In Memory of my Dad

My Dad died on 16th June after a long illness. He was a great dad and a role model for all of us.

Here he is with Eleni last October. We are happy they got to know each other a little, especially as she is named for him (see blog post from April '09).

Constantine and Eleni Name-Day

In Greek culture you celebrate the day of the saint you were named for. It's almost like a birthday. Saints Constantine (Dino) and Helen (Eleni) were mother and son so they share a name day (21st May) on the Orthodox calendar. In fact, the final deciding factor in choosing the name Eleni was that we received her referral on May 21st last year... just after we were out celebrating for Dino. Here they are this year blowing out the candles on their joint "yiorti" cheesecake!

Memorial Day

At the family plot for a traditional Memorial Day cemetary visit:

We put a flag on my greatgrandfather's headstone (see left of photo) but then Mom told us that wasn't exactly correct as he had fought for the confederacy. Oops!

The cemetary desk told us that three ghosts are often spotted near our plot. One is a 5 year old girl... When I got there I realised that my grandfather's little sister who died of scarlet fever at age 5 doesn't have a headstone. Maybe we had better take care of that!

Here is Eleni playing later that day with her cousins (and Dino) later at their place for a BBQ:

Future Pilates instructor:

Swimming

Up top is Dino carrying Eleni in her pool font-pack. The video just below is Eleni's ISR (water survival) lesson - tiny children learn to swim toward the pool's edge, and flip over into a float if they need to rest. The class with her excellent teacher, Toby, is every day for 10 minutes for 4 -6 weeks. A small crowd gathers to hear her hilarious excuses as she tries every trick not to go under the water (Hug!? Finger hurt! All done!)

Throwing Toys at the Dog

TWO YEARS OLD!

A steak dinner and cupcake on her actual birthday (bottom), and a shared party together with Houlie - cake and presents with the family!

New Lawnmower. Or sometimes it's a vacuum cleaner.

Easter Joy

Haircut

I never pictured myself going into a place like this, but with a toddler it is indispensable.

You pop the kid in a car, they put a musical DVD in a player, stick a lollypop in the mouth, and in about 15 minutes your kid has a great haircut. This hairstylist, Teresa, has over 20 years experience and gives Eleni a real haircut like an adult would get. All for the price of a couple of beers out.... There was a time when I would have opted for the beers, but right now this seems like a great deal.

Arizona tradition

In Arizona we don't see rain that often, so as kids we would run out and play as soon as a storm hit. I think I am passing on some bad habits!

Toilet Training, step 1

Eleni has been asking to use the toilet so we got her a potty chair. She has discovered a new use for the (still clean) inner bowl. Safari anyone?

ATHLETIC POTENTIAL

In the park with Baba, jumping like a frog, and doing pushups in the family room.

Chinese New Year Party

Thanks to the Phoenix Chapter of FCC (Families with Children from China) we were able to enjoy a really great Chinese new year party last Saturday! Well.... "enjoy" is a relative term. The party was fantastic but it was right during naptime so it stopped being that enjoyable after an hour.

FCC is a great organisation for families with adoptive Chinese kids. They have chapters all over America, and organise monthly dim-sum outings, play groups, have a lending library of adoption materials, and has a mentor program which matches little girls with bigger girls.

Chinese new year is their big fundraiser, and there seemed to be hundreds of families there. Here are some photos of Eleni (in her padded Chinese outfit and hot pink squeaky shoes) in the bouncy castle. Of course she wanted to go in the big one for 3 year olds+, but she wasn't allowed. So she and a little boy named Joey made the most it together.

SLIDING!

POST-NAP BEAR DANCE

Jack in the Box

Look who can fit into even the smallest toy box!

CHRISTMAS!

Better late than never, even when posting on a blog!

Eleni got a new trike, a Chinese babydoll (and baby gear from our generous friend and neighbor, Shirl) and lots of beautiful clothes, puzzles, music, books... Christmas sure is different when there is a toddler in the house!