Thursday, December 25, 2008
Matthew gave one of his olympic toys to Molly for Christmas
SNOWING!!!
So Matthew got into the act and had fun so I had to go and buy two more shovels so they could all help!
Matthew's Santa gift
Fwd: Catching Santa in the Act
My brother caught Santa on film coming out of our fireplace...
Santa talked with Sam our 14 year old about his recent behavior
but evidently he was nearly asleep . He wasn't too impressed by Santa's personal visit.
Maybe if Santa had brought him the paint gun he wanted..hmmm
Maybe if Santa had brought him the paint gun he wanted..hmmm
An unusual letter to Santa
but then again I had just read a story to the kids at church recently
that shows the similarities between Santa and Jesus Christ.
Called "I believe in Santa Claus" by Diane G. Adamson
Sunday, December 21, 2008
te
Merry Christmas from the Cassani's
thought we'd drop you a line to update you on our growing family
For further details and pictures see our family blog www.cassanichronicles.blogspot.com
Ben 27, Rachel and Baby Anadel (1 year old) reside now in Martinez , California. They are just ten minutes away from her parents in Pleasant Hill.
He graduated from Expressions college this summer with a BA in sound recording and music
Fortunately Rachel (Interior designer) is able to be home with Anadel. Ben landed a great job doing some CAD work and field engineering for an oil company out there.
Nathan 24 , Lynn and baby Jonathan (5 months old and a red head like his dad). Nate has been working at a high end designer company. Lynn has been able to stay home with Baby Jonathan.
She was able to run an in house day care up until Jonathan was born. Nathan is considering beginning school or looking for another job. Still writing prolifically.
Daniel 20 begins Utah Valley University part time in January 09. He is also considering serving a part time service mission at the Bishop's storehouse.
He still sings beautifully and we hope to see him continue developing that talent. He is interested in fiance/ accounting .
A quiet gentle giant, he is considering teaching in particular music (choir directing)
Katie 17 1/2 is a junior at Mountain View, wants to specialize in theater makeup and foreign languages (Chinese and French)
She has just begun ice skating in recent months . With her outgoing and friendly personality she has numerous friends . She loves being able to drive.
Samuel 14 is a Viola and (lately also Violin) Music enthusiast. He practices over an hour a day and plays in 3 orchestras.
He was recently accepted into a music school in Salt Lake City and commutes with his Dad every morning.
Samuel seems to have a following of good friends, Musicians like himself. Although lately several girls from neighborhood have been captivated by his charm.
Meili 11 is sprouting , tall and thin. She has excelled in singing, dancing and theatrical endeavors. Taught herself to play the piano .
She is hoping Mom may direct a mini musical at her school come spring. School is going much better for her.
She is blossoming now with confidence and a ready smile. She also enjoyed baby Jonathan's visit very much.
Stephen 10 is a whiz at math and our budding architect and can spend hours building with k'nex.
He has also taken to writing stories, and is agile in anything physical. Quiet personality, likes Broadway musicals.
He is thrilled to be in a regular classroom this year with other 4th graders, and doing very well.
Molly 8 is an avid reader and can often be found with her nose in a book.
She like to dance and sing too, especially with Matthew to "Mulan". Interested in Violin.
A good all around student and has many friends and enjoys her new brother very much .
Matthew 7 is an avid sports enthusiast, loud, boisterous at times, he is all boy.
He has picked up English rapidly and is already reading, imagine that! He wants to play the Viola too.
He loves playing soccer, Nintendo, computers, football, dancing and singing.
David still works at the Capitol, and we are grateful to still have a job! Especially with the recent budget cuts at the state level.
He is thinking on taking up accordion again and enjoys spending his bus commute time doing genealogy
-- Adriana has cleaned out one storage unit and is now beginning on the garage. Hoping to find time for more interesting pursuits.
When life is significantly uncluttered, she plans to write children's stories, or direct a mini musical and work on Family photo albums.
