Seventh Birthdays, Snow, and Springtime!

Maliana ~

Over the last few weeks a lot of changes have been happening, biggest of all was your birthday. 7! Seven years old! Wow. Where does the time go? When the big day arrived, I had the following letter written. A letter to your birth parents. Never a day goes by that I don't think of them, but especially on your birthday. The day you came into this world and they saw your face for the first time. You have also been thinking about them a bit more (or at least, verbalizing that you have to me) as well. The "question box" as we've called it came back out, all on your own. You had us all write questions on tiny slips of paper that we could put in it. Your first question was "What was life when I was a baby?" and then "What is my grandma and grandpa's names?" It was interesting to hear the things that you are beginning to wonder about and I made sure to reassure you that it's normal to think about and wonder about your China parents. I'm glad that you shared this little bit with us.

thinking...

I read my letter to your parents to you as well and you laughed at some parts and were thoughtful on others. While you didn't want me to put it in your "question box", I wanted to at least leave it here for you. For them.

March 5th, 2015
Dear Mali’s China Parents,

Can you believe Mali is turning 7 years old already? Her birthday is tomorrow. She is growing up so fast and I just want to say thank you so much for bringing her into this world. Mali is the most precious treasure we have ever known.

Not a day goes by when I don’t think of you and wonder where you are and how you are doing. Do you think about us too? Well, in case you do…here is a little bit of an update on Mali as she enters her 7th year.

Mali is an amazing student in school. She is learning to read (and getting pretty good at sounding out words, even the big ones!). She also LOVES math. Do you like math too? Maybe she gets that from you. Mali gets along very well with her friends and classmates in school and likes to be very helpful to anyone who needs it, kids and grown-ups alike. The teachers all appreciate it very much. I think you would be very proud of her. We definitely are.

Outside of school, Mali is learning to speak and write Mandarin, is learning to dance hip hop, and will be starting soccer next month. She is a very fast runner and enjoys exercising with both myself and Shawn (my husband/her dad). Mali thinks that her new running shoes help her go faster, but I really think it’s her feet that are so fast! Maybe you are a fast runner too and she gets her speed from you? She also has been riding a bike without training wheels for quite a while now. She does fantastic and I love when I go running and she can ride her bike with me. It’s been cold and snowy lately but when it warms up, I look forward to going on these runs and rides with her.

At home we have 2 dogs and 1 cat. Mali’s dog, Suzy, adores her and Mali takes very good care of her. Mali is kind to all animals and enjoys learning about them. Just last night she was reading a book about groups of animals for school. Do you like animals? Do you have any pets?

Mali has also grown a lot over the last year. We keep a measurement of her growth on the wall in her room. Her legs in particular have gotten so long! Do you have long legs too? She just recently lost her last front tooth and has lost several now. Her smile is so adorable. Do you remember losing your teeth as a child? The Tooth Fairy comes to our house. Do you have the Tooth Fairy in China too?

A few more things about Mali, she has the most fantastic sense of humor. She can make anyone laugh with her jokes and all around ability to be silly and laugh. She is a fun loving person and a joy to have around for all those that know her. And oh boy…can Mali dance! She loves music and has got some of the best dance moves that will knock your socks off! Maybe those come from you? She has a gorgeous singing voice and I love when I hear her singing. And finally, Mali has a very unique and cool sense of style. She has this black belt with silver on it that she loves. She also enjoyed wearing a suit with a vest and tie to our Chinese New Year celebration this year. She looked sharp! Speaking of Chinese New Year, she and I went into her daycare and shared all about how we celebrate the holiday, then she went in to her first grade class where she helped her teacher share about the holiday. They read a book, made a craft, showed traditional clothes (like her Kung Fu suit and qi pao from when she was little), and even passed out hung bao to her friends. I bet it would make you happy that she is sharing these Chinese traditions with her friends. How do you celebrate this holiday, the Lunar New Year? I bet it would be fun to celebrate with you.

Tomorrow I will bring treats for Mali’s first grade class (red, blue, green and yellow candy moustaches – her choice) so that they can celebrate Mali’s birthday. Then next week we will head to a clay studio so that Mali and some of her friends and cousins can make clay creations (again, Mali’s choice) and will even get to use a pottery wheel! I thought that was a really cool pick for a birthday party this year.

