PIANO LESSONS

This summer our neighbor Cory (Shad's mom) announced that among the many other hats she is wearing, she is going to start to teach piano again to anyone who is interested in learning. The opening spots filled up like hot cakes.

Before she made this announcement, Mimi had made mention that she would like to learn the piano again. This was kind of a surprise to me as I had thought that she really did not like playing even though she is really good at it. IMHO, I think that Lady Gaga has something to do with it. She is one of Mimi's ultra favorite performers. Mimi has made mention that her goal is to be rich 'n' famous. Another story for another day.

Anyhoo, the girl is taking up piano again among all the other activities she has going on this summer.

SLEEP DEPRIVED

Since coming home from China and Southern California, I have been struggling with getting Mei Mei into a routine. For the first week we were back, it wasn't too bad as Mimi had school and we could get into some kind of a groove where we would all have breakfast together and Mimi would walk to school by herself and Mei Mei would just about be ready to go down for her morning nap and then nap again in the afternoon only to wake up just before going to pick Mimi up from school. The babe was also sleeping in her crib all through the night too.

Since summer vacation started, everything is shot to hell in a hand basket. To start off, Mimi's gymnastic practice starts at 11:30 which is Mei Mei's morning nap time. Then there is the problem of Mimi who wakes up at the crack of dawn and is ready for the day and Mei Mei who prefers to party at 12:00 midnite and sleep till 9:00

I am soooooo ready to throw in the towel and let the babe sleep with me at night as it is the only way I could get her to wind down at night and I could get some decent sleep. I am planning to start her in on a routine once school starts and we are by ourselves for most of the day. It's really hard on Mimi too when she wants to have her friends over and they have to play quietly. As we all know, quiet is definitely not one of Mimi's forte.

This is what sleep deprivation will do to you. You will get your kids ready for the day, take the baby to the neighbor house to babysit for about an hour while you drive your other kid to gymnastic practice, drop her off, then as you are heading down the highway to take you cute Pug to the groomers, you get a phone call from Rhonda stating that there is no practice due to the July 4th fireworks sale that the gym is putting on. Elsie and Emma were there for a bonus practice. So Rhonda kindly brought Mimi to our house along with her girls. She took Emma home but Elsie stayed. By this time it was past lunch so Mei Mei's afternoon nap was shot to hell.

The kids were all playing outside then came inside. Mei Mei was so crabby by dinner and so was I. Therefore when dad came home and we headed out to Red Robin for dinner. Boy did that Mai Tai taste soooooo good after my horrendous day.

ANOTHER DAY OF FULL HOUSE.

When we came home from seeing our friends the Luey's, Mimi met all of her friends outside our house. Of course Mei Mei was the center of attention. This is also another one of Mimi old outfits. I guessed I learned something from my mom about being a packrat.

THEN AND NOW

Just this week we received an e-mail from Andrew that they were in town visiting with Jennifer's brother who lives in Edmond which is north of Seattle. They wanted to get together this morning before heading back to Oakland, California where they are from.

We met this wonderful family when we went to get Mimi and they went for Audrey aka "Ting Ting". In the group picture, "Ting Ting" is the one on the floor bawling away and Mimi of course is the only one standing (rare moment in which she isn't running somewhere) in the yellow outfit. Now mind you, Mei Mei now fits into that same yellow outfit at 8 mos. Mimi was 19 months and the outfit is made for a 12 month old.

Last year Jennifer, Andrew and Audrey went back to China for the little one that they call Olivia. What's ironic is....both Mimi and Audrey are from Nanchong (Chengdu), and Olivia and Mei Lin are both from Jiangxhi. How about that?

A WELL DESERVED DRINK

For me 'n' dad. The Mai Tai isn't as good as Allyn's but it's a close runner up.

FULL HOUSE

Minus 3 kids. Shad and Micah had left for home and Emma didn't want to be in the picture.

SUSHILAND

This is the babe's first sushi outing and definitely won't be the last.