She also has been studying Chinese all last year and enjoyed it immensely. It was very handy during Matthew's adoption trip.
Wishing you the best during this Holiday season! Hope you feel joy, peace and light during this time.
Adriana Cassani
Thursday, December 18, 2008
These are just too cute not too post... Isn't my grandson just scrumptious!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Gingerbread euphoria
Matthew was so excited that he jumped up on the counter with his hands sending his feet flying outwards!
I think they crammed every bit of candy they could onto that house before the frosting dried...
I think they crammed every bit of candy they could onto that house before the frosting dried...
although I have noticed now that some has disappeared since then...suspiciously.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Gingerbread House
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Troops minus my granddaughter and daughter in law
This was my grandson's blessing day... we got most everyone in the picture. Unfortunately my daughter in law and grand daughter were sick so they could not make it.
Pleased! She is a star again.
Now she is playing my dream role of Maria at Katie's HS.
Wow what a voice !
Sam is the section leader now
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Fwd: [Our Guilin Boy] Halloween pictures
I would say it was a hit ! Matthew loved it. See the bottom photo, that bag was his loot.
Fwd: [Our Guilin Boy] Halloween
Matthew wasn't sure entirely what to expect today. However I had my Chinese teacher from UVU explain the holiday to him. So he was right with us carving pumpkins, marched proudly in the Halloween parade at school , and came home loaded with treats from his teachers (Thanks!)
We decorated the front porch and he was quite excited by our pumpkin that you can speak through a microphone and scare people with. He also liked the plastic skeleton and cobwebs thanks to my son Samuel.
Then I had to urge them to eat dinner, chicken noodle soup their favorite. He likes ANYTHING with noodles so you can't go wrong there. Then came the darkness somewhat. They were chomping at the bit to go so we got them their bags for treats (the girls got their pillowcases in case!) This was my first time home to meet the trick or treaters, and Katie (As Carmen San Diego) took them all out for the night's run on candy!
Here you see Stephen as Ninja , Meili as a witch supposedly (although she lost her brand new hat at school!) Molly as a cheerleader than morning but by night fall decided she was an Olympic gymnast. Works for me! Matthew decided to go as Spider man! He found his costume at a garage sale for 50 cents! He was tickled .
They left and returned at 8 foot sore, cold (as it began raining ) and tired. So I sent them off to bed after confiscating their candy for future doling out. They got to choose one piece (I figured they already ate several before they got home!) In any event Matthew seemed really pleased with his haul so we took a photo of it.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Strong sitting
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mother's birthstone necklace, Jonathan and Uncle Sam
My giggling grandson Jonathan Anthony Cassani
Sam relented and held the baby for me while I was making breakfast. Jonathan began smiling and he was a hit with Sam, who grinned 
back.Too cute. I loved this outfit I put on him this morning after changing his diaper and giving him a sponge bath. The shirt has milk and cookies all over it.
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Foster Mother's Journal (Chun xian's life)
Drops in Chun Xian's life
December 15, 2003 – Sunny
Today, I went to pick up Jiang Chun Xian at the orphanage. When I saw him, his little face was dirty, his nose had running nose. He put on a pair of open pants. I asked him, 'would you like to go home with me?' He held my hand immediately and wanted to go home with me. After he went home, he loved to watch TV. He moved a small chair and sat in front of the TV machine. He loved to watch carton movies. One funny thing happened, when his father came home, he called him 'Gege' – big brother. The whole family laughed.
January 15, 2004 – Sunny
Chun Xian came home for a month. He changed a lot. His face became smoother and looked better. He was very sweet. He called the people when he met some people. He liked to follow me to walk around everywhere. I walked into kitchen he followed me to the kitchen. I walked in a bathroom, he walked into the bathroom. I joked that he was a hip-follower. In the evening, he slept on side and left urine on the bed even he was more than two years old. However, he was a very good boy, I liked him.
