The new girls received American Girl dolls from Kelly’s parents a couple of weeks ago, so I uploaded the pictures from my camera and received a little surprise.  There were a bunch of photos that Kelly and/or Brittany took during the Chinese New Year celebration back in January, so I will start with those!  A little blogging bonus, if you will…

Kelly invited over our friend, Wendy, and the two girls that she and her husband have adopted from China, over to the house for a little celebration.  The kids started out with a bunch of crafts out on the dining room table.  Some, who will remain nameless, chose to participate in their pajamas.

Then the final products were put out on display!

As it is the year of the horse, they put horse silhouettes on the patio door.

After that, it was time for a rousing game of pin the tail on the donkey!  Or, in this case, the horse!

Even the older kids, like Ali, got involved in the process.

Some, like Riley, were a little more embarrassed than others!

Jessie was a little embarrassed also!

And she pretty much missed the horse completely!

But in the end, it was a day to celebrate heritage and to spend a little time with friends (with the pajama wearer photobombing) …

…and family!

Riley, Jessie and Leah had really enjoyed playing with Mia, Ali and Britt’s American Girl dolls.  So, Kelly’s mom decided to buy them each their own.  Brittany, with the use of an American Girl catalogue (which we seem to receive in the mail on an almost weekly basis), determined which doll each girl would like to have.  So, on the way back from Cleveland one weekend, Kelly’s mom and dad picked them up and brought them over to the house.  Brittany did the honors of handing them out!

As expected, they had a difficult time receiving them.  They are continually concerned about the money that is spent on them and this was not any different.  So, they sat there, a little uncomfortable, wanting to play with their new dolls but not quite sure what to do.

However, with a little encouragement from their older sisters, the girls started unpacking!

And, maybe even enjoyed them!

In the end, American-based consumerism prevailed and they wondered why each doll only came with one outfit?!

They each take their dolls to bed every night, now, and are careful to make sure that their hair is done just right!

I have another blog to post so I will close the door on this one and move on to the next in the coming days.

Cameron