Vietnamese Heritage Camp 2013

Every year we look forward to Heritage Camp more and more.  Each time we go, we reconnect with families we met the previous year, as well as meeting new families whose lives have been touched by adoption as well. And the more the girls become familiar with the schedule of activities at camp and the counselors, the more they enjoy it. This year camp was July 18-21 and being in the mountains was a great way to celebrate my birthday while spending time with the girls. The theme for camp this year was Chasing Dragonflies.  Traditionally, the dragonfly is the symbol of transformation and life's ever-constant process of change.

Hayden decided to join the camp activities this year- sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn't.  But this was her first year attending Vietnamese Heritage Camp as a camper.  She had a great time with the other middle-schoolers she met.  

I never get many pictures of the kids actually during camp.  This is because the adults are busy in their own workshops and classes and we don't have the opportunity to see all that goes on with the kids, unless it is during our mandatory volunteering time.  But every evening there is something different going on- a BBQ, ice cream social, carnival/auction night, Opening and Closing ceremonies, etc. so I snap some photos when I can!

Hayden was thrilled to finally meet some friends who were shorter than she was!  These girls were both really sweet and the three of them hung together most of the weekend.  

This is Theresa- she was in Jessie's group at camp.   This picture is from Carnival Night where everyone is encouraged to wear their traditional Vietnamese clothing.  

The kids love playing all the games and collecting little prizes wherever they go.  

Action shot- Rian actually tossed this ping pong ball right into the glass jar in the center.  It was harder than it looks!

One of our favorite counselors that we have known from both Vietnamese and Korean Heritage camps for the past several years.  This is Emily, and she is as sweet and nice as she looks!

This is our other favorite counselor- Sarah- who also happens to be Emily's sister.  

Not sure who this is but Jessie never fails to become fast buddies with the most beautiful Asian women around!

The balloon animal station on Carnival Night was missing a volunteer, so Hayden quickly jumped in and started making up her own balloon animals.  Before long, she had a line of kids in front of her. 

One of the co-founders of Blue Dragon Children's Foundation in Vietnam, Chung, and his adorable baby girl.  We had previously met Chung at a fundraiser, and were very excited to see him again at camp.   

Pretty girl in her green ao dai.  

While I was taking Jessie's picture outside, several of the older girls came over and wanted their picture taken with her. 

She definitely knows how to work a crowd!

Famous musician and fellow Vietnamese adoptee, Jared Rehberg comes to camp every year from NYC and performs for all of us.  So many of his songs are of his own personal adoption journey and really hit home with the audience.  For the past two years he has also been a co-director of the entire camp.  

Jessie and Rian are in the front row watching the performance.

Each group of campers does a special dance on-stage towards the end of the weekend.  This year before they started, they each had to speak into the microphone and tell everyone where they were born.  Jessie said she was born in Da Nang, Vietnam- very proudly I might add. 

Jessie's class showed off some of the skills they had learned during their martial arts class.  

The older girls did a beautiful traditional Vietnamese dance using conical hats and fans as props.  

Two more counselors- for the high school groups.  

Rian made a good friend at camp this year also.  The girls enjoyed the Vietnamese dance, music and cooking classes, as well as the Heart Talks groups and hikes.  Every year we learn something different, but every year what the girls appreciate the most is getting to be around kids who are "just like them".  

Butterfly Pavilion with the Jeffries

We decided today would be the perfect day to do something fun indoors in effort to avoid the 100 degree heat.  Our good friends, the Jeffries, were up for a field trip as well- so we headed down to Westminister and met at the Butterfly Pavilion. 

Hayden has always loved this giant preying mantis.

 

Rian and Jessie were big fans of these pretty butterflies.

Some of the gross, I mean, neat things we saw included several species of tarantulas, scorpians and millipedes from all over the globe.

 

They also had a working bee hive and several large tanks full of different sea life. 

My girls with Tara and Scarlet.  They have all known each other since Rian was in preschool.  Hands down, everyone's favorite sight of the day was the butterfly exhibit.  We spent hours in there (stepping outside several times to take breaks- as being it was 100 degrees outside, it felt like 120 degrees inside the exhibit!)

 

 

Hayden held out her hand and had a couple of butterflies land right on her finger.

 

Funny that they just lined up youngest to oldest for this Pupation Peek-A-Boo!

Everyone was brave and took their turn holding Rosie the Tarantula. 

 

What a pro!

After enjoying a nice lunch outside in the shade, we headed back inside to see the butterflies one last time before calling it a day.  I just love summer break!!!

Birthday girl in the House!

Jessie was very excited that Aunt Jody was coming to visit for her actual birthday this year! She had been here for both of her sisters' birthdays in years past and now it was her turn. 

Jessie's birthday morning.  (Wearing a gift from Aunt Jody)

A girl can never have too many hair accessories.

What she had been waiting and waiting for- the Barbie Bridal Party set.  After all, a girl can never have too many barbies.  Especially fancy ones!

 

 Because Aunt Jody was in town, Jessie wanted to do something special with her to celebrate her birthday rather than have a kids party.  She toyed with the ideas of horseback riding and a trampoline park, but much to Aunt Jody's relief she settled for a fancy afternoon tea lunch at Victoria's Tiny Tea Room in Eaton, CO. 

Outside the tea room with her new Bitty baby from Grandma. 

 

Before we could even be seated, the girls spotted the "dress up room" and couldn't resist.

 

Her first headpiece of the day- a bridal veil, what else?

 

Going through the endless jewelry boxes. 

Feeling very pretty, I think. 

 

Ooh-la-la Aunt Jody!

 

Our private tea room- "The Rose Room".  It was over the top fancy and Jessie couldn't have been happier. 

 

I wasn't sure if Hayden would still be excited to play dress up, but I think she wore more outfits and accessories throughout the afternoon than even Jessie did!

 

 

Good buddies.

 

 

In wedding attire, Jessie enjoyed the first course of the meal.  Delicious raspberry and white chocolate scones still warm from the oven, with Devonshire cream on the side.  And of course, as much tea as one could care to drink. 

 

 

 

 

She liked the fruity tea the best. 

 

 

 

Check out that pinky!

Caps for Sale?????

A little sorbet to cleanse the palate before the main course. 

 

 

Rian wasn't too into changing outfits, but finally caved and wore a pretty pink hat.

 

Fancy gloves and jewelry are apparently necessary to enjoy a birthday lunch of quiche, chicken salad on a croissant, and tiny heart-shaped cucumber sandwiches. 

 

Future member of the Purple Hat Society.  Or is it Red?

 

Apparently something happened that only Aunt Jody and Rian were privy too.

 

Still sharing a private joke.

A refreshing strawberry sparkling soda before dessert.

 

Happy 6th Birthday to a very fancy lady at heart! This was just Jessie's special dessert.  Everyone else had a chocolate torte, cream puffs and chocolate covered strawberries.  We were all stuffed beyond compare and had to make several trips to the restroom before leaving from drinking pot after pot of tea for the nearly two and a half hours we were there!

                                                

 

We all had a great time and particularly enjoyed watching a group of little old ladies getting all gussied up as well as we were leaving.  Tea time is fun for all ages!