This evening I got out the iron for the first time in ages. Kate, in her inquisitive 3-y-o fashion, extictedly brought over a chair so she could see what was going on. After the whole "this is really hot, be careful, we don't want to go to the hospital tonight" spiel, we had the following conversation:
Me: When you get big enough that you don't need a chair, maybe you can help with the ironing.
Kate: Yeah, and when I'm a mommy and you're a grandma then we can do it together. I can do one and you can do one.
Great idea. When you're a mommy, how many kids do you want to have?
Two. Two boys. (thinks for a minute) Like Rick and Jerry.
Oh, you mean twins?
Yeah, twins.
But if you just have boys then you won't have any girls so you can't put pretty things in their hair and maybe they won't like shopping.
That's ok.
I guess doing 'girly' things isn't very important for this little girl! Surprise, surprise!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Kate's 1st Haircut
As you may be aware, Kate's been a reluctant potty-trainee.
Or maybe we should say she's got a toilet phobia.
Imagine crying about not wearing a diaper.
And screaming about the idea of sitting on the toilet.
But at school, she'll relent to sitting on the kiddie-sized toilets for 5 seconds before proclaiming, "I can't get the pee out!"
Around the end of June Keanu was due for a haircut and Kate expressed her interest in a haircut, too. My response: "Ok, when you pee in the potty, you can get your haircut!" Next day, no such luck. Nor the next day, or the day after that.
About 3 weeks later, she proudly proclaimed upon my arrival at school "Mommy, I peed in the potty!" Of course we made a trip to the hair salon on our way home from school to get the reward. And here are some pics of the process and the result.
It turned out a bit shorter than I'd thought, but still, we're all happy with the result.
She loves the shorter hair. It's so much easier to maintain and tons cooler, I'm sure. Even though it happened about a month ago, she still looks in the mirror and says "Oh, I still have my new haircut!"
Or maybe we should say she's got a toilet phobia.
Imagine crying about not wearing a diaper.
And screaming about the idea of sitting on the toilet.
But at school, she'll relent to sitting on the kiddie-sized toilets for 5 seconds before proclaiming, "I can't get the pee out!"
Around the end of June Keanu was due for a haircut and Kate expressed her interest in a haircut, too. My response: "Ok, when you pee in the potty, you can get your haircut!" Next day, no such luck. Nor the next day, or the day after that.
About 3 weeks later, she proudly proclaimed upon my arrival at school "Mommy, I peed in the potty!" Of course we made a trip to the hair salon on our way home from school to get the reward. And here are some pics of the process and the result.
 |
| Look at where the curls start. Can you tell why I was reluctant about cutting off those baby curls? |
 |
| Almost done! |
 |
| Finished! |
She loves the shorter hair. It's so much easier to maintain and tons cooler, I'm sure. Even though it happened about a month ago, she still looks in the mirror and says "Oh, I still have my new haircut!"
Summer Project 2
Both kids are working on this project. It all started on Keanu's last day of school when I took him to the pool. There was another little girl there who seemed to be part fish and was taking lessons. I mentioned to Keanu a couple of times, "look, that teacher is pretty nice to young kids. Maybe he could teach you." Keanu just responded by working harder and harder on teaching himself to swim. Finally, he could cross the kid's pool (which is only about 7 feet!) without touching the bottom and responded "See, I don't need to take lessons!" That's my shy boy who doesn't want to talk to anyone he doesn't know really well.
So, we've been practicing. He's getting better. for a while we were going three or four times a week. Now that I'm back in summer school, we're down to just the weekends, but still he's lovin' it!
In the midst of all of Keanu's practicing, Kate also had to learn a new trick. She started by putting her face in the water and now she's constantly doing "One, two, three, go!" and she stays underwater for 5 seconds or so.
In addition to practicing the swimming skills, we've spent some time at the local indoor water park. It's got a pair of slides that Keanu goes up and down and up and down all day. Kate loves the little ones for now, but she might get more adventurous as the summer progresses, too.
A great time is had by one and all!
So, we've been practicing. He's getting better. for a while we were going three or four times a week. Now that I'm back in summer school, we're down to just the weekends, but still he's lovin' it!
