Hands Around the World 2011

This past week was Hands Around the World Culture Camp week.  Lizzy meet with many friends both old and new. This year Camp focused on the Festivals and Celebrations in China. She spent a lot of time learning more about the language and history of China.  They also learned about the art of Kung Fu. Kung Fu is part of many of the festivals.  It is not use just as a weapon or form of protection in is also used as an art.

This is Gail.  Hands Around the World is Gail's baby.  She started this camp 20 years ago and continues to do everything that she can to make sure that our kids know about the culture that they came from.

 Dan took this week off from work so he could help with getting Annie off to school and meet her bus when it came back.  


Because of Dan's willingness to be Mr. Mom I got to volunteer at camp in the kitchen.  I meet some pretty amazing woman and a few men.  There were moms and dads from more than just China camp working in the kitchen. It was great to talk with the other parents about their process and know that you really were just sharing the stories not being scrutinized because of your choice to either adopt or where you adopted from. I got to work with moms and some dads from Africa American camp, Eastern European camp and Latin American Camp.  We made everything from white rice, to Hopping John, to Spring Rolls down to sliced water melon.

This year has come and gone.  Just like in years past as we left the parking lot Miss. Lizzy started crying because camp was over and made me promise that we were in fact coming back next year.  I got cheers from both girls when I said not only were we coming back next year but Annie gets to be a China camper too!