So basically, with the anniversary of Mali’s birth coming up again, I just really want you to know that I am thinking of you and that Mali is ok. Her Daddy and I love her very much. We think of you often and wonder about you. When I look at Mali, I wonder which features of her wonderful face are yours, her China mom and China dad. I wonder if she has your nose, your eyes, your lips, your ears, your chin, your hands. I wonder so many things. I wonder if she shares your laugh. I even wonder if you like to be tickled as much as she does. I wonder so many things. And that’s ok. I even told Mali a rhyme lately that helps when I think of you. It was shared with her as we gazed at the full moon a few weeks ago. It goes like this… “I see the moon and the moon sees me and the moon sees that someone that I long to see. So God bless the moon and God bless me and God bless that someone that I long to see.” I hope and pray that you are well and that when you look up at the moon at night, I hope that you know that we can see the same moon and that we are thinking of you.

Love,
Theresa (aka Mali’s mom)

*sigh* I know that I can't mail this letter to anywhere in particular right now. But it sure helps me to write down some of my thoughts and feelings to them, your first parents. Somehow, somewhere...I hope they can sense my words. I have a strong belief that we are all more connected than we recognize. I don't know how. I just do.

As for the rest of the last few weeks, it's a bit more light-hearted. You and I had fun shopping at Party City for birthday supplies, coming up with the idea of and then making candy mustaches for your class, and in spite of having a brief illness, we were still able to enjoy some snow play and puzzles together.

at Party City

my snow shoveling team

our family snowman

we had my phone out while we put this puzzle together and took
turns picking songs. you loved a song I picked, 'Let It Go' by James Bay
and were crooning along with it so soulfully. it was adorable!
then you wanted to Mod Podge the puzzle when we were done so you
could keep it forever. you are just the sweetest!

Unfortunately, the same day you were your sickest was the day we were supposed to go over to meet baby Caleb, Aunt Lindsey's newborn bundle of joy. You and Daddy stayed home but I was still able to head across town to get some snuggles in. He is definitely a cutie!

introducing baby Caleb

The week of your actual birthday, you were such an angel each morning. You were stoked to be turning 7. Seven!!

As usual, on the morning of your birthday I had your birthday surprise waiting for you. In fact, you were looking so forward to it that you woke up at 2:30am and asked when we could get up for your birthday. It was an anticipation that rivaled only Christmas eve. So cute.

You awoke to put on your special customized birthday shirt, a Beastie Boys tribute this year, and then to walk out into a decorated hallway where you had to bust through streamers into your 7th year, and then to find a decorated kitchen filled with signs and balloons and special birthday treats and this year a special necklace and light-up bow tie for your big day. You are typically not a huge hugger so it meant a lot to me when you walked in and came to give me a hug after seeing everything. Made my
heart glow.

Here is a video of you emerging from our bedroom and checking out your birthday surprises...
http://youtu.be/JatsDBoqnJE

excited 7 year old!

And us singing you 'Happy Birthday' to you that morning...
http://youtu.be/Piy8Abigj7k

'MALI' cinnamon rolls

a nice wholesome sugar-filled breakfast

birthday necklace to wear at school

You even got a birthday video from your buddy Jos (with her mom and brother, Dylan) singing you 'Happy Birthday' and once you got to school you got more hugs from friends and even a gift from another friend, Ibti. I love being able to take you to school in the morning and especially this morning. I walked back to my car feeling pretty sure that you were about to have a great birthday.

Later that day I brought the candy mustaches we had made to your first grade class and everything went great. Miss Stenger thought they were so cute and said that no one had ever brought a treat quite like that before. (Great idea, Mali!)

We then dropped in to Goddard on the way home because Miss Julie had made you brownies, a card and bought you a gift. It was just the sweetest gesture. I love that you have teachers that care so much!

you adore Miss Julie

That night you made the choice to stay home and relax with some pizza. Memaw, Papaw, Audrey, and Lao Lao came over to join us and it was really nice to stay home, chill for a bit, and round out the day with those we love. That night you even insisted on sleeping with your birthday gifts. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty successful 7th birthday for a kid who deserves nothing less than the best.

lighting Miss Julie's brownies

And here...you can watch us sing you 'Happy Birthday' with your brownies!
http://youtu.be/uIA2xOmXmD0

silly

The day after your birthday (Saturday), you, Daddy and I headed to Fort Rapids (indoor water park) for some family fun and frolicking in the pools. I don't know if it's being 7 or what but you were so much braver and comfortable in the water. You tore it up! I LOVED watching you enjoying yourself and it felt so nice to just laugh and have a super time as a family. I feel like the luckiest mama alive when I'm with the two of you.

let the fun begin!