In the midst of all of Keanu's practicing, Kate also had to learn a new trick. She started by putting her face in the water and now she's constantly doing "One, two, three, go!" and she stays underwater for 5 seconds or so.
In addition to practicing the swimming skills, we've spent some time at the local indoor water park. It's got a pair of slides that Keanu goes up and down and up and down all day. Kate loves the little ones for now, but she might get more adventurous as the summer progresses, too.
A great time is had by one and all!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Summer Project I
This summer I'm working on the same project I did 20 years ago. Let's see, in 1992 I was 15 years old and taking driver's ed. Now it's 2012, I'm 35 and taking driver's ed.
"Why?" you may ask.
Did I let my license expire for too long?
Did I lose my license?
Was it taken away?
No, on all accounts.
I've still got my MN license, but I've understood for many years that it's not really valid here if I'm actually living here. If I were visiting, an international license would be sufficient. But I guess that's not really the case since I've been here for almost 12 years now. Since I'm driving more and more and constantly hauling kids around, I figured I should make it legal, finally.
And I figured I have some time on my hands this summer since we aren't in America.
In Taiwan there are 2 ways to get a driver's license: take a course at a driving school or just go to the Motor Vehicles Office to take the written and driving tests. Kevin, as well as a co-worker who did it a couple of years ago, recommended the driving school because they would make sure drivers can pass the test. Had I just gone to the MVO to take the test, I would have to have my learner's permit for 3 months before taking the tests. By going through the school, I just need 5 weeks of behind the wheel training, and then the tests. So that's what I've been doing for the last 3 Tuesdays and Thursdays - Driver's Ed!
When I say they teach you how to pass the test I'm not kidding.
When you're parallel parking, turn your wheel a full turn right when the line on the "oh s***" handle is even with the green pole. Then when you can see 5 black lines on the curb behind you, straighten the wheels and go back until your door handle is inside the white line. Then turn your wheel left until the car is parallel with the white line. DO NOT go forward or straighten the wheels because then you'll be in the wrong position for leaving the parallel parking place.
More directions like this for garage parking, driving and reversing an S-curve, stopping at a crosswalk, railroad crossing, stopping on a hill, driving a straight line, and even stoplights!
It makes it all so fool-proof. Or at least that's the plan.
Does it prepare you for real driving, not really. For 2 of the 20 hours of instruction, students are taken on the road for real practice. So last Tuesday for my turn we drove up Yang Ming Mountain and I finally got a good explanation for shifting down to 2nd gear (something that was never needed in Mr. Harman's driving classes of 1992!). Here's the irony though. As we were driving up the narrow mountain road, my instructor mentioned that it's not necessary to always stay right of the yellow line but to make sure to move over if another car was coming. No problem. But then later in the lesson we were chatting about the big things to avoid in the road test - one of the top 3 - crossing a solid line, which results in a fail of the test!
Gotta love Taiwan and driving in Taiwan!
I'm eligible to take my test on August 1, but since I start summer school next week, I'm going to postpone the test until a time that works better into my schedule. I'll keep you posted.
"Why?" you may ask.
Did I let my license expire for too long?
Did I lose my license?
Was it taken away?
No, on all accounts.
I've still got my MN license, but I've understood for many years that it's not really valid here if I'm actually living here. If I were visiting, an international license would be sufficient. But I guess that's not really the case since I've been here for almost 12 years now. Since I'm driving more and more and constantly hauling kids around, I figured I should make it legal, finally.
And I figured I have some time on my hands this summer since we aren't in America.
In Taiwan there are 2 ways to get a driver's license: take a course at a driving school or just go to the Motor Vehicles Office to take the written and driving tests. Kevin, as well as a co-worker who did it a couple of years ago, recommended the driving school because they would make sure drivers can pass the test. Had I just gone to the MVO to take the test, I would have to have my learner's permit for 3 months before taking the tests. By going through the school, I just need 5 weeks of behind the wheel training, and then the tests. So that's what I've been doing for the last 3 Tuesdays and Thursdays - Driver's Ed!
When I say they teach you how to pass the test I'm not kidding.
