Okay, Even More Pictures...

Sorry...this picture of Lan and her best friend Milt was too good to pass up. Plus a movie of Lan skiing solo!

More Ski Pictures!

It’s Her Destiny.

What a busy weekend! We finally got to take Lanhua on her first ski adventure, and boy was it a success. She is a natural. But, before the details, some background.

We had first thought of heading up to Mammoth Mountain, but decided this was too far for her first ski trip – 7 or so hours in the car is tough to explain to a little girl who probably has never spent more than an hour in the car at one time. So we downgraded to Big Bear. (For those of you who know Pam and I, and how serious we are about skiing, this was a BIG downgrade.) We found a quaint little cabin, loaded up the gear, ourselves, and two of Lan’s best friends – our dogs Harper and Milton – and headed to the mountains!

The cabin was everything we hoped it would be; small and cozy. It even came with a hot tub. We arrived Friday night around 8 pm, and after dinner and a 10th viewing of “Mary Poppins,” we headed to bed. We got up at a decent hour and after a quick breakfast, headed out. We rented the basics for Lan, who was definitely growing more and more excited and hit the slopes.

Let me just say two things. 1) This girl has no fear; and 2) her mom could not be prouder! After a very brief time of exploring some flat-lands on the skis and letting Lanhua get used to them, Pam and I put our skis on and we all headed to the beginner’s lift. No problems whatsoever – she got on easy as pie, and at the top gripped on to her very happy dad as he helped her off the lift effortlessly.

Pam and I then took turns putting her between our legs and heading down the hill showing Lan how to make the classic “pie-slice” and how to turn. She. Loved. It. In fact, if anything she wanted to go faster. After two runs on the beginner’s hill she was already pointing to the other lift that cruises to the top of Snow Summit. As I said, she is a gamer.

So we loaded up and went to the top of the mountain and once again took turns cruising down the intermediate runs with her. She could not be happier. Just amazing when you consider that not only was this her first time on skis, but her first time of ever seeing snow, PERIOD. I have to say, I’m not sure who was happier – Lanhua or her mom. I think Pam has been dreaming of a daughter that she could go skiing with for a very long time now, and I have to say there is no better feeling than watching your loved one’s dream come true – and Scout’s definitely has, in spades.

In fact, during our lunch break Scout quickly sent out a text far and wide to friends and family letting everyone know how great of a skier Lanhua was. One reply was especially perfect. Our friend Jill, upon receiving Scout’s text extolling the mad “skillz” of Lanhua, replied: “Of course she is. It’s her destiny.” Too perfect, Jill; too perfect!

And to top it off, after a day of skiing Lanny's aunt and uncle Tina and Andrew drove up and joined us for the night. We had a wonderful dinner, tried to make a fire, ate s'mores and Lanhua schooled Aunt Tina in Candyland and Flight. Then, as the proverbial icing on the cake, Aunt Tina and Uncle Andrew made us all breakfast on Sunday before heading out. Before we headed out, we hit the Alpine Sled adventure in Big Bear - again, too much fun.

Man, what a weekend!

Anyway, the pictures tell the story; I’ve even attached a short film…hope it works!

She's Back!

After a little more than 2 months of adjusting to, and fighting off the unfamiliar germs of Southern California, Lanhua finally succumbed to her first illness: a nasty case of Strep Throat. It was a traumatic affair for Lan, and we think even more traumatic for her new parents. I’m happy to report, however, that after 3 days of feeling really lousy, Lanhua has responded to an antibiotic and is back in full “Lanny action.”

The Desk

Today’s photo is of Lanhua’s desk. It was taken this morning. Lan typically rearranges her desk once a week. Although it’s just a theory, it seems that items or photographs that are particularly significant to that week and/or day generally enjoy high visibility placement on the desk. Her stuffed pleasant goat and the picture from Aunt Shelley of her cousins have seen desktop action pretty much since she’s been home. Other stuffed animals have been rotated to the top shelf to protect them from Lan’s canine partner in crime, Milton. On Saturday, a new item made desktop status: a photocopied picture of Rachel and Allison, Lanhua’s first friends in the United States.