And it wouldn't be a typical family trip if Daddy didn't provide us with some comic relief, right? Here you go...

Poor Daddy forgot his bathing suit at home for the indoor water park today, so he had to buy some trunks in the gift shop. The gift shop was fresh out of anything in his size so he had to go with these bad boys. His trunks may be small but his heart is big. Love you, Daddy!

That night, the craziness continued as you and Daddy surprised me with this little number...

evidently when you turn 7, you're infused with "7 power!!!"...
or so I'm told. I live with crazy people! 

Like I've said before...I love, love, love our little family!

And moving right along with our celebrations, the very next weekend was your actual birthday party with friends and family. You picked a "clay party" which, upon clarifying this with you, consisted of making clay creations (hoping to use a pottery wheel and everything). It was a tall order but luckily we found a little studio that could accommodate exactly what you wanted and it went unbelievably well and was a cool experience for everyone. The studio was pretty cool and was run by a woman who not only throws clay, but also blows glass and paints too. You were adorable as you hopped on the pottery wheel, taking your craft very seriously. You also had quite a knack for it and your vase turned out fantastic! I can't wait to get it back from her in about a month all glazed and fired. Then, not only did you do splendidly on the pottery wheel, but you also took it upon yourself to go around and help each of your guests if they needed it. You truly are a phenomenal kid, I mean, really one of a kind. You impress me every day with your kind and generous soul. 

we gave Morgan and Jocelyn a ride to your birthday party
and the three of you sang "Thinking Out Loud" by
Ed Sheeran in the backseat...it was so cute!

your crazy I Spy birthday cake!

your guests from left to right:
Jocelyn, Joey, Erin, Sammy, Alex, (you), Gabby, Morgan, and Mia

you all loved running around on the porch in the sunshine
in between birthday party activities

your artist smock

learning about the clay and getting ideas on what to make

learning about the pottery wheel

testing out the pedal and how fast or slow your
wheel and clay can spin

getting a feel for it

that moment of joy as you are really getting into it

you definitely have a knock for pottery...look at you!

letting Daddy feel what it's like

naughty Memaw

showing Daddy how to do it

helping Sammy

even Daddy got to try the wheel

helping Jocelyn

oh, how I love my peanut!

Finally, speaking of your kind soul, we had a break and got some terrific spring temperatures lately and so you used the opportunity to not only play outside but also attempt to organize a search party of the neighborhood kids to help find Pipsqueak. Our stinker of a cat ran away from home for a few days and we were all puzzled by where she was for a while. Luckily she came back and who knows...maybe it was all because of your search party. Ha. 

search party assembly

"hey Mom! come here! look! look! look! my first tire mark!"

Also during the reprieve from winter, we were able to get back out on the trail and you, Lao Lao and I went for a 5 mile bike ride/walk. Yes, you went FIVE miles! Awesome job, kiddo! As we were leaving the house, you asked if we could bring a bag of sliced apples. "You know, Mom. In case we get peckish." Ha. Peckish? Are we British now? Too cute!

insisted on wearing your vest because,
"Mom! I have to wear it! It's from Jo
in Colorado!"

"you know, Mom...in case we get peckish"

look at that smile!

And last but certainly not least...one of my favorite quotes from you recently is below. A kind and generous...but very quirky soul you have there.

You: "Mommy, did you know happiness is in your left elbow?"
Me: "No. Where did you learn that?"
You: *twinkling your fingers* "I'm magic!"

I love, love, love you (and your magical happy left elbow) so much!

Love,
Mama

Chinese New Year, Snow Days, and Cabin Fever

Maliana ~

Lately things have been really good. I am finally coming out of my funk and feeling back to normal and you have been in such a good mood, especially recently. We have had a ton of snow and school has been canceled multiple days as of late. It's felt really good to feel like I've had some of my life back again and be able to be the kind of mama to you that I feel like I have missed due to my depression.

In the evenings at bedtime, you have even been asking to have our little "pillow talks" about how each of our days went. I always love these little peeks into your world and my heart is so warmed that you have grown to love them too. The honesty that comes out when laying with your kiddo in the dark is priceless.

