Mama's Memories for M: Well, Hello...Year of the Dragon!

Maliana ~

While we had missed Daddy due to his business trip in San Diego, you LOVED having Lao Lao spend time with us and help me get you to school this week. She actually took the day off on Tuesday so you could hang out together. I’m glad you got to stay home and relax one more day and have some more fun. She had ordered some boots, which came in a really big box, so you both went to Target for paints and proceeded to decorate it and make a clubhouse out of it while I was at work. I was impressed when I got home. You are having so much fun playing in it. You decorated the outside as well as the inside. There is a toilet, a sink, a bed, a portrait of you, Daddy, me, and Abby, and then a TV with remote (with a picture of both you and Lao Lao on the screen)…all upon your request (the more difficult pictures drawn by Lao Lao). There’s even a mat drawn outside the door (and you actually wipe your feet on it!) Lao Lao and I took bets on how many days this clubhouse would last…after all, cardboard can only take so much. When I walked in the door after work, the house smelled like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, just like a house should after a day spent with Grandma.

the clubhouse ~ windows even open!

As with any good slumber party, Lao Lao, you, and I were in fits of giggles the last night she was there. We were all lying in bed and either Lao Lao or I would say something so simple but it would set you off, to the point where you were laughing so hard you could hardly breathe. We were doing our own silly versions of “This Little Piggy” with you and you just couldn’t get enough. As hard as it is to settle you down again to go to sleep, there’s nothing like ending the day in hysterical laughter.

Wednesday was your first day back at school and you were excited about going to the lion dance that night (our first of three we will see for Chinese New Year this year). When I came in to pick you up, your teachers were all asking us about it. We rushed home, changed, and then went to pick Daddy up at the airport. When he got in the car, you said, “I missed you Daddy!” (Awww). We hurriedly went home to drop off his bags and back out to Chi Tai to meet Joe, Tina, Sam, and Erin for dinner. While you talked a ‘big game’ about the lion dance, you were a bit leery about it once those gongs and drums started up. You got used to it though and ended up enjoying yourself.

still not so sure about those lions...

Once we got home, you were happy to relax. It was a long first day back at school and rushing to dinner so you were completely pooped. Daddy showed you the surprises he brought you back from San Diego and then you went into our bedroom and got a pair of Mickey and Minnie Mouse jammies Daddy and I had never seen before. One more gift from Lao Lao that I didn’t even realize ~~you had~~ ~~conned her into~~ she had gotten for you. You love them.

It was really hard on Daddy to be away from us, even if just for a few days. He was tucking you into bed after this long day and you both were looking at pictures on his phone. All of a sudden, he was overcome with emotions and began to cry. When you asked him why he was crying, he simply said, “Because I love you so much.” Now, one would think this would be a tender moment, right? Well, normally it would have been. But for whatever reason on this night you replied, “Well, don’t cry on my new jammies!” Ahhh, such a sensitive little thing you are. LOL Of course, that dispelled any tenderness and made Daddy laugh, which is probably what he needed most anyway. You’re quite the kid, you are.

We also got an extra special email from Mia’s mommy this week…evidently, thanks to your shining example the last time we saw them (when the four of us – you, Mia, Michelle, and I – all piled into the ONE TOILET bathroom at Red Robin together), Mia went poop on the potty for the first time. Shortly afterward she proudly said, “I went poopy like Mali!” Way to go Mia (and Mali!) I can tell you are going to be a leader someday…even if, for now, it’s pooping on the potty. Ha ha. Later that night, we got a phone call from Michelle and Mia where you got to congratulate her on her “poopy in the potty” accomplishment. If you’ve never heard this before, you have no idea how comical a phone conversation is between two 3 year olds.

It was trying so hard to snow this week, but not having a great deal of luck. Thursday after school, some flakes began to fall, and since you had not been able to go outside much at school due to the frigid temperatures, you BEGGED me to take you out to romp in the flurries. Of course, we had to change you out of your new footie jammies that you had insisted on wearing at school ALL day (Daddy was too tired to argue that morning), but you threw a fit when I tried to get you to wear anything but your snoopy tee shirt and tennis shoes outside. Your big argument was, “But I want to be cool”…as in fashionable. Oh Lord.