February 25, 2004 – Sunny
The Lunar New Year was in this month. The most unfortunate thing was Chun Xian got sick. He took injections on the first three days of the Spring Festival. He had fever and coughed heavily. His health status was not very strong that caused him got sick easily.
On the seventh day of the Spring Festival, he just got well. We took him to see his auntie and uncle in Yangsuo County. There had uncle, auntie, sister Chu-Rui and sister Chu-Huan, great auntie and brother Cheng-cheng gone together with us. Chun Xian was so happy. Sometime, he ran to get water from a well. Sometime, he ran to see the chickens and rabbits. The air was so fresh and the scenic was so beautiful. We went to a yard to get some fruits. Overall, that was a wonderful trip.
March 25, 2004 – Cloudy
Chun Xian started to learn counting in this period. After going home, he counted to me. Even I had to remind him he still liked to learn new things.
Xiao Xian (Chun Xian's nickname) loved to watch the advertisement and cartoon movies on TV. There had a cartoon movie named "Tome and Jerry" at home, he loved it very much. Then I bought him another cartoon movie named "Hulu Brothers". He watched it again and again over hundred times. He can sing the songs too.
April 25, 2004 – Cloudy
The day before yesterday, our four members' family drove a car to Guanyan for a trip. We stopped at a strawberry filed and got some strawberries. Xiao Xian followed and imitating us to pick up some strawberries. He wore on a plastic bag on each foot. He walked around on the field to pick up those red strawberries. Yes, he likes red color. Whatever we bought for him, he would like to choose red. He is so funny.
June 5, 2004 – Sunny
Just past the "June 1 – Children's Festival", the kindergarten gave him a little cake. Xiao Xian loved cake. In the kindergarten, he performed dancing. Even he did not dance very well. He still is a very lovely boy.
Since he came into our family, he became smarter, and more people loved him. He drank a bottle of milk every morning. He ate different food as breakfasts. His became healthier. He was not picky for food. But, he was so weak that he was very easy to be sick. He always needed to seek doctors and had to take injections.
August 25, 2004 – Sunny
In this period, Xiao Xian could count from no. 1 to 20. He learnt a "Tang's Poem" – praise the geese. He was very active. He could head his body on the floor. He liked little cars and he had many cars that almost could cover the whole floor. He played hiding at home. Recently, he liked "Ultra man", "Police blue cat" etc. cartoon movies. After he came home, he asked to watch them. He had many ultra man toys at home. He said that when he has grown up, he would like to be a policeman, likes as ultra man to be a righteous and brave man.
December 25, 2004 – Sunny
Today is Christmas. There had performance in the kindergarten. Chun Xian danced wonderful. After that, there had some running races. He won a champion. When he got the prize, he was so proud of himself and he told me, "Mum, I am the no. 1." I was very happy too.
January 1, 2005 – Sunny
Almost every festival, we went to visit the great auntie's home. She has a puppy dog named "Lucky". Chun Xian specially liked it. "Lucky" also loved to play with him. After dinner, we walked outside with 'Lucky'. They traced each other for fun. Great auntie also liked Chun Xian very much. She specially bought him an ultra man toy.
March 15, 2005 – Rainy
Now, Chun Xian can count from no. 1 to 100. He remembered several "Tang Poems" He has good memories. Until now, he cried easily. That showed he was pretty weak in his character. His throat was red easily. We usually do not feed him deep-fried foods.
April 19, 2005 – Rainy turning into sunny
Today is Xiao Xian's fourth birthday. Our whole family went to a KFC. He was so happy because the KFC foods were his most favor foods. We bought him a traditional Chinese cartoon movie DVD "Na-za", some new clothes and toy cars.
His sleeping habit had not changed yet – he slept on the bed by belly.
July 12, 2005 – Cloudy
In these days, Chun Xian started to know some simple Chinese characters, simple adding. He liked to watch sport programs, such as football, snookers, badminton, basketball and car-racing, etc. When his father watched those sport programs, he would like to watch together with him. He knew the F1 formulas drivers to. He had many interests.
