Photos: 'who is Taller, Lydia or Sierra?

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April Holm holding a dog treat for her dog Sierra while Lydia observing Sierra who is standing to try to reach the treat

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Lydia is facing Sierra as both are in the standing position.




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April is holding a treat for Sierra, who is standing to get it, while Lydia is raising her right arm to reach the treat also.


Note: All pictures were taken just today (September 22, 2007) outside our home.

Lunch with Patrick and April

September 22, 2007


Lunch with Patrick and April


SiowFong, Lydia, and I had a delightful four and a half hours with Patrick and April Holm, a Caucasian couple in their early 30s who drove two hours from their home in Bellingham, WA to visit and to have lunch with us at noon today. SiowFong and I have been communicating with them via email for the last few months, and we are excited that they are in the process of adopting their first child from China through Chinese Children Adoption International, an agency based in Colorado that exclusively does China adoptions. Since its inception in 1994, this nonprofit adoption agency has placed 7593 Chinese children with adoptive families. Recently Patrick and April informed us that the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs had received their dossier.

Lydia really enjoyed her time with Patrick and April. One of the first things that Patrick and April did after they entered our home and greeted us was to give Lydia a lovely book entitled I Love You, Every Little Bit by Margaret Wang and John Butler. The book’s back cover reads, “Every little bit of this pop-up book is filled with love. Join mama and papa animals as they tell their babies every little thing they love about them.” Lydia, who is normally cautious around strangers, felt comfortable with them, and she immediately asked each of them to read to her.

After the main course of lunch ended, Patrick and April mentioned that they had brought Sierra, their Shetland sheep dog who was in their car. SiowFong mentioned that Lydia loves dogs, so we went outside to their car so that Lydia could meet Sierra. For the next half hour Lydia was preoccupied with one thing – touching, playing with, and chasing Sierra. (Sierra, with her four legs, easily avoided Lydia, who was trying to walk fast to keep with Sierra. April, Patrick, SiowFong, and I laughed heartily as we observed Lydia’s interactions with Sierra in the street just outside our home.)

When we went back inside to eat dessert, Lydia wanted to sit on April’s lap instead of sitting in her high chair. April, who has always loved children, had a challenging, but fun time eating her grapes and ice cream with Lydia on her lap. She kindly gave Lydia a taste of her ice cream bar, which Lydia enjoyed so much that she wanted more. Later Lydia grabbed April’s grapes one by one and fed them to April.

We had a great time with Patrick and April, and we will be looking very much forward to learning about and eventually meeting the precious little one from China whom God will entrust to their care.

Photos: Lydia's Ponytail

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Lydia is looking at her mother (who is to the left of the picture) while sitting on the stairs.

One of SiowFong's favorite activities is to give Lydia a ponytail, but since Lydia does not like any changes to her hair, including sporting a ponytail or wearing a hat, SiowFong has had limited opportunities. On this day Lydia was distracted enough so that SiowFong was able to fashion a ponytail on Lydia's head.

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Lydia thinking about something. . .I wonder what is on her mind. . .



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Lydia laughing while holding one of her favorite stuffed animals, Tigger the Tiger


Photo note: SiowFong is the neat and tidy spouse whereas I am the one who is the cluttered spouse who has much more of a "pack rat" mentality. One of the best things that we did in 2006 was to get rid of or give away a number of items in our home in preparation for Lydia's arrival. This process enabled us to make room for Lydia and her belongings and to give her adequate room to play safely. Another benefit of this housecleaning has been on the photographic front.
A major reason why we can take decent candid pictures of Lydia almost anywhere in our home is because the settings are uncluttered. Simple backgrounds work best for people pictures because the environment does not compete with the person for the viewer's attention.


Note: All these pictures were taken on September 3, 2007 on the stairs that lead to the lower level of our home.

