6yr Check-up

Weighed in at 40lbs

Measured at 43in

All else healthy.

Watch out! She's on a bike now.

Mini started riding a bike today.  Just hopped on and pedaled away.

She had a couple of lessons with Dad in the past months but today was the big day.

Shanghai

First trip to China!  May 27 through Jun 21.

Wild Animal Park

The Bund

People's Square

Yu Yuan 

NanJing Lu

XinTianDi

EDay Town

Suzhou 

and a LOT of time at 金谊J广场 (J-Mall).

3 Year Check-up

Hey ma, no pictures, I'm naked!  Haha, to think this guy can show any embarrassment.  

There years old and healthy as can be.

31.4lbs (47% percentile)

36.5in (23%percentile)

HAPPY 3rd!

Little man is three today!  Spending the weekend in Tahoe just like last year.  Maybe it'll be tradition now.

Expanded Tea Party

Grande's getting into the tea service.  He served blueberries and milk tea to us.

Tea Party

Tea service for one.  Any way to get more water into him.

15 Minute Masterpiece

Grande's teachers said we should explore more art with him since that's his favorite activity at preschool.  Took him to a studio at the mall where an art student taught him to draw a ladybug.  Not sure if he learned much since she did most of the drawing holding his hand but he had fun and wants to go back.  We only did 15 minutes this session so will try longer next time. Afterwards, he ran through the mall with his finished piece and proudly showed it to strangers yelling, "My ladybug!!!

Kinder Movie Night

Mini got to experience a special treat tonight.  The four kindergarten teachers hosted a pizza and popcorn movie night for 20 kids where they could bring their sleeping bags and camp out in Ms. Wong's classroom.  They watched the Peanuts movie and then went out to the play yard to search for night creatures with their flashlights.  Pretty awesome night for the kids!  

Little Boss Man

Grande goes to work with me.  My co-workers call him Little Boss Man and Tiny Tyrant.  He does act like a tyrant as he goes around yelling at people and pointing his finger with hands on hip.  But he makes himself at home and everyone accepts his antics.  He even knows which aunties and uncles have treats to share.  They definitely spoil him with cookies and toys.

Rainy Day Safeway

Grande braving the rain and going grocery shopping with me.  Of course, he gets a treat.  Chocolate donut of his own choosing.

No Electricity

Today I was giving Grande a bath. He was lying on his stomach as I washed his hair. He sat up and saw that his "little birdie" had woken up. In Chinese, he said to me, "It turned on by itself." A minute later, he proclaimed, "It turned off by itself...No electricity." It was pretty funny. I guess he already thinks of it like a toy.

Random Sleep Toys

Grande, you choose quirky things to sleep with.  Most kids prefer a stuffed animal or something soft.  You choose very unconventional toys.  Tonight, it's a heavy, wooden rolling pin in a pink bag.  Previous nights, it's been a head lamp, bucket with two wooden eggs, balled up Ziploc baggie, Valentine's Day card, flashlights, dice in a can, and other things.

Piano Lessons Begin

Mini started piano lessons today.

Little Houdini

So my 2.5 year old can unlock the bathroom door.  Not sure if he learned on his own or from his big sister, but there goes the only sanctuary I have.  The bathroom was the last place to escape for a kid-free moment and now that's not even possible.  It's funny to hear him twisting the door lock with a floss pick, then he bursts in and yells, "I found you!"

Potty Training Once Again

Grande chose today of all days to initiate potty training.  He's been using the potty at preschool and, this afternoon, he stripped off his diaper at home and peed on the couch, floor and hallway.  And I am sick as a dog.  Here's to trips to the bathroom every forty minutes and lots of clean up...

100 Days

100 Days of Kindergarten

Official Girl Scout

Mini was inducted as a Girl Scout today.  This is the beginning of many fun adventures with her Daisy buddies.