MIMI'S FIRST PUBLICATION

Somehow when mama posts more than one picture, one cannot read the writing because the picture will not enlarge. So here goes: Pic#1 - AT WORK written and illustrated by Naomi Putney Pic #2 - A MOMMY AT WORK "This is my mom, she is working at home: Pic #3 - A DADDY AT WORK "This is my daddy, he is working at his office" Pic#4 ME AT WORK "This is me, I am a firefighter"

MEI MEI'S ROOM

Nothing to much exciting happening lately. Mama has been quite busy getting mei mei's room cleanned out. Gawd how I hate moving. Don't know if I said that enough times. The room is slowly coming together. Next week while papa is in the hospital for a colonoscopy procedure, mama and Mimi will head over to the Great Wall Mall and purchase some storage bags. Mma has saved almost every stitch of Mimi' s clothing for our next chili pepper.

The week of March 17th is when Mimi needs to get registered for her new elementary school. Can you believe it?! My baby is growing up way to fast for me. The other day we stopped by the school to get the skinny on what needs to be done for the registration and Mimi for the life of her could not understand WHY the kindergartners were all bigger than her.

BIG BROTHER jULIAN

Mimi has discovered a new "boyfriend" in the neighborhood. His name is Julian and he lives just across the street from us. Today was the first time they played together. Mimi's says to him "Let's play like we are brother and sister!" They make a perfect pair. Both love to roughhouse.

WHY'S

Don't know if anyone else is going through what mama has and is still going through. With Mimi nowadays everything is why?

This morning mama had a phone conversation with the plumber. Our toilet in the guest bathroom has for quite some time been leaking around the bottom.

Mimi: Who's that on the phone?
Mama: The plumber.
Mimi: Why?
Mama: The toilet is leaking and he is coming here to fix it.
Mimi: Why?

Mama took Mimi to school in her red wagon. On the way this was our conversation.

Mimi: Mama stop, I need to ask you a question. (mama stops) Why don't we go the other way (pointing to the elementary school she will attend in September)?
Mama: Because you will not start there till September.
Mimi: Why?
Mama: You are still in pre-school till June.
Mimi: Why?

This is why mama will starting talking to herself by the end of the night. If there is anyone who can drive mama nuts, Mimi is the one to do it.

The why's just keep on com'in,

HI HO SILVER!!! THE LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN

This pony actually plays the theme song of the Lone Ranger.

Joke of the day: Where does the Lone Ranger take his garbage?

Don't know the answer? To the dump, to the dump, to the dump, dump, dump, dump...

DON KING aka BOBO THE CHIA PET

Mama's Christmas gift last year. Mama's friend who shall remain nameless gave it to her. Not sure what to make of it yet. At least Ollie and Stanley enjoy it.

Annual Women Division Meeting

This afternoon while papa and Mimi went over to Blake's for his 5th birthday party, mama who has been a Buddhist all of her life and a member of Soka Gakkai International, hosted her first women's meeting at our new home up here in Washington . It was a success. Everyone had a good time here and at Blake's

CAN I HAVE THE KEYS DAD?

Mama really dreads the day when it becomes time for Mimi to drive. If she is anything like her dad, YIKES!!! According to mama, papa drives fast and Mimi is already saying "But I like to go fast!!!"

On the way to the Ice Castles we were told by another driver that our brake light was out. So on the way home we stopped by an auto supply store when this picture was taken of Mimi rock'in out to "Funky Town" by Alvin and the Chipmunks. Another one of her favorite songs now a days.

NATALIE'S AND MADDY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

This month it is Natalie's (blonde) and Maddy's (dark haired) birthday. So the two families decided to celebrate it together at the Ice Castle in Renton. Much to mama's surprise they have walkers for the kids who don't or are not able to skate on their own.

