WE LOVE ICE CREAM

On the way home we stopped at the Marble Slab. I think that it is just as good or even better than Cold Stone Ice Cream and it's right here in our little town. Dad looked it up on the internet to see if it is a chain store and it is. The one in our town is the only one in the whole state of Washington and I can't remember where the others are but I do remember that there are several locations in Southern California. Dad's favorite is strawberry and mine vanilla. Mimi's is both and that's what we got, both strawberry and vanilla.

MIMI'S TREASURES

Not only did they have dancing and games for everyone but a raffle drawing as well. Mimi won a Hot Wheel toy car for herself. The red envelope came from Ling Ling. Mimi passed hers out last week to all of her classmates and then some. Then there is some Chinese candy that she got from the Lion Dancers. I think she really made out like a bandit.

MUSICAL CHAIRS

There were games for kids of all ages.

TUG OF WAR

Not only did they have dances for us to watch but they also had games such as the good ole' tug of war for the kids to play.

CHINESE LION DANCE

This is one of my favorite dances and now it's Mimi's. She is sitting on the floor in the stripped shirt under the rope.

MIMI AND LING LING

While waiting for the show to start, I was kind of wishing that we had asked one of Mimi's friends to come along and join us when lo and behold who do we see??? None other than Ling Ling and her family who just happened to be there at the same time we were! What a lovely surprise.

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY aka HAPPY NEW YEAR

Also in Japanese we say Omedeto Gozaimasu! Although the Chinese New Year does not officially start until tomorrow, we here at the Putney household celebrate New Year starting from Jan. 1 till the end of Chinese New Year. This afternoon we all headed over to the Great Wall Mall for a delicious Chinese luncheon at Taipan. Also at the mall there is the Imperial Garden that is also delicious and they serve dim sum but dad was not in the mood for that so Taipan it was. We dined on mom's favorite of Mongolian Beef, dad's favorite Beef and Broccoli and Mimi's favorite sweet and sour pork. Then it was time to go into the plaza to see the show.

GUILTY AS CHARGED

There's a little thief in the house and he was caught in the act. Nothing is safe in the clutches of Butch's mouth

LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW

This morning we woke up to a little bit of snow on the ground. The weatherman says that light dussting of snow is a good thing right about now because it clears the air. Up here in the northwest during the winter season, our heating bill can get quite high especially with all of the snow we have been having. So what happens is there are many people who chop wood and use it in their wood burning stoves and fireplaces. Also we are still allowed to burn leaves outside. As a result, it is causing quite a bit of pollution in the air so the state of Washington has put a ban on the outdoor burning and the woodburning fireplaces for the time being.

INJURED PINKY TOE

When we were through with the observation deck, we headed downstairs to the gift shop to buy a little something for Mimi since she was quite upset at our going without her when I had a talk with her several days ago. However this evening when dad asked if she was going to miss us she said "Nah". Of course dad being the architect that he is picked out this gift. I agreed to it because Mimi really likes putting things such as puzzles together. Maybe there is an engineer or architect in her. It's going to be interesting to see how things will play out. Meanwhile by this time my foot was throbbing to where I smashed it. I took my shoe off only to find my pinky toe completely black and blue and swollen to the hilt. You never know how much your pinky toe means to you until you put it out of commission. EGADS!!!

OBSERVATION DECK

When the dinner was over and the dancing got started, dad and I danced a couple of numbers before heading upstairs to the Observation Deck. The weatherman was right. It started to snow again. However, where we live it is a mixture of rain and snow. They also had a cool exhibit where you can turn the time dial with your finger and you can see what Seattle looks like any time of day.

A HANDSOME COUPLE

Today started off with Mimi and dad going up to Snoqualmie by themselves for ski lessons. I spent my time getting pampered at the nail salon. Next thing I knew, my family came home and it was time to get ready for my date tonight. Actually it was dad's Christmas party at the Space Needle. Mimi is having a sleepover at Blake's house. While getting ready to go out the door, I stubbed my toe on the kitchen chair leg. Man did it hurt and I cussed like a sailor! "Dannit to hell!!" I cursed. It is a saying that I learned from my late Great Aunt Neva or Beba as I called her. By this time Mimi had already gone to Blake's house with the Papa John's pizza that I had ordered and was out of earshot. Greg says that it is what I get for kicking him in the butt all those years ago. Although I might add that it was an accident when I did that. Although I don't think that anyone believes me. Oh well que sera sera.

EXCERCISING

When 3:30 in the afternoon came around, it was time to pick up the kids from school. After doing so we headed back over to Blake's house to hang out some more. Then Mimi and I walked Zoe home and came home ourselves. I was quite tired and laid on the floor. Soon as Mimi came down from bathing, she decided that it would be fun to exercise with me on the floor. Mimi says "ok mom, now lower me down slowly and then push me back up". Mimi now weighs 40.5 lbs and man that is a work out. PHEW!

MOMS GET TOGETHER

Yesterdat was the first time this year we moms were able to get together for our "Margarita Fridays". It was a really needed time for us to get together after dropping the kids off at school. Meanwhile the little ones were enjoying themselves dancing to Rascal Flatts in "Lightening McQueen".

CRAZY HAIR DAY

Mimi: Guess what mom?

Mom: What?

Mimi: It's crazy hair day today!!!

Mom: Baby, everyday with you is crazy hair day!