Update... March 31, 2011

We're having a very busy week! Chelsea had her first track meet, and she placed sixth! Chelsea and Emmy have full schedules with sports practices, dance rehearsal, and school work. As I write this post, Chelsea is still up, studying for two tests tomorrow. Balancing spring sports with dance and school doesn't seem to get easier... Meanwhile in Florida, Britti is busy with working at Disney and applying for teaching jobs in Texas. (Earlier this month, she passed both of her teaching tests with flying colors so she's eager to impress principals and earn her first teaching job!) Ellie-Kate is really enjoying her new pre-school. She has a special friend, Nicholas, on Tuesdays and another special friend, Gavin, on Wednesdays-- yup, both boys :) She loves to be able to play in the huge gym area and, when the weather turns nice, the fenced playground. She also adores learning about new things... We have asked her what she is learning, and we're heard about dinosaurs and gold fish so far... hmmm... those responses really don't fit with what we saw on the curriculum, but she's happy so we're rolling with it :) She is obviously learning about God, and she has even woken up singing the little prayer that the kids sing before eating. At 38 months, Ellie-Kate continues to thrive! Roger took her to the doctor for a re-check on her allergies and breathing issues, and she got a clean bill of health :) Interestingly, on 3-31-11, our three year old Ellie-Kate was 3'3" tall (the 90th percentile) and 33 pounds (50th percentile)-- the exact same measurements as Emmy had when she was three! Especially at this time of year, we celebrate each other and our family. Exactly one year ago today, we returned to the United States from China, and Ellie-Kate became a United States citizen. She spent her first night in the U.S. in the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis as we got ready for the CSCA conference. Right from the beginning, she got into the pace of our hectic, crazy lives, and she's greeted it with a smile and a "I want to go!!) ever since :) Have a great week-end!! Christie