And speaking of bedtime, you decided to hang something up right over our bed. Miss Stenger sent us a thank you card for the Christmas gift we gave her and you thought it was so special that you wanted to have it somewhere that you could read it any time, so you taped it to the wall right over where you sleep. When I told Miss Stenger about it at drop-off one morning, she was so tickled because she said she's never sure if those little gestures mean anything to her kids. Well...it definitely was special to you. Our sensitive little sweetheart!

there it is...right in the middle

And speaking of sensitive little sweethearts...an interesting thing happened over the last couple of weeks in regard to bath time too. On a particularly cold winter day, we were snuggling together on the couch for a bit (one of our favorite winter past-times lately) and I was about to take a shower and get warmed up when you asked if you could take a bath. Then, you asked if we could take a bath together. When I said that our tub was too small and it would be too difficult you became very upset, even to the point of tears. I was so puzzled why this bothered you so much and so I got down and looked right in your eyes and asked what else this was about and why it was so important to you. You immediately went over to the photo album we made for you as a baby of our time in China and flipped to the picture of you and I taking our first bath together in the tub. Everyone that helped us prepare for what to expect during those first days of getting to know each other had told us that baths may be traumatic and so climbing into the tub with you (in our bathing suits) might help make it a little more comforting, so that's exactly what we did for a while. Fast forward to now, I still wasn't sure why this was popping into your head at this moment, but I knew that recreating that bath time was of primary importance so we climbed into the tub (with me in my bathing suit) and I gave you a bath that way. It was so simple and made you so happy. I told you that no matter how big you get, you'll always be my little baby. And I mean it. Even when we're both little old ladies, you'll still be my little baby.

in China (2009)...what a tiny little peanut

As for the last couple of weeks...I think I'll just jot some of the random Facebook posts I've shared with our family and friends. You are always quite the character and keep us smiling, laughing, or saying "Awww..." all the time.

Here you go...

On our way to speech one morning, this happened:
Me: "Man! What is up with all the traffic this morning?!"
M: "I don't know! The weather report said there'd be no cars until Black Friday!"
Me: ???

We picked up some new running shoes for you and this happened:

taking your new running shoes for a trial run...
in the middle of a snow storm that ended up
being a white out in our neighborhood!

On Valentine's Day (a day that we don't typically celebrate very extravagantly since it's such a Hallmark holiday) you requested pink pancakes for breakfast and so this happened a la Daddy (nice job, Dad!):

I love M.W.

Then later that day you spent some time over at Lao Lao's finishing up the last of her Lego kits from Christmas and this happened when I was picking you up from her house:

M: "Lao Lao didn't even help me with the Legos!"
Lao Lao: "Yes, I did!"
Me: "Oooh. Thrown under the bus!"
M: *sighs in disgust* "That's not even a thing!"
#6goingon16

and here's picture proof that you are full of hooey, ha ha!

And finally we wrapped up Valentine's night by making some heart-shaped pizzas together. You love making it into a contest and we all had a fun time. I may not put a lot of stock into Valentine's Day but I sure do love my valentines!

We celebrated the Lunar New Year just this past week as well. In preparation, I came in and spoke with your daycare during my day off for President's Day (the Monday preceding Lunar New Year). It is always entertaining to talk to a group of little kids and you did amazingly well helping me read the book we brought and answering questions about the Chinese New Year holiday.

Then after, we picked up Lao Lao and headed to The Melting Pot for some delicious chocolate fondue. A tasty warm treat on such a cold winter day!

Chinese New Year itself was celebrated at our usual China Dynasty dinner with our Fu group friends. It was fun to eat some yummy food and watch the traditional lion dance. You plugged your ears the whole time because of your sensitivity to loud noises (the drums) but you seemed to enjoy running around with your friends afterwards. I had picked up some "worker man" (as you call them) shoes for you and you were excited to wear your "working man" suit. Since you weren't too keen on taking pictures that night, I could only get a few that (unfortunately) don't reflect a lot of smiles. However I just couldn't resist snapping a pic of you in your suit with Mia and the Happy Buddha. I guess Buddha's smiling enough for the both of you in this photo.

ready to feed the lion some hung bao

too loud for you

Earlier that day, you lost your last front tooth while at school and left this note for the Tooth Fairy...