Silvia, the "Maestra"

September 22, 2007


Silvia, the “Maestra”

“Maestra” is a Spanish word that means female teacher, and that word precisely describes Silvia Navas, one of my coworkers who has generously given part of her Saturday mornings to play with Lydia and to introduce Lydia to Spanish.

When Silvia arrived at 9:45 AM this morning, Lydia greeted her warmly because this was Silvia’s fifth visit to our home for the Saturday morning Spanish play and learn session. Lydia stayed close to Silvia for the next hour until Silvia departed. During this time, Lydia demonstrated to Silvia her mastery of a puzzle, and Silvia read a number of books to Lydia, pointing out different pictures in those books and stating their identities to Lydia in Spanish.

Today was also significant in that Lydia felt completely comfortable with Silvia as Lydia did not need either SiowFong or I to be in the same room with her and Silvia. This situation was good for two reasons. First, when Silvia is alone with Lydia, Silvia only speaks to Lydia in Spanish as they are playing and as Silvia is reading to Lydia. (If SiowFong or I are with Silvia, then Silvia communicates to us in English.) By talking to Lydia exclusively in Spanish, Silvia is employing a foreign language teaching technique called immersion, which many language experts say is one of the best ways to learn a foreign language. Second, because we were having guests for lunch today, this allowed SiowFong and I to finish cleaning and tidying the home, a task that we had started last night, and enabled us to finish our meal preparations.

Photos: Bitter Lake Park

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Lydia attempting to ascend the slide

This was Lydia's first park when she only wanted to play on the slides. For months she has been somewhat apprehensive about slides because of the fast rate of descent, but on this evening, she relished the thrill of sliding down the various blue slides.

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Realizing the futility of her quest, Lydia turned around and slowly desended



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Lydia at the bottom of a slide



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Lydia watching where she might land as she slips off the end of this slide


Note: All these pictures were taken on September 15, 2007 a few minutes before 7:00 PM at Bitter Lake Park in Seattle, WA. (Sunset was 7:23 PM on this evening.)

Frenzied Friday

September 21, 2007


Frenzied Friday

The words “busy” or “frenzied” could appropriately describe the events of the day. Lydia’s day began around 7:00 AM when she awoke after sleeping for eleven and a half hours. After breakfast, she attended the Friday morning playgroup at CISC, which began at 9:30 AM, after being absent for the last three weeks. At 10:45 AM, we left the playgroup to return home to eat lunch. During the drive home, Lydia slept for about twenty minutes. After lunch, we left the house at 12:20 PM for her second swimming lesson for toddlers at the Mountlake Terrace Pool, an event that commenced at 1:00 PM and concluded at 1:30 PM. Reinvigorated by her time in the pool, Lydia did not sleep even though I placed her in the crib after returning home at 2:00 PM. After playing in her crib for an hour, she stood up like a meerkat and requested “nean nean” (the Mandarin word for milk). After drinking six ounces of whole milk, Lydia was still wide awake. At 3:15 PM, I took her to the local library to borrow a few Spanish board books for a half hour, and then we visited Ranch 99 for some grocery shopping, returning home at 4:45 PM. During the ride home, Lydia fell asleep in the car seat for about fifteen minutes, and when I brought her into the house, she remained asleep, which indicated just how exhausted she was after today’s activities. After SiowFong and I finished dinner, we awakened Lydia at 6:00 PM so that her regular sleep schedule at night would not be disrupted by a lengthy late afternoon nap.

Photos: Lydia and Stuffed Animals

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Lydia holding Tigger the Tiger (a gift from Mary Dietsch) while gazing at Peter Rabbit (a gift from Jim and Julie Boyce) that her mom is holding up for her

Lydia has always loved playing with stuffed animals, and when she interacts with her stuffed animals, she passionately holds and kisses them.

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Lydia giving Tigger the Tiger a noserub



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Lydia is holding Peter Rabbit as well as Curious George.
I saw this Curious George soft toy in a local US Post Office a few months ago, and I purchased it for Lydia since she consistently liked playing with her mother's Curious George.



