Did I mention the fishing?

The girls and I went to the local sporting goods store on Saturday.  They had a catfish tank set up outside so kids could fish.  Mia and Kennedy both wanted to try it.  Kennedy told me that she did some fishing in China.  The kids could fish for about ten minutes and try to hook the biggest fish they could.  Originally they were going to share a rod, but it turned out that they each got their own.  From the parental perspective, that worked out perfectly.  About a minute in, Mia got a catfish on the hook.  She was the first kid at the tank to land a fish.  After Mia got hers, Kennedy admitted later that she was "praying to Jesus" to catch a fish as well.  With about one minute to go, Kennedy got hers.  Perfect.  No fighting, no crying.   I love it.

The girls totally loved it.  As a matter of fact, we went back to the same store later that night to buy rods & reels for the family.  We even got one for Annie, who was quite a childhood fishing prodigy.  I can't wait to take the family out for a lake fishing trip.

Look at all those fish.  How hard can it be?

It's not hard at all!



Totally easy!

 I've got to say that when Annie and I were filling out paperwork and planning for all of the life changes involved with adopting kids from China, I never expected to see us catfishing in a store parking lot.  Fishing was the farthest thing from my mind, but it's been totally cool this weekend.  Ummmm....I think that we're hooked.

The Girls Are Angling For a New Hobby

I took the girls fishing this morning.  Daniel and Elise met us at a pond nearby and we spent a couple of hours getting to know the girls' new gear and getting close to nature.  Mia had absolutely no idea what to expect.  It was all new to her.  Kennedy has apparently been fishing before, though I'm not entirely sure who she fished with.  I can't tell if she went with her teachers and friends at the big home or if it was with her "grandfather."  She has spent enough time fishing that she told me today that Chinese fish are "not smart."  American fish don't get caught immediately, but it seems that Chinese fish wait in line to jump on the hook.  This may or may not be true, but I thought that it was an entertaining conversation.

This was really a pretty cool day for me.  My dad loved to fish and I never really spent much time fishing with him after I turned 10 or so.  After he died, it was one of the things that I have regretted most.  I wish that I'd bought a pole sooner and taken him to the closest fishing hole.  So, when the girls started asking to go fishing it seemed like a great idea.  I kept a lot of my dad's old gear and his tackle box.  We used some of his hooks this morning as a matter of fact.  It's one way that I can keep my dad's memory fresh, even though it's been almost nine years since I saw him last.  I can imagine him telling me..."it's about time, son."

Mia caught the big fish this morning.  The picture of her prize-winning crappie is a couple of posts down.  It was maybe a pound or so, but it was a fighter.

I took lots of pictures of Kennedy.  Mia had finally had enough fishing by the time I pulled out the camera.  She made it over two hours, though, which has to be some kind of record.

Beautiful day for fishing



Batter up!




Let it fly




Concentration

  For the record, Elise had the quote of the day when she declared for everyone to hear:  "I'm good at nature."

Determinate!

Here's a Disney Channel-ready video of Mia singing her interpretation of Determinate by Lemonade Mouth.  You may have to turn up the sound to hear it.

Those of you who know Mia realize that this little slice of crazy was not sugar-induced.

While I am at the computer...

Here are a few pics from our family photo shoot yesterday.  We are getting ready for our SIX MONTH post-adoption visit from the social worker already!  They require several family photos each time.  Be SURE to scroll down to see today's catch!!

It was THIS big!

Charles took the girls fishing for the first time this morning! I just got a text with this pic!  Mia caught a real, live fish!!

Easter pics...a bit late...

Time to color the eggs!  This was a FIRST for Kennedy!

She really got in to it!

Mia is an old pro at this, and loves it every time!

Proud sisters!  So cute!

Mia found the Easter Bunny's hiding spot for the baskets!

Even though she is 14, this was Kennedy's FIRST Easter basket, and she was down right giddy!

In AWE of the entire Harry Potter movie collection!  Kennedy has been reading the novels in Chinese.

Mia is explaining that YES, we get MONEY in our eggs!

Note the facial expression of disbelief.  She was asking if she really got to keep all 10 dollars.  When we told her yes, her expression changed to pure glee...but we missed that shot! 

Swimming at Nana and Papa's house on Easter afternoon.  Kennedy is learning to swim, and Mia is busy telling her how.  Oh, I mean showing her...no...TELLING is more accurate!!!

Natural swimmer...and HAM!



Scared of all this swimming business, but eager to learn.  Yes, she is wearing floaties!  I didn't know those could hold up a 14 year old!  She was NOT getting in the water without them, though!

PLEASE BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE PICTURE OF TWO BOYS FROM KENNEDY'S ORPHANAGE WHO NEED A MOMMY AND DADDY!

Anyway, sorry for the delay in posting Easter pictures.  I have been dealing with hives on my legs and arms for 3 weeks.  BIG fun.   Unknown allergic reaction??  Who knows!  Waiting for bloodwork.  I finally went to the doc the other day, about 2 weeks after I should have.  I had to break down and take the dreaded course of steroids, which I HATE and which make me a jittery, hyper, unable to sleep mess.  I have not had much time for blogging!

We had a great Easter weekend full of Easter egg coloring, church, easter baskets, swimming, a feast, and tons of family time!  Hope you enjoy the pics!




Boys need families!

I have been in contact with a mom who is in China now, adopting a 13 year old girl from Kennedy's orphanage in Guiyang.  She asked me to post this picture of 2 boys at the same orphanage who need families!  This picture was taken earlier this week.  I believe they are 11 and 9.  I am not sure about their special needs, but know they have trouble walking.  They can walk, but with difficulty.  Possibly Cerebral Palsy?  Anyway, they are both longing for loving families.  Please spread the word to anyone you may know who would be interested in a loving son...or two!  If anyone is interested, I can connect you with the mom who sent the picture to me and she can put you in touch with the orphanage director to get info about these little guys.  BTW...this is EXACTLY how we found out about our precious daughter, Kennedy!  Less than a year after we saw her picture on the Kennedy family blog, she was officially our daughter!  Jus sayin'!