WISHFUL THINKING

Now that our Mimi is a BIG 5 year old, she not only talks like a big person, she thinks like one too. On occassion mama will have a surprise (balloon or some such small gift toy) for her when she comes home from school. Our Mimi absolutely LOVES surprises. This was the conversation at breakfast.

Mimi: Mama, will you have a surprise for me when I get home from school today?
Mama: Maybe. It's possible.
Mimi: I know what kind of surprise you could get for me. You could surprise me with a GIANT HOUSE!!!

Mama hung her head and was speechless. Sigh.

BREAKFAST AT BLACK DIAMOND BAKERY

This morning mama had a real hankering for some pancakes, also she wanted to just get out of the house. This rainy weather that we are having can really bring some people down.

Therefore mama gave Keri a call and we all went down to the bakery for breakfast. Wade is off work for part of the day so he was able to join us. Then it was off to school for Blake and gymnastics for Mimi. Later this afternoon the kids may get together to play. It was just way too quiet last week when Blake was gone. Mimi especially is happy that he is back.

Blake is now on a basketball team and their first game is this Saturday. Unfortunately we will not be able to go see him play. Papa, mama and Mimi are planning to go up to Crystal Mountain for skiing. Since kids under the age of six can ski for free, papa wants to take advantage of it.

THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES

Today the celebration continued with Mimi two best friends Erin and Blake and their siblings Bailey and Liam. Erin's other friend Kaitlyn also joined us for the pizza party. Then it was off to school for Mimi and errands for mama.

Sorry that the pictures came out kind of blurry. It's hard to take a picture of the little tikes when they are constantly moving and you are holding a baby (Patrick).

MIMI'S BIG DAY

Today is Mimi's 5th birthday. The day started off with Mimi waking up to a snow covered home at 4:30 in the morning. After about a half hour, mama was able to get her back to sleep. Then at 6:30 it was time to get up and get ready to make the one hour trip to Tukwila Immigration Center to get our fingerprints done. By the time that was all done, mama and papa decided to drive to downtown Seattle's Uwajimaya market for lunch. Mimi was able to eat the tuna sushi that she loves so much.

We each drove our own cars so that papa could drive to work afterward. When lunch and a bit of shopping was done mama had just enough time to get Mimi to school. We were about 10 minutes late. Unlike Pacifica Montessori school, the school that Mimi goes to now allows a limited amount of sugary goodies. While Mimi was in school, mama made a short run to Safeway market to buy cupcakes for Mimi's birthday party at school.

Pictured here are a few of the cards and presents that Mimi recieved from our friends and family.

CHRISTMAS 2007

This past Christmas our neighbor Jess and her family hosted a neighborhood pot luck Christmas party at their home. Everyone had such a good time. Later in the evening the kids sang Christmas carols while Mattie played the piano. Our Mimi decided that she did not want to sing. She decided to be the DIRECTOR. What can you say? That's our Mimi.

THE BIG 5

Tomorrow is Mimi's actual birthday but we celebrated today with a few of the neighborhood kids plus Liam who is a classmate of Mimi's. Her friend Erin came at the end so papa forgot to take her picture. Blake and his family are out of town till tomorrow.

Tomorrow after the fingerprinting is done, we will celebrate Mimi's birthday again with a birthday lunch somewhere in Seattle. Not sure where we will go, it is possible that it may be Red Robin's. Then again on Wednesday, we will celebrate her birthday with Erin and Blake with a pizza lunch before school. Next Sunday we will celebrate Mama's 39th and holding birthday in downtown Seattle.

I tell you, having a birthday before or after a major holiday such a Christmas is quite draining. Mama is feeling pooped!!!

NEW YEAR GET TOGETHER

Tonight at Julie and Jim's house was the monthly get together with our new China friends. They live in Bonney Lake which is close to a one hour drive from our house. There was about 20 families that turned out tonight.

Papa was almost in the dog house tonight. Since Mimi's birthday in this coming Monday, mama had planned to bring cupcakes for tonight's potluck dinner. While getting ready to get into the car, papa had turned ALL OF THE CUPCAKES on its side and they were ruined. Then he forgot the camera so THERE ARE NO PICTURES OF THE GIRLS. Lucky for papa, mama had made deviled eggs to take to the party so at least we had something to take. In addition, mama's SEAHAWKS WON their first game in today's playoff at Q-West field, so she is in a good mood.

Tomorrow we will all celebrate Mimi's 5th birthday at our house with cake, ice cream and the neighborhood kids plus grandma and grandpa if they are feeling good. There is a good possibility that it may be mixture of rain and snow tomorrow so not sure if grandma and grandpa will come since they do not like to drive in bad weather and grandpa is still in a wheelchair.

Then on Monday which is Mimi actual birthday, we will all go to Tukwilla to do our fingerprints for chili pepper #2.