TWO COOL CHICKS

This picture was taken upon arriving at Kinderswim. Mimi was listening to none other than Alvin and the Chipmunks on the way there and had to put on her "rockstar" glasses.

By accident mama found out that her camera also takes videos without the sound. Unfortunately mama has not quite figured out how to put it on the blog. Doggone it!!! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait till papa gets home so that he can explain it to this computer dummy.

SCHOOLYARD ARGUMENTS

Yesterday mama and Mimi went over to see how grandma was feeling. While there mama relayed the following story to grandpa. It seems that Mimi and her school friend Jackie had a quarrel at school last Friday. Ms Hedman (teacher) said that she did not know how it got started other than the fact that the two girls were crying. So she sat them both down at the table and had Mimi and Jackie talk things out between them. According to Mimi, Jackie was "bugging me while I was trying to concentrate". Jackie is a smidgen older than Mimi also taller. They both have the take charge personalities. They eventually hugged and made up. They are now once again the best of friends. When mama finished the story, grandpa says "who won the fight?"

GAME AND STORY OF THE WEEK

For several weeks the game was tic tac toe. Now everything is the hokey pokey. Instead of mama telling a bedtime story to Mimi. Mimi likes to tell mama a bedtime story of "Jack And The Beanstop". Somehow the Disney Princesses get mixed into the story of Jack and the beanstop. What an imagination this kid has.

WAITING IS HARD TO DO

Mimi absolutely loves her new booster seat. She loves the fact that she can buckle and unbuckle herself. The problem is when we reach our destination she will unbuckle herself before mama stops the car. Mama and Mimi has had their discussion on this matter. Mimi says that "waiting is hard to do though".


Mimi also absolutely loves her swimming lessons. Ms Gretchen is a very good teacher. She is very nice but yet firm. We get there early with usually 10 minutes to spare. Mama still has to learn how to put the foams on correctly. Mimi cannot wait for the class to start. She will ask "mama, is the big hand on the 12 yet?". Finally the time has come for the previous class to leave. Then Mimi will ask me "mama, what is taking her (teacher) so long?!" Mama tells Mimi that she needs to be patient and wait for Ms Gretchen's instructions. Again Mimi will exclaim "waiting is soooooo hard to do!!!"

It's tough to be a kid sometimes I suppose. Oh well que sera sera.

ANOTHER KODAK MOMENT

Today Mimi got all dressed up for grandma's birthday lunch. She is wearing her one and only dress that she owns that was given to her by one of mama's BFF Billie on Mimi's 4th birthday. Then it was a little big on her. Now it fits just right. When we found out that grandma was not feeling well and cannot come today, mama asked Mimi if she wanted to change and wear her usual favorite pants, Mimi replied by saying no. Mama nearly fainted. Then when mama asked Mimi if she would like to go out and purchase some really nice summer dresses that she saw at the store, again Mimi replied no. She still prefers to wear pants. That's when mama came back to reality.

Wii's

Mama is upstairs on the computer while papa is downstairs playing Wii. Mimi is his cheerleader shouting "Go dad go!!! You can do it!!! OK daddy, it's your turn to win. You can win the Piston Cup (Cars dvd). Daaad, you're supposed to go like this!!!" They are playing Mimi's favorite game of golf. It's now Mimi's turn and dad is the cheerleader.

WHY'S AND I KNEW IT

Mimi: Mama, why did Olivia (classmate) take my school bag?
Mama: Because she made a mistake and took yours by accident. She'll bring it back on Monday.
Mimi: I knew that.

Mimi: Mama, why is grandma coming to our house tomorrow?
Mama: Because it is her birthday and we are having lunch together.
Mimi: I knew that.

And the why's and I knew it's just keep on comi'n.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

Mimi decided that grandma should be 8, so 8 it is.

GOT CAKE?........

Today after Chinese class where we saw our China friends (Megan and Tai) and make - up gymmastic class where we saw more of our China friends (Elsie and big sis Emma), Mimi made a birthday cake for grandma's birthday tomorrow.

Mimi decided that the cake should be double chocolate fudge. Of course no cake making is complete without licking the spoon and bowl.

MYSTERY PLANTS

While working in her garden, Besides not knowing what kind of tree is growing mama found some other "mystery plants". I guess come this summer we will find out what they are.

