On Friday, March 12th, Scott, Will and I drove up to Northern VA to see Matty and Nate(along with Aunt Beth) in a production of Cinderella. It was done by Franklin Park Arts and it was a wonderful performance. Nate and Matty were "royal children" and Matty just absolutely beamed the whole time he was on the stage. Nate was a little more reserved, but he seemed to be enjoying himself as well! What an amazing performance by a group of very amazing performers!

Then on Saturday, we joined Matty at his Special Olympics sports time. He was a bit tired(as you will see in the pictures) and that was because someone kept him up really late, and then someone else woke him up really early!

Warming up with stretches and fun songs! Even Nate and Will got in on the action. I think Will like the singing just about more than anything!

Just like Matty, Will and Nate were able to join in on the soccer, basketball, andTball. When they had worn out all their options, they created their own game of "Hot Potato". When, things were winding down, I looked around to find them in a circle with 4 or 5 other participants, and they were teaching them all to play "Hot Potato".

After snack, I helped Matty with the cool down! Brian thought I was kidding when I told him I needed help to get up!
So Matty was too tired to particiapte in the activities, oh well, Aunt Susan got some really great snuggle time with sweet Matty - something that Uncle Scott usually gets instead of me! It was a short, but fun weekend visit and we truly enjoyed spending time with my niece Michelle's family - even though Michelle wasn't there!

February Fun

Early in the year, one of our favorite celebrations is the Chinese New Year. We try to provide Will with as much knowledge about his birth culture as we can, so for us, the celebrated Asian Holidays are also important! Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar so it is on a different date each year, usually sometime between Jan. 2oth and Feb. 20th. This year, it just happened to fall on our Valentine's Day, February 14th. This year, we celebrated with our friends from the Valley Adopt Group, at JMU. The JMU Asian Student Union has "adopted" the Valley Adopt Group and loves putting this celebration together each year for the children and their families. This year, for us, a special highlight was getting to meet the newest addition to the Dillard Family - Haiden. She had only been here about 6 weeks, but had no trouble getting to know everyone! She is a beautiful little girl and definitely a miracle and we are delighted to be able to share in her and her family's life journey!

Several of the young men from the ASU always perform a wonderful Dragon Dance, very traditional for the Chinese New Year. It is quit amazing to watch, especially since the Dragon's eyes and ears actually move! When the front guy goes up on the shoulders of the guy in back, and the both remain in costume, you really appreciate the abilities that this dance requires!

Welcome to the newest addition of the Dillard family - Haiden. Grandma Wine got the honor of holding her first!!! Haiden had a front row seat for the Dragon Dance, but didn't like it too much. Grandma Jean's arms seemed alot better of an option!

Proud Daddy - Scott Dillard

The kids also enjoy different crafts and of course face painting. This year I think Will's lasted about 5 minutes. He looks like he is in pain during the process, but holding still was what was causing the pain, because he thought they were starting something without him!

The finale event of the celebration each year, is the Lion Dance. The kids all line up under "the body" and then the Lion head leds them around the room to music. This year, the head and the body became separated after only about three steps, but patchwork quickly put them back together and the Lion provided a spectular parade! Will is in the read shirt and jeans, under the body!

Finally, before the evening ended, I was able to get Will to sit still long enough to pose with his favorite girl - now girls - Leigha and Haiden!!! It was a wonderful celebration!