Pancake Star

Sundays are often pancake days. It's a family affair - XX takes care of dry ingredients while I do the egg whites and then fold all the parts together. John is the flapjack flipper.

Yesterday, after I'd done my part, I left the room for a minute. Only in the past month or so have I been able to leave without a certain someone bellowing out, "MAMA!!!" (It used to be out of insecurity, but ever since John explained to her, "You don't need to call for Ma all the time," she decided she would do it mostly to irritate him.)

When I came back, she was asking John for something, slowly and loudly, repeating over and over. She wanted a "pancake star." Not a pancake in the shape of a star, but a star for the pancake.

She's been getting stars on the fridge when her behavior warrants. She loves them. Sometimes she says that Daddy has been good so he should get a star. Now the pancake needed a star.

John asked what the pancake had done to deserve this honor.

She sighed then patiently explained, "Pancake good, Daddy. Pancake needs a star."

And after all that, she ate her sausages and only took one bite of pancake, before running off to play. Like they say, the fun is in the journey.

It's Anniversary Time!

Our world changed two years ago today. It's amazing how a simple email can take your breath away.

"Your referral is on its way ..."

And in the blink of an eye (with a few tears added in) we're here:

We're raising our glasses to toast families - to those already together and to those still waiting to be united.

Cheers!

Happy Easter

A day late, which translates to three days early for me.

We went to spend the weekend with our friends, Kim, Craig, Kyra and Sophie. We took the girls to see the Easter Bunny. (Note my daughter's shoes are on the wrong feet. When this was pointed out by John, she retorted, "shoes be o-TAY!")

For some odd reason, XX thought the Easter Bunny was McGee, her bear. It was incredible for her to see him up and about.

And hard to drag her away. She ran up to him during the next child's session to give him one more kiss, and talked about him until we got home last night, asking to see him "one more time."

The girls also rode a train. Kyra was the perfect "jie jie" (older sister) and took care of XX, even moving to sit beside her when another girl got in their car.

The girls played ...

... and dyed and decorated eggs.

XX thought it was great to have a big sister and best friend, and Kyra stepped into the role perfectly.

The egg hunt was exciting, but not much could compare to the wrapping paper (except the chick that Kyra made at school - XX LOVED the "xiao ji").

Sophie also was the perfect hostess, tolerating more than any dog would (or should have to).

It was three days of fun and stimulation. So today, we rested. Make that collapsed.

Aaaahhhh ...

Trying

One of the requests I hear constantly is "Try! XiaoXiao TRY!"

Balance six tube blocks on top of each other and then a doll on top of that tower? No problem. Just try, you'll probably succeed.


She wanted to powder Boris's nose. I said it wasn't a good idea but she said, "TRY!" then came back triumphantly telling me that he liked it. (I think he was just too lazy to get up and move.)

She's a stubborn girl who won't be told she can't do something, and I admire that trait. I really do. I hope it means that nothing will get in the way of her success one day.

But right now, this also means when I ask her not to step on the electrical cords, she stares at me and slowly steps back on, a deliberate and precise rebellion.

We say it's cold, she should wear her hat outside.


And the parenting job inches back and just out of my reach. How do I applaud and encourage her obstinate push against the inevitable boundaries of life, but make sure she stays within the barriers of my rules. Rules of safety and manners, but I'm sure, senseless to a two-year old. I fail many times over; I lose my temper or I laugh at the wrong moment.

Like when she refused to back down about the hat. John threw his hands up and asked, "Where in the world did this kid come from?" and she explained cheerily, "China, Daddy. XiaoXiao born in China." I sputtered in my attempt not to laugh, and the standoff came to an end. And obviously, she walked hatless.

But honestly, there are days when along with trying new tasks, the girl is trying my patience. I can't wait to see where this stubbornness takes her.

If I live that long.

Not Clear

I don't think I was clear on my last post.

That vid is XX without sugar. Just her normal, everyday behavior.

Imagine the possibilities a little lollypop could present.

Sugar

This is why we try to keep the stuff out of XX's diet (apple pie was just lovely apples - fructose-y enough).

Life is still really sweet, though somewhat exhausting.