TULIPS

The weather was quite warm today (49 degrees), woo - hoo !!! While Mimi was down for her daily naptime, mama decided to work in her garden before it starts to rain again. While the daffodils and hyacinths are getting ready do decinegrate, the tulips are doing quite well.

PLAYTIME WITH ERIN

This afternoon when gymnastics and a nap was done for Mimi and school was over for Erin, the two girls got together for a playdate. The two are a good combination for each other. Mimi gets Erin to get up and get moving, Erin on the other hand brings out the femine side of Mimi that we don't see much of since our Mimi is pure 100 % tomboy. The cat in the picture is Figaro the neighborhood kitty.

MORNINGS WITH OUR MIMI

By 6:30 in the morning our Mimi is up and running. She tells papa to be real quiet so as to not wake up mama. She then proceeds to run and jump in bed with mama saying "mama, are my feet and hands cold enough for you?" "how about my dragon breath?" then blows on my face. Mama says "phew!!!"

Pictured here, Mimi is taking care of "her babies" Mr Giraffe and Lucky.

MORE UPDATE OF OUR LITTLE FRIEND XAUNDER

Yesterday morning started off with mama taking Mimi to her swimming lessons which she loves. Mama still needs a little practice on putting on those darn safety pads. Mimi has one in the front and three in the back. While the girls were in the pool mama heard Ms. Grethchen the teacher say that it is better to put the pads of as low as possible. Mama had put them on a smidgen high. Oh well, que sera sera I say.

Next on the schedule was to go to Fred Meyers and get the cake mix for grandma's birthday this coming Sunday and a get well present for Xaunder.

By the time we were done, we had some time to spare to go home for lunch, then school for Mimi and a mani/pedi for mama. One of life's little pleasures for mama these days.

When dinner was done, mama decided to take Mimi out while it was still light. We went over to Mimi's new school first. She can now go completely across the monkey bars one rung at a time without any help. YIPPEEE!!! When that was all done we headed over to our neighborhood park. There we saw all of our friends/neighbors.

On the way home mama saw Jess and Krista on their way back to Krista's home. Mama stopped to talk with Krista. Xaunder is home now thank goodness. He is still weak but happy to be home. Krista says the one time she got really scared was when they were at the hospital and were putting in the IV's , Xaunder was not responding. Poor little guy. This is a little guy who has more energy than our Mimi. Can you believe it? I'm just real happy that he is home now with the people who love him the most. Tonight mama and Mimi will go over to drop off a lasagna dinner with a card that Mimi made for him and presents.

UPDATE ON OUR FRIEND XAUNDER

Turns out that our little friend Xaunder has a condition called Rotavirus. It occurs in children up to 5 years of age. It is very hard to get rid of and is resistant to almost every antibiotic there is. It can last for quite a very long time on toys. Long enough so that even disinfectants cannot get rid of the virus. It causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, sunken eyes, lethargy and a whole lot more of symptoms. The good news is that Xaunder is hooked up to IV's and his dad Sean is in better spirits tonight.

XAUNDER

This morning while Mimi was out front playing and mama was cleanning out the garage, we saw our neighbor/friend Jess walking the two big white labs Ziggy and Marley. She stopped to tell us that Xaunder (little boy in picture) is in the hospital. Needless to say mama was quite surprised to hear this. The last time we saw Xander was when this picture was taken on Jan. 28th when we had a snow day and the schools were closed so all the neighborhood kids came to play in front of our home. Xander included. He is only two years old. Jess is helping to take care of Rhianna (baby sis) while Krista (mom) is at the hospital with Xaunder. Sean the dad works from their home.

When Mimi's gymnastic class was over, we headed for the library on the way home. While there our old neighbors the Krafsky's were there. Mimi is friends with their kids Cole (7 yo and the youngest), Josh, Jaelyn and Caleb. Kelly their mom was there also. Mama found out from Kelly that they do not know what is wrong with Xaunder. At first it thought to be food poisoning but now the doctors do not know other than the fact that Xaunder is slipping in and out of consciouness. I tell you where we live is definitely a small close knit community. All of the neighbors have set up a prayer chain for our sweet dear little friend. I love where we live.