Dear Tooth Fairy, I want to keep my tooth. Mali.

thanks, Tooth Fairy!

And here is another moment...one of those "mommy reflections" I have from time to time:

"It's the littlest things you commit to memory as a parent that likely mean nothing to anyone else but you simply because it's your kid. Right now in this moment, it's how M likes me to bend her spoon like a ladle when she eats soup and then makes big slurping noises with each bite. Small and silly but true. I love the tiny details in the every day ordinary."

And another random thought that I threw out to Facebook as I helped you with your reading homework:
"When helping your kid learn to read a particularly difficult word, does anyone else get so excited that they cheer/scream/jump up/clap loud enough to scare the crap out of your kid (AND your dog) when they finally get it right? Anyone? No? Just me?"

And finally, we just wrapped up a major snow storm this past weekend as well. I think we got somewhere around 5-6 inches in one day. It may not seem much to some parts of the country, but it was enough for us central Ohioans to thoroughly freak out while driving and race to bundle up and run out to romp in the winter wonderland. We definitely took advantage of the crisp, beautiful, fresh white powder with sledding in the neighborhood and some more snow fun at home. Here are some of the posts I shared from our recent snowy days:

all of the snow and below freezing temperatures aren't
quite as bad as long as you have a little bit of
sunshine and a kick-ass pair of shades!

"Hey Mom! You want to 'science study' snowflakes with me?"
(discovering that no two snowflakes are exactly alike,
just like people!)

making snow cones with our maple syrup...yum?

making homemade snow cream with my little peanut ~ it turned out delicious!

And finally, after all of the playing in the cold, you warmed up inside with a piping hot pizza.

practicing for college by attempting to eat an entire veggie
pizza while in bed watching TV

Love,
Mama

P.S.
And this just in...we have officially derailed as of late Sunday night...here, see for yourself.

attempting to peel a banana with your feet ~ crazy kid!
#cabinfever

I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me

Maliana ~

So, I will start off by saying that my blogging has gotten quite lackadaisical recently. As I have briefly mentioned before, I have been struggling with some depression lately and as I've explained to you (so as to hopefully alleviate any concerns you might have); "I'm just having a hard time with a bunch of "grown up worries" and it has nothing to do with you." That being said...I will apologize about not being as religious about my letters here to you. I promise, it doesn't mean we're having any less fun. It's just that I haven't had quite the energy or discipline to write every week like I had been. I've had to use my time and energy to focus on getting myself feeling better first. Hopefully I'll be getting back to normal soon. Or maybe even come up with a new normal for myself and our family. Who knows? But for now, I am hopeful and feel like I am finally coming out on the other side of whatever it is I am going through. Thank God for therapy...definitely nothing to be afraid or ashamed of...I am so grateful for it. Please remember that in your life. If you need help, seek it out! It is there. I promise you.

Whew. Ok.

Now after explaining all of that and realizing that a few weeks have gone by since my last post, the following entry will be a bit of a hodgepodge of the previous weeks; some of the moments in our lives that made me smile, pause, laugh, think, feel, and so much more.

And here we go...

One of the bigger pieces of excitement over the last few weeks was when we greeted the Doelling family at the airport when they brought their newest family member, Cameron, home from China. It was very exciting and always so incredibly nostalgic and heartwarming to watch a homecoming such as this.

Welcome home, Doellings!

Perhaps it's your age, or perhaps it's seeing another family bringing their child home from China, but lately you have been asking a lot of questions about your own (very first) Family Day and even asking to watch our videos from China. We ended up sitting down and watching the videos from our first days together as a family in China and it was really amazing to go back in time like that. We have all changed so much. For example, you made the comment about how you don't like dresses after seeing yourself in the videos wearing dresses. I apologized to you and said, "I'm sorry. We didn't know you didn't like them back then." You were so teeny tiny and had all the mannerisms of an infant in those first few days. You have grown by leaps and bounds since then, both physically, intellectually and emotionally. It is phenomenal, sweet and bittersweet all at once.

And if we have all changed a lot over the last 6 years, there is one thing that has been a constant ~ how much fun you have with your cousins. Over the last few weeks, you got to spend the night at Memaw and Papaws' with Joey, Alex and Sammy and it was lots of fun and a little bit of mayhem (per usual). I wasn't there so I didn't get any pictures, but from the updates from Memaw and Papaw the next morning, I can imagine how silly it all was.

