Macy's 4EVER Lady Bug Picnic

"Ladybugs (Beetles) are a universal sign of good luck, especially in the Chinese adoption world.

Perhaps you've wondered why ladybugs are considered lucky in the China adoption community. We have too, and found out that though ladybugs are red, (the good luck color in China), the root of this belief is not found in Chinese culture.

In the late 1990's in southern China, international adoption programs began growing rapidly as people learned of the many benefits of Chinese adoption. One Fall the ladybug (Chinese beetle) population grew unusually large in Guangzhou, China. Guangzhou is a necessary stop for all Americans, Brits, Australians and Canadians adopting from China. (The city houses many Consulate-General offices.) This large ladybug population explosion was thought to be a lucky omen for the many adopting families flowing into China.

From this incident the legend has grown, so that now ladybugs represent happy adoptive families being united with beautiful children in China. "

We officially welcomed Macy home and celebrated her 4th birthday too!  We had about 60 friends and family join us for a Lady Bug Picnic at Silverlake Country Club.  We had a catered cookout with hambugers hotdogs, potato salad, corn on the cob and watermelon.  I considered doing a Chinese menu but somehow this seemed to fit better. We had a fantastic chocolate and lemon cake that left Dart asking what I was planning for the wedding cake! (Men.  Can you tell he didn't plan this with me?) 

 

Of course the girls had perfect Ladybug outfits for the occasion and even a perfect second pool outfit. (Have I mentioned how much fun I am having dressing them?)

Mixing the China and picnic theme we decorated the pavilion with Chinese lanterns and the table tops had white daisies in mason jars and Chinese takeout favor boxes wrapped in gingham ribbon.  There were also custom pink chop sticks with each takeout box.

 

The kids had a good time swimming and playing at our craft tables were they painted "ladybug" rocks, and decorated Chinese fans and made lady bug bead necklaces.  (It must be a girl thing because the crafts were a much bigger hit than I recall with the boys.)  Like all good kid parties we had a pinata-ladybug of course.  We tried one with pull strings this time and it was a total failure.  I ended up have to tear the thing open and dump the loot on the kids.  In hind sight they didn't seem to care:)

I think the best moment was Macy squealing and running toward her new pink car. I almost cried to see the pure joy on her face.  She must have said "I wub you" twenty times.  Good thing we a few years before we have to plan the sweet 16 party!

In some ways this party marks the official end of our adoption adventure-at least the "adopting" phase.  It took us almost 4 years to bring our daughters home and there were so many times I thought days like these would never come.  Right now life is full and our family feels complete and we are ready finally to enjoy our 4EVER.