power struggles or arguments with kids, so I said, "let's go" - "zo-la." "We'll just have to try another day." The nice woman who works the camera (about 22) spoke nicely to Xiao Yu and encouraged her to come to the platform for the photo. At first Xiao Yu resisted her, but finally this young lady got her to agree and the photos were done. We got three (of four) very nice photos. She didn't want to spend much time, and said "Zo-la" after each snapped photo. Two of the photos had her eyes closed in them so they had to be redone. Regardless, I was super happy with the three photos, and Xiao Yu was smiling, acceptance of the photographs of herself when she reviewed them on the computer screen. I asked the young photographer what her race was. She stated she was Japenese. She asked how long we had Xiao Yu, and I told her she'd been with us for one week. The young photographer said, "I was adopted too." She stated she was one week old when she was adopted and that she'd been born in California. "That's neat, and probably pretty unusual" I told her. I added, "I wish I could tell Xiao Yu that you were adopted. I bet she would think that was pretty neat!" Xiao Yu proudly showed daddy the b&w proof sheet that JC Penney's had given her. Daddy told her that she was very pretty. I am so glad we had this early photo done, and our family portrait last week.
Later, it was time to carve pumpkins and go trick-or-treating. Xiao Yu worked carefully to carve her pumpkin just like her sisters. We learned that Halloween had been adopted in CHINA over the last ten years, but I have no idea what level of exposure Xiao Yu had with Halloween. Maybe today was her first time carving a pumpkin. Most likely it was her first time going house to house and saying "trick or treat." Walt said she had no problem catching on. Beth Anne and I stayed at the house passing out candy to visitors. Some of the costumes scared Beth Anne. We had chicken, potatoes and rice for dinner. Xiao Yu continues to have a hearty appetite. She drinks water or coke with her meals. She states she does not like Water. Interestingly, she really seems to like peanut butter. She does not like red sauce or cheese, but she LOVES pizza. Mr Sun says "Pizza is Chinese."
Evenings are the best times with the kids. They goof around and giggle. Tonight they turned the living room into a gym and were doing handstands and cartwheels. Xiao Yu gets in with all of them as if she's always been here. We had her talk to Lian Lian in Louisiana last night. Lian continues to do well.
I wish each of you could see the video the SWI sent. It is completely and totally unbelievable. The four Shao Wu girls in the video seem so incredibly tight! I am not one of the "weeping" types, but I have become tearful each time I watch the girls in the video. We have about 45 minutes of video of the girls playing together, swimming together, teasing, etc. He has it choreographed with really neat music too.
Sincerely Paula
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