SHOWERS

For at least a month now, Mimi enjoys taking showers with mama. Thank goodness our shower is quite large. This morning mama thought that if she was quiet enough, she could get a few minutes of showertime to herself. What was I thinking or better yet, what drugs have I been taking? I no sooner got into the shower when Mimi burst in butt naked yelling "Shower!!! Shower!!! Oh well, I'm sure this too shall pass but I'm going to enjoy it as loooonnnng as I can.

ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY

Somehow whenever mama puts a bunch of pictures of the blog none of them enlarge. At least they are large enough too see. Today started off with Mimi's first swimming lesson with Ms. Gretchen at the kinderswim. She did pretty darn good for the first time. Next on the agenda was to go to Fred Meyer's for a few groceries and sushi that Mimi likes so much. While at Freddy's Playland Mimi saw her classmate Spencer and his little sister Sally. By the time all was said and done it was time to go to school. While Mimi was in school, mama had a few more errands to do such as getting her prescription filled. Next thing she knew, it was time to pick Mimi up from school where mama took a picture of Mimi and her friend Josie. Next it was time to head over to the gymnastic school for a make up class. Lo and behold who should we see there? None other than our friend Rhonda and her two girls Elsie and Emma (China family). Pictured with Mimi is Elsie. Sister Emma was in gymnastic class. Emma is on the gymnastic team and in 3 weeks they will be going to the State competition. On the way out of the parking lot we ran into our neighbor and friend Bridgit with her two kids Justin and Elissa. My this is a small community we live in. Now at 9:15 pm, Mimi is on her way to La La Land with mama not to far behind. Tomorrow it starts all over again only not quite as busy thank goodness.

ASKING QUESTIONS

About a year and a half ago, mama started to tell Mimi about how she came into our family. Now and then she will ask questions or wants to hear the story about how we went to China to get her especially at this time when she already knows that she and her friend Naomi and Naomi's family all are going to China for our next chili pepper. So no matter what I am doing, I stop and sit down with Mimi and we talk.

As papa always says "Mama always embellish her stories". Well maybe I do but I feel they need to be a little interesting to hear. Therefore Mimi always enjoys listening to my story of how we prayed hard for a little girl. Then we met "Uncle Norman" and he picked just the right girl for us. We then got on a big bird (airplane) and flew all the way to China to get her. The story goes on and on. Mimi now calls her foster mother her "China Mom' and I am her "Real Mom". She also wants to know why we did not get her mei mei at the same time we got her. That's another story for another day.

BIZARRE WEATHER

We have been through it all in the past 24 hours. Yesterday while getting into the car to go to the Round Table Pizza for our monthly China family playdate, mama said "Oh look Mimi, it's starting to snow." Mimi quickly replied "No mama, dad says it's hell (hail). So it is helling." We had a good laugh about that one.

BLAKE aka THE LITTLE TURD

This past week mama and Mimi have been quite busy so Mimi has not played with Blake since last Saturday. As much as mama loves Blake, he was quite a little turd last Saturday. Where we now live is way much crime safer than our place in California. None the less mama always keeps a watchful eye out for Mimi and her friends. Last weekend Saturday, the weather was amazingly gorgeous outside so all the kids went out to play. After spending the day car shopping we came home and Blake came over to the house to play with Mimi. Things were going great. Then while mama was in the kitchen, she noticed that the house was unusually quiet. She saw the kids shoes but NOT THE KIDS. Frantically mama went through the whole house looking for them but could not find them. Then she realized that Lisa (Blake's neighbor) was having a BBQ and the kids were probably there. By this time it was 8:00 pm. Fortunately we all live close to each other. Sure enough when mama got to Lisa's house, there was Mimi. Needless to say Mimi was reeaalllly in the dog house that night. Mama marched her home real fast. Mimi was crying all the way home. When we arrived home and through her tears Mimi says "mama, you hurt my feelings!!!" To which mama replied "girl, you are lucky that is all I hurt!!!"



When all was said and done, both mama and papa sat Mimi down and had a long, long, long talk with her. Of course hugs and kisses ensued. Because mama really loves Blake and his family so much, the next day mama had a long mom to mom talk with Keri. to which she will have a talk with Blake. Mama explained to Keri that she was not upset at the fact that the kids went over to Lisa's but they did not tell/ask anyone that they were going to Lisa's.



