sweet girl melt my heart!

Daddy feels jealous at our mother-daughter relationship sometimes - because I seems to argue with Kaitlyn more often (mostly on small things), and she is little more afraid of me than him (especially when I start counting 1,2,3...), but we still bond closely like best friends, laugh hard, play crazy, and talks fast, that's mommy and daughter, hahaa...

Like yesterday, daddy and me ate lunch first while Kaitlyn finished up something, I saved a piece of chicken and pasta for her (as always:-). Daddy commented that mommies always think about their kids first and save the best for them. I smiled didn't say a word. Later, when we ate fruits together, daddy picked out a nice looking cherry for Kaitlyn, Kaitlyn said "for mommy!" and stuck it into my mouse. Daddy said "seems like you two had agreement to do this to each other!" We both laughed, yeah, of course, that's my sweet girl!

Daddy is her shelter when mommy doesn't let her do things her way. Daddy finds a comprised way and wipes out her tears. He knows that make me feel guilty as well - how could you be so cruel to a sweet little girl like her :-) When daddy gets mad, she finds her way out of it, she climbs onto him, rubs his face, picks his nose, tickles him, tucks into his arms, then all problems go away just like that. If he is really mad, she will find a place hide for a while then comes back playing the same tricks again, or will play victim like having stomache, haha...

One thing really strange though, it always takes longer when I take her to bed, and I fell asleep the same time or even faster, because by the time she sleeps, I'm too tired already. But she goes to sleep much easier (most of the time...) when it's daddy's turn. Maybe because of all the routines I did for her ahead of time, so feels longer, plus read books and talk...?? I remember I always had to negotiate with Kaitlyn on how many books or pages to read before turning off lights. I have no idea what daddy does? I remember before Kaitlyn turned four, for many times, I was getting pissed off about putting her to sleep, after rounds of tug-of-war of sleep-not sleep, and ended up asking help from daddy. Then few minutes later, daddy walked out her room like a winner, uhh...

Either way, I do enjoy that time with her, the best moment everyday to be so in touch with her. We both work, so we really only have a few hours to be around her each day. After several years, she will not want us in her room or in her bed at all, haha, time flies by fast!

Busy weekend

July 20, 2008


I don't know how Wendy has energy hit the road almost every weekend?:-) We were still recovering from b-day parties from last week. This weekend, we went to Austin on Friday for grandma's b-day and came back late Saturday night. Well, me and daddy did go shopping at Round Rock outlet mall for a couple of hours, that's a lot of walk, and hurt to my wallet:-)
On Sunday, we went to Miller Outdoor Theater watched "Disney when you wish" performance. That was a great show, we all love it! By the time we left, it was 11pm already, the girls were all tired, so am I.

When I was sitting in my office that Monday morning, I was tired... that's because I was carpooling, had to get up at 5:30am. This is not fun...

Happy Birthday!

Party was over more than a week ago, seems like we're still recovering from tiredness :-)

That weekend was busy - Kaitlyn had her birthday party at Ceramics By Tess on Saturday, we went to Avery's b-day party on Sunday. Kaitlyn felt bad we couldn't make it to Maria (her good friend at school) b-day party because that's on the same day as hers. Ohh, well, many daddies/mommies were busy 9month before this :-)

We had so much fun at the Ceramics place. I picked this place because none of her friends had a party at this place before, Kaitlyn likes painting (which I'm sure most kids do at this age), and by doing this, I was hoping she can make something memorable (which didn't turn out quite as I expected). But it's worth it and I'm glad other moms liked as well, getting their hands dirty :-)

The planning part wasn't bad, since I know she likes Pony and most girly pink stuff. I did shoppings by myself, which I believe when it comes b-day party for kids, most daddies feels being dragged into this, haha! My husband is a perfect example, not only he didn't volunteer for anything (which means he still corporate on whatever assignments I delegated to him :-), he showed up late for the party, even forgot to bring the cake! Ohh well, I have to say he took pics and sang happy birthday, good enough, haha...

