Isabella’s Birthday Party

Wow!  This was a very exciting day, especially for Isabella, our birthday girl, but also for all of her friends that were able to come to her Ariel theme, “Water Fun” Birthday Party!

“Isabella, how old are you” I asked again, after the party, already knowing what reaction I will receive.  And right on cue she responds, again: “I’m three!!!“ – at the top of her lungs.  She can be very, very loud, but it is so incredibly cute how she works into it, and it always comes with a joyful smile.  She had been looking forward to this day since Victoria had her birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza a few months ago.  Until then, Isabella had desired us to get her a “Minnie Mouse” birthday cake; but after Victoria’s party, with total confidence and conviction she settled on a “Ariel” theme for her birthday party.  Isabella seems to have a knack for how to do things, so I’m sitting back and watching the show unfold before my eyes every day.  I know, I know: Little Miss Producer at the age of three!  If you ask her, “Isabella, whose idea was it to go see the poppies?” (See ABOUT Page for Poppy photo) It was her idea; and, she remembers it vividly – even though it was months ago. Well, anyway…

We were excited that Bill & Kris came up from “down below” with Sophie & Olivia, as we have enjoyed the friendship we have forged with them adopting our two girls from China on the same trips, spending time with them on holidays, at birthdays… We weren’t sure how many people would be coming to this birthday party, but we parked our cars next door, since it is currently vacant, just in case the space was needed in our cul-de-sac for the cars of the parents bringing the expected 18 little kids.  Most of their friends are more “local,” from their time together with our main babysitter (who is really more of a Private Childcare Provider) or from our church family.  Isabella gets to do it all over again when my sister visits in a couple weeks with her daughter, and my cousin comes with her 2 girls…  I believe we topped out with a head count of 13 kids, which was definitely enough.  They first did crafts, then off to have fun in our doughboy pool and our water slide.

 

Once they all dried off, it was time to play games: Dig for Buried Treasure, Catch a Fish, and a version of “Pin the Tail on The Donkey” that has morphed into “Place a Sticker on The Picture of… (Ariel).”  The kids enjoyed all of it.

  

Of course, Isabella’s favorite part was likely the Ariel Birthday Cake, being the center of attention as we sang to her “Happy Birthday.”  And then the blowing out of candles, but mostly the eating of the cake.  Isabella has quite a big sweet tooth for a little girl.  But there really weren’t any kids saying, “No thank you!”

And it was good cake; I had seconds…  Lastly, there was the opening of gifts in the front living room.  That was pretty cute, too.  All the kids seem to enjoy watching Isabella open all the gifts.  Well, “Mommy” helped her a little bit…

birthdaysatisfaction

From Toddler to Tadpoles to…

Victoria & Isabella love to go to the beach!  Our favorite beach destination is to go to Santa Monica Pier, and find a spot just north of it (enjoying the rides on the pier, too!)  But living in the desert during today’s economy woes doesn’t always make that a sensible choice for us to make.  How are you coping with today’s gas prices?  Yikes, they’re sky high!

Since we will now be taking less trips to the beach, I bought them a toddler-size water slide unit I found at our friendly neighborhood CVS Pharmacy.  They have enjoyed that so much, and so have our friends’ kids, that Mary then decided that just maybe we should buy a small above-ground pool.  That was a great decision, too!

Our girls have a natural tendency to enjoy being in the water, and they are soaking up the learning process of water safety: bubbles, breathing under water, floating, kicking, etc.  They’ve had some formal lessons recently, too, at a local Swim America location: 6, total.  And that’s probably enough right now for them to have confidence in Mom & Dad that what they are learning from us is appropriate.

These “tadpoles” are smart!  Okay, so they are not tadpoles; but it got your attention, didn’t it?  They don’t question everything we say, but they do occasionally tell us: “That’s not right. that’s not the way you do it…” about other things.  Sometimes it’s hilarious; other times, you get this itch to tell them “You need to listen to Mommy & Daddy.”  But for the most part, as it relates to swimming in our pool, they have accidentally drank water enough times that they know we love them enough to speak with them “in truth and love” (Ephesians 4:15) and not to question what we tell them in those moments.

Soon, Isabella will have a Water Play Birthday Party to celebrate turning 3 years old.  And tomorrow will be a preview, a test, of interacting with another famly bringing their two girls over to our house to enjoy playing with Victoria & Isabella.  I suspect that there will be some swimming involved in that scenario.  But it will be a “All Girl Day,” their dad working tomorrow – and so am I.

I finally downloaded all the photos & videos off of our digital camera, so I am hopeful Mary will take some PIX of the event tomorrow so I can enjoy it in that way.  Besides, the kids absolutely love to see the photos we take of them.  Of course, they like to be the ones taking the pictures, too.  But that story will have to wait for another day…

Local A.V. Get-Together

   Tonight was a fun night, even with a strong wind while outside at a park in Palmdale (visiting with other friends with adopted Chinese children – one couple soon to return to China for another child! Congrats, Joe & Terry!).

Jackie came with her daughter Katie and Katie’s friend, but Dave couldn’t make it due to car/commute issues.

   It was quite the festive place! Parking close-by was next to impossible, so it must have been “the place to be,” right? People were everywhere.

There was a live band, and, my personal favorite, long lines: for food, for everything… But that gave us, the adults, time to chat! Great to touch bases with you, Jackie. Always good to see all of you! Whose idea was it to do this? Nice job!

   By the end of our stay, some of the girls had their faces painted. Earlier, they were able to enjoy a “bounce house” together, and also a puppet show.

There were a couple young ladies dressed in costumes like they were bees that was amusing to the girls (they were part of the puppet show).

The face painting was fun for the girls, but may have been a first & last for the parents!

That line moved slower than a snail! Oh well. It was worth it. Right, guys? I mean, “gals”? I keep tripping over that one…

Someday I’ll get it right. Right, girls?

   It was fun. Always good to get together with friends. Had a great time.

   P.S. This is a updated blog from one previously created.
          It may take some time to get through an intended ”re-construction” phase.

   Thanks for your patience,

Ron

Another New Beginning!

I know, I know… Blogging is probably becoming passe’ for you all who have been doing it for… say, before NetFlix ever rented the first of their billion videos! We started with a basic website that we still make use of; take a look at http://www.runsvold.net if you have time…

But we have only recently, finally, taken the plunge, and it still feels strange to do it at all – this “blog” thing. But, it’s a fast way of sharing the most recent moments of your life with others – and that’s a good thing, especially if people are impatiently waiting for your busy life to slow down long enough in order for you to copy digital photo onto a disc for them to enjoy.

Life: How is yours? What is yours like? Any advice for us? As husband & wife? As a mother & father? Would you want any advice from us? Insights? Maybe not. We have been known to get things wrong. I could probably give lessons on how NOT to do some things: balance a checkbook, for instance. But God is good, leading me to marry a wonderful gal who is good at crunching numbers!

That leads me to one last point: Is any life truly lived well if it isn’t lived in a relationship with The Giver of Life? How is your relationship with God? He wants to relate on a personal level with you. Do you know Him?

We are enjoying our life with the two girls God has chosen to bless our lives with; they’re wonderful. Victoria & Isabella are full of life, abounding in energy, a joy in every way… even when they need to go through those teachable moments all kids go through.