Happy Birthday, Anna!

Today was Anna's 5th birthday -- her first birthday outside an orphanage and in her forever family.  We wanted so much for Anna to really understand that today was her special day.  We started by showing her photos of her birthday party in the orphanage last year (we made arrangements to have a cake and some presents sent, and they kindly sent us photos).  Anna seemed happy to see herself eating cake, but she didn't show any signs of distress at seeing her old friends, her former caretakers, or even her foster mom.

Then, Anna had balloons waiting for her on her chair when she came to breakfast.  The balloons thrilled her little heart!  Anna got to don the Burch Birthday Tiara -  another exciting moment!  We lit a "5" candle and let the girls have mini cinnamon rolls in honor of Anna's special day.

 

Anna went to school, where her teacher had taught her class to sign the Happy Birthday song.  What a sweet teacher!  There is nothing more precious than a room full of 4 year olds, who, understanding that Anna is "different" from them, wanted SO much for Anna to be able to see them telling her "Happy Birthday."  No photos due to Mama Failure. Sorry!!!!

 

Next, Anna had an appointment at the ENT.  That will be another post on another day!

Then, we returned Anna to school, where the lunch ladies had a bouquet of balloons ready to present.  We enjoyed eating lunch with Anna and her friends.

 

 

Later that evening, we welcomed our family over for pizza and cupcakes.  We wanted to keep the gathering small so as not to overwhelm Anna on her first birthday here.  Our sweet friend from Anyang (where Anna is from) arrived with homemade dumplings especially for Anna.  Anna was DELIGHTED to eat a plate full of dumplings.  The rest of us enjoyed a bite, too!  Anna also reveled in the joy of getting to blow out five candles on her cupcakes.  (Lucy is not pouting....she was sick all day, but we didn't want to exclude her from the celebration.)

 

Time for presents!  Anna was not too excited about the gifts -- she would have happily given up gifts for one more frosted cupcake.  Still, once she got into the business of unwrapping, she had fun.  Here, she received an ice cream game, and she is showing us the sign for ice cream.

 

 

 

Here, Anna shows off her video camera and microphone from Uncle Dave, Aunt Melinda, Kyndal and Candice.  A hit present!

 

The kids are showing off their colored tongues!  Yuck.

 

Doesn't she look like she's praising the Lord?

We love Anna's exuberant spirit!

It's one of her very best qualities, one that will surely serve her well in life.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Anna Joy XiaoChun!

We are so humbled and blessed that the Lord saw fit to allow us to be your family.