This Girl Can Dance!

We went to a Tot Party this afternoon at a local community center. It was complete with a special DJ, twinkly lights, a bubble machine, all the inflatable guitars a kid could want, temporary tattoos, and a hair and nail salon. The raisins, goldfish and animal crackers were plentiful and kids could munch while they sat at tables with buckets of crayons and paper tablecloths. Jia got decked out in her squeaky shoes and shook her booty and much fun was had by all.

Poll Update

Don't worry, we did not, and do not, intend to purchase these shirts for our children. (Much to the relief of Jane's mother, who thought our poll suggested that we would actually purchase them.)

We just saw them for sale and wanted to raise the topic for discussion. Thanks for your votes! And if you haven't seen the poll yet, scroll down and give us your vote!

Tell us your opinion!

What would you think if our kids wore these shirts?
	Funny
	Tacky
	Tacky but funny
	Utterly offensive
	Where can I get one?
pollcode.com free polls

Our Monkey at the Zoo

Friday was a beautiful day here and we spent it at the zoo. We usually go to the spacious Minnesota Zoo, but this time we hit the Como Zoo. Como Zoo is slowly getting better, but is still rather grim in the sense that some of the animals are in very small enclosures. For small kids like Jia though, this means that the animals are front and center and about two feet away! So she had a thrilling day.

Her favorite was the giant polar bear. She kept yelling, "MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE!" the entire time we watched him.

Here she is enraptured in the aquatics area.

Here she is roaring like a lion.


Here she is clapping like a seal.


And here she is thinking that the monkeys are the most hilarious things she's ever seen.

We are overjoyed that she loves animals, birds and nature so very much, as we do as well.

A Growth Spurt or Very Active Listening?

Today, Jia was all about food. From when she arose at 6 (on the dot) to when she eventually went to bed after 8, she said "eat, eat, eat" all day. And she did. We tried to engage in various activities today, like playing at an indoor gym, but all she wanted to do was eat. She's never this hungry, so perhaps it's a growth spurt.

Or maybe, it's because of the book I read to her this morning, Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. I'm sure you are familiar with the book. In the book, Sam asks questions like, "Do you like green eggs and ham?" It's normally not an interactive book, but this morning, in response to each question, Jia emphatically nodded, "Yes."

"Do you like green eggs and ham?" "Yes." Nod. Nod.
"Would you like them with a mouse?" "Yes." Nod. Nod.
"Would you like them in a house?" "Yes." Nod. Nod.
"Would you eat them in a box?" "Yes." Nod. Nod.
"Would you eat them with a fox?" "Yes." Nod. Nod.

But I fed her neither green eggs nor ham today, so perhaps she stayed hungry all day because that was, deep down, what she really wanted.

The Royal Treatment

What could be finer than a massage, with lotion, from your favorite masseuse?

Jia has her preferred body parts. They've evolved over time from the ever-popular belly button to the rather mundane back. If we give her a sticker and ask her where she wants it? Her back. Hence, we've started focusing exclusively on backs when rubbing on lotion.

You'll see Jia expertly massaging Jane's back in the first photo, and then discussing her treatment options in the second one.


Her next favorite body part is destined to be the obscure elbow. She points out everyone's elbows quite often and states "Elbow!" with confidence and perfect articulation. (Likely because it rhymes with Elmo.)

A Petite Pollock

We just learned of this website, Jackson Pollock, and think it's fabulous. It's like fingerpainting without the mess. Just click on the blank canvas and drag and click again.

We are generally a run-around-outside type of family. This website is good for some rainy day fun. Jia currently thinks the computer's sole purpose is to store photos of her (and she's mainly right), but for a change, we let her have a go at creating her own Pollock masterpiece.

Here's the artist at work:

Compare these two photos. Do you notice anything similar?

No, we don't either. However, Jia does seem to have the memory retention of an elephant. So goes the saying, "an elephant never forgets", and such is Jia. Not only did she start talking today about the Elmo balloon she happened to see at a park ages ago, but she also remembers the location of every dog or cat or baby sighting (of which there are many).

She further remembers every bump or bruise she's ever received. This means that she walks around the house pointing all over and saying, "Ow!" Each room has numerous culprits. For example, in the bathroom, there's the bathroom sink, the tub, the toilet, the floor and the cabinet. They have all caused her grief at some point. Our house has never seemed so dangerous.

Just in time for our home visit by the social worker for our next adoption.

Music to Our Ears

We went to church recently and decided to try sitting at the service with Jia. She normally hangs out in the nursery, but because it was mostly music this Sunday, we thought we'd give it a shot. Jia was perfect during the opening announcements and spent her time doodling away on the programs with a pencil.

Then, the music started. It was a choir and they sang a loud, exuberant song. Jia gave the choir her rapt attention. When it was over, Jia waited a moment and then cheered, "YEA!!!!" She then started clapping and shouting, "MORE MORE!" I don't think that choir has ever had such a big fan! She amused the entire congregation.

Literally...she takes it

My mom warned me about this. She told me that kids take things literally, so we need to be careful what we say to them. I assumed that this meant no sarcasm, which I wouldn't do anyway. Well, we had three instances lately that led me to understand more fully what she meant:

• Jia and I were planning on heading upstairs, so I asked her, "Would you like to crawl up the stairs or do you want Mama to carry you?" She said, "crawl" and then dropped to the floor right there in the kitchen and crawled all the way over to the stairs (believing that her options at that point were crawl or be carried, not walk).
  
• Jia was drawing and a crayon broke in half. She seemed upset so I said, "It's okay, you can still draw with both pieces." She then took both pieces in one hand and drew with them at the same time (believing that her only option was to draw with both pieces in one hand at the same time).
• I was trying to get Jia to drink apple prune juice and I said, "This is good for your tummy!" She then took her sippy cup, lifted up her shirt and tried to get her belly button to drink (apparently believing that it was the fastest way to make her tummy feel better)!

I'm sure I've missed many more instances like these, and many more will come. But hey, at least she listens to her Mama!

Happy First Birthday Cousin Han!

Strawberry

This is Jia's favorite new word. Guess why?

Oink Oink and Cockadoodle Doo!

This is the year of the Pig. In fact, it is the year of the Golden Pig. This is an event that occurs very rarely and will ensure that a baby born during this year will experience a prosperous and wealthy life. Our daughter from Taiwan will likely be born this year - let's hope she has such good fortune!



Jia was born in the year of the Rooster. According to folklore, a Rooster has a flamboyant personality, and is feisty and obstinate. She is quite the extrovert who loves to strut her stuff and is proud of who she is. Outwardly confident, a Rooster is also a trustworthy, hardworking individual. She’ll tell it like it is with no qualms or reservations.

This sounds like our Jia! She says "Hi" to one and all, loves to flaunt her bows and shoes, and works hard during clean up time. She's our sassy little firecracker.

The discussion of these farm animals is very fitting as Jia's current most requested song is Old MacDonald Had a Farm, otherwise known in Jia-speak as "E-I-O!"