Not Ready for Martha Stewart...

Well, our sewing experiences have been...interesting. Hands down Katie wins the patience award and is at the head of our class. After our first very basic class we decided to "practice" with some fabric we had left over from Jia's 100 good wishes quilt. We encountered several (ok , a lot) of problems. 1. We didn't read the directions 2. We used printed material 3. We neglected to figure out that we had to cut each side differently. We had enough fabric to try twice (see pics) we were not successful with any.

Two days ago Anna and Katie went to the second class (I was having a bad day, so I missed this one) and they learned how to make tote bags.

Today our sewing machine arrived. Katie finished her tote back and made a great attempt at finishing our mistake-ridden dress.

All in all, we have been having fun with our new hobby. At our next two classes we are supposed to make a capri outfit...might have to pay Katie for mine.

Katie Parties! Happy Birthday Brooke!

Katie is holding the limbo pole, Jia is trying to get underneath

Ami & Robert Hamersley with Brooke

Katie, Anna and Jia were invited to Brooke's 1st birthday. Brooke is the daughter of Katie and Anna's Algebra teacher when they were in 8th grade at Walter C. Young. Katie is spending her summer babysitting for Brooke.

All Photos by Anna and Jia Parnham

Beautiful shot of Anna by Jia

A Chinese-American dinner. Yes, she is eating stir-fry and pancakes at the same time.

These two should be "the evil twins"

Jia loves to dance up a storm

Jia is so thrilled that her hair is finally long enough to have piggy tales like her sisters.

Such sweet sisters

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

AN ADVENTURE FOR ANNA, A CHALLENGE FOR LESA

The Dream!

Anna Gator-are her fingers crossed?

The Century Tower-rings every 15 minutes. (Every hour one of the music students runs up the tower and plays classical music).

On campus, one of the class buildings.

Some of the beautiful frescoes on one of the buildings.

A glimpse of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the back of the beautiful brick buildings.

Anna - hoping to be part of The Gator Nation!

The infamous "Swamp"

My little Gator girl--where's Tim Tebow when you need him?

The Gator woman in the Swamp!

Our tour guides did an awesome job!

Lesa in "the swamp" I was soaking wet (rained all day)

Jia doing the Gator Chomp in her new cheer leading uniform

We thought the carpet in the hotel looked like the carpet in the movie "The Shining"

Painting the Swamp for next year's Championship!!!!

I am so proud of myself. One of my goals for the summer (with the help of Dr. Frankel and Drew) was to do something "out of the box". My box is pretty small. Drew and I decided that whatever I did I would have to do it quickly, spur of the moment without thinking about it.

WELL I DID IT BIG! I told Anna we were going to the University of Florida (300 miles away) and that she had 10 minutes to get ready! (Katie did not want to go) Within a half hour we were out the door!!!!! Drove through the night to a place I love, Gainesville, Florida.

Drew made a appointment for us to go on an orientation tour and the next thing I knew we were there! I have never driven so far by myself, and as most of you know, I don't even like to leave the house.

As for the trip, like her Mother before her, Anna fell in love with the University. We went on a walking tour of the whole campus, sat in on an informational meeting and also visited the football stadium (National Champs 96,06,08). It was an eye opening experience for her. UF is the hardest University in the state to get accepted to, 85% of the students that were accepted last year had a grade point average of 3.8-4.5

THEN, I had to drive home this morning. That is when my anxiety set in big time, but Anna is one of my "safe" people, so I made it. It was a victory for me. But if I had to do it all over again, I don't think I could.

Anyway, Go Gators!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Wrapped up in freedom

QUIZ: Which one of these people is an American citizen?

Anna-trying to do the Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal move

Katie -pretending to be a cheerleader

Okay, this is a scary one

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

-Preamble to The Declaration of Independence

I never take for granted that I am privileged enough to have been born, raised, and live in the greatest country in the world. Our Founding Fathers bravely fought for the principles of independence from tyranny without thought of themselves, bur rather of democracy and concern for the greater good.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

JIA HAS ANOTHER DATE!

Ready to go-Bennyfoo hasn't been told he isn't invited yet!

Showing off her new outfit!

At the movies with Parker, they were both so happy!

Love from Jia!

Today was the big day for Jia. The Harrison family and the Parnham family went to see the movie Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" in 3-D. The bad news is that my camera battery died after I took 1 picture of Jia and Parker. Diane and Mark took more, so when I get them I will post.

The kids had a blast, Anna and Katie enjoyed it and Summer sat through the whole movie as good as gold! So a great time was had by all!

Here are the pictures that I did get. Jia is wearing the first outfit she ever picked out for herself and she was feeling very pretty!

Happy fourth of July, it is truly an honor to live in the United States of America!

Jia-ism's

Little Miss Jia is always funny, but recently she has had us on the floor laughing.

Last night at dinner: "Dad, I want a drum" translation: Please give me the drumstick of the chicken you are carving.

Drew teasing Jia: "Dad, you can go sleep in the gym"

Looking at my ears: "Mom, why you have 2 holes? (I explain) asked her if she wanted two, she said "no holes in ears, I want mine closed like Dad's"

There is an exact way you have to say "I love you" to Jia:

Jia: "i love you Mom"
Lesa: "i love you too, Jia"
Jia: "i love you too, Mom
Lesa: "i love you Jia"

Depending on the sister who is being nice to her: "You my best friend, Anna" "You not my best friend Katie"
(she loves to "tell" on her sisters)

When she is done eating she says "I like it, I no like it" translation: she has had enough but it was good and she liked it.

"I joke": "I didn't really mean it.

She models on the "cat walk", is never scared of the dark-she goes to bed without being asked twice and she sometimes closes the door.

The other day we heard a whistle, we went into her room and she is standing there in shorts, a white shirt, sneakers and socks, a whistle and Drew's school name ID around her neck and say "I not Jia, I coach".

She constantly delights us!

STAY TUNED: Jia has a date with Parker on Friday (both families are going to see Ice Age in 3-D) She was allowed to pick out a new outfit all by herself....it is something to see...