Ohh, everything went so well, except little birthday girl threw a fist when eating the cake. After I cut the cake and was busy passing out pieces, we didn't realize we missed giving the birthday girl a fork. Kaitlyn burst out in tears and cried "mommy, why I don't have a fork! It's my birthday!" She was actually holding her temper pretty well, because at that point all other kids started eating already. Haha, I laughed, sorry you're so special today:-) This is your moment of performance at the party :o) I thought this is funny, because for every b-day party we recently went, the birthday girl/boy had special moment - Mandy refused to cut the cake because it's a princess castle; Avery fell asleep when everyone sang happy birthday song - poor girl, she was too tired; Christian felt sad because his party turned into a teenager party towards the end and he can not open his gifts...
I'll go pick up their artwork this weekend, can't wait to see...

Of course, the party wasn't over when we got home that day, several girls stopped by our house and continued as a tattoo party. I have no idea why they're all so crazy about putting colorful tattoos on themselves?

Happy birthday, my sweet girl!

Interesting Stories

Story one:
I was reading to Kaitlyn last night in bed. One page was talking about people have different hair color, different skin. I asked her where do children get their hair colors from. I was expecting the answer “mommy & daddy”. But she said “God?” I looked at her very curiously, asked why? Then her story kept going on – God has a big big belly, with all kinds of people inside, like a kangaroo. He hops around, and people felt out of his pocket, then a baby is born. Then more and more babies were born… then on and on… Interesting, how imaginary a child’s mind!

Story Two:
Two nights before, Kaitlyn woke up in the middle of the night to our bed, said she can’t sleep. (Then we all can’t sleep anymore…) Daddy hid in another room right away, she slept next me. I don’t remember for how long, she kept saying she doesn’t want to close her eyes, she can’t sleep. I was too tired, and told her go find daddy then. (what a great mommy!) Then I heard she cried in daddy’s room, that she dreamed about monsters, green monsters… Ohh, that’s why, now I know, but I was too tired to respond. The next morning when I woke up, she and daddy slept in “L” shape in the other room with lights on. I’m glad that’s a king size bed and I should take a picture, haha…

I asked her what does monster looks like in her dream and what did they do? Then her story starts again – many monsters, big and small, green and red, a big monster with many small ones, they’re coming after me, etc. I randomly pointed to a monster picture in her book, she said yes, just like that, expect this part is red, this part is green, and head is bigger, tail is longer… I was too scared to say anything to them but ran away… Ohh, my gosh, whatever! She turned my sympathy into a chance making up stories for fun! Should I tell her no more crawling into my bed next time if you dream about these kinds of monsters again! Haha…

I even talk to these letters...

haha...What are you going to do with me?!

A new problem

While I was cooking the other day, Kaitlyn wants to watch TV. Noggin was playing Dora at the time. She told me she doesn’t like Dora anymore, the only reason she will watch is she likes learning Spanish.

That night, I mentioned about a new girl in her classroom. She is Chinese who can barely speak any English. I asked Kaitlyn if they’re friends. Kaitlyn told me no, she doesn’t want to speak Chinese at school, and that girl always bug her when she is doing her work. (well, that’s a different issue we talked about later about helping others). I asked her why she doesn’t like Chinese. She said she does’t know, but she likes Spanish better, it’s more fun. Then I realize we have a bigger problem.

It wasn’t long ago, she told Ms. Anny she “doesn’t speak English” (in English). Which I know it’s probably 70% correct. Now, she speaks English everyday, everywhere, to everybody, unless you ask her to speak Chinese. Sometimes, she even forgets about the Chinese words. She prefers to talk to grandpa better than grandpa, probably because grandma speaks better English ;-) Amazing how fast kids pick up a foreign language at this age! Part of this is our fault, we respond to her in English more and more nowadays, simply because it’s easier. We need to change that habit – pretend we don’t understand what’s her talking about if she speaks English at home! Or I need to practice my Chinese here more...

