Photos: Grandparents: Movie

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Lydia, who loves pressing the elevator button, is doing that now as her paternal grandparents watch.

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Pa Chin, Lydia, and Ma Chin are eating popcorn and waiting patiently for the movie to begin.

Note: Tom Kowski, one of SiowFong's coworkers and friends, told her about these free movies that were available only on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings throughout July and August at this new cinema near our home, so SiowFong encouraged me to take Lydia and her grandparents to see a movie today.

Photo data: Handheld camera, ISO 6400, 17 mm perspective, aperture at 2.8, 1/8 second exposure

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Pa Chin, Lydia, and Ma Chin are thoroughly engrossed in viewing the movie.

Photo note: Although this image looks well-lit, it was taken while the movie was playing in a semi- to mostly dark theater. Fortunately, even at ISO 6400, this image does not show that much noise because the Nikon D700 has a full sized 35 mm digital sensor (exposure time was 1/6 second with aperture at 2.8)

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"Everyone's Hero"

Note: "A young boy finds himself at an extraordinary crossroads: He has a chance to be a hero - and make a difference against incredible odds - or he can play it safe. With faith in himself instilled by his family, he teams up with a sassy young girl and some off-the-wall sidekicks and embarks on a sometimes perilous, often funny, cross-country quest. In the process, he restores his family's honor, befriends the world's biggest sports superstar, and reveals the hero within." (Source: Yahoo Movies)

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 22, 2009 between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM during the free movie, "Everyone's Hero", at Regal Cinemas located at Thornton Place, which is just across the street from Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington.

Photos: Grandparents: Church

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Lydia and mom are sitting in their chairs at the sanctuary and listening to Senior Pastor Bob's sermon.

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Senior Pastor Bob Stone is delivering his sermon to the congregation that is based on Psalm 34.

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Pa Chin, Lydia, Ma Chin, and SiowFong are walking from the parking lot at the Shoreline Community Center towards the church, which is across the street from the center.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 19, 2009 around or at Shoreline Community Church in Shoreline, Washington.

Photos: Grandparents' Arrival

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Lydia's mom kisses Lydia as they wait for Pa Chin and Ma Chin in the baggage claim area.

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Lydia's dad, Lydia, Ma Chin, and Pa Chin are waiting for the elevator that will bring them from the the baggage claim area to the parking area.

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Pa Chin, Ma Chin, Lydia, and Tiger pose for a group picture on the skybridge between the airport and the parking garage.

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Lydia, Ma Chin, and Pa Chin are sitting in the minivan as it leaves the airport.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 18, 2009 in or around Seattle Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Washington.

The Importance of Grandparents

July 18, 2009

The Importance of Grandparents

Lydia usually talks with Ma Wee, her maternal grandmother, once a week when SiowFong calls her mother who lives in Batu Pahat, Malaysia. She has the opportunity to talk with Pa Chin and Ma Chin about once every two weeks when I call home to my parents in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Ma Wee stayed at our home to care for Lydia for six months in 2007 and for four months in 2008. Throughout each of those years, Lydia has seen Pa and Ma Chin about a month to a month and a half annually. Lydia is fortunate to have grandparents who are involved in her life.

An article published a few years ago on the Focus on the Family website speaks to the importance of grandparents in a child’s life. Written by Karen Hart, the column, which is titled “The Grandparent Connection”, is as follows:

“Children who stay connected with grandparents in a wholesome relationship have great advantages over those who do not. After asking adults what benefit they received from knowing their grandparents, I received the overwhelming unanimous comment: “They always made me feel special.” When I asked children this same question, they smiled and giggled, “They just love me!”

Think about how you would answer that question. Were you a cherished grandchild? Do you want that same experience for your children?

Today we are bombarded with parenting information. Experience teaches us that we only have a few years to build a firm foundation for the happy well-adjusted adults we want our children to become. We want them to have the finest teachers and attend the most excellent schools. Activities like ballet, baseball, soccer, karate and piano lessons are scheduled into our busy lives because we want our kids to have every advantage. When thinking about what is best for children, consider the importance of the “grandparent connection.”

Having a loving relationship with a grandparent makes children feel special. It builds their self-esteem to know there is an extended family that loves them. A sense of identity develops as children learn about their roots. They discover that grandparents have time to listen with interest, to play, to let them help with “real work,” such as cooking or gardening. In quite unhurried moments, questions about faith and life are answered from the knowledge of experience. In these ways grandparents pass on their faith in God while helping build confidence and self-worth.

Giving and receiving love is healthy. What is learned in childhood will transpire to adulthood. Lasting relationships with people of different age groups is a skill we want our children to develop. The “grandparent connection” is a good way to start.”

Copyright © 2005 Focus on the Family All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

Photos: Ashwin: Lydia's Portraits

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Lydia, who has always enjoyed being around uncle Ashwin, is standing on her dining room chair for this series of pictures.

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Something has caused her to laugh.

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Is that a half smile?

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I wonder what she's thinking.

Note: Seattle is experiencing a heat wave, and the perspiration on Lydia's hair is a result of those high temperatures.

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Close up profile shot

Note: Ashwin Rao took all of these pictures on July 17, 2009 during dinner at his home in Seattle, Washington.

