Fall fun 2018

Fall is an active time and a ramping up for Iris's birthday celebration(s).  In October for my (Cindy's) birthday, we went to see a Disney on Ice show in Oakland.  The costuming and storytelling on ice were great!  Here's a Mulan segment to watch:

Of course, we went to the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze.  This time the Gibboney family drove us, and we played some math games in the car.  Iris liked practicing her splits.  Later, she designed and carved a cool howling wold as our Jack O' Lantern.  She's a pro now after 10 years.

Halloween meant a party at SRACS and walking on McDonald Ave.  We went as witches.  The hats were a bit tricky to keep pointed up.  At the Mc Donald mansion, it was a Cinderella theme.  We witches got to sit in the carriage with Cinderella herself.  Nice!

Then, it was November.  Iris had a big part in planning her party, including making and decorating her ice skate cake.  It looked too beautiful to eat.  

There were 9 girls at the ice skating rink and about 5 girls stayed overnight.  They starting watching "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" until it got gross and scary.  So, they switched to "Bridge to Terabithia".  Several of the girls had already read the book.

Note:  The Friday of the party, there was no school due to smoke from a big fire in the next county over.  

It was cold riding on the Zamboni.

Friends Sabrina and Emma with Iris

Waffles and fruit were yummy in the morning.

Cousins gathered together for Thanksgiving, which was also Iris's birthday this year.  Wow!

Both grandmothers were there to give gifts to their youngest granddaughter.

Dad (Brian) cooked a really good turkey with stuffing.  Yum!  Uncle Justin and Aunt Lai Chan brought a friend to join us.  All the "kids" had fun playing ping pong and drinking hot apple cider.  Aunt Ruth brought mulled wine as well.  It was a great Thanksgiving meal, but we missed the grandfathers, too.

Next decade, new school

Ten years ago, Brian and I were preparing for our exciting journey to China and into parenthood.  A lot of excite and buzzing around to get things ready.  Now, it's all about getting ready for school.

Friends:  Kaylin, Juliet, Gemma, & Katie

Iris with Sushi, our dog

With Clara B. and Maddie.

with Dana and Olivia L,

  Iris is now 10 (almost 11) and has switched schools to begin 5th grade.  Her focus on reading, getting good at ice skating and paying attention to animals are wonderful to watch.  God has made her with these passions.  Her appreciation for arts and crafts make me wonder if her birth parents were handicrafts or skilled craftsmen.  Her winsome side shows in her wanting to research pranks and banter with her dad about "your army is so _____!"  She enjoys playing online games that challenges the user to achieve higher levels.  She doesn't enjoy playing the piano, but her new school has a band program, so there may be a different instrument in her future.  Her recharging activity above all else is reading.  She reads at home, in the car, waiting for me while I'm in meetings at church, and she reads FAST!  Last summer, I bought her a new book from the "Land of Stories" series.  We went to help with an event for kids in a local park, and she read that book in the two hours that we were there!

at Exploratorium

   In ten years, Brian and I have become partners in problem-solving in terms of parenting decisions.  How many toys does she need?  How much time do we allow her to play video games on the tablet?  Is she old enough to have a sleepover?  How can we encourage her to eat more vegetables and fewer sweets?  A continuing prayer is regarding her friendships.  She is a quiet, independent and a bit timid person in almost all group situations.  There are no BFFs that I can observe, but she likes being with school friends and ice skating girls.  I'm praying for friends that will validate her own walk with Jesus Christ as Lord   Although not  a teenager yet, some favorite replies to my questions are "I don't know" and "I will (do that!)"  As a baby, it was fun and natural to hold her and soothe her.  Nowadays, I have to implore her to give me a real hug or at least shake hands with her father.

  All in all, Iris is turning out to be an intelligent, fun-loving, capable and good-natured girl.  We love her and work to keep up with the changes in her thinking, behavior, and interests.  Personally, I pray that she desires to pray often, smile more, and love others with the love of Jesus.

I am reminded of a couple of verses:
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. ~Proverbs 22:6

Fathers [and mothers], do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.  ~Ephesians 6:4  

November landmarks

It's been one year since I posted on this blog.  As life goes, Iris is now 10 years old-double digits!!  Several things have happened:

1.  Gymnastics lessons have stopped and ice skating lessons are in.  Iris would go ice skating almost every day if she could.  Piano lessons continue, but with a different teacher.  This was more of my (Cindy's) idea than Iris's.
2.  We did one more group birthday party with eight friends.  The activities were pizza at Mary's Pizza Shack, then laser tag at a local place called Epicenter.  Iris enjoyed the laser tag and being with a crowd of nice girls from her school on November 10th.  See photos below

3.  We didn't go to Arizona again for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Our pattern may be going to see Grandma over Memorial Day weekend.  On the Avenell/Falkenhagen front, the news is Shelby and Logan have a baby girl.  Her name is Hanna Grace Burlew, born on November 4th.  Brian and I are great uncle and aunt.  Wow!

Dad's 80th birthday in 2013

4.  On a very sad note, Ah-Gong, Leon Chang, passed away on November 20th peacefully.  This was very unexpected and not the way we had planned to start a week off of school for Iris.  A few days later on Thanksgiving Day, the Chang family and relatives came over for delicious turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes cranberry sauce (which Iris cooked), sweet breads and other veggies.  Those of us over 21 toasted with champagne to give thanks for family, and to remember my father.  His life will be celebrated in January 2018 at the East Bay Formosan UMC.
5.  Iris's actual birthday was celebrated with presents in the morning and a meal from In N Out burger place.  The is getting into art and painted something for a school competition (pictured)  Her birthday name sign was up for two days, but she didn't wear a pointed hat.  Over the past year, she has lost nearly 10 baby teeth and grew another 1 1/2 inches in height.  Yeah!



Iris is growing up to be a caring and creative girl.  We love her dearly and deeply.  And I pray that she always remember that Jesus loves her, too!

Handmade earrings from Emma B.

Waiting for laser tag time

Crazy cupcake fun!

Birthday #9

First birthday

I'm 9!

After 8 years of birthday parties, this November 19th was probably the last of the group parties.  Iris turns 9 years old this week!  She loves gymnastics, so the party was at a gymnastics place with exactly 9 girls.  It was a fun afternoon on drippy November day.


Iris was able to help choose, help bake and decorate a "puppy" cake, including preparing the marzipan for the dog collar, tongue and eyes.  She prepared the goodie bags, thanks to Mom's ordering with Amazon Prime.

Jordan and Iris rock climbing

As Iris opened presents, she said, "Wow, how did you know I love crafts?" because she got (among other things):  pet plush toy kit, pottery refill, puff pens, painting fairy kit, weaving, and a sewing craft machine!

Lucia is a desk mate in Iris's class.

I

Mom (Cindy) was grateful for sister Ruth (Aunt Ruth), Dad, Adriana and Nicole's help serving food at the party, too.  Above all, I thank God for letting me be a parent, teacher, and witness to His creating a beloved child Iris.  Happy birthday, daughter of the KING!