Secondly, there is no good Chinese program teaching kids overseas at all! I only hope she could read and speak when she grows up, forget about writing part, unless I send her back to China for some time. One reason I’m hesitated to take her to a Chinese School on the weekend is because 1)all kids speaks English there, 2)teachers use textbook from China that doesn’t make sense for kids here, 3) there are no training on teachers themselves! Why should I waste money and time? We could do a better job at home if we have time.

Why can’t anyone create learning tools like “Dora the Explorer” allowing kids enjoy learning a different language? Learning should be fun for kids, not as punishment. I have to admit this is part of the culture/education system difference. Under current education system in China, kids are taught to study for exams, not to think and ask, of course not to have fun. I’m always so amazed about all kinds of creative materials used by schools here. They are not complicated, but kids enjoy it. The kids in China are taught to copy good things better/faster but not create themselves. Well, even if these material were given to a Chinese teacher, the outcomes are still different, we’re more focused on academics than socially/creative skills. If someone could develop a good program promoting learning Chinese, they might make good profit in business, haha...

Does this mean western culture has stronger influence in today’s world (of course) than Asian cultures that may gradually faded out? How many influential scientists/philosopher/artists were Chinese in the past hundred years? How many students in China know much traditions/literature at school? In China, how much of today’s lifestyles are influence by western technology rather than traditional culture? I may be one of those who don’t know much of either, and I’m sure I’m not alone out there. So what should I tell my daughter, to learn a culture/language she doesn’t use it much, doesn’t know much about it, only because of her ancestor, or she should go forward with what she likes?

surprise work, special memories

Found some old pictures of artwork keke had done, some of the "first" I forgot to mention. I took more pictures than I thought but never posted?!

A lego ship

First dance recital - backstage

First beer? naa, first crawfish boil. Mommy's finger nails still hurts after two days, haha...

My lifelong friend from the very first day I was born, and my very first boyfriend?...

Dragon puzzle - I had painted for many days, the first things to do when I got home from school

Ducklings hatched out of my school -

Things to write down

In less than two weeks, Keke will be five!

Today, we're staying home cleaning up toys. Since so many toys laid here and there, new and old, I just give up organizing them, except finding more and more containers to hide. haha... Hopefully after this, I can have some old ones boxed up, some trashed, and some organized.

I noted some things about Kailtyn, but always forgot to write down:

1. When sharing food, she always picks the smallest one for herself, because she said she is the youngest. Even if it's something she really likes it, she doesn't feel wronged, and she tells herself (and us) is because she is the youngest one. I'm very touched, what a sweet girl!

2. She has been complaining about lonely and boring a lot recent months, even though she always finds things to do, especially after we come back from outside or on weekends. Maybe we need to start thinking about getting her a playmate.

3. She has many imagination friends. Sometime it's a secret friend. Who knows? So far she told me a wide variety of imagination friends - her white tiger, whale, Genevieve (from Barbie movie), monsters, Presidents, friends/teacher from school, a flower...

4. She likes helping me with housecleaning. Especially since a few months ago, I told her she need to take responsibility on certain housework, or she will loose one toy or one book at a time. Two duties she accepted - one is wipe/clean the table every time after dinner, one is feed the dog. After a week long effort, we both forgot. Recently, she remembers that, and reminds me not to help her but let her finish her job by herself. I'm so proud of our little girl!

5. She likes to write/draw things in her diary (what she called a "diary"). Amazingly, whatever she drew many weeks ago, she remembers the story behind the pictures! (What I called chicken-scratching :-) She made books of her stories and flipped page by page telling me the exactly the same story. I guess there were meanings to those pictures, even though they don't mean anything to me.

6. She understands joke much better now. Doesn't take daddy's joke seriously, she would laugh, make silly face, and even make a joke back to daddy. It's so funny. At the beginning, she felt confused, or hurt by daddy's silly jokes. Now she takes it calmly.

7. She takes Ms. Anny's word seriously, like bible. Whatever Ms. Anny taught at school, she emphasis it with "for really!".

