Leap Day!

Leap Day provides a fun opportunity for us. Our family likes musicals, and we also use any excuse to have a party.  Our oldest daughter and her husband took it upon themselves a few Leap Years ago to host a pirate themed party on this day in honor of one of our favorite musicals, The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan.

If you aren't familiar with the story, the main character, Frederic's birthday is on Leap Day.   Having been apprenticed (by error) to a band of pirates until he reached his 21st birthday, he is released from his servitude only to discover that by the terms of his contract, he is actually only five and a quarter years old.  Because of his strong devotion to his sense of duty he must return for another 63 years!

Party guests are encouraged to dress a part....

Our little band of pirates!

It is a funny tale with lots of great music.  Perhaps the biggest challenge of this party is to keep the party guests from singing too loudly during the official showing of the movie!

We hope you did something special on your "bonus day" this year.

March Fundraising Auction - Spring Ahead (TIME theme)

We've just launched our March fundraising auction and invite you to take a peek!  In anticipation of the beginning of Daylight Savings time, many of the items in this March auction are time keepers. You'll find watches and pocket watch pendants. These are perfect for those occasions that you don't want to rely on your phone for telling the time. I had a pendant watch for our last two China trips and it was perfect as my phone didn't work in China.

You'll also find over a dozen jewelry items that I hand made, as well as a SOCK SHEEP that has been requested by several people. The white one is currently on the auction and I hope to add at least one more (gray) before we end it.

Here is a preview of what we have listed:  You'll find various watches:

 

 

 

and lots of pocket watch/pendants:

 

 

 

 

Necklaces

 

 

 Even some glow in the dark options!

Several that I created myself:

 

 

Bracelets:

 Sock sheep

Pillow shams

and even things for your locker and office

 

Bidding will end at 9pm EST on Wednesday, March 16.


These are just some of the great items in this month's fundraising auction.  Please come check it out and bid over on our Adopting Susy Facebook Group

Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Monkey!

This year instead of planning our own party we went to the FCC (Families with Children from China) party instead, and WOW was it nice!  It was held in the gymnasium of a large church.  Upon arrival, each child was given a gift bag containing a small, stuffed monkey toy and an envelope with gold (chocolate) coins inside.

After a little photo op we went to the craft tables where the kids created a "mask" to use later in the evening during the dragon parade and a bookmark.  They also collected various coloring sheets that they worked on back at our table.

They played a game in which they were to pick up marshmallows with chopstix.  They weren't super good at it, but they had a good time!

After a DELICIOUS Chinese buffet dinner (that actually made me miss China a bit!) the kids were invited to have their photo taken with others from their home province.

Guangdong Province

Guangxi Province

And then each child put a paper flag of China on the "Red Thread" map showing where they were from.

Soon it was time for the Dragon Parade!

And sooo clever was the bubble wrap that they stepped on at the end of the parade route.  It sounded as if fireworks were being shot off!

This was followed by a couple of dance troupes, and then the Lion Dance.

I was able to connect with online friends from the area, some for the first time, and our children enjoyed a taste of past traditions.  So thankful for organizations like FCC!