we were so excited to finally have our dossier logged in with CCAA in China.  And…thinking it would only be approximately 13 months until we received our referral, we were busy starting to get the room ready, doing some shopping therapy, etc.  Here we are today where our wait would be at least another 1.5-2 years…and counting.

I often worried what it will be like when our LID came up to be matched in China, if we were forced to drop out due to age.  How would I feel?  Who would she have been?  Where was she born?

And now as I look back, I know that Elyssa Baijie IS who she was meant to be!  OUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER!

And we feel very lucky to be her parents!  We love you forever EB!

Today marks the Chinese New Year, also called the spring festival, and one of the most important holidays in much of Asia, bringing together families.

In many countries from China to Malaysia—and even Chinatowns around the world—the streets are alive with firecrackers and lion dancers. On the eve of the lunar new year, families gather together to enjoy a meal full of foods considered lucky. Children also receive red envelops filled with money.

Those celebrating the new year are recognizing the Year of Dragon, according to the zodiac calendar, the mightiest and most favored of the 12 zodiac signs.

The last Year of the Dragon was in 2000, and Hong Kong saw more than 5 percent rise in the number of births, according to BBC.

Other Years of the Dragon incude: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976 and 1988. Famed Dragon babies include: Salvador Dali, Courtney Love, Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock.

The dragon is a symbol of power and strength, and those born under this sign are often predicted to have lucky and abundant lives. Their characteristics are said to be strong, intelligent and self-assured.

The lunar new year celebration begins on the first day of the lunar calendar and is expected to end on the first day of the full moon (Feb. 15).

____________________________________________________________________________

On Saturday, we celebrated with our friends at the FCC’s (Family with Children from China) New Year party.  We had a wonderful time with great entertainment for the kids, good food, a dragon dance….and the bubble wrap popping to symbolize the shooting off of firecrackers!

Happy New Year to everyone celebrating!

Watching the juggler

 Fun watching the magician

Waiting for the dragon dance

The dragon cake was yummy!

Kally, Ella, and Elyssa

Chinese New Year 2012!

 The firecrackers, (indoors)

It sure is hard to believe that Elyssa turned 5 today!  She is growing so fast and getting taller every day.  Her English is great and she is now learning very fast.  She also is starting to get interested in learning some simple words in Mandarin Chinese.  She had to take treats on Friday to her pre-school class and today, she took treats to her daycare.  We had her party on Saturday at her gymnastics club and she had 13 girls join her to celebrate!  We had a wonderful time and she really had fun.  We had help from our dearest friend Dorothy and our close neighbors Diane, Ron and Kaitlyn.  A special thanks to you all!

Tonight are going to dinner at the Red Robin for more celebrating!  We love you Elyssa Baijie…….forever and ever!

We spent the night at the Splash Bash in the indoor water park at the Best Western near home.  Elyssa had a ball and we enjoyed watching her having fun and being so happy!  We had fun, had a great dinner and spent it with our favorite neighbor friends!

Happy New Year everyone!

May 2012 bring prosperity, good health, and may you be surrounded by those who make you feel happy and loved!

 Baijie’s First swim alone

Come on in mama!

Swimming with daddy…

Getting really brave!

Daddy…don’t make me laugh so hard!

Tubing with mama..

  The big side of the pool….

Cold…..

Woohooooo….she made it until midnight!

Celebrating with baba

Let’s make one more noise before bedtime!

Angels in the Arctic Adventure

Our little angel

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!  May your holiday to blessed with peace, love and the laughter of those you hold dear to your hearts!

It was parent viewing at dance last Saturday……she loves her tap shoes and now that she has tap, she not too keen on ballet.  It’s just not as much fun, as you can’t make any noise with your feet!

 Tap

and Tumble

Thought we better get the Halloween pics up before Christmas…..and that’s only a couple weeks away!

 She’s all girl!

It’s been months ……. I know …….. sorry, but we’ve been really busy with school and life.  Things are very good and Elyssa is doing great!  Where are all of the pictures ?????  Well….”a pictures says a thousand words” so I’ll try and put up a few from the last few months.  Here they are

July 4th celebration

I’ll eat chocolate anything…but bacon is one of my favorites!

 Elyssa with her friends celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

 Our trip to England in August…..Elyssa’s is introduced to her family.  Grandma and grandpa’s 40th wedding anniversary celebration.

 Cousins….Amelia, Cecily, Finlay with Elyssa

 Great grandma Grace….a beautiful visit with a beautiful lady!

Elyssa in the covered market in Oxford

Spending a day in Oxford with ayi Sari, and Hsu hsu Marcus

  Kissin’ cousins spending a day in the park outside Buckingham Palace

Anna and Elyssa celebrating the Moon Festival at Anna’s house

Our happy family

Elyssa and her sister Jenn at Birdworld

 Pumpkin Festival

 More to come……….

Elyssa had her rehearsal for her dance recital on Friday……..she did a great job of following along, even when she saw her daddy with his camera, waved, and then lost track of where she was suppose to be on stage.  We can’t wait to see her in full costume on stage.  She really does LOVE to dance!    Here is the link:-

Dance Rehearsal