8. She likes braids and pony tail, but no piggy tails. I don't know why... But she still prefers putting hair down.

9. We went to movie together the first time last week watching "KungFu Panda". Before that, we watched many movies at home, not sure how she would act at a movie theater. Because at home, she laughs loud, jumps up and down, pause to go to bathroom, I do not want to feel embarrassed in public, also it's much cheaper to rent movie. But she did great. After that, we watched another one "Wall-E", she is not into robots at all. At least, daddy and I enjoyed that movie a lot more, haha. She likes silly movies with animals and history (with kings and queens).

10. Due to daddy's influence, she likes history. She is so excited to watch movies / hear stories about Presidents, queen Elizabeth, etc.

11. She hasn't pee at nighttime at least two weeks straight... Ya-pee... And she doesn't take nap anymore, getting ready for school.

12. Not until this very last departure of grandma and grandpa, she never showed any sadness of seeing any relatives/friends leaving. Asked her why, she always says "I don't know, we'll see each other again."

13. She still like kids song. Her new favorite music channels are now classical and country music.

14. She has teeth decay, urrr... way to early than I expected:-(

Butterfly from July 4th celebration

My new entertainment - reading Sunday Chronicle comics

Yee ha, field trip tomorrow!

Kaitlyn is so excited about the field trip to horse ranch tomorrow. Since Monday, she has been telling me to get things ready - jean, boots and cowboy hat...

Here she goes... in her pajama, jean she picked, bare foot, and daddy's hat. Haha...

I found Texas...

Anyone wants to joint my party

Yee ha...

Riding horse?

Belief

We went to San Antonio over the weekend. Besides Sea World, we went to visit two historical missions. I'm really glad we went, especially on a Sunday morning.

It was steaming hot outside, but it's cool and peaceful inside the church. This is the first time I took Kaitlyn to a Catholic church. She likes it a lot, especially the music. When we sat inside listening to prayers, she laid her toy next to her, pat her, and listened to choir quietly. She asked me what's a church, why do people go to church, and is Jesus a real person??? She is working hard inside her head...

When we got home that Sunday evening, she whispered to me that she likes church! She seems so exciting and anxious to go again. I was so happy to hear that - because I've been thinking about going to church recently, but not sure if she is willing to go with me. Maybe God is trying to tell me something...

Then yesterday morning after I took her for a doctor's visit, we went to eat lunch. When she saw the food on the table, she spontaneously put her hands together and started praying "thank you for the food, thank you for everything..." I was really shocked, because we're not Christian and we don't pray. I asked her where did she learn that, she said she doesn't know, maybe at school. But I know her school doesn't do this, maybe she has seen some kids doing this.

Anyway, I was really surprise and happy to see that. Now I'm further convinced that I should take her to church.

mommy going green

Kaitlyn and I were brushing teeth the other day, I left water running while brushing my teeth. She told me I need to turn off the water, do not waste it, because many people living on the earth have no food or water.

I looked at her and said I totally agreed. Umm, the things we taught her are now being used back on us. I'm glad stuff we taught her actually stay in her mind, but any side effects down the road?

She is right, even though we don't purposely waste stuff, but resource in this country is so abundant that we don't think about conservation in a lot of times. We shopped at HEB the other day, I thought about buying those recycle shopping bags, but had second thoughts, what if I go to Kroger, do I still use HEB bags? And does that mean I should wash them every time coming back from grocery shopping? Will I remember to bring them every time when I go to grocery? Or is it just looks trendy to carry green shopping bags?

I remember, when I was little, my parents used to bring couple grocery bags to the market. As economic grows, more and more plastic bags are offered at the markets. We thought that's so convenient, and it's a sign of better life. Now, we're going back to the old times, eating food that used to be considered "low class", using reusable bags instead of plastic bags, driving less polluted smaller cars, looking forward to the opportunities go out to the nature... isn't it ironic? But, hey, we're in Texas, where things are the bigger the better, haha... Maybe this is the way our universe is rebalance itself, and human being are changing behaviors to adapt the change.