This is our sweet boy getting his hearing checked. Apparently, they got candy when they were finished. Ethan attempted to go back a couple more times...for the candy!
JULY 2010
Ethan is 3 Years 4 Months Old.
Ethan is a ray of sunshine and he is a handsome boy. He likes to smile and help other children. Ethan loves to go to his classes. During class he likes to draw pictures and listen to the music. Ethan has a very strong hands-on ability. He can find his own clothes and dress himself. He is willing to help his mother do housework. He helps clean the desk and bed, and he helps Robert wash his face and clothes. These things are what he likes.
This was a rainy day in Beijing, which Ethan loves!
AUGUST 2010
Ethan is 3 Years 5 Months Old.
Ethan’s nanny wrote this update:
Recently Ethan has grown fast, getting much taller and heavier. His classes in the morning are tightly arranged. After the one-to-one teacher’s English class, Ethan goes to the bigger classroom to join the other children. Ethan likes learning English, and has kept many English words in mind with a good memory. He loves his English teacher. Every morning when he sees the teacher, he happily says hello spontaneously. Ethan is a grown-up boy now, sensible and well-behaved. Ethan loves helping the nannies to do some simple household duties, such as tidying beds and cleaning tables, and he helps out every day. Ethan is close to Robert, and often helps him to get dressed. They help each other, just like twin brothers.
At New Day, it's the time of year when all the local grape arbors are bursting with sweet, juicy fruit! They take all the little ones to pick grapes... considering how many we bring home, it's hard to believe they probably eat more than they pick! It was a fun morning, and they'll be enjoying the "fruit" of their labor for quite a few days!
SEPTEMBER 2010
Ethan is 3 Years 6 Months Old.
Ethan is a handsome little boy loved by everyone. He has a great personality, laughs a lot and is very active. Ethan’s hands-on skills are very impressive, he is a very independent young man. He can dress and un-dress himself, and even put on his shoes! He does very well to make sure he puts the shoes on the correct feet too. Ethan can also go to toilet, flush it and put things back to the way they were. Ethan now loves going to pre-school, and he has greatly improved in his class. He cooperates well with the teacher and sings spontaneously during music class. He adds his own moves and has fun during the session! It’s a joy to see how Ethan is developing and his unique personality.
Some of the staff members gave the kids rides on their scooters. Apparently, Ethan wasn't afraid at all. Wait until he gets a lift on Grandma and Papa's Harley's.
OCTOBER 2010
Ethan is 3 years 7 months Old.
Ethan is a lovely boy with a joyful personality. He is well liked by anyone who meets him! Ethan is determined and serious about anything that he does, whether it be drawing or putting together puzzles. Ethan enjoys attending school. He has a wonderful memory, and has been learning new English words quickly. He uses them often and I am so impressed by his accomplishments! He is also becoming more and more independent. Ethan is my little helper. He follows me as I work and helps me clean his room and the dining table. Ethan wants to be a self-reliant boy, and also offers to help the other children. He is polite, and always says “Goodbye” to visitors as they leave. Recently, I asked Ethan to hand me a pen off the table. He brought it to me, and I said, “Thank you!” Ethan responded to me by saying, “Don’t thank me. It’s my pleasure.” Oh, this touched my heart and made me so proud! Ethan is a true gentleman!
Our annual beach trip before school starts....I am always so looking forward to this relaxing time! Madeline was at Sailing Camp in North Carolina and Michael was with his friend in Myrtle Beach...so Maloy brought her friend Hannah, and Cameron's boyfriend's family came for the week. Here are the girl's in the car...ready to get there! 
Cameron LOVED playing with the kids...she kept asking when Ethan was coming so she can dig with him!
We celebrated Victor's sister Isa's 9th birthday on Tuesday. Emma (my neice) was her birthday surprise guest. There was a lot of pot-banging, which I'm sure the neighbor's loved, and some yummy flank steak. We all had a great time!
Cameron and Victor...too bad they don't look that good in a bathing suit!
Hannah, Cameron and Maloy 
I have a picture of the girl's walking to the beach EVERY year since they were 2 and 4. Of course, when I say "Time for the beach picture!" They're like "Come on mom this is SO embarrashing!" But they do it. This year, they shocked me and held hands!
This is our sweet boy getting his hearing checked. Apparently, they got candy when they were finished. Ethan attempted to go back a couple more times...for the candy!
At New Day, it's the time of year when all the local grape arbors are bursting with sweet, juicy fruit! They take all the little ones to pick grapes... considering how many we bring home, it's hard to believe they probably eat more than they pick! It was a fun morning, and they'll be enjoying the "fruit" of their labor for quite a few days!
Robert was born on October 9, 2006. He was abandoned at the gate of a local orphanage on March 9, 2007. When his birth parents couldn't be located, they admitted him into the hospital and diagnosed him with severe heart defect. He has already received 2 heart surgeries to repair his defect, and needs a third surgery. The organization that paid for his first two surgeries is no longer able to care for him. Due to his extensive medical needs, his home orphanage asked New Day to take him while he waits for his third surgery. He arrived on March 11, 2010. Robert is a strong-willed little boy who sometimes gets upset if he doesn't get his own way, but he loves to be praised and he's able to understand and communicate with adults. 
October Update...Robert loves to interact with his nanny- chatting with her and laughing with her often. He enjoys getting praise, and when he does he is very happy. Robert works hard in his therapies. He used to eat only with his right hand because his left hand was weak. However, now he is able to use it for many different things, and can open it up with help.
Cameron and Victor!
