Good Days

It's that time of year when good weather days tease.


I always think we'll catch one of the warm afternoons and head off to the zoo, but the reality is, it's hard to time it all out. So when Daddy was at work and XX and I were tired of being inside, we just picked up and went.

Even though we go regularly, I managed to get lost. We parked in a different area, which turned out fine, as we saw the zoo from a new perspective.

We missed the tiger enrichment, but still watched as he stood up, stretching against the trees.

This is a reenactment.

XX tried her first ice cream sandwich.

The after-effects were impressive, even though she only ate about half of the huge treat. I was glad to have the big open spaces for her to run and scream.


We went to see her daddy host a local television talk show. We watched the taping and she asked, "Is Baba on the tv? Is that Baba?" I said it was. She thought for a moment before asking, "Well, how is he going to get out?"

Later that day, I got her a strawberry paleta from a local shop. She'd had a high fever and though she was happy as ever and never complained, I thought I was watching her disappear before my eyes. The popsicles are so large, this is as far as she got. We put it in the freezer and she had another go at it later, but to no avail. "Enough, Mum. That's enough." She opted for a few pieces of broccoli, water and bed. The child knows how to listen to her body. She woke up fine the next morning.


When out this morning in Target, a woman commented "Oooh, a scary tiger!" XiaoXiao rolled her eyes and said, "Why did she say that? Tigers aren't scary. I like tigers and I'm a nice tiger."

Good days.

Easter

We had a low-key, but wonderful weekend.

I took XiaoXiao to see the Flower Show. Despite the many signs that said, "Don't Touch," the blossoms were irresistible.

And despite the many amazing displays, guess who drew more attention than the flowers? Not too many tiger-costumed children walking around. And woe to anyone who called her "Tigger." She turned to tell them loudly that she was NOT Tigger, she was a tiger -- a Big Tiger -- and would they please call her the correct name. One woman looked at me and said, "A two year old just scolded me," which earned another reprimand as XX threw her hands up, rolled her eyes and said dramatically, "I'm THREE."

We dyed eggs. Peter Paas has come a long way. Anything you can imagine, you can do with an egg dyeing kit. I really wanted glow-in-the-dark, but thinking of my daughter, good mother that I am, ha ha, opted for the box with stickers, flowers and a tiny bottle of glue.

She was a little worried that Boris might scare the Easter Bunny away, so asked him before bed, if he would behave. Good doggie that we have, allowed the eggs to be hidden inside, "hidden" being a relative term. All out in the open, but so much fun for this child. She kept hitting her forehead and saying, "Eggies don't belong THERE!" as she plucked them up and stashed them into her basket. Ever the hammy actor.

Cracking and eating the eggs was a lot of fun. Ariel was happy to get all the yolks as XX had two eggs for breakfast and two more for lunch!

I keep thinking she's getting so much bigger, and she is, but every so often, I see why people think she's two. She's still a peanut.

After breakfast, XiaoXiao found the Bunny had left a few more sticker-stuffed and playdoh-stuffed eggs outside.

Uncle Jack came for dinner as usual -- Sunday is "Uncle Jack Day" in her world, so the day was complete.

It was her third Easter home and though we've celebrated and done egg hunts every year with friends, this is the first time she's been old enough to have it "take." It was simple but memorable. Thanks, Easter Bunny!

Why I Love Crayola

They make washable markers for those moments you tell your 3-year old to "find something to do."

It's a BOY!!!

Update: new blog is at kyraandliam.blogspot.com

Our friends, wait, I mean, our family, got the most amazing news on Friday: the child they have been waiting for for over three years is a beautiful two year old BOY from China!

I do not think China gives up her boys lightly, but Liam is going home where he will be loved, wanted and needed.

I'll let Kimba tell you the news. She's going to get a new blog SOON but for now, go to: www.kyraandhermeimei.blogspot.com.