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Lydia holding her mom's Curious George


Note: All these pictures were taken on September 1, 2007 in the living room of our home.

Settled at Day Care

September 20, 2007


Settled at Day Care

After four weeks at Whizz Kids, Lydia has become accustomed to the people and routines at her day care. Although she whimpered after I dropped her off this morning, the staff reported that her protests ceased within a minute or two after I left the facility.

In addition, Abida, her teacher, reported to SiowFong that Lydia is playing with the other children this week instead of isolating herself and just observing them as she has done in prior weeks. In the last week or two, before Lydia leaves with SiowFong in the afternoon, Lydia goes to each of her peers and waves bye bye.

Finally, her appetite for the food offered at lunch has gradually increased. Today was the first day in which Lydia’s written Toddler Daily Report stated that she had eaten “a lot” of her lunch, which consisted of navy bean soup, veggies, rolls, peaches, and milk. Prior to today, the staff said that either Lydia was “not hungry” or just ate “some” of her lunch.

Photos: Reading Time

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Daddy is observing Lydia as she is pointing to something in a book.

Photo note: How can I be in the picture and take the picture at the same time?

The solution is to either use the self-timer function on the camera or to use a remote. Because SiowFong was busy during this time, I set up a remote camera on the dining room table on a tabletop tripod and pre-focused the lens on the far edge of the coffee table before I began reading to Lydia. As she was looking at the books, I pressed a button on the Pocket Wizard Plus II transceiver in my right hand, which triggered the camera by a radio signal to take a picture.

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Daddy and Lydia are smiling and laughing during reading time. One of Lydia's favorite activities is reading. When SiowFong returns with Lydia from day care in the afternoon, Lydia immediately brings a book for SiowFong to read to her, and an evening at home after dinner is not complete and happy for Lydia unless she has some reading time with dad or mom.


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Lydia looking at the pictures in My First Spanish Body Board Book, a gift from Silvia Navas, Lydia's Spanish teacher



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Lydia studying the various parts of the face


Note: All pictures were taken on July 26, 2007 in the living room of our home.

Spanish Playgroup

September 19, 2007


Spanish Playgroup

Lydia attended her first Spanish playgroup this morning at 10:00 AM, which was held in a huge room at the Northshore Family Center in Bothell that was about the size of gymnasium. We arrived shortly before 10:00 AM, and over the next ten minutes, nine Hispanic children with their mothers came into the room. The group was evenly divided between boys and girls who ranged in age between 14 months of age to 3 years.

The session began with about twenty minutes of free play. During this time, Lydia focused her attention on placing a small ball into the top of a Fisher Price tower and retrieving it as it exited the bottom of the toy. After free play concluded, circle time began with introductions of each child’s name. Then Teresa, the playgroup leader, led the children and their parents in singing a Spanish song about introductions. Story time followed as Teresa read two books in Spanish. Then the children and their parents spent another twenty minutes in free play, and during this second free play session, Lydia divided her time into two activities, playing with large colored letters made of foam and then kicking a rubber ball that was about the size of a soccer ball around the gym.

Then Teresa asked the parents to bring their children to the bathroom to wash their hands before snack time, which started at 11:00 AM and consisted of goldfish crackers and fruit punch. Lydia consumed about thirty of these crackers and drank two ounces of fruit punch, which was followed by a few ounces of water. After snack time, Teresa brought out a set of PlayHut collapsible tunnels and rooms as well as a PlayHut school bus. Lydia tried all of these new toys that she had never experienced previously, and as she crawled from one tunnel to the next, she was smiling and squealing with delight. Before we left at noon, she saw that another girl was riding around in a large Little Tykes plastic car, so Lydia walked to the car and began pushing it. After the girl stopped playing with the car, Lydia entered it, sat down, and would not leave it even after I told her that it was time to go home. Only after I exited the room and stayed just outside the door did Lydia finally abandon the car.


