Mother's Day

Anna's Grandma always helps her do special things for Mommy on special days...what a special Grandma! (see also http://hubeigirl.blogspot.com/2008/02/happy-valentines-day.html)
Take a look at the signature....not too bad for Grandma telling her, "sign your name right here."

Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma...

Grandpa and Grandma got this cute outfit for Anna.....she loves it!

Swimming Lessons

Anna had her first ever swimming lesson this afternoon. After a cautious beginning, she began to enjoy herself and even wanted to go back to the pool for more at the end of the lesson. She and her friend Jenna (a veteran of swimming lessons) were the only ones in the class. Anna loved playing in the water with Jenna, and it made her feel at ease to have a friend in this new place. It was so much fun to watch the girls, who were adorable in their swimsuits. Too bad my camera was at home. Maybe next week!

Horseplay

Anna went to a birthday party for her friend Max today. We knew there was a farm theme, but who knew there would be REAL horses?! Anna was so excited to see them, she could hardly wait until it was her turn to ride. Then, surprisingly, when it WAS her turn, Anna decided (very dramatically) the horse was too big and she didn't want to ride it after all. After a bit more watching the three horses from the sidelines, and some coaxing from Mommy, who assured Anna that the horse named Mary Lou was shorter (all of half an inch!), Anna decided that she wanted to try again. She instructed Mommy to walk with her and to HOLD HER TIGHT (which Mommy did). Anna patted and loved on the horse, and when that first ride was finished she said, "Mommy, next time I can ride all by myself," which she did several times....waving at her friends and saying, "Look at me!"

After eating cake and ice cream, Anna ran to get some pinestraw from the flowerbed (thinking it was hay...yes, we live in the city!) to feed the horses. After the party, we walked around to the stable and looked at all the horses and even saw some riding lessons in process in the back (they were learning how to go over jumps). I have fond memories of being about 10 years old and learning those same things at Wimberly Stables (no longer in existence) during riding lessons once a week after school. It doesn't FEEL like that was more than 30 years ago!

Too bad we didn't have any carrots or apples to feed the horses.

Three-Year-Old Theological Understandings

Anna (placing her ear on my chest): Mommy, I can hear your heart-beep.

Mommy: Really? What does it sound like?

Anna: It sounds like Jesus is in your heart beeping. He has your phone number and He can call you whenever he wants to. He has a phone in his pocket so He can do that. He knows Grandpa's number too. Jesus has EVERYBODY'S number.

Dragon Boat Races

We went to the Dragon Boat races with some friends today...lots of fun and great weather! Besides watching the races, which was both interesting and funny (none of the participants had ever done this before!), Anna also enjoyed the space jumps (of course!). The whole event was free, too, except for the purchase of a corn dog.

Odds and Ends

I used the camera for the first time since Easter today and found a picture I forgot....this is Anna and one of her friends watching a video after Easter dinner. When I saw her sitting so still, I just had to take a picture. She was definitely "in the zone." The boys let her HOLD THE REMOTE...something she doesn't get to do at home on the few occasions she is allowed to watch TV. She was even reluctant to come get dessert because she thought she would have to give up the remote control.

















Below is a picture from the once-a-month Chinese Cultural School that we go to with other families like ours.

















And this is just a random picture from this morning because it was spring...