September 14, 2005 – Sunny
Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. We went to grandparents' home for the festival. It is a traditional festival for unity. Grandpa, grandma, uncle, aunties and our whole family all joint together. They all loved Xiao Xian. They thought he was a very smart and lovely boy. After the dinner, we went to a friend's home. There had many friends stayed together for enjoying the moon. Over there, Xiao Xian liked as a happy fruit, he made everyone laughed loudly and happily.
December 10, 2005 – Sunny
Two days ago, I, his sister and his great auntie and uncle, brother- Li Jun and some other friends went to a hot-spring for a short vacation in You Sheng County. You Sheng are a scenic spot. It is a very beautiful place. There have many ladder fields, greenery big mountains. We were relax and enjoyed there so much. In the hot-springs, Xiao Xian played with his big brothers and sisters happily.
February 12, 2006 – Cloudy
Today is the Spring Festival. In this traditional festival, the people used to visit their relatives and friends' home. Without exception, we did the same thing. Today, we went to great auntie's home first. Brother-Li Jun bought a new sheep dog. Its name is Ka-ka (Lucky was lost. Great auntie was very sad about that. So brother-Li Jun specially bought a new one to her.) Ka-ka was very gentle. Xiao Xian also liked Ka-ka. Ka-ka kissed his faces and headed his hip for fun. Xiao Xian ran around in the house and it followed him. So Xiao Xian always requested to visit great auntie's home.
April 19, 2006 – Rainy
Today is Xiao Xian's fifth birthday. We brought a big cake, candies and fruits to his kindergarten. The children in the kindergarten celebrated for him. Xiao Xian blew out the candles. The children sang a birthday song to him. He was so excited and happy. Maybe, he was one year older, he understood more, and he said to me, "Mum, thank you." I was very happy from my heart.
In the past one year, he always coughed, took injections. He still slept on the bed by belly. He was fully sweating on his front head after he woke up. He liked to drink the box milk and did not like the formula again. He likes to eat spicy foods when he was very young.
June 5, 2006 – Sunny
Just past the "June 1 Children Festival", I felt Xiao Xian grew a lot. His dancing became better. His mathematics was also good. He knew how to write his name. Even the writing was not very pretty; I still felt that was wonderful. He could sing many children's songs. He still likes spicy foods. He still likes to sleep on the bed by belly. Until now, he still likes red things. Red is his most favor color.
September 14, 2006 – Sunny
Xiao Xian went to pre-school class. Teachers taught him many new things. After came home everyday, he told me what he learnt from the school. He was an intelligent boy but also was a love- crying boy. For example, he fell on the floor, he cried immediately. He flight with other children but failed, he cried, etc. I do not know when he can change this habit.
December 20, 2006 – Cloudy
This winter was not very cold. We did not need to put on many clothes. So Xiao Xian could move easily. He liked boxing and playing Kung-fu daily. He always jumped up and down from a chair. He said he was a person with patience. He was a naughty boy too. I could not stop him sometimes. He still was a child. Maybe, he is older now, he becomes stronger. He took less medicines or injections.
January 26, 2007 – Cloudy
There had two aunties named Qin Hai Ling and Qin Lin Li in the clinic of the orphanage. Chun Xian called them "Ma-ma". Both of them cared him very much since he was very young. They brought him out to parks. When they went out, they bought him some toys. Two days ago, they brought him to the Qi-Xing Amusement Park. He played little train, striking cars, little planes and water-ball, etc. They went to a zoo to see monkeys, tiger, snakes, etc. They fed some rabbits and sheep too.
April 19, 2007 – Rainy
Today is Chun Xian's sixth birthday. I bought him "The story of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit" cartoon DVD. He was so happy. He liked the Kung-fu in the cartoon movie. He imitated the action every moment in the day. He said, "Mama, I know Kung-fu now." I looked at this naughty faces, I felt angry and funny.