Goofy Day

Today is "Goofy Day" at Lan's school. For those outside of the elementary school loop, on Goofy Days kids are encouraged to dress unconventionally (wear pajamas, mismatched socks, funny hats, etc). Over the past week, we've been explaining this concept to Lanhua via pictures, clothing examples and verbally (her comprehension is improving everyday!)This morning, however, Lanhua awoke to the best explanation of Goofy Day that one could possibly imagine: her Dad. She is a lucky little girl!!

Lan would not allow a photo shoot this morning, so I've posted a goofy self portrait that she took yesterday afternoon. Her get-up today consisted of mismatched shoes (I'm so proud), funny pants and a pajama top.

Immersion - An Update on School at Month 2

Lanhua’s 2-month anniversary of her arrival in the US was commemorated yesterday afternoon with a parent-teacher conference at her elementary school. It was a good meeting. Lan’s teacher, Mrs. Robertson, is a kind and patient soul who, amidst the chaos of the California public school budget crisis, seems to be staying positive and focused on the kids. All 26 of them.

Not to our surprise, Lan’s scores on the tests that 3rd graders are subjected to these days were either very low or essentially, not applicable. The tests require a working knowledge of English and Lanhua, apparently unsure of the intent of such formal testing, wisely decided to take the 5th. Also not to our surprise, is the excellent progress Lan is making in class in terms of acclimating, participating and socializing. Mrs. Robertson commented on Lanhua’s genuine interest in learning, the improvement she’s made in less than 2 months and her great sense of humor. Lanhua is making friends at school, participates as much as she can and seems to be adjusting to SoCal elementary academia just fine.

Immersion has been our objective for Lanhua’s current school experience. We think the experiment thus far is a success. Moving forward, academics will become the priority. Steve and I are currently evaluating Lan’s educational options for the next school year. Next Blog installment: Proposition 13 – How’d that work out for you, California?!?

Attached is a photo taken during Easter brunch. Lan thought she had the paparazzi beat by hiding under the table. Dad managed to get a shot off before her hands were up to block the lens.

A Gift from Don Ho!

Just kidding. Actually, Lanhua received a surprise gift this past week from the Hull family in Chico, Ca, and what a surprise it was! The Hulls sent Lanhua a ukulele! Wow, talk about surprised; you've should have seen our little girl's eyes when she opened the package, and of course she let out her now-common expression of delight and wonder: "whoa."

Tim also included a wonderful letter that he thoughtfully had translated into Chinese. We of course showed it to Lanhua, but are unsure how much of it she understood. But you can darn well be sure that it will going into her scrapbook for future times. (Also, Tim, thanks for the very kind words about me in the letter - considering YOU are one the funniest people I have ever met - he's got funny bones, people, funny bones! - your statement about me was high praise indeed...)

Of course, I don't yet have a picture of Lanny actually playing the uke even though she enjoys walking around with it, strumming away. If you are a long-time reader of this blog, you'll know that Scout and I have an awfully hard time getting any photos where Lanny is not ducking, dodging, or otherwise covering her face and/or the camera with her hand like a starlet caught red-handed leaving a celebrity hotspot. But don't worry...we'll grab one soon and post it!

So, Tim, Brigit, Hannah, Fiona and Aaron: a HUGE thank you from the Wedel family for this very special and wonderful gift. Tim, words really fail at your family's thoughtfulness and generosity. (For those of you don't know - and that's probably all of you - Tim was a classmate and great friend of mine in high school, and someone I haven't seen in, what, 20+ years?) It makes this wonderful process we're going though even more wonderful...hard to believe, but so true. And, honestly, if I can just get up on my soapbox here, it just makes me feel good for the human race that warm, loving people like you are out there who obviously don't give a moment's thought to reaching out to a little girl you've never even met. I can only wish for more Hulls!

Anyway, Tim, you have a very, very special family, and I can't wait to one day introduce Lanhua (and the missus!) to you and yours when we next pass through the Sacramento area.

Much peace and love....