I thought I'd take Piper out for a back to school photo shoot. She's still all bitten up, but the swelling is down and she is back to her spunky self(thanks to some sleep!) She is such a fun kid to photograph...when I asked her what she will do when her teacher asks her to do something...she did this.
always laughing
the kid is destined for great things!
Tonight was open night at Piper's preschool. Mike and I walked into the classroom and were greeted by a mini-McD's in the center of the classroom, complete with cash register, price list, empty packaging, staff uniforms and hats in pint sized variations! Not to mention a 3 foot hanging yellow M dangling above..ugh! I understand that this is to be the MATH CENTER! It's not a small play center off to one side, it's the freakin' centerpiece of the classroom, it's grand central station of mathematical learning! I get it...but I am not at all happy that this is in a preschool room. I'm actually so unhappy that I don't want Piper in that particular room unless they change the 'McD's' into something a little more appropriate. I think this is absolutely horrid. I don't want my daughter learning math making change for a Big Mac! I don't care if 'other' people feed their kids at this particular establishment but to bring it into the classroom, well that just stinks!
dum-deedle-eddle-eddle-dum-diddle-eye!
my kid is burning up the dancefloor! 
This week she had a camp called 'Phunky Super Star' and boy did she love it! I don't know what it is about this child but she GLOWS when she is in front of people singing
I think she wants to be a rock star when she grows up! Sometimes I actually think she might just do that! She has this amazing memory for lyrics, singers, and lines from movies...almost to the point where it's kinda crazy.
too fierce for words...whassup dog!.jpg)
Lets just get some perspective here...NO ONE other than adopted children are required to take a TB test prior to entrance to the USA...NO ONE! That means that many people come into the USA either with active or inactive Tuberculosis! Why is it that the CDC can't grant a waiver for this child so she can come to the USA and receive the rest of her treatments? She is four years old...the same age as Piper. She is a little girl who finally has a family and the bureaucratic paper pushers at the CDC are utterly and completely at fault for not seeing the damage they are doing to this family. If this new TB screening was part of the pre-adoptive process then this poor child and her new family would have had the knowledge and ability to organize options for her care prior to travel. Makes me so angry.
To those who have commented and judged the family for leaving Harper I am incensed at your inability to have empathy for those families who work many jobs, save for years and mortgage their homes to afford to bring a child home. I know for a fact if it were us, it would have been impossible to stay, we just wouldn't have the financial ability to stay for 4-6 months.
This beautiful child is not just a statistic, she needs her Mommy and Daddy...the first REAL parents she has ever known. You can read about Harper here AND if anyone knows Hillary Clinton please alert her to this story. If Bill can rescue two journalists from North Korea then bringing Harper home will be a cakewalk!
Harper gets her new name from the novel 'To kill a mockingbird' by Harper Lee, her Dad Jay hopes there will be an advocate out there for Harper...she needs an Atticus!
I guess there is something to say about discrimination starts at home.
IMO a child adopted in a foreign country by US citizen/s should not have to 'immigrate'(need entry visas), but should be a full citizen at the swearing in ceremony(Guangzhou)and receive a US passport before travel....I've always asked that question but no one could tell me why it happens that way since the first step on US soil is in fact the Consulate/Embassy.
For the past few months we have been seriously considering registering Piper for Chinese Immersion Kindergarten and Elementary School. Of course she wont be going to Kindergarten until Sept 2010 but registration is at the end of this year and we need to make decisions now. Every single person I have spoken with is 100% for immersion programs, we've done some research and spoken with the school and we are ready to make our decision. I'd love to hear others experiences with similar programs so feel free to leave a comment or email me! We also signed Piper up for one of the Summer Camp Immersion programs, it's just one week long, 3 hours a day and she LOVES it! The other AWESOME side effect...she falls asleep immediately once she goes to bed which is nothing short of amazing. This leads us to believe that she is being challenged in a positive way! Quite honestly, I was fearing our other more mainstream choices...this one seems to be just the ticket!
We love the girls across the cul de sac...L.O.V.E them..ever since we moved here just over four years ago 'the girls' have had a big role in the Snowflowers lives. Bryce, Avery & Dillon are Piper & Paisley's 'big sisters. Mike and I adore their parents (the beautiful Kristine was featured in one of my photogrpahy blog posts). I am sad that they have their house up for sale, but I treasure each and every day our girls spend with 'the girls'.
At some point pretty soon I am probably going to have to look away...but for now, with her coaches nearby I took the opportunity to snap a few pics.
