I think someone slipped Jia some caffeine. It's nearly ten o'clock and she isn't anywhere near asleep. Normally we do our routine and she sings or chats to herself a bit and then fizzles out. We never have to go back up unless she needs help on the potty.
Throughout the course of the evening tonight, she had to go potty, her polar bear and giant dog had a very lively discussion, she sang every song she knows, and loudly chanted the cheer from her class: "Jia's here today. Jia's here today. Yaaaaaaaay JIA!" (And subsequently cheered for all her family and friends and each animal in her bed.)
I just went up to find her completely naked and singing Frère Jacques, both French and English versions. I can't seem to find her "off" button anywhere!
Side note #1: Jia was given a new polar bear book that depicts a polar bear eating a seal, and ice foxes threatening to eat baby polar bears. This new knowledge of nature may have spurred the eventful "polar bear/giant dog" drama in her bed.
Side note #2: Did anyone else hear YeYe singing Frère Jacques in Mandarin on Ni Hao Kai-Lan the other day? I'd love to get the pronunciation so we could sing that too!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Presidential stuff
Being that we recently celebrated President's Day, we read a book about presidents in Jia's class. It ended by saying "And you could be president someday too!"
Well, the Constitution indicates that Jia can't be president because she wasn't born here. (There is some room for legal debate there, but that is the generally-accepted reading of it. The fact that she's a U.S. citizen makes no difference.)
This provision has bugged me forever because I always thought my sister (who was adopted from Korea) was good presidential material (6th grade class president, senior class president, very active in groups at college, natural leader, etc.). I did some research and found this organization, Equality for Adopted Children, and wanted to share it. They're seeking a constitutional amendment to rectify this issue.
Well, the Constitution indicates that Jia can't be president because she wasn't born here. (There is some room for legal debate there, but that is the generally-accepted reading of it. The fact that she's a U.S. citizen makes no difference.)
This provision has bugged me forever because I always thought my sister (who was adopted from Korea) was good presidential material (6th grade class president, senior class president, very active in groups at college, natural leader, etc.). I did some research and found this organization, Equality for Adopted Children, and wanted to share it. They're seeking a constitutional amendment to rectify this issue.
Monday, February 18, 2008
We're taking the plunge
Literally. We've decided to use cloth diapers with Hsin-Yen.
We've been trying to minimize our environmental footprint, so to speak. We often bring along reusable bags when shopping, we have a compost bin out back, we've switched a lot of our light bulbs to ones that use less energy. Joe makes his own eco-friendly cleaners. We're slowly changing our ways and trying to be more thoughtful about our impact.
Joe has always been quite green. On one of our first dates we went hiking and he spent the entire time picking up trash along the way. Although I didn't feel like holding his grimy hand, I was pleasantly surprised at his motivation. So, as we don't live in a drought-prone area, we have decided to give cloth diapering a go. It helps a lot that a friend is letting me borrow some diapers, that other friends are sharing lots of tips and tricks, and that Joe is mainly the one who does the laundry. ;-)
We've been trying to minimize our environmental footprint, so to speak. We often bring along reusable bags when shopping, we have a compost bin out back, we've switched a lot of our light bulbs to ones that use less energy. Joe makes his own eco-friendly cleaners. We're slowly changing our ways and trying to be more thoughtful about our impact.
Joe has always been quite green. On one of our first dates we went hiking and he spent the entire time picking up trash along the way. Although I didn't feel like holding his grimy hand, I was pleasantly surprised at his motivation. So, as we don't live in a drought-prone area, we have decided to give cloth diapering a go. It helps a lot that a friend is letting me borrow some diapers, that other friends are sharing lots of tips and tricks, and that Joe is mainly the one who does the laundry. ;-)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
We really stepped it up this year (as opposed to last year). We actually gave Jia a Valentine! We also had lots of pink heart clothes, special treats and craft projects. Jia thoroughly enjoyed her choking-hazard holiday complete with ring lollipop and candy heart bracelet. We separately enjoyed chocolate rum fondue, cranberry orange scones and raspberry lemon drop drinks, after she went to bed.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Jia Pictures
Jia has been getting the shaft picture-wise lately. So, here are some recent ones of new year crafts, her new trike, and of her, cousin Han and Grandpa at his birthday party. Happy birthday dad!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Happy New Year!!!
It's the year of the rat. We're making rats out of felt, reading books about the new year, eating Chinese treats, coloring images of the zodiac, lanterns and more rats, and giving red envelopes. Fun!
It's the year of the rat. We're making rats out of felt, reading books about the new year, eating Chinese treats, coloring images of the zodiac, lanterns and more rats, and giving red envelopes. Fun!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Hsin-Yen's Third Update!!
Ohhhh, she's so cute! We are very happy to see that she's wearing an outfit from the care package we sent. She rewards us with a little smile at the end of the video. We are feeling very lucky, just like it says on her pillow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)