Amy had to demonstrate some of the finer points of the routine.
Daddy tried his best, but ballet just isn't his thing. Good effort though!
Amy was very excited sitting in her seat with her little flashy fiber optic thingy, but Robin and I were less enthusiastic. Let's just say that was one long hour.
The best part of the concert was playing with her good friend Izzy. As you can see, we've been watching too much of The Three Musketeers.
At least the girls had fun.
The first thing Amy did once we arrived was to go on a horse ride.
Then, she spent a large amount of time in the petting zoo.
And finally, she and Daddy climbed up and down and up and down and up and down the hay bale pyramid.
Needless to say, someone slept very well that night (Amy slept well too!). 
There are all sorts of do-dads that transform food into art.
All that and a great book full of ideas. . .
. . . completely written in Japanese. Hmm. This might take me awhile to decipher!
There was not only a dress and a tiara, but wonderful glass slippers that flashed when she walked. Amy looked so comical trying to walk and watch her shoes at the same time. It's a wonder she didn't bash into something!
Thank you Daddy.
You really are my handsome prince.
Yeah! Our Social Worker came today to interview us for an update to our home study for our second adoption. The paper chase for this adoption seems to be going much slower, partly because it is. Last time, I was so excited and focused. This time, however, life has interfered and thrown us a few wrenches: the trip to China, selling the old house, moving into the new one, renovations, and now work!
The first 'Dave touch' was the team emblem that decorated Amy's flower basket.
I saw the second 'Dave touch' later during the reception when Dave asked me if I'd seen his cake. I don't think I've ever heard of a groom referring to the wedding cake as his cake before until then. When I saw the cake, I totally got it. It really was his.
On Sunday afternoon, Amy has Traditional Chinese Dancing and on Tuesday after school, she has ballet. Amy loves to dance and seems to be really enjoying her classes.
She asked tonight where we were going after school and was disappointed when I told her Costco, her favourite place to go to dinner. She wanted to go to another dance class instead!
Then it was off for a quick game of mini-golf and an ice cream at a place we passed on the way.
Back at the hotel, Amy and I explored the grounds. There are horses and a stable here, but unfortunately, the pony that children ride on was lame (literally, not figuratively!), and Amy was not able to go for a ride. She was, however, a great sport about it and just wanted her picture taken with the other horses that were saddled up and ready to go out on a trail ride.
After some time on the play structure and swings, it was time to get ready for the wedding. With all the time outside and the unseasonably warm weather, Amy's hair-do was almost nonexistent. Due to Arlene's foresight, however, we had bought a curling iron and super duper hairspray in town. So after a recreation of the hair-do, Amy was ready to party!
The wedding was on a boat and the weather was perfect - twenty one, not a cloud in the sky and the lake was a clear as glass.
I was so proud of Amy as she stood in every picture with the rest of the wedding party, usually holding either Dave or Shannon's hand.
Once at the ceremony, there were disposable cameras on the tables. Amy picked up ours and began taking our picture. She then ventured out into the crowd and began taking their pictures as well.
Once the band began to play, Amy was up on the dance floor! At first she wanted me to dance with her . . . 
. . . but she eventually ventured off on her own.
This lasted for an hour and a half. She would dance like crazy, come back to the table for a drink, and then head off dancing again. Finally, she came crying to the table, reporting that someone was in her "spot" on the dancefloor. At the point, I knew her party was over and it was time to go.
Last night was the rehearsal. They are getting married on a boat, so we went out to the marina last night after a wonderful BBQ.
I didn't get any pictures of the actual rehearsal as I was too busy wrangling children. Airlyn is the other flower girl and her mother is one of the bridesmaids, so the task of trying to keep the girls on track fell to me.
Amy, on the other hand, was excited to be going to school (after I wiped the toothpaste off her mouth), although I know she hasn't figured out what "full time" means. She was up just after seven this morning so that I was still able to get her ready for the day, part of my day that I love, and take pictures of her first day.
After me getting her ready, she then got Daddy ready by taking out one of his briefcases to the car.
The entire time I was at work, I thought of her. Did she cry? Was she comfortable with her teachers? Did she have any of her friends in her class?
According to her story tonight, she did not cry and "was nice to the other childrens that were screaming all day long!", she loved her cucumber flowers for lunch (I still have to make lunches tonight. I'm afraid I set the bar a little high for the first day back!), and has one of her old friends in class with her. I think she'll do just fine.
. . . and pulled.
He still, however, could not quite manage it.
I have been reading a fluffy, summer novel (a Patricia Cornwell) and was hoping to finish it. I didn't.
I've been reading about Bentos lately (some might think a Cornwell novel is more riveting, but I disagree) and thought I would try the Japanese art of presenting lunch myself. I made Amy some cucumber and carrot flowers with cheese leaves along with corn, cheerios and a cookie (she has fruit for her snack) and it really was enjoyable. Yes, I do know my idea of fun is different than most.
It did, however, take a long time. I finished cleaning up dinner and making lunches at 10 tonight. Okay. I did read my book for awhile on the veranda with a beverage before starting on the Bento, but like I said, it's the last day of summer vacation!