Mimi has since learned her lesson. Now when I ask her what she needs to do if Blake tries to get her to go out with him, with a heavy sigh she will say "I know, I know, I have to tell Blake that we need to ask my mom or dad. OK mom say you got that right babe!" To which mama replies "You got that right babe!"

SPRING SNOW

The weatherman was right again. Today we are havng a mixture of snow and rain. Can you believe it? Last weekend was amazingly gorgeous. BBQ weather. This snow actually made history. This is the first time in Seattle's history that it is snowing this late in the season. This weather is really bizarre. The flowers don't really know what to make of it.

ANOTHER SOUR PUSS FACE

While mama was picking Mimi up from school, she noticed this sign hanging on the wall.

ANOTHER SOUR PUSS FACE

Today while picking Mimi up from school, mama noticed this sign

CRAZY HAT DAY

Today was crazy hat day at Mimi's school. It was a toss up between mama's

Dodger ball headband that lights up or the Mickey ears. You could see which one Mimi chose.

MY BIG OLE' HEAD

Mimi has forever and a day had a great big round head. One day she came up to me saying "mama, can you help me? My big ole' head is not working!" We laughed and laughed about that one.

COUSIN JOE'S ENGAGEMENT TO NICOLE

Today we received a letter from Mimi's cousin/our nephew Joe regarding his and fiance' Nicole upcoming wedding announcement. They are planning a September wedding in Virginia which is where he grew up and his parents live (Greg's older brother David and his wife Setsue). Joe now lives in Maryland.

We are really hoping to attend their wedding. Their wedding day is September 27th which ironically is our "family day"the day that our family of four (papa, mama and our two kitties Ollie and Stanley) became five. We are also really hoping to make it to the China 33 Disneyland trip too. Mama is really missing all of our friends and family down in So. Cal. I guess we will have to see how things play out.

SWIMMING LESSONS

The other day at Mimi's pre-school, the people from kinderswimmer came to give a talk to the students about water safety. So therefore at papa's suggestion, mama signed Mimi up for swimming lessons starting this coming Monday at Kinderswimmer. This evening mama and Mimi went to check it out. For some reason mama was thinking that it would be at a public pool like the ones she is used to going to back in California but in our case it is at someone's home or what appears to be someone's home at one time or another. It is an indoor pool that feels like a sauna when you go in. The temperature of the pool is always 92 degrees especially in this cold and unpredictable weather. The weatherman says that we should expect a little spring snow come this weekend.

Mimi will be taking swimming lessons twice a week. So now our social calendar is really full. Come this Monday she will have her first swimming lesson (1/2 hr) at 10:00, home for lunch, school at 1:00 p.m. then at 4:00 p.m. gymnastic class (make-up session). Tuesday is her regular gymnastic school. Wednesday will be swimming lesson in the morning, then pre-school. Thursday is gymnastic school. Friday is pre-school. Saturday morning is Chinese class then in the afternoon is another gymnastic class (make-up session). Phew!! I'm pooped already.

Hopefully by the summer she will already know how to swim especially when we take the kids down to the lake as all the families do up here in the northwest.

The picture in this blog was taken at the pool site. As you can see, the Cherry Blossom trees everywhere up here in the northwest are in full bloom and they are absolutely gorgeous to see all along our highways.

NEVER ALONE

Years ago, mama's best friend Sandra told her that when you have kids, you will never be alone. That is not far from the truth. Everyday for us is a mama/daughter day. Today started off with breakfast at home then off to Costco, Safeway and Emerald Green supplement store Mimi and mama went. By the time the errands were done it was time for school. Mama then had 2 and a half hours to herself which was spent doing household chores. Next thing mama knew, it was time to pick up Mimi from school. Since it was somewhat nice outside mama decided to take Mimi to Lake Wilderness to feed the ducks. On the way there,what did we see? None other than a sheep farm with about a couple of dozen of sheep. Of course mama did not have the camera with her. We will pass the same way tomorrow on the way to gymnastic class so maybe they will be out again. On the way home we saw Erin and her family at the park so of course we did not make it all the way home. Finally the time came to leave and both Mimi and Erin wanted to know why they had to stop playing. Even now when it is time to take a bath, Mimi refuses to bathe alone so she insists on taking a shower with mama. Tomorrow she will go back to bathing by herself. Taking a shower is the one time mama can be alone with her thoughts. Mama really does need a vacation to herself because she is starting to ramble on and on about nothing.