Lydia’s Behavior

Because of Lydia’s prior exposures to the Chinese playgroup at CISC on Fridays, her four weeks of experience in day care, and her time at our church’s nursery, Lydia was not afraid to leave my side to play with interesting toys and to spend time with the other children. Finally, even though she did not understand much of the conversations, songs, and instruction today because the entire session was conducted in Spanish, Lydia did not seem to mind.

Harrahs

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(left to right): Page, Kimberly, Thom, and Renee Powell

sitting on one of the renowned red sofas in the main lobby of the White Swan Hotel

January 12, 2007

White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

Note: September 17, 2007, Harrahs


“Photography as a hobby serves many important purposes. First and foremost it allows you to document your life. By taking pictures of your family and friends, home town, and the many places you visit you are creating a visual record that will tell a fascinating story to future generations, as well as bringing back many happy memories as the years roll by. Photographs are like visual time capsules. Places change and people change, but in your pictures everything remains the same.” (Lee Frost. Teach Yourself Photography. Teach Yourself Books: 2000, page vi.)

Another significant reason for taking pictures is that they can benefit other people, even strangers who may be living thousands of miles away. The strangers in this case include future adoptive parents and their adoptive children from China. Three months ago, Kimberly Powell, Lydia’s sponsor when Lydia was still an orphan in China, emailed SiowFong with some surprising, but heartwarming news. In her message, Kimberly informed us that one of the pictures that I had made of their family at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China was being utilized by Harrah’s, a nonprofit, Texas-based adoption agency through which they adopted Renee, their second daughter from China. According to Kimberly, Harrah’s was using the image of their family on its website and on their cards.

Photos: On the Floor

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Lydia is looking relaxed in her pajamas after mom gave her the evening bath.

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Lydia looks contemplative and mischievous at the same time.



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Lydia is mimicking an airplane.

Whenever Lydia hears an airplane overhead, she points toward the sky and tries to locate it.



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Lydia is telling us that she is tired and ready to go to bed.

Since she began attending day care three days a week this month, Lydia has been going to bed between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM each night, which is about an hour to an hour and a half earlier compared to the months prior when she was at home all the time.


Note: All these photos were taken on September 13, 2007 in the upper landing area of our home.

Photo note: Making good home images of young children requires both parents, one to keep the child focused and entertained while the other takes the picture.

Art and Music

September 17, 2007


Art and Music

“The arts deserve serious attention. True, learning about them is not as ‘essential’ as knowing how to read, write, add and subtract. . .But they are important for all our children in other ways. A fully educated person knows something about them because many magnificent expressions of the human intellect and spirit lie in this realm. . .

We should teach children about music and art for a host of reasons. They reveal the aesthetic dimension of the human mind. They train young eyes and ears to appreciate the world around us. They help satisfy childrens’ longings to transcend the ordinary, to hear and see what they have not heard and seen before.

Art and music activities nurture creativity. They help children learn to express themselves. Students get practice imagining, experimenting, solving problems, thinking independently, and making their own decisions. They gain pride in accomplishment. . .Music, for example, can train the mind in skills such as organizing complex material and analyzing patterns. . .

Experiencing wonderful examples of art and music links students with the past. It teaches them about the traditions and cultures that have shaped our society and helps them appreciate other people’s cultural heritages. When we hold up to students true masterpieces of art and music, we teach them to discriminate between what is fine and what is mediocre, between the sublime and the mundane. We cultivate in their hearts a love for beauty. With attention from adults, that capacity for delight will bloom. With nourishment, it will flourish. . .As Wordsworth said, ‘The music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more.’”

(Source: William Bennett, Chester Finn, and John Cribb. The Educated Child: A Parent’s Guide from Preschool through Eighth Grade. The Free Press: 1999. pages 262-263.)


