True Love

We went to Dim Sum today with a friend, who has an older son. Chase told me on the drive home that she wanted to marry the boy when she gets older. I told her that was nice, but she had a lot of life to live and a lot to do before she should think about getting married.

And then I said, "Chase, there are going to be a lot of boys who will want to marry you. You need to take your time deciding."

And she said, "I think when it's time to get married, I will go for a walk and a boy will come to me and tell me he wants to marry me." I said, "Yes, that's probably what will happen. A lot."

Dragon/Lion Dances

To celebrate Chinese New Year, our little town held a dragon/lion dance -- it was fabulous, or so I was told by Hubs. We arrived at the designated time, only to hear it was going to start an hour later. After an hour, Mads was ready to go -- just in time for everything to start. So we played in the playground nearby, while Hubs and Chase watched the dancers. Here are some pictures!

What Keeps Chase Busy

I thought this was worth posting, because I came into the playroom and asked Chase what she was doing. She said, "I am writing a story about Pink-o-licious." The funny thing is I could actually read it.














The next picture came as a result of one music lesson with a new teacher. As a result, she can now write music for any song she can sing. I wonder what she will learn this week?

Updates

Chase:
- After one piano lesson with her new teacher, she can now write (not play) the music for any song she can sing. Okay, she doesn't actually score (it that right?) the notes, but she can tell what kind of notes are used to achieve the rhythm/pattern within the song.
- I have decided to start her in a new ballet class. The one we've been attending has been lovely, but I want to give another teacher a try.
- Mandarin is going really well. Her language is improving to the point where she is correcting me on pronunciation.
- Spelling and reading are going REALLY well. She is doing both. She can read anything she doesn't get too upset trying to figure out. She is always writing something. Some kind of book about something. She mad a chart the other day about Madoc. When was Madoc nice? When was she naughty? Chase made sure to make notes throughout the day.
- Tennis lessons are now her favorite. Absolute favorite. Maybe it's because the tennis coach has a son named Will, who is super cute, and age 8. (WHOA!)
- Swim lessons are on hold until it warms up a little.
- We hear about schools THIS WEEK. Fingers crossed we get into ONE.
- Oh and Chase saw a friend being naughty and decided to try it - after 45 minutes of screaming (her) there were loads of tears (Chase, Mads and Me), and finally it ended.
- LOVES her dolly Mezzabelle, she takes her EVERYWHERE.

Madoc:
- WOW. Really coming into her own.
- Has started counting.
- Puts three words together. Says things now that she has come up with on her own ... for example, we entered the house and she said, "shoes off."
- Very much her own person. Knows what she wants, when she wants it.
- Started Mandarin lessons.
- She is IN our first choice school for next year, thank goodness!
- Can draw a face with eyes, nose, ears, mouth, hair.
- Loves puzzles and is pretty good at 9-piece puzzles.
- Loves, Loves, Loves her BABA JOJO (a doll my mom gave her who she has named after our helper)
- Still has problems falling to sleep (this started in October when we took her to the US), but I think she is very close to giving up naps, which will make sleep time much easier.

My Big Fat Chinese GREEK New Year - Of The Rabbit

A friend invited us to her home to celebrate Chinese New Year. As Chinese food can be found any day, our hostess decided to have a GREEK Chinese new year. Fabulous - and so hilarious.














I arrived a little early to snap some pictures...














Mads, of course, heads for the swing...













Good thing Chase is such a great big sister!













Everyone looked great!




















Greek style ...













Ready to party ...




















Friends...



















































































The hostess with the most-ess ...













Ah yes, the swing (again!)...














More friends...



























Hubs and Mads...














More friends...














Hey Mads, where are you going?














I should have known.... to get cookies ...




















































Oh the cuteness...




















The kids (about 30) ...






































































































Chinese (Greek?) New Year wouldn't be complete without lanterns...

































As the day came to a close... Mads ... "I don't want to go! I want to swing (more!)"






































And for those who want to know more about the new year...

The Year of the Rabbit will be a placid year; welcomed after the ferocious year of the Tiger.

Good taste will shine. People will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. A congenial time in which diplomacy and international relations will be given priority.

A time to watch out that we do; do not become too indulgent. The influence of the Rabbit tends to spoil those who like too much comfort.

Rules will not be rigidly enforced. The scene is quiet and calm. We will all have a tendency to put off tasks as long as possible.

Money can be made without too much labor. Our life style will be leisurely. A temperate year with unhurried pace.

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin) and Gong Hey Fat Choy (Cantonese)!