Photos: Prelude to Disney World

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Lydia, who loves holding Tiger by the neck, is sitting on her mom's lap since she is tired.

Note: After lunch each day, Lydia still enjoys and needs her early afternoon nap, but because the first Disney show today occurred during that time, Lydia had to defer her nap until after the show concluded.

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Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse are performing on stage with other supporting characters.

Note: Both SiowFong and I grew up being introduced to these Disney characters as both of us watched the Mickey Mouse Club on television, but they are not as well known or as popular these days because toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school aged children recognize and relate to other cartoon characters, such as Backyardigans, Curious George, Diego, Dora the Explorer, Elmo (and other Sesame Street characters), Kai Lan, Thomas the Train, and Wonder Pets.

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Some of the newer Disney characters, like Woody and Buzz Lightyear, join the older ones.

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Tigger the Tiger !

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Lydia also reacted excitedly when she saw Cinderella (the third character from the left) appear since she loves the Disney Princesses. Cinderella and Snow White are her favorites.

Note: In two months we will be going to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and this event introduced Lydia to a number of Disney characters that she saw for the first time.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 31, 2010 at the Disney show that took place at the Comcast Everett Event Center in Everett, Washington.

Photos: Cochrans Over For Dinner

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Lydia is running towards her dad as Chelsya Cochran prepares to roll the exercise ball down the hallway. Brenden Cochran is bracing himself just in case his sister accidentally strikes him with the ball.

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Lydia and Chelsya are playing cards.

Note: Both of these pictures were taken on January 29, 2010 in the library of our home.

Photos: Lydia's Birthday Party at Whizz Kids 3

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Charles the clown, the main attraction for Lydia's birthday party, greets Lydia.

Note: SiowFong has tried to ensure variety for each of Lydia's birthday parties. For example, Lydia's first birthday party in China occurred during the finalization of the adoption there with our friends, the families of New Hope Group 7. After we returned to the states, Lydia celebrated her first birthday again at T & T Seafood Restaurant with a Chinese banquet. Lydia's second birthday celebration occurred at a local branch of the Little Gym. The event to commemorate her third birthday was held in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Julia, Lydia, and Scarlett laugh once again because of Charles the clown's antics and stories.

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Charles the clown's dog greets Lydia.

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Lydia, her classmates, and her teachers listen to Charles as he tells a story.

Note: Both of Lydia's parents were present for this special occasion.

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Lydia studies Charles the clown as he applies clown cosmetics to his face.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 29, 2010 at Lydia's fourth birthday party in Whizz Kids, her day care.

Photos: Lydia's Birthday at Whizz Kids 2

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Reshma, the teacher's assistant, is leading the children in a song that involves clapping.

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The preschool class is eating their mid-morning snack before they watch the performance of Charles the clown whom we had hired for Lydia's birthday party.

Note: In Lydia's day care, parents usually celebrate their child's birthday party in a number of ways. The most common method is bringing birthday cupcakes for the children.

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Laughter erupts as Charles the clown tells a funny story involving the yellow animal that he has just fashioned using a tubular balloon.

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When Charles the clown makes an animal using a tubular balloon, he magnifies the blowing sound, which elicited peals of laughter from Lydia and her friends.

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Charles the clown and his pet dog (which was a large puppet)

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Lydia, the dog, and Charles the clown

Note: All of these pictures were taken during Lydia's birthday party to commemorate her fourth birthday at Whizz Kids, her day care.

Photos: Lydia's Birthday at Whizz Kids 1

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Lydia asked for a Dora the Explorer theme for her birthday celebration at her day care.

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Lydia is attentively listening to the presentation given by Charles the clown (not pictured).

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Lydia's birthday cake with the Dora the Explorer 4 candle

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Along with her schoolmates, Lydia is awaiting the commencement of her birthday party.

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Lydia adjusts her Dora the Explorer birthday hat.

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Lydia is laughing at something funny that Charles the clown just said.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 29, 2010 at Whizz Kids, Lydia's day care.