Photo notes: Although Ashwin shoots with professional Canon digital SLR cameras, he did not have any problems using one of our Nikon digital SLR cameras with its attached 105 mm f/2.8 macro lens to take these pictures. Illumination was provided by an off-camera Nikon flash located beyond the left side of each image that was activated by the Nikon SU-800 commander unit on the camera's hot shoe.

Photos: Ashwin's Dinner

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Lydia was using the armrest of this sofa as a balance beam.

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Uncle Ashwin is making a funny face, which elicits laughter from Lydia.

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Ashwin cooked three different curries for our supper, but Lydia's favorite food was the ice cream at the dessert phase of the meal.

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Lydia, dad, and Ashwin

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Yum, yum could be the title of this image.

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Group picture at the end of the evening in the living room

(left to right): Dad, uncle Ashwin, Tiger, mom, and Lydia

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 17, 2009 at the home of Ashwin Rao, Lydia's uncle Ashwin.

Photos: Camp Casey: Puppet Show

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The audience is watching the puppet show. Sitting or stooping on the ground to the left side of Melody are three China girls. Sarah Burke is the middle one, and Lydia is on the end.

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View of the audience from another angle

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The two girls on the stage who are the puppeteers are presenting the story of the Chinese zodiac and the animals that became part of that zodiac.

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The ox and the cat

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 12, 2009 at Auditorium A during the Chinese Zodiac puppet show at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island, Washington where the 2009 Families with Children from China Northwest Heritage Camp was held.

Photos: Camp Casey: Final Day

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Lydia is watching the other girls who are ready to perform a dance that they had learned the previous day from Melody Xie, Lydia's Chinese dance and language instructor.

Note: Lydia does not like to do any of the Chinese dances publicly, and even in her weekly class, she is only comfortable with participating in the umbrella dance and the flower dance, which are just two of the seven dances that Melody has taught the children. However, her day care teacher, Alice, however has informed SiowFong that Lydia loves to dance, so we are planning to enroll her in pre-ballet classes this fall.

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Lydia and SiowFong are walking up the ramp that leads to Auditorium A.

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Melody Xie is making tubular balloons for the children, and she already made one for Lydia, a blue one.

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Lydia is gleefully holding up her blue tubular balloon.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 12, 2009 outside or inside Auditorium A where the final events of the weekend occurred. Auditorium A is located at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island in Washington state where the 2009 Families with Children from China Heritage Camp was held this weekend.

Photos: Camp Casey: With Vivian Foley

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Vivian Foley (who is 4 years old) and Lydia (who is 3 years old) are walking towards the gymnasium for the flashlight hunt. In the background are their mothers who are trailing them.

Note: Vivian and Lydia have known each other since 2007, and both were excited to spend time together at this event.

July 10, 2009

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Mothers and Daughters

(first row): Lydia and Vivian

(second row): SiowFong and Carolyn Pastoriza

July 11, 2009

Note: SiowFong first met Carolyn a few years ago at their work place. Carolyn and Todd Foley, her husband who also works there, had adopted Vivian before we received Lydia. Both Carolyn and Todd gave us very useful advice as we were going through the China adoption process the first time.

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SiowFong, Lydia, Carolyn, and Vivian are enjoying their grilled salmon dinner at the picnic area next to the barbecue pit.

July 11, 2009

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Buddies

Note: All of these pictures were taken at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island in Washington state during the 2009 Families with Children from China Northwest Heritage Camp.

Photos: Camp Casey: Rocket Launching

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Lydia is stepping on the launcher for the rocket.

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Lydia is placing the rocket into the launcher while Frances Valverde (who is 3 years of age) observes Lydia's actions.

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Astronaut Lydia

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 11, 2009 in the field next to the Barbecue Pit at Camp Casey, which is located on Whidbey Island in Washington state during the 2009 Families with Children from China Northwest Heritage Camp.

Photos: Camp Casey: Chinese Dresses

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Three Friends

(left to right): Vivian Foley (4 years old), Sarah Burke (5 years old), and Lydia (3 years old)

Note: The girls were wearing their Chinese dresses in preparation for the Parade of Provinces, one of the main events of this afternoon.

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(left to right): Lydia, Vivian, Lucia Valverde (7 years old), Sarah, Frances Valverde (3 years old)

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 11, 2009 at the end of the hallway next to the lounge in the upper floor of Barracks H, where all these girls stayed during this weekend at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island in Washington state during the 2009 Families with Children from China Northwest Heritage Camp.

Photo note: All these were natural light photos (flash was not used). Windows on three sides of the lounge and its white walls and ceilings resulted in light that was more than adequate, soft, and even.

Photos: Camp Casey: Bubbles

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Lydia is getting ready to play with some bubbles. In her hand is a plastic tennis racquet.

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Lydia and her dad examine the bubble wands that she has in her hands.

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Which bubble wand is better?

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While the parents talk, the girls play with bubbles.

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With bubble-soaked hands, Sarah Burke (who is 5 years of age) and Lydia are holding hands.

Note: We had the pleasure of meeting Sarah, Pat (her dad), and Carol (her mom) in 2008 during a Tiny Tots concert in Seattle, Washington, and we also saw and spoke with them at a number of other Tiny Tots concerts this year.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on July 11, 2009 at Camp Casey where the 2009 Families with Children from China Heritage Camp was held.