June 1, 2007 – Sunny
Today is June 1 Children Festival. The kindergarten held performance again. Xiao Xian surely danced today. Maybe he is getting older, his action became more modify and his dancing looked much better this time. The orphanage also gave him some toys and some snacks. They held some activities for the children too. The kindergarten teachers said Xiao Xian is a very smart boy and his mathematics is very good.
August 17, 2007 – Sunny
Today, Chun Xian's American mother asked someone to bring him many gifts. There had clothes, pants, socks and some of their family's pictures. Chun Xian knew he has five brothers, three sisters and two sisters in law in the USA. All of them are so handsome and beautiful. Father and mother are so nice. This family must be full of fun and joy. It is a bless family.
Sept 1, 2007 – Sunny
Today is Chun Xian's first school day in the Sheng Li Lu Elementary School. He went to this school for his first grade. The school is just next by our home. It is very close to us so it is convenience for Chun Xian to school. Teachers gave him some books. He was very excited. I told him, "Now you are an elementary school's student, not a little boy in the kindergarten. In the school, you have to listen to the teachers. After you come home, you have to do the homework first. Then you can play. You have to work hard and learn hard. To be a man with good knowledge, then you can be an outstanding person in the future…." He said that he will. I was happy to know he understood what I meant.
Oct 5, 2007 – Sunny
These few days were the National Day' Holidays. Today, our family drove a car to the Qing Shi Tan reservoir for a picnic. Over there, we walked around the reservoir. The reservoir's water level was very low. I felt sad about lack of water resources!! We have to save more water. There had a water amusement park too. Xiao Xian and his brother and sister sat on a motor boat and water bicycle.
In the morning, Xiao Xian always sneezed. He took some medicines and he did not get well. It was not a cold. In the day time, he was fine. I thought his nose must have some problems. I needed to take him to see a doctor.
Oct 29, 2007 – Sunny
Chun Xian's American mother sent him some gifts again. There had some pictures and a doll dressed in army uniform. The doll could speak some words similar as what the American father, mother, brothers and sisters' voices. There had a bag of candies too. Xiao Xian came home from school. When he looked at it, he was very happy. He held the doll in his arms and listened to the voices from it again and again. We could see his American father and mother must love him very much.
November 20, 2007 – Sunny
Today is the Parents' day in his school. His teacher's comment on him was: smart but naughty. He always fights with other classmates. A boy should be a little bit naughty! His examination results at this semester: Language: 94 scores. Mathematics: 98 scores. He was a little careless. He did not double check the homework.
Today, his American mother sent him a new book. This is a good book which has pronunciation, Chinese characters and photos. Right now, he is learning pronunciation and recognizing the Chinese characters. This book can help him.
December 20, 2007 – Cloudy
Today, Chun Xian's American mother sent him some gifts. There have a disc and a piece of blanket. Xiao Xian is very happy.
In this month, Xiao Xian learnt using dictionary to find Chinese characters. He felt it was fun. His learning has improved too. He got several red flowers as rewards in the school. In the rest time, he watched "Spongy baby" cartoon movie at home. He also liked to play computer games and car racing games. He enjoyed the games in computer. After he entered the elementary school, he became stronger and did not get sick again.
January 25, 2008
Chun Xian's first semester in school is officially end up today. He learnt many new things in this semester. To a child who had not studied in the normal pre-school, he also gave a lot. Since he learnt very hard, he improved a lot too. At the final examination, he scored 90 marks on both main subjects. His teacher gave him a notebook and a little star as rewards. He probably had strong sense of self-protection, he fight with his classmates in the school. However, he corrected himself very much.
Today is a happy day because his American mother sent him gifts again. There had a breakable car toy. Xiao Xian likes car very much. There had many cars at home. His favor color is red. He likes candies, spicy food and crispy foods. But after he ate crispy foods, he had throat ache. So we did not let him eat much crispy foods.
