Labor Day 2009

What a nice day to build sand castles!  Somehow a lot of water got in the sandbox, but that didn't dampen spirits - Ye Ye and Madison used the west sand to construct a huge sand empire on the back porch!

Momma made a wonderful feast and Daddy grilled chicken, burgers and hot dogs, and everyone had a wonderful meal out on the deck.  It was a nice relaxing day, and the weather was perfect for spending time outdoors.

You don't need to go anywhere for Labor Day to have a good time.  Just hang out with us at our house, eat some tasty food and build tall sand castles.

Later on in the day, we took Madison to the church playground, a pretty big area that even has a few kiddie rock walls to climb.  Sure enough, Madison was on those walls like an X Games athlete (so long as Daddy had her back).  We had such a nice time together at the park - Mommy pushed the swing and Daddy helped her up the climbing areas and we all slid down the slides.

It's been such a great day, we even went for a ride - nowhere in particular.  It was just a good day to be out.

Right now though, it's time for a bath.  That playground got us all pretty dirty, so Madison definitely needs a good scrubbing!  She should go to sleep pretty easy tonight, as today was a big day full of energy and activity.

A year ago, I remember holding a little girl's hand in a park - it was the People's Park in Nanning, China.  The day after we met Madison for the first time, Mommy and Daddy and she went for a walk in the park just after it rained.  It was deserted, and it had to be the first time Madison felt the freedom she did to walk around so much.  She led us all around the lake at that park, her face with that determined look she gets when she wants to go do something new.  Just because she isn't smiling doesn't mean she isn't enjoying something - she held her Mommy's hand and just about dragged her through the park.  It was a beautiful place, and such a wonderful memory:  a stop on one of the islands in the park had a bench that we all sat down on.  Mommy blew bubbles, which Madison reached out to pop.  Daddy fed the fish, and Madison's eyes widened as she saw the large number of fish swarm the shoreline.  It was a perfect moment at the park, just the first of many we've had since we met.

It was a good day, but now it's time for night-night.  Time for Daddy to go heat up the milk...