For the first couple of pictures of Mimi and her papa, mama forgot about Mimi's helmet. One does not really need them in fact all of the kids did not wear them. Mama thought it would be a good idea though since this was the first time for Mimi to ice skate and another boy (Cole) from the party fell and konked his head on the ice. Needless to say mama had Mimi put her helmet on.

All in all a good time was had by everyone.

LITTLE MISS BIG MOUTH

Mimi's social calendar is quite full of playdates, sleepovers and birthday parties. She is quite the social butterfly.

Tomorrow will be Blake's 5th birthday. This past Monday mama and Mimi had gone out to buy his birthday presents. Mama put them in the guest closet for safe keeping. Blake no sooner put one foot into our house that night when Mimi shouted out to him "Hey Blake, you wanna see your surprise?!!!" Then proceeded to show him the Transformer. Mama could not get there fast enough to stop her. Fortunately she was able to stop Blake from getting a good look at it.

MIMI THE ARTIST

The first time papa saw the drawing on the wall he nearly wigged out on mama. Mama then assured him that it is the crayon that is specificaly made for the tub. He then sighed a huge relief. PHEW!!!! Mama had him going for a while.

According to the artist, it is a picture of a sailboat on a waterfall.

SURFER BABES

Tonight after dinner Blake came over for a bit and the two's of them decided it would be fun to go furniture surfing. Of course Blake is the teacher and is showing Mimi how it is done

MIMI'S RISTORANTE

Mimi loves to help mama in the kitchen, but most of all she loves to eat the things she cooks.

SLEEPOVER CONTINUED

What's a sleepover without a good ole' fashioned pillow fight followed by a good breakfast at Black Diamond Bakery (only good 'n' tasty place to eat in these parts of Washington) then go and feed the ducks at Lake Wilderness with a detour to grandma's.

SLEEPOVER WITH MIMI

Today was the first time Mimi has had any friends sleepover at our house.

The day began with Sarah coming over to the house at 10:30 then Blake shortly there after. They three of them get along so well, it's almost as if they had known each other all of their lives. Sarah also enjoys being the "leader" as she is the oldest (almost 8 yrs old in a week or two).

Since the weather was so gorgeouse outside everyone played football in the backyard. Then it was pizza for lunch and on to gymnastics for Mimi. Sarah and Blake tagged along. When the gymnastics was over, mama took everyone for ice cream at McDonald's. There they all had a grand time playing in the playground. While we were there, our neighbor Bridget showed up with her two kids Elissa and Justin. Then everyone really had a good time.

When the McDonald's was over we all went home to our neighborhood park and Mimi met up with a few more of her friends. She was in 7th heaven. Usually the weather is rainy now so the kids tend to stay indoors more, but when the weather is gorgeous like today, nothing gets done at home because EVERYONE IS OUT ENJOYING THE SUNSHINE.

The funny thing is the weather could be 50 degrees outside but if there is no wind and you are in the sunshine it feels as if it is 70 or 75 degrees.

When everyone was done with the park it was decided that they all should come over to Mimi's house and they did. I just love the sound of kids having a good time.

By nightfall it was time for them all (except Sarah our sleepover guest) to go home for dinner.

After dinner, Sarah led us in our nightly evening prayers (Gongyo) and Mimi was her assistant in ringing the bell. By 8;30 pm Blake was feeling a bit lonely at home and the girls wanted him to join them in the sleepover. Mama gave Keri a call and soon Blake was here to join them. The nice thing about having friends in the neighborhood is that you don't have to drive or at least not far if you do.

Mimi still didn't quite understand the concept of a sleepover "mama, why are Blake and Sarah still here? Why don't they go home?" Mama explained and now she understands.

All is quiet in the Putney household now and mama is ready to fall asleep at the computer.

Goodnight.

DAY WITH DAD

Yesterday Mimi and papa had another father/daughter day. Mimi decided to start the day early by waking up at 5:30 am. Mama was already downstairs at that time. Mimi and papa had a good day visiting with friends then mama met them for lunch at Red Robins down in Kent. We all had a good lunch but the only thing is, papa kept dozing off nearly falling into his plate of food. He said that Mimi had woke him up early this morning so he only got about 3 hours of sleep.