When you're parallel parking, turn your wheel a full turn right when the line on the "oh s***" handle is even with the green pole. Then when you can see 5 black lines on the curb behind you, straighten the wheels and go back until your door handle is inside the white line. Then turn your wheel left until the car is parallel with the white line. DO NOT go forward or straighten the wheels because then you'll be in the wrong position for leaving the parallel parking place.
More directions like this for garage parking, driving and reversing an S-curve, stopping at a crosswalk, railroad crossing, stopping on a hill, driving a straight line, and even stoplights!
It makes it all so fool-proof. Or at least that's the plan.
Does it prepare you for real driving, not really. For 2 of the 20 hours of instruction, students are taken on the road for real practice. So last Tuesday for my turn we drove up Yang Ming Mountain and I finally got a good explanation for shifting down to 2nd gear (something that was never needed in Mr. Harman's driving classes of 1992!). Here's the irony though. As we were driving up the narrow mountain road, my instructor mentioned that it's not necessary to always stay right of the yellow line but to make sure to move over if another car was coming. No problem. But then later in the lesson we were chatting about the big things to avoid in the road test - one of the top 3 - crossing a solid line, which results in a fail of the test!
Gotta love Taiwan and driving in Taiwan!
I'm eligible to take my test on August 1, but since I start summer school next week, I'm going to postpone the test until a time that works better into my schedule. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Dinosaurs!
Keanu and I saw an ad for a dinosaur exhibit at CKS memorial hall and decided to check it out while Kate was at school since she said she's afraid of dinosaurs. So it was a Mommy and son "date". There were skeletons like this little one and some replicas which kinda scared my big boy. All of the explanations were in Chinese so even if I had time to read or listen to the guides, I wouldn't have understood much, but Keanu could have. Afterwards, we stepped into the bright sunlight to take this picture with my budding archeologist.
When we got home, we found this website and Keanu found and selected 24 "favorites". He asked Kate "Do you like this one?" "No" "How about this one?" "No" How about this one?" "Yeah! It's pink!"
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Learning about days
They say kids are like sponges, picking up everything around them. Kate's been trying to understand how time works, but it's just kind of complicated.
A few weeks ago on Friday evening:
Everyone: Tomorrow we're going to the beach!
First thing Saturday morning:
Kate: Mommy, is it tomorrow?
On Thursday this week:
Me: Guess what? Tomorrow is Friday!
Kate: Why?
Me: Because today is Thursday.
Kate: But my teacher said today is the four day.
(translation note, days of the week in Chinese are Monday, day 1; Tuesday, day 2...Thus, making Thursday day 4, not the "third day" like I'm assuming she understood!)
On Wednesday this week:
Me: Kate, did you pee on the potty at school today?
Kate: No
Me: Did you pee on the potty yesterday?
Kate: (blank stare)
Me: Did you pee on the potty a few days ago?
Kate: Yep!
(editors note: It was Tuesday that she had so proudly told me upon pick up "Mommy, I peed in the potty today! Either she's having trouble remembering what happened when or she's not understanding the concept of yesterday yet, Whatever the case, she sure is a cutie!)
A few weeks ago on Friday evening:
Everyone: Tomorrow we're going to the beach!
First thing Saturday morning:
Kate: Mommy, is it tomorrow?
On Thursday this week:
Me: Guess what? Tomorrow is Friday!
Kate: Why?
Me: Because today is Thursday.
Kate: But my teacher said today is the four day.
(translation note, days of the week in Chinese are Monday, day 1; Tuesday, day 2...Thus, making Thursday day 4, not the "third day" like I'm assuming she understood!)
On Wednesday this week:
Me: Kate, did you pee on the potty at school today?
Kate: No
Me: Did you pee on the potty yesterday?
Kate: (blank stare)
Me: Did you pee on the potty a few days ago?
Kate: Yep!
(editors note: It was Tuesday that she had so proudly told me upon pick up "Mommy, I peed in the potty today! Either she's having trouble remembering what happened when or she's not understanding the concept of yesterday yet, Whatever the case, she sure is a cutie!)
Getting back to blogging?
