Mallory enjoys her birthday cupcake! 

Mallory is excited about her new Tinkerbell Barbie! 

Mama shows off Mallory's new Barbie! 

Mallory reads a card that Anna gave her. 

Now it's time for Mallory's party! 

Portrait of an (almost) 9-year old girl! 

More present pictures! 

Chloe opens presents! 

Chloe's displays her birthday cake in last week's party. 

Mama congratulates her baby on a job well-done! 

Mallory with her teacher, Mrs. Akounou, at graduation. 

Chloe and classmates present a special song. 

Mallory graduated, too -- from kindergarten! 

Leah with friend, Gabby Schmidt, and Rev. Bettye Elledge. 

Chloe won several awards, too, including French. 

That's Chloe in the middle of this group of third-graders, who are about to present a year-end school play. 

Leah, Rachel and fifth-grade teacher, Julia Diedrich after the awards ceremony. 

Rachel and her friend, Naomi, play special music in the graduation ceremony. 

Rachel receives an award for her outstanding progress in French! 

Rachel holds her flowers as she prepares to graduate from fifth grade. 

Leah meets with Sister Gisela in the village of Makak, to talk about plans for Sunday School. 

Here I am blogging in my ultra-clean office. 

Chloe sings her heart out, while standing next to her friend, Marianna. 

Mallory clowns around with her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Akounou, as we wait for the play to begin. 

Chloe sings in the chorus of "Music and Me."