Reunions

We have an exciting weekend on tap. Our last big hurrah before Lin marches off to start school. We'll be spending the holiday weekend with the family who adopted her best friend from Shanghai. They've chatted and Skyped many times since they've both moved to the States, but this will be the first time they've seen each other in person. We're happy to help keep their connection, their bond.

Lin (purple coat, center) in Shanghai with her friends.
We'll be meeting the girl in the grey jacket, front, 2nd from left

We'll be spending the weekend at a water park conveniently nestled between a Cracker Barrel and Famous Dave's BBQ. Oh joy! Not sure if Lin will get wet, but Ruby is half-mermaid. You can't keep her out of the water. Just today, our little Rubinator asked if I would get the hose out and just spray her. We'll pick up a modest swimsuit for Lin and bring it along just in case her friend can convince her to get a little wet.

Ready for a night with grandma and grandpa

Speaking of reunions. Lin has been to several as the Summer has flown by. This past weekend, she and Ruby spent the night with the grandparents before heading off for another dizzying round of "Meet your Relatives!" We've been introducing everybody as an aunt, uncle or cousin and not by their names just yet.

Summer day... sweet corn. Is there anything better?

How about some s'mores!

Tuckered out after spending a day in the sun!

What happens after spending five hours in the car!

Speaking of school. I think we are as prepared as we could ever hope to be. Lin will be entering the 6th grade, which our district has recently moved into the middle school. We've met with the guidance counselor, bilingual director and spoken with many of the office staff. They've been very helpful and prepared for her to start. Her class schedule will include math, English, science, gym, band and a study hour. We will get to walk around with her the first day after classes end to meet her teachers, help her find her way around and practice her locker skills. We've had a fun, and challenging Summer... just today, Lin told us that she feels very lonely and very bored. We know those feelings are natural, especially in a 'tweener, but not being able to make friends because of the language barrier has been tough on her. She is smart, funny, happy girl and will defnitely make friends. Heck, during the 6th grade orientaion, several kids said "hello" to her. In addition, we took Lin to visit one of the local Chinese schools in town and she has volunteered to help teach kids to read, write and speak Chinese. There are several girls her age and even one who is also entering the 6th grade at the same school. Hopefully, we are entering the "friends" stage. Lin needs an outlet to just be a kid again after all of the changes she has gone through and the challenges still facing her.

Stir-frying up some chicken with black walnuts!

Getting Ruby ready for the day with a bowl of spicy noodles!

One last little word of warning... if you have any exercise equipment in your house. Lin went into our workout room when nobody was looking and tried to benchpress. Well... needless to say she got pinned between the barbell and the bench. Lisa ran in to help lift the bar off of her. She's fine. And I'm betting she won't do that again.