After quite the battle, we finally got you dressed weather appropriately and ended up spending nearly an hour outside, until it was just about dark. We had snowball fights and made snow angels, and of course ate a little snow too (that last part was all you). You’d never know you were born in the heat of southern China with how much you adore snow!

Once Daddy came home, we spent some time together just chatting about our days. Daddy, being the sweet guy he is, paid me a compliment saying, “Mommy looks hot” and then asked, “Do you think Mommy is hot?” to which you replied, “Maybe…” and then proceeded to come over and feel my arm, saying, “No, just warm.” Ha ha. Oh yeah. 3 years old = very literal.And here is a random example of your budding independence I just had to include ~ “Hey Mom! I made my own sandwich!”

I love the "thumbs up" and the mayo on your lip.
You were so proud of yourself!

Saturday kicked off a great weekend. Over breakfast, I discovered you are truly starting to build your own memories. We were chatting and you recapped our night out with the Yersavich family to go see the nativity scene downtown…”Hey, remember when me, Sam, and Erin were in the back of your car and we played drums?…and then we took that picture?” and so on and so on. I was wondering when you would start to remember things on your own, and here it’s finally happening. So cool. Later you had a second (bigger) breakfast out with Memaw, Papaw and Daddy, then I met you all at Easton.

Papaw had seen where they were making Chinese New Year dragons at Build a Bear, but unfortunately, it was only an on-line deal. So, we headed to the Lego store instead and discovered a new passion of yours. You were so into these timeless toys (and so was Papaw). Memaw and Papaw bought you your first set of real Legos, a farm kit. Within 24 hours, you and Daddy had put the whole thing together. I see many trips to the Lego store in our future ~ thanks Papaw!

Build a Bear

Legos!

mmm...Yagoot

'nuff said

We headed home for a nap before our next adventure with the Fu group for dinner at Pei Wei and then ice cream and playtime at Graeter’s. It was so much fun. Your laughter was nonstop and running around everywhere ensured that all of you kids would sleep very well that night. Each time we are around this group of people, we come to adore them more. The kids are so sweet and funny and the parents, well, the parents are all amazing. We feel so fortunate to be included in this group of phenomenal people, look forward to many more outings together, and have dreams of you all growing up together.

swish!

climbing through the ice cream jungle gym

with your new friend Delaney

trying to get 8 toddlers to look at the camera at the same time
is like trying to nail jello to a tree

Sunday morning you woke up and I was tickled to hear the first words out of your mouth were, “Mom, are you ready for Chinese New Year?!” We headed off to dim sum with Uncle Flint (whom you clearly adore and who is so great with you) at Sunflower Restaurant, where we saw our second lion dance of the New Year celebration. Dim sum was a new experience for us all and it was really fun and interesting. We got to try all sorts of different things. With all of those carts coming around, it was hard to say no. It all looked so good! We were stuffed by the time we left the restaurant.

dim sum cart is here!

and now the lion!

our bellies were FULL

We picked up some nian gao (Chinese New Year cake) at the bakery on our way home so we could take it to our friends’ (You You and William) house tonight. There was a big blowout once home, due to your being utterly exhausted (you still hadn’t gotten caught up from all of your frolicking at Graeter’s the night before, poor kid). It got pretty ugly just before naptime, however, you surprised both Daddy and I by issuing a completely unsolicited apology to Daddy immediately following nap for, to be candid, “losing your mind” earlier. We were both amazed at the level of maturity and self-awareness that took. Once again, you astonish us.

