BBQ WEATHER

Today's weather was absolutely gorgeous! Believe it or not, our Mimi took all of these pictures by herself (except for the one she is in). It was so beautiful today, our neighbors had a impromptu BBQ. The second one this year but first one for us.

The picture on the upper left is Mimi, Janae (left) and Gabby (right). The picture on the right is Elissa (left), Janae (middle), Sydney (right). The picture on the bottom left is Bridgit (Elissa's mom), then there is the rest of the gang. The white dog in the background is either Ziggy or Marley. There are two of them and mama cannot for the life of her remember which is which.

When our good friends the Fratkins come next weekend, these are the people they will meet. Since it is quite cold up here during the winter season, everyone stays holed up in their homes. It was so good to see everyone again. Hopefully we will have good weather again next week Memorial Day because we are planning to have another BBQ sometime in the afternoon.

SUMMERTIME

Mother Nature actually brought us some summertime weather today. As of now, it is 86 degrees. It was so nice and warm outside that the teacher decided to let the kids have their snacks along with recess outdoors today. When mama went to pick Mimi up from school, she was very hot and sweaty. Therefore when we arrived home, Mimi spent the next two hours in a cool bathtub. Then proceeded to run around the house butt naked.

Mama: Mimi, put some pajamas on!
Mimi: But mom, super heroes don't wear clothes!

I sometimes feel like her old teacher Ms Rivera from Pacifica Montessor, Ay! Naomi!

MORE SURPRISES

Mimi: Mama, am I in the red star club?
Mama: Yes you are.
Mimi: Ms Hedman needs to change the tape from blue to red. Mama do I get another surprise?
Mama: No but this is what we are going to do tomorrow.
Mimi:What?
Mama: Tomorrow morning you, Keri, Bailey and I are going to Blake's soccer game and cheer him on.
Mimi: Then with my big mouth I'll say "Go Blake Go!!!" He's my boyfriend.
Mama: Then when the game is over we will all go to see Speed Racer and have lunch. Then you will go over to Blake's for a sleep over.
Mimi: Again (with a heavy sigh)?
Mama: Why? What's wrong with that?
Mimi: Because I want him to come over and sleep at my house!!!

Papa was able to get two free tickets to the Mariners game tomorrow and the best part is we get to go to the clubhouse for dinner. YIPPEEEE!!!! Although mama will always be a true blue Dodger fan at heart. I think I will write Uncle Jim about this, he just will pea green with envy. Tee Hee Hee ;-)

FAMILY NIGHT NIGHT OUT

When Mimi was about 3 years old, mama discovered this great little public pool up in the Pacific Palisades. The pool only went from 2 - 4 feet all the way around and it was free as long as you had a library card. Although Mimi liked playing in the pool, she would rather sit on the steps and splash the water. Mama did not care too much though, she just wanted Mimi to get used to just being in the pool. By the time papa started to go swimming with us she was liking the water pretty good by then.

Since leaving California one year ago, Mimi has not been in the water until last month when she started taking lessons with Ms Gretchen. At first she was a little anxious and nervous and started to panic a little in the pool even though the kids are required to wear floaties around their waist. So mama was not to worried about Mimi being int the pool and Ms Gretchen was/is

a great teacher.

Now Mimi absolutely 100% loves being in the water. She actually wore herself out yesterday. She was so excited about going swimming last night that she said "Mama, I don't have time to sleep" after her gymnastic class. Instead she cleanned her room, helped mama in the garden before going over to the park to play. Then we met with papa at the Aquatic Center last night.

Like I said, she wore herself out. I know that it may be hard for some of you to believe but it's true. Normally she is up and about at this time of morning but she is still in bed. Half awake, but still in bed.

BUT WHY?

Mama on a daily basis has to tell Mimi to clean her room.

Mama: Mimi, you need to clean your room.

Mimi: But why?

Mama: Because it looks like a jungle.

Mimi: And we don't want to live in the jungle like baby Jagwa?

Mama: Yes.

Mimi: But why?

And the but's just keep on com'in. Yesterday after cleanning her room, mama went upstairs to check it and not only did Mimi clean her room but folded her clothes too? :-) Will wonders ever cease?

MORE SUPER STUFF

Not only is Mimi in the superstar club, she has moved up to the red club. At about the same time the reading club started, the teacher started giving the students homework in blue folders with different colored tape on them. After testing (Brigance Test) the students to see where their abilites lie, she put each student in a different group. Purple color was the lowest on the totem pole, followed by yellow, blue, then ending with red being the highest. Mimi started off in the yellow group. A couple of weeks ago, she moved up to the blue, then mama found out today that Mimi has been in the red group for quite some time. Teacher just forgot to put the red tape on Mimi's folder so mama was thinking that Mimi was in blue all this time. I am happy to say that Mimi is in the red with the rest of her peers. All of us (papa, mama and Mimi) have been working really hard to get her to this point. Thanks to our dear friend Allyn who mentioned about starfall.com, that has helped us too. Today Mimi found some Chinese children's stories on it and started to read them.

The Speed Racer toy is a surprise for Mimi when she comes home from school today. It is also a reward for all the hard work she has done. Come this Saturday there is no Chinese school (teacher Michelle is on vacation), so mama, Mimi, Keri and Bailey will go cheer for Blake at his soccer game and then we will all go to see the movie "Speed Racer" and have lunch at Johnnie Rockets. I am quite sure Mimi will be real happy with those plans.

SUPER HEROES CONTINUES

This was our conversation upon arriving home from swimming lessons, trip to Safeway and the doctor's office:

Mimi: Someone's in trouble at Blake's house! They need to be rescued (Blake's family just returned from a cruise to Mexico).

Mama:OK. Good-Bye. See ya later.

Mimi: Mo-om! You're supposed to say good-bye super hero Mimi! Never fear! Super hero Mimi is here!

Off to Blake's she went for about an hour before school. The pictures were taken on our way to school. Today is Mimi's sharing day and Lightening McQueen - Mimi super hero towel and coloring book is what she brought to school for sharing day.