Dragon Day

A year ago we were in China, on the most extraordinary trip of our lives and a year ago on Monday was the anniversary of us meeting Zoë. Here are some photos of the celebration, including: a cake "baked" by the twins for Zoë; a new (to us) tricycle so she can join her siblings on bike rides; a Chinese dinner of egg fu yung and beef and broccoli stirfry, both from a beautiful recipe book called Chinese Cooking by Annabel Jackson; and an enthusiastic rendition of She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain as a tip of the cap to Anne Tyler's great adoption novel Digging to America.

There is some discussion/controversy in the adoption community about calling this celebration Gotcha Day, Family Day, Adoption Day, etc. But we went in a different direction. We're calling it Dragon Day, which is a shout-out to her Chinese heritage and to her fiery/spirited disposition. We've been calling her the Zoë dragon for a long time.

It's been quite a year - she's changed all of our lives with her big smile, infectious laugh, outgoing personality, spicy temper, sleep challenges, and everything else. 

Here's a series of Zoë doing battle with her sippy cup.

Cake and presents on the table (tricycle under the big blue tarp), Zoë and Kate waiting for the twins to wake up from their nap.

Unveiling the trike

The big Zoë dragon meets a little dragon

Blowing candles and party favours