You did throw me a curve with your requests for pedicures lately. Honestly, I was more than a little surprised since it seems so out of character for what you typically like. You even gave yourself one in the tub one night and here was the finished product...

Umm, yeah. I won't even show you the picture of the bathtub. Yikes!

Even after that fabulous job you did on your own toes, you still were requesting to go and get pedicures with me. Of course, I jumped at the chance to spend some time together. Sooo...after school one evening we headed to Polaris to get our tootsies pampered. We both were a little ticklish with the massages and exfoliation, squirming and giggling the entire time. It was hilarious. I was so afraid I was going to kick my pedicurist right in the head! We had dinner and did a little shopping before heading home and it was really nice to have some relaxed and carefree time with you. I miss that when our lives feel so hectic.

I wonder if you'll ever be tall enough for your feet to reach the tub...

you were squirming and giggling so much!

And speaking of carefree time, there were lots of opportunities to play in the snow that's kept falling over the last few weeks. Of course, each time we would get you all bundled up, the first thing out of your mouth was..."Mom, I gotta pee!" #MurphysLaw

you love the snow, even in the dark...you just
put your little headlamp on and you're good to go!

a little sledding

twinning is winning!

You've spent some time on the elliptical too. In spite of all the snow on the ground, I guess it's never too early to get in shape for summer!

24 minutes! a new personal record for you!

Speaking of getting in shape and since we are in Ohio with all of its crazy weather fluctuations, the weather warmed up just enough for us to bust out your bike and go for the first bike ride/run with Mommy of 2015. I was so happy to have at least one day that felt like spring was coming and I'm so glad to have a "running buddy" again!

a little lingering slush and snow wasn't going to stop us!

You've also been a great little "buddy" for Daddy as well. In helping him put his medicine in his pill-box for the week, you noticed that his days of the week had rubbed off. You took it upon yourself to re-write them on the box for him. So thoughtful.

The Sound of Music has found its way into your repertoire (thanks to your music teacher) and you have fallen in love with the "My Favorite Things" song. It actually reminded me of my own childhood and watching that movie while singing along. You even requested a book of the song that your teacher read to you and it's been so sweet to hear you singing from the backseat...

And as endearing as that little backseat moment was, it wouldn't be as well-balanced in our family without a moment like this...

oh, you know...just a normal Saturday morning
tweezing Mommy's "beard"

And more of your quirks continued on another particular evening as we discussed some kind of social issue at school when you told me this..."It's complicated. You'll understand when you're in first grade." Ha. Oh really?

You also sung your first solo in your music class at school. Seriously kid, you have more guts than I ever did in first grade!

We got to see Uncle Blaize the other evening for dinner as well. You refused to get in our group selfie, typical of your aversion to pictures lately, but that's ok. It was so nice to spend time with him again.

One evening as we drove to hip hop, you watched the full moon outside your window and asked if it was following us. I explained that it was not and it was more like an optical illusion, however it led to a conversation about the moon and how your China parents look up at the same moon as you every night. Just like the questions you've been asking lately, I could tell your wheels were spinning as you thought about this. It reminded me of a rhyme that I recently learned and so a couple of nights later, I shared it with you. I know that there is not a lot that I can say to resolve the questions and ease the journey that lies ahead for you in finding your own identity and connecting your past, present and future; but I hope you know that I will always be here to listen and support you through it all. That you can count on. Forever and always.

I see the moon and the moon sees me and the moon
sees that someone that I long to see...
So God bless the moon and God bless me and God Bless
that someone that I long to see.

And finally, we wrapped up the most recent weekend with an early Chinese New Year celebration through our local COFCC. It was so nice to see so many of our friends again. Daddy is on the board now and played a huge role in planning, organizing, and helping throughout the whole thing. When we got home, he was pooped from all of that work. It went off without a hitch, everyone seemed to have a great time, the performances were fantastic, and you even got to help Daddy entertain the tables with his magic marble trick while they waited for their dinner. You loved it. That magic marble. Daddy takes it everywhere. Always a crowd favorite. Ha.

making a sheep for the Year of the Sheep!

hung bao!

helping Daddy entertain guests with the magic marble

playing on the stage after dinner

you and Mia

I know the Spring Festival doesn't officially begin for almost another couple of weeks, but...
Xin Nian Kuai Le! and Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Love,
Mama