When lunch was over mama took Mimi shopping then the neighborhood park afterward. She did that so papa could go home to take a nap.

Later in the evening mama had mentioned to papa different things he and Mimi could do as father/daughter. Maybe go back to working on the reading phonics set that we bought a couple of years ago or just having a conversation with her. Mama was informed that they had already had their talk at 5:30 this morning when Mimi woke up. That was when they had their very first SEX TALK. Somewhere along the line Mimi had seen a picture of a naked man and wanted to know all about the various body parts. She's at that age now where they are very curious and this is all I'm going to say about it.

CLIMBING TREES

Mimi has most definitely been growing this past week. First she went from carseat to toddler seat. Today at the neighborhood park she goes from hanging upside down on the monkey bars to climbing the trees. Unfortunately mama does not quite know how to use the camera/phone so she could not get a picture. Today is still freezing cold outside but amazingly clear and gorgeous. Everyone was out taking advantage of the weather.

FLOSSING TEETH

Most of the time either mama or papa will help Mimi with her teeth brushing. Now and then she will do it herself. The problem with that is there is a humongus mess in the sink afterward. Crest toothpaste EVERYWHERE!!! Mimi enjoys smearing it all over the counter. The one good thing regarding her toothbrushing technique is she has NO CAVITIES!!! Plus she always remembers to get mama to floss her teeth everynight.

VISIT WITH GRANDMA DEBBIE

Blake's Grandma Debbie is visiting from out of town. She will be headed back home to Arizona tomorrow afternoon. This morning we were all at the school cheering for Blake's basketball team. Of course Mimi was the loudest. Blake did pretty darn good himself today. He scored 4 baskets. Today was the last game of the season. Next week he starts with soccer. Mimi still likes the gymnastics and that is enough for now. Come this summer papa wants her to take the swimming lessons along with the gymnastics.

GRADUATION DAY

Good-bye ole' buddy!!! You served me well for the past 3 years. Mimi is finally catching up with the rest of her friends and today has graduated to a booster seat. Basically all papa had to do was take the base (blue button) and the straps off the car seat. Now Mimi is able to use the car seat belt. She should be much more comfortable sitting in this seat now.

VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER

Mama really, really, really absolutely hates crowds of people. Therefore we never go out on Valentines Day. She loves Disneyland though so go figure.

Last night grandma and grandpa came over to share our first Valentines Day dinner together. Mama prepared a delicious dinner of spagetti made from scratch. YUMMY!!! It's grandpa's and Mimi favorite dish. Grandma prepared a wonderful raspberry bundt cake for desert. That was YUMMY too.

After dinner, Mimi entertained us all with a puppet show using the elephant washcloth puppet that she received this past Christmas from Auntie Setsue.

This morning we stoppedy by Blake's to give him and his lil' sis Bailey one balloon each and box of chocolates. This afternoon we will stop by Erin and lil' bro Liam and give them theirs.

All in all everyone had a good time last night.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS

This is Mimi new favorite movie and CD. We listen to it all the time while driving in the car. Her favorite song is the updated version of "The Witchdoctor" ooo-eee-ooo-ah, ah-ting, tang, walla, walla, bing, bang-ooo-eee-ooo-ah, ah-ting, tang, walla, walla, bing, bang.Alvin and the Chipmunks - This Christmas

FINDING MIMI

This morning mama happened to stumble onto this website Research-China: SWIs, Social Welfare Institutions. It seems quite interesting. Have to go take Mimi to gymnastics but will look at again when I have the time.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL

Mimi aka "The Love Bug"

Mimi, Liam, Raina (mom), Beckem (baby)
Mimi and Jackie

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY?

That question was asked by the teacher to all of the students in Mimi's class this week. Of course Mimi answered "MY FRIENDS!!!"