I've been on summer vacation for 3 weeks already and now I'm just getting to the computer. While school's in session, I just take a bit of time to check email and facebook at lunch and not much time to actually be creative Online. After school, we're busy playing on the playground, eating dinner, taking baths, and getting to bed so we can start the whole thing over the next day. During our vacation, we've been busy swimming, checking out the dinosaurs, taking driving lessons, and just trying to stay cool. And now I'm thinking I should update the blog. We'll see how long this good intention lasts.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Happy Mother's Day
In honor of Mother's day, Kate learned a new song at school this past week. Here she's teaching it to her big brother, (and then chasing him to try to kiss him afterward!)
While the video is cute, it's much better after you know the song. It was playing in the background during their "performance", but here's the official YouTube link. Unfortunately, it's all in Chinese but the message of the song is about being thankful for parents' guidance and support throughout life. The song is beautiful even if you can't understand it and the video is touching as well.
Very appropriate for Mother's Day!
Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for us, Mom.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
As seen in Taiwan...
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
What do you do after nap?
Today Keanu brought a note home from school about swimming lessons offered in the afternoons during August. I wanted to know what he would miss at school if we signed him up for swimming lessons, so I asked "what do you do after your nap at school everyday?"
ummm, first I make my blanket little. (fold it)
Then I go downstairs and drink the rest of my water. (pause)
What do you do after that?
Then I go potty.
Then I wash my hands.
And then I eat something.
And I put my bowl back in my lunchbox.
Then I put my lunchbox in my backpack.
And my water bottle, too.
Then I go potty again. (pause)
And then?
Then I go play!
Gosh, I wonder if he'll have time to do all of that if he takes swimming lessons!
ummm, first I make my blanket little. (fold it)
Then I go downstairs and drink the rest of my water. (pause)
What do you do after that?
Then I go potty.
Then I wash my hands.
And then I eat something.
And I put my bowl back in my lunchbox.
Then I put my lunchbox in my backpack.
And my water bottle, too.
Then I go potty again. (pause)
And then?
Then I go play!
Gosh, I wonder if he'll have time to do all of that if he takes swimming lessons!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Hello, LA!
We're on our pilgrimage to the motherland and are enjoying LA for a few more hours. Here are some quotables from the first leg of our trip:
"Mommy, I want to go shopping."
- Kate, as we were pacing the airport waiting for our first flight. I guess she didn't think looking in the duty free shops was shopping.
"I want to fly my airplane!"
- Kate, as she was stuck sitting in her economy class seat instead of the captain's cabin. This was followed by tears and further attempts to fly the plane. She looked all over for the place to drive the plane. At least by the time we got to the second flight she realized her seat was acceptable and that she wouldn't be flying the plane.
"Where's the slide?"
- Kate, as she was looking around the airplane. The flight attendant told her it was stuck in the door, but that she hoped we wouldn't have to use it. This was somewhere around 39,000 feet.
"The plane is turning... Now we're going down."
- Keanu, from his aisle seat.
"And then we can walk to Grandma's house?"
-Keanu, when we arrived in LA and didn't go right to Grandma's house.
"What kind of plane will take us to Grandma's house? I think it's a green one."
- Keanu, when looking at all the different kind of airplanes in LA. I'm not sure where he got that idea since we didn't see any green ones there.
"When we get to Grandma's new house, I want to be the first one to go in."
- Keanu, in LA
"Mommy, where's my grandma? I want to see my grandma."
- Kate, in LA
"Mommy, I want to go shopping."
- Kate, as we were pacing the airport waiting for our first flight. I guess she didn't think looking in the duty free shops was shopping.
"I want to fly my airplane!"
- Kate, as she was stuck sitting in her economy class seat instead of the captain's cabin. This was followed by tears and further attempts to fly the plane. She looked all over for the place to drive the plane. At least by the time we got to the second flight she realized her seat was acceptable and that she wouldn't be flying the plane.
"Where's the slide?"
- Kate, as she was looking around the airplane. The flight attendant told her it was stuck in the door, but that she hoped we wouldn't have to use it. This was somewhere around 39,000 feet.
"The plane is turning... Now we're going down."
- Keanu, from his aisle seat.