February 25, 2008 – heavy rain to little rain
Today is the first day of the second semester in school. Xiao Xian went to school. He brought home some new books. He was very good. He finished all his homework once he came home. Then he watched TV. I love him so much.
This Spring Festival was in February. We had a happy festival. In China, one of the most important traditional customs is have dinner together at the last day of the year. That means family union. We also visited some close relatives' home. Every family's table had full of candies, fruits, peanuts and seeds, etc. Everyone was eating snacks and chatting. We went to grandparents' home for dinner. There had many different dishes of food, such as chicken, duck, fish, pork and dumpling. That was a great meal. After the meal, Xiao Xian and his sister went to play fireworks.
March 14, 2008 – Sunny
I am very happy today. Because Chun Xian's teacher told me in the phone that he presents very good recently. He seemed change to a new person. He worked hard, learnt heard too. His writing is beautiful. He also corrected his bad habits too. The teacher approved him to join the youth corps. He can wear the red collar now. I am so excited. Actually, Chun Xian is a very good boy. If we recognize his improvement, he will become much better. (For example, you say, "Good job!". "Well done." "I love you" "You are my baby", etc.)
April 14, 2008 – Cloudy to Sunny
Today, Xiao Xian's American mother sent him gift again. When he came home from school, he saw it. He was very excited and he opened it immediately. He likes cars very much. He also likes bouncing balls. He is an outgoing child. All kind of sports and funny things, he is interested. But, he will go to America very soon. Every time, I think about this, I felt upset. However, he has American parents love him so much, he must grow healthy and happily.
May 25, 2008 – Rainy
Now is the rain season. It is not convenience for both going to school or work. Xiao Xian had just finished his mid term examination. He scored 92.5 marks on Language and 97.5 marks on Mathematics. His teachers wanted to encourage him and allow him to join the Youth corps.
His daily life schedule:
7:00am – wake up, washes, brush teeth and then have breakfast. He drinks a cup of yogurt daily. Then he carries his school bag to school by himself.
11:30am – he return home from school. Now, he does not have nap anymore. After the lunch, he likes to watch a while of TV, play chest or toys. He can entertain himself.
2:10pm – he goes to school by himself again until 4:50pm or 5:10pm. Then he plays balls or badminton with his classmates on the playground of downstairs. Until 6:30pm, he comes home to bathe and have dinner. Then he does his homework. Around 9pm, he brushes teeth and then go to the bed.
June 6, 2008 – Sunny to cloudy
Today, the Olympic fire will be delivered in Guilin. The whole city's people were firing up. Xiao Xian's great auntie specially bought him a piece of T-shirt with Olympic dolls, head band and two small flags.
A few days ago, it was the June 1 Children Festival, the teacher gave him a red collar. He was very excited. Once he wore it, he did not want to take it off. He and his friends played in the park. There have many ultra man cartoons in the Qi Xing (means seven stars) Park. He likes them all. We went to the zoo and watched many animals, monkeys, deer, rabbits, goats, snakes, peacocks, etc. At the end, we went to an amusement park, there had more fun. He stayed there a long time almost did not want to go home.
July 6, 2008 – Sunny
Chun Xian will leave tomorrow. I stayed with him as mother and son for more than five years. I deeply feel sad for his leaving. He is a very active and outgoing child. He eats a bowl of rice in every meal. He does not picky. He likes spicy foods, crispy foods and sweet foods. He specially likes candies.
He has many favor activities, such as football, basketball, badminton and specially playing chests recently. He likes to sleep on belly. He always sweats in sleeping or even in the day time. I found he has some new teeth come out even the old teeth have not off. We have no enough time brought him to the hospital. Hope his American mother pay attention to this.
Good bye, my dear son. Your Chinese mother love you forever and miss you.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
My cute grandson arrived today
Our darling Jonathan Anthony Cassani all 14 lb. of him.
He turns 3 months old on Saturday
Isn't he adorable?
Isn't he adorable?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