Tiny Tots

Neither SiowFong nor I are musically inclined or gifted. During her childhood years, SiowFong took a few years of private organ lessons (her organ sits on the second floor of Ma Wee’s home in Batu Pahat, Malaysia). I never learned to play an instrument, but during junior high school, since every seventh and eighth grade student had to take a class in art, band, or chorus, I chose chorus. As I have said before on Lydia’s blog, parenting exposes one’s weaknesses, and if Lydia is going to learn any music before middle school, it must come from outside our home.

Lydia’s formal introduction to music will occur on Saturday, October 6 when SiowFong and I take her to the first of five 40-minute classical music concerts for preschool children that is sponsored by the Seattle Symphony. Called Tiny Tots, this series is very popular with local parents because the tickets are affordable since each one (for an adult or child) costs $ 7, which is about the price of a movie ticket.

SiowFong and I have not attended one classical concert since we have been married, but we decided to buy season tickets for Tiny Tots because of the quality of this program for young children. James and Jenny Chen, our friends, said that their two preschoolers, Evelyn and Samuel, enjoyed these events, and they recommended it to us; furthermore, when SiowFong and Lydia were visiting with the Sarah, Leilia and Sam Bhagwandin several weeks ago, Sarah Bhagwandin mentioned that one of their neighbors who is a music teacher strongly endorses the Tiny Tots concerts.

Photos: Sabrine's Birthday Party

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Lydia staring at some of the presents for Sabrine while Sabrine, whose 3-year birthday is being celebrated today, is opening one of her gifts.

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Lydia (who is in the foreground of the picture to the center-right and whose left hand is touching the green balloon and whose back is facing the camera) observing the children collecting the candy after one child had pulled the main string to release the pinata's contents to the ground.



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Lydia is holding the piece of chocolate that she had just picked up from the ground. This is the first piece of chocolate candy that Lydia would later eat.



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Casey, Sabrine's mother, is preparing the birthday cake while Sabrine, her daughter (who is right under Casey's right arm) is gazing at the cake. Lydia and SiowFong (who are seated in the left background of the picture) are observing Casey and Sabrine.


Note: All pictures were taken in the backyard of the home of Tariq Hassane, Casey Williams, and Sabrine Hassane in Issaquah, WA during Sabrine's birthday party.

Photo Contest

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Lydia looking at Belle, a Disney doll that was a gift from Nelly Wee

July 30, 2007

Living room of our home

Note: September 17, 2007, Photo Contest


Several weeks ago, Carolyn Pastoriza, SiowFong’s colleague and the mother of Vivian, her adopted daughter from China, informed SiowFong about the second annual photo contest that was sponsored by Adoptive Families, a magazine that is now in its fortieth year of publication.

Although SiowFong and I rarely participate in photo contests, having done it just once a few years ago, we decided to enter this one. Of the two categories of photos, portraits and candids, we selected the latter category. After SiowFong reviewed the photos that had been posted on Lydia’s blog, she picked the following picture of Lydia, which we mailed to the magazine about a week and a half ago.

Photos: Mug Shots

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Lydia lying on her pink diaper changing mat that SiowFong purchased in Malaysia

August 1, 2007

Living room of our home

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Lydia raising her arms while on her diaper changing mat

August 1, 2007

Living room of our home

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Lydia in her pajamas

August 1, 2007

Living room of our home

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Lydia dressed in one of her many pink colored outfits

September 1, 2007

Living room of our home

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Lydia attired in her aquarmarine hat

August 11, 2007

Mount Rainier National Park

Noserubs and Hugs

September 16, 2007


Noserubs and Hugs

During my days in college, I read one of C. S. Lewis’ books called The Four Loves in which he lists and then describes the four types of love, which include affection, agape love, friendship, and romantic love.