"And then we can walk to Grandma's house?"
-Keanu, when we arrived in LA and didn't go right to Grandma's house.
"What kind of plane will take us to Grandma's house? I think it's a green one."
- Keanu, when looking at all the different kind of airplanes in LA. I'm not sure where he got that idea since we didn't see any green ones there.
"When we get to Grandma's new house, I want to be the first one to go in."
- Keanu, in LA
"Mommy, where's my grandma? I want to see my grandma."
- Kate, in LA
Saturday, June 25, 2011
overheard
We're hopping on a plane in a few hours, so last evening was spent in preparation. After dinner I was trying to get Keanu to come upstairs to choose some toys to bring in his backpack for the plane ride.
And then?
and then we'll take a shower
Then?
We'll read a story.
Then?
We'll go to sleep.
(he turns around to go back downstairs to watch TV as if to say "If we're not leaving tonight, I don't have to get ready yet."
Too excited to sleep, he stayed up well past his mother's bedtime!
Today we went out for lunch and have just returned to put the last few things in the bags and then head to the airport in about 2 hours. On the way home, Keanu asked
Where are we going?
Home to take a nap and put the bags in the car.
No! Mine is already here. (He'd brought his backpack along with about 5 toys with him) Let's go to the airport now.
I guess that's all you need for 3-plus weeks!
And then?
and then we'll take a shower
Then?
We'll read a story.
Then?
We'll go to sleep.
(he turns around to go back downstairs to watch TV as if to say "If we're not leaving tonight, I don't have to get ready yet."
Too excited to sleep, he stayed up well past his mother's bedtime!
Today we went out for lunch and have just returned to put the last few things in the bags and then head to the airport in about 2 hours. On the way home, Keanu asked
Where are we going?
Home to take a nap and put the bags in the car.
No! Mine is already here. (He'd brought his backpack along with about 5 toys with him) Let's go to the airport now.
I guess that's all you need for 3-plus weeks!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
"Look, Mommy, I found it he mommy!" explained
Obviously no one is figuring this one out. I have to admit, it's pretty tricky.
If you look carefully at the picture, you can see a few pairs: Xx, Tt, Uu and hidden behind her hand there's Ii. She's matching upper and lower case letters together, thus the "mommy" and the "baby"!
Isn't she creative?!
If you look carefully at the picture, you can see a few pairs: Xx, Tt, Uu and hidden behind her hand there's Ii. She's matching upper and lower case letters together, thus the "mommy" and the "baby"!
Isn't she creative?!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
What do kitties drink?
This post and then this one reminded reminded me of a conversation Kate and I had the other day on our way home:
Me: Kate, look! There are baby kitties over there!
Kate: Yeah, kitties! I like kitties.
Me: (after watching them for a minute or two) Kate, do you know what kitties eat?
Kate: (shakes head)
Me: Little kitties like this usually drink milk.
Kate: Kitties no want it drink my milk (running away) Me no like little kitties.
Perhaps I nursed her for too long, perhaps she was verbal quite early, but whatever the case Kate thinks she has "milk" on her chest. I think she was pretty scared!
Me: Kate, look! There are baby kitties over there!
Kate: Yeah, kitties! I like kitties.
Me: (after watching them for a minute or two) Kate, do you know what kitties eat?
Kate: (shakes head)
Me: Little kitties like this usually drink milk.
Kate: Kitties no want it drink my milk (running away) Me no like little kitties.
Perhaps I nursed her for too long, perhaps she was verbal quite early, but whatever the case Kate thinks she has "milk" on her chest. I think she was pretty scared!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
"I don't want it cry!"
said Kate, this morning as I combed through her bed head. Yay for a day of combed hair and no tears to go along with it!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Top Ten
feelings a mom can have...
Having your son rush to your arms with a grin the size of the moon after school on Friday saying, "Guess what? The card I made for you is in my backpack!" No surprise. No delay. Just pure excitement over something that he made for me.
Having your son rush to your arms with a grin the size of the moon after school on Friday saying, "Guess what? The card I made for you is in my backpack!" No surprise. No delay. Just pure excitement over something that he made for me.
Happy Mother's Day!
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