ONE WAY TO STAY COOL.....

Me thinks ole' Butch has the right idea in this 90+ degree heat.

Last night we all had dinner outside on the patio for the first time this year. Mom cooked up some sushi, steammed clams and corn on the cob and oh boy was it delicious. It stay warm and light outside all the way until 9:30 in the evening.

Later this evening, I will take Mimi and Blake to their first karate lesson, then it will be time to head home and over to the school for the first night of sports camp.

WE'RE IN THE PAPERS

Seafair Torchlight Parade Photos from seattlepi.com Mimi and Blake actually made the papers last Saturday night. Then there is me standing behind Blake taking pictures. That day was the annual Seafair Parade in downtown Seattle and the kids all just had the time of their lives.

ADOPTION TALK

Last Wednesday night while having dinner at the Westlake shopping mall, I sat with the girls while the rest of the adults were getting their food. It never ceases to amaze me how these 6 year olds can at times have "adult conversations". I just sat back to listen to everything they had to say that was on their minds. Our Mimi is very, very, VERY selective in who she tells that she is adopted. To this day (except for her China friends) many of her friends, including her closest friends don't know of her background. At one time we asked her if she wanted tell people and she said "NO". Therefore we want to repect her wishes and let her be the guide.

Somehow the subject of adoption came up between the two girls and Naomi says "Mimi, it's ok to tell people that you are adopted. I'm adopted. If the kids at school say something mean to you about it, you just ANNOY (I'm sure she meant ignore) them and walk away. Then you tell your mom and she will take care of it." I thought that was such a true friendship of warm, encouragng words between friends. It really warmed my heart to see this and hear it. I feel so very fortunate to have our China friends all around us the Fratkins, Alvarados, Berris's and now the Rochleaus and Hurds.

Mimi at this point still wants to keep mum about her situation and that is fine with us. However Naomi has given her some food for thought.

SPACE NEEDLE AMUSEMENT PARK

Last Thursday afternoon Mimi and I met with Naomi and her familly at the Space Needle Amusement Park. It cost $23.00 for all day rides and we all think that the girls got their money worth as many times as they had ridden on all the rides. These two in particular. Lost count as to how many times they rode the roller coaster or went up and down on the slide.

RIDING ON THE MONORAIL

After visiting for a while at the hotel, we all took a short walk over to the Space Needle to catch the monorail and head over to the Westlake shopping mall food court for dinner. There we met up with dad who had left work a little early. The girls took turns playing with Ming the doll. Will wonders ever cease? Our Mimi actually playing with a doll???? Go figure!

Then it was time to head back to the hotel. As soon as we got off the monorail at the Space Needle, for those of you who don't know, there is an amusement park that is loaded with kids during the summmertime. Naomi exclaims "Wow! DISNEYLAND!!!" Not really. However they do have rides for the littles ones to enjoy such as ferris wheel and bumper cars and so forth.

FRIENDS REUNITE

Naomi and her family arrived here in Seattle yesterday morning. Mimi and I went to go see them at their hotel in the afternoon and it's like the two Naomi's have never been apart. They were like two peas in a pod.

ONE WAY TO STAY COOL.....

Summer has finally hit the northwest. It is now hot as heck all day and night. This picture was taken last Tuesday before gymnastic class. Halliwell came over and both girls had a blast playing with the slip 'n' slide and just getting plain wet. Of course the popsicles helped to cool them off too.