The Girl Loves BBQ

Quick update today, no new pictures -- I'm sorry!

Yesterday we went to Grand Rapids to see our friends' kids in their end-of-camp show. If we had only been home maybe a month or two sooner I would have gotten Lin into this camp. It's a heritage camp for kids who are adopted internationally (at least, I think it was all adopted kids -- it was certainly mostly adopted kids). It's for preschool-aged kids through 9th grade. The elementary kids spend the week learning about their own country of birth, and also get exposure to other countries. The teenaged kids spend the week just doing fun stuff like going to Michigan's Adventure, Meijer Gardens, and doing campout stuff. The end-of-camp show consisted of a Parade of Nations, followed by each "country" doing a little performance.

I wonder what Lin was thinking as she watched the group of teenagers parade past her. So many girls who look just like her, but are so American. Did she want to be part of them, or did they look so foreign and intimidating to her?

Afterward, we went to eat at Famous Dave's. We can't go to Grand Rapids without making a stop to eat at the greatest BBQ restaurant on the planet. Let's just say, Lin loves her some BBQ!! This girl is a meat-eater, and BBQ ribs, chicken, and beef brisket apparently are right up her alley. Needless to say, her father was thrilled! (Dan and Kerri, if you're reading this, we'll meet you there any day, any time!)

Last night we fired up the popcorn and the home theater and Lin got to be part of her first Drzick Family Movie Night. We watched Toy Story 2. I knew that Lin wouldn't understand the dialogue, but I thought she would at least be able to get into the visuals. She was clearly bored for the first half of the movie, but then settled down and watched and even laughed in places. After that Lin and Dave stayed up to watch another movie, The Wolfman. Ruby and I thought that going to bed sounded like a better option than The Wolfman, so we skipped out. Dave reports that Lin fell asleep. Lin says she only fell asleep "a little" and that the movie was only a little scary.

In general, Lin seems to be having fun and adjusting well. We play a lot of games (Go Fish, Square Up, Ruckus, Othello, Uno) and yesterday while playing Go Fish I was challenging Lin to say the numbers in English. Communication is getting better -- I can say "Are you hungry?" and she can answer me without the two of us going through elaborate charades. We continue to keep Fresca away from her, although I think tensions are easing. Yesterday she was joking that she was going to give Dave's beloved coffee to the dog and she was even calling out "Fres-caaaaaa!" to tease Dave. She says "Bless you" when someone sneezes, which is too cute. And right now she is flipping through TV stations. It's the first time she's done this on her own! I think she's feeling comfortable here.

We bought her a bike yesterday. She seemed excited to pick one out. She's not thrilled about having to wear a helmet, but when she sees that the rest of us wear one hopefully she'll be OK. The weather is supposed to be stormy today and tomorrow, but hopefully we'll have a chance to get out. That is, after we clean the house this morning. Oh yes, she's got to learn the joys of household chores, too!