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES

Mama is still not quite yet up to par. Before going to gymnastic school we decided to go to Black Diamond Bakery for brunch. The following was the conversation in the car:

Mimi: Mama, I like you
Mama: Mimi, I like you more.
Mimi: No, I like YOU MORE!
Mama: Mimi, I don't like you but I love you (mama is from the Beatles era).
Mimi: NO, I LOVE YOU MORE!!!

MIMI THE ROCKSTAR

Mimi has long since given up the princess stuff. For the longest time she was a superhero and still is at times. Her new gig now is being a rockstar or superspy (when the need fits). Whenever we are riding in the car and listening to her music (which is all of the time), mama will look back in the rear view mirror only to find that Mimi is playiing her air guitar and beep bopp'in away plus singing at the top of her lungs.

MAMA'S CAR

Someday it is mama's dream and hope to own a convertible.

DINNER TIME

By the time all of paperwork was done, we drove over to Kent Station to celebrate at The Ram. Much better margaritas this time around.

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Next on the agenda after lunch was to hit Auto Row in Auburn. That is where we ended up leasing a brand new Honda Pilot. The down side of the Pilot is that it will not get as good gas mileage as mama's old CRV but on the other hand, mama does not do as much driving as before. So it adds up to about the same. The up side is that it can seat up to 6 people which will work out great come this summer when Keri and mama take the kids to the lake or some such place.

Mama will most certainly miss her old CRV. It is where she used to spend at least 85% of her life driving Mimi to and from school, driving to and from patients homes and moved 2 cats, 1 kid, plus household items all the way up to Washington State.

RED ROBIN

Following Chinese school, we went over to Red Robin for lunch. The food is ok but the margaritas was not good at all. I tell you! I was so spoiled by the good margaritas from So. Cal.

Of course Mimi loves the race cars! She always end up crash and burning.

CHINESE SCHOOL

Last month Angie from our China playgroup told us about the Chinese class that her and her two kids go to, so mama decided to have Mimi try it out and last week Saturday we did just that. Michelle the teacher (and her family) live in Auburn which is about a 25 minute drive from us. Mimi really had a good time last week. Michelle is so very nice to everyone so we decided to continue with the classes. The classes are every Saturday morning from 10:00 - 11:00 and she charges only $5.00 per family. Not bad at all. As of now Michelle does not have a license to teach Chinese at school but she is in the process of getting one. She just does the teaching on the side. According to another dad who is a teacher, he says that the government had approved of the Kent school district to have Chinese immersion classes at their school. Mimi unfortunately is in a different district.

Today the class consisted of only Mimi and Tai plus their parents. Tai just turned 6. I cannot for the life of me remember from what part of China Tai hails from. According to his mom Angie, while they were in the process of doing the paperwork for Tai, she became surprisingly pregnant with their now little girl. So now Tai has a little sister which is probably why when Mimi tries to play with him, he just looks at her like "Oh alright!" then proceed to roll his eyes. Plus he is at the age when the boys do not particularly care for playing with the girls. At least that is the way it is at Mimi's school. Mimi sometimes has a hard time wrapping that concept around her brain since Blake is her best friend.

MIMI AND COMPANY

Today the weather was absolutely gorgeous. What started out as a playdate with Erin and Blake over at Erin's house ended up being a neighborhood playdate at Mimi's.

Janet had invitedMimi and Blake to come over and play with Erin this morning. Keri brought over the bouncer which made for a whole lot of fun for the kids. In the meantime mama went back home to cook up some lunch for them (grilled cheese sandwiches) then called for them to come and eat. They all were having too much fun to eat so they just nibbled now and then.

Mama decided that it was way to nice outside so back to Janet's house and the park we went. While there Elissa and her big brother Justin came by to play with the kids. Then they all decided that they wanted to come back to Mimi's house to play. The moms all came too. Mimi was in her glory. She absolutely loves having friends over to the house.