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!"

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!)

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.

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.

As seen in Taiwan...

Several months ago, we made a trip to the Taipei zoo.  We saw lots of other animals, too, but this one inside an enclosure that was being rebuilt was the best picture from the day.  Can you tell what he's doing?

New Trick!

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!