Once we got you ready, we headed off to You You and William’s house for a Chinese New Year celebration. Once there, you were quite shy initially, but warmed up eventually. It was such a fun time. They welcomed us in to their home where we learned how to make pork and cabbage filled dumplings together, as William finished preparing a complete feast of so many wonderful foods. By far the best Chinese food we have ever eaten…all home cooked! It was such a fun night of delicious food, beer, good conversation with new friends, guqin music, origami, and even some Kung Fu demonstrations! We felt so comfortable because of their generosity and hospitality, and it was nice to meet some more of their friends who stopped by to celebrate as well. Everyone was so friendly, with huge smiles and warm hearts that made us feel right at home. As we drove home, we kept talking about what a nice evening it was, how lucky we are to have met this wonderful couple, and what a perfect end it was to a weekend of celebrating the incoming Year of the Dragon.

moistening the edge of the dumpling with water

spooning in the filling

sealing up the dumpling

and the feast is ready!

the taste test ~ a success!

You You, opening our gift...

mmm...nian gao!

our gracious hosts...William and You You

learning how to split open sunflower seeds
while we sit and chat after dinner

listening to the beautiful sounds of the guqin

everyone worked so hard making origami creations for you ~ it was so sweet

playing with some of your origami birds with You You,
you left with nearly an entire zoo of animals that night!

they were all so generous and thoughtful to present
you with hung bao for the new year

there was no better way to celebrate the new year
than with wonderful new friends ~ a BIG thank you for opening your
home You You and William, and to all who shared the evening with us!!

Sooo...the lunar year has started off super! I dropped you off at school in the morning and you were such a happy little thing. Then by the time I came to pick you up, I walked through the door to the biggest running leap and hug I’ve ever gotten at pick up time. It was the best! As we walked out the door, your teachers all said “Happy New Year Mali!” one last time before we left. I love that. Then, as we drove to speech, I told you how much I appreciated your big hug today and you grinned and said, again, “Happy New Year Mommy”. Your amazing mood continued throughout the night and when we got home from speech, you and I sat down together and made one of those fleece knot blankets with a fabric that you picked out. Earlier in the day I had learned how and made one at work as part of a charity called Project Linus, so I promised that we’d make one for you too. You love it.

your new blankie...not too shabby, eh?

Audrey came over to visit and once Daddy got home, we had the Szwabinsky’s over to try some nian gao with us for Chinese New Year. Everyone really liked it and you were just happy to have so many people you enjoy in one room.

you love "your kids"

getting ready to share a taste of the nian gao

To top off the night, you got a package from Lao Lao in the mail ~ a set of Justin Bieber toothbrushes that play music while you brush! There are no words to describe it so I’ll let this video speak for me.

Brushing your teeth with a little help from the Biebs
http://youtu.be/6mm-KdSBvGA

Tuesday of this week was our final official celebration to bring in the new year. We got home from school and you were so good about getting ready for dinner, packing your own backpack and everything, even remembering to bring your jammies and some training pants, “Just in case I need to sit on you and fall asleep” (according to you). You are definitely no stranger to late-nights out with us lately.

Anyway, we got to the restaurant where a somewhat quaint dinner had snowballed into a large, chaotic frenzy of fun at China Dynasty with several families that are involved with the Fu playgroup. Over the past couple weeks, each time we’d casually hear that someone was looking for something to do for the new year, either Daddy or I would invite them with our little group. It got to the point where we simply couldn’t invite any more due to seating issues since the total of our reservation got to 21! I think next year we’ll just try to rent out one of their rooms and invite all of our Fu friends, then call it the playgroup for the month!

We met for dinner at 5:30pm so we would all be ready for the lion dance beginning at 6:30pm. You kids were a bit shy initially (to be expected), but by the end of the meal…look out! You children were downright crazy! But we’ll get to that later.

While many of you kids were a bit freaked out by the lions, (what with them climbing up and down on tables and chairs and “snapping” in our faces at times, as well as the loud gongs, drums, and cymbals), I think you all enjoyed yourselves. It was definitely an experience for everyone.

After the lion dance was when the “dam broke”. By then, you all were so comfortable with each other and had been sitting still for so long, that you just had to burn off some of your energy and a spontaneous ‘ring around the rosey’ game began, which lead to dancing, then falling on each other, and lots and lots of hugging, then more falling and laughing. I have to give a big shout out to the staff at China Dynasty for being so patient with our wild little corner of the restaurant. As you can see below, a fun time was had by all.