Being five years old

 School ended about a month ago, but there is still French summer camp! Her teachers are so special.  Iris truly loved being at school...once she got there.  She says she wants to go to France to see la Tour Eiffel.  She said that she knows more French than Chinese.  This may happen, but I continue to speak to her and try to read to her in Mandarin.

Amazing display outside her classroom.

Playground continues to be great fun for Iris.  Swinging, climbing, swimming, sliding.  What else does a five-year-old need to do?

Craft fun with Elena and Sofia

I marveled how adept Iris is at tying a ribbon now.  Although she doesn't have shoes with shoe laces, she can tie a knot and ribbon.  She couldn't do that very well last year.

At home, she finds her own fun, too.  The bathroom and the backyard are hangout places.  Why?  Fixing her own hair is becoming a new skill for her.  She combs her own hair, puts it in the ponytail and sometimes, braids her hair before I can get to it in the morning.  Outside, it's a lot about finding "Miss Puff", our neighborhood cat.  She's very friendly and does seem to like her very much.

BIG NEWS:  Iris has a second tooth out now.  Mommy actually got to yank out the second one that was thankfully loose enough that she didn't feel great pain nor did she cry.  The permanent one was already coming in, so this was a very good thing.  Take a look at the bottom front teeth!

Some other special memories was receiving a Japanese traditional Spring dress ("yukata") and going to a candy factory.  What joy and excitement was had!  

 Remember this face from US History?  I love Iris's poses!

Summer's here and the time is right...

Are we dancing in the streets?  Not exactly, but life's been good.  Over a month ago, we were celebrating Mother's Day.  Father's Day was spent in the company of our friends, the Wong family, at a picnic in the park.  It was a pretty warm day, but not as hot as today.  So, it is definitely summer.

Where's Sophia now?  It has been a few months of learning to cook foods that Sophia likes, driving around her and her friends, and entering the community on Facebook.  Eeek!  I'm also a beginner in phone texting, as that is the instant mode of communicating with teenagers.  After prom and graduation (honorary), she is preparing for her final tour with other Rotary Exchange students through the sunny southwest US.  It's a full 14 days of traveling, sightseeing, going to fun parks, camping, hiking, and meeting people. 

While Sophia is on the road, we will hit the road to go to San Diego.  Seaworld, San Diego Zoo, warm beaches...here we come!  I'm curious to see how Iris will react to warm beaches with warm sea water.  She really likes the water and is getting better at swimming strokes.  We are taking a break from swim lessons, but I'd like to start up after we return from San Diego.

On Memorial Day, all creatures great a small...

This is my friend, Joshua, and his brother, Levi.

 









 Our nephew Matthew and niece Grace have graduated from High School as well.  The Chang side of the family will celebrate in July with a special inter-generational activity.  Another niece is going to Azerbaijan for three weeks this summer for a leadership camp.  God has blessed us with much to celebrate with our families.  Let us not lose sight, though, of how it is only by the grace and mercy of Jesus that we have life...abundantly!