On the day we received Lydia over eight months ago in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China, we began to shower Lydia with affection, the first of those four loves. We did this by holding her, hugging her, kissing her, rubbing her back, speaking words of comfort and reassurance to her, and stroking her head. After returning home to the states, SiowFong and I began teaching Lydia how to do a noserub (which is also called an Eskimo kiss according to Linda, my younger sister) in which we gently rubbed our nose against her forehead or nose. Over the course of the last several months, Lydia has not only enjoyed nose rubs but also relished giving them. When SiowFong or I are playing with her in the living room, she will smile widely and then press her nose tenderly against ours. Lydia’s smile also precedes her hugs, which she often gives to us (and to other children if we ask her to do so). We are indeed very fortunate that Lydia is an affectionate child, and we hope that she remains that way.

Photos: Swimming Lesson #1

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Honorary Grandma Florence Crane walking with Lydia around the perimeter of the pool prior to Lydia's first swimming lesson.

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Dad conversing with Aaron, the swimming instructor, while holding Lydia

Photographer: Honorary Grandpa Al Crane

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The six mothers with their children as well as dad and Lydia (who are in the distant background)

Photographer: Honorary Grandpa Al Crane

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Lydia pursuing the blue ball that dad tossed in front of her

Photographer: Honorary Grandpa Al Crane

Note: These pictures were taken on September 7, 2007 at the Lazy River portion of the Mountlake Terrace Pool in Mountlake Terrace, WA.

Special thanks go to the Cranes who were with us. Al took many wonderful pictures of Lydia's first swimming lesson.

Gloria's Example

September 16, 2007


Gloria’s Example


The lead article on the front page of today’s newspaper is titled “She teaches us all so much each day about life”, the ninth article in a series that started four months ago about Gloria Strauss, an 11-year old daughter of a local high school basketball coach who has been battling a rare cancer called neuroblastoma. The story begins with a brief description of Gloria at Children’s Hospital and her prayer. "‘So I really just ask right now, dear Jesus, that you hold each and every one of us in your arms,’ she says. ‘Our bodies, hold them tight and squeeze them hard. Put us on your shoulders, so that we can feel it. Amen.’” The article continues by sharing the perspectives of five individuals whose lives have been influenced by Gloria’s example, including a friend, a nurse, a patient, a mother whose infant daughter also has neuroblastoma, and a stranger. (Jerry Brewer. “She teaches us all so much each day about life”, The Seattle Times, September 16, 2007, page A1.)

Since she was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, Gloria has touched the lives of thousands of people in our area because of her courage and her faith. The article described how Gloria’s courage and faith has encouraged other patients, hospital staff, and even strangers. Reporter Jerry Brewer and photographer Steve Ringman have likewise been changed through their visits with Gloria and her family. “’Problems seem insignificant compared to what I’ve witnessed in the Strauss family,’ Ringman said. ‘My persepective on life really has changed, spiritually and even materially – love and our children are much more important.’ Brewer answered, ‘What hasn’t this story changed about my life? It’s literally changed everything. I’m a better man and a better journalist, and I realize even more so that the man comes before the journalist.’ ‘Gloria’s life has an amazing integrity and authenticity to it, and that’s what I seek. In everything, I want to do things that really matter in life, especially connecting better with the people I love. . .And I want to tell more stories like this that really affect the community in a heartfelt manner.’ Michael Fancher, the editor at large for the Seattle Times, concluded, “There has been more reader response than I can recall fro any story in almost 30 years at the Times. Today we publish a small portion of some 2,500 messages from readers, expressing how they have been touched by Gloria Strauss, her family and their faith.” (Michael Fancher. “Reporter, Photographer Put Their Hearts into Gloria’s Story”, The Seattle Times, September 16, 2007, page A27.)


Considerations for Lydia

After I prayed for Gloria and her family this afternoon, I turned my thoughts about Lydia. I wondered how Lydia’s view of God will be once she is Gloria’s age. Questions like the following crossed my mind: “Will Lydia not only know facts about Jesus but also know Jesus personally?”, “Will Lydia’s life be marked by regular, heartfelt prayers? and “Will compassionate, faithful, humble, and loving describe Lydia then?”

Photos: 3D Book

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Lydia looking at the Pat and Bunny book on her left while the Pop Up Jungle book on her right shows a zebra's head.

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Lydia trying to turn a page in the Pop Up Jungle book, a gift from Luis and Patsy Seuc.

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Lydia leafing through the pages of the book.

Note: All pictures were taken on September 1, 2007 in the living room of our home.

Nursery Service

September 16, 2007


Nursery Service

For the last four years, SiowFong and I have been volunteering once a month in our church’s toddler nursery during the third Sunday of the month while the second service is occurring. After SiowFong and I were married, we wanted to serve together at church, and at the time, the nursery needed several workers, so we committed to that role.

The toddler nursery includes children between one year of age and two and a half years of age, and the census ranges from four to twelve children with an average of around six to eight kids on most occasions. Our duties include playing with the children, feeding them (with graham crackers or Cheerios cereal), and diapering them. One or two teenage girls, usually Chloe and Elizabeth, volunteer with us, and that helps tremendously. Sometimes we are fatigued after being with the children, but it is a joy to spend time with them, to see them grow up and graduate to the next class, and then to meet their younger brother(s) or sister(s) when they come to the toddler nursery.

Today was our day for working in the nursery. We found ourselves amidst unusual circumstances as the volunteers, three adults (SiowFong, Steve, and I) and three teenagers (Chelsea, Chloe, and Elizabeth), outnumbered the five children, Christian, Elizabeth, Lydia, Monica, and Stefan. This unique situation worked out well as we brought the camera to take pictures of Lydia in the nursery, and SiowFong shot nearly one hundred photos this morning.

Photos: Swing Attempts

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Lydia trying to climb onto the yellow swing

Tariq constructed this sturdy swing set for Sabrine, his 3-year old daughter.

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Lydia holding and studying the blue swing

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Lydia pushing the blue swing

Note: All pictures were taken on September 2, 2007 in the backyard of the home of Tariq Hassane, Casey Williams, and Sabrine Hassane.

Bitter Lake Park

September 15, 2007


Bitter Lake Park

SiowFong, Lydia, and I have visited a number of local parks in the last several months so that Lydia can enjoy the playground equipment. Tonight’s visit was to Bitter Lake Park, one of the lesser known parks that is located on the property of a local elementary school. With the canopy of a large tree shadowing its sign, this park is easy to miss, and the only reason why SiowFong knew about its existence is that it sits along her commuting route to work each day.

After parking the car at 6:15 PM, we saw just how small this park was as it was limited to three pieces of playground apparatuses and a few benches. Trees, flowers, shrubs, grass, and other natural flora often found in parks were completely absent. Lydia, however, did not seem to mind at all. As soon as she saw the playground equipment, she quickly scrambled out of her car seat after SiowFong released the safety straps and was walking on her mother’s lap in an attempt to exit the car.

The words “slide mania” appropriately described Lydia’s activities and behavior during our forty-five minute stay at the park as she spent most of her time playing with three of the four slides. After ascending the stairs to one slide with one of us holding her hand, sitting on her parent’s lap, and making the quick descent down the slide with one of us, Lydia would repeat the cycle. SiowFong and I still recall that during the early days when we first brought Lydia to some of the local parks with Ma Wee, Lydia preferred her time in the bucket swing and was afraid of the slides, even ones with gentle slopes and slow descents. A lot has changed in a few months.

Before we left the park, we saw that the school had a huge mural of the forty-eight states painted on the asphalt, so we parked the car, and took pictures of Lydia standing on various states.

Photos: Teacher and Student

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Dad is writing Lydia's name on the chalkboard while Lydia is watching.

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Lydia pointing to the "A" in her name

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Lydia showing dad a curved line that she just drew on the chalkboard

Note: SiowFong took these three pictures on July 24, 2007 in one of the exam rooms at the office of Dr. Julie Bledsoe, Lydia's pediatrician, in Seattle, WA.