The days are jam-packed with family goodness as we laugh, sing, discuss, and play together with Poppy and CC. On this day I knew I had to make a chocolate eclair cake for some special visitors we had coming in two days (you need to make this a few days in advance to let the Graham crackers get soggy). Sophia loves to help make (and eat) this cake, today I decided to let Bella help too.
I can't get enough of these pics.
Sophia likes to show her strength.
Putting the puzzle together. The girls did great. Sophia really encouraged Bella too. It also helped that they got to nibble along the way.
Of course a little chocolate icing at the end. At this point in their lives it is about the memories not the cavities (remind me I said that when we are at the dentist next).
They love to climb up into Poppy's lap and look at pictures or videos
Next, it was downstairs to play!
these are two older girls that Sophia likes to play with some. The girl on the back is particularly sweet to our kids.
Can't get enough of these pics either. So special. Poppy and CC really just did an amazing job of cherishing these moments. It may not have seemed like it to them at the time, but I was wholly aware of it, and constantly amazed at how wonderful they did with adjusting to the time, going non-stop, helping with everything, and just loving on the kids. CC would ask, what do you think Bella would like? well, she would love for you to read to her, and she really doesn't know the difference between a mouse and elephant, could you help with that? And she did. Now Bella knows the difference (see you thought I was kidding). They also spent good amounts of time doing music/dance type stuff which both girls love, but Sophia especially. And then at night it wasn't off to ourselves, they were fully interested in us (and we in them of course). It is great to have parents as friends, a blessing we do not overlook. People asked if we had a date night, I said 'no, we could have, but we love hanging out with Poppy and CC too and we didn't want to waste the time we could have with them.'
Sorry about the digression, but it was a good one...
always important to accessorize.
I made a quick run to the market and picked up some more strawberries, among other things.
I mean...
Eat. him. up.
Poppy went downstairs to 'chat' with the man who sharpens knives.
He was very sweet and they used some sign language. This man did not speak standard Mandarin, only local dialect...I could barely understand him either.
In the afternoon during naps we took Poppy, CC, and Sophia too out on a drive. Ayi stayed back with Bella and Tobin while they slept.
We first went to the factory where Daddy sometimes works. There are signs that say 'no pictures beyond here' and we certainly obliged. It is a very impressive factory and they just got new machines, which both Poppy the textile/mechanical engineer, and Daddy the mechanical engineer enjoyed seeing. Sophia was impressed too.
We decided to go near some villages we knew. Except the bridge was out and this temporary one was in its place.
we slowly went over it.
look at all that bamboo on that tractor/truck.
We stumbled across this beautiful place. It was right next to all the fields where people were farming. We thought it was a restaurant, but it was pretty deserted. So we explored.
Out back we came across these ladies harvesting macadamia nuts.
David spoke at length with them.
We were near the village where David 'lived' or stayed for a few weeks many years ago. These ladies knew of him and certainly knew the family where he lived.
They were super nice and when Sophia wanted to try a macadamia nut they were honest and said they would not eat them because of all the chemicals they had been soaked in. Good to know. Nothing organic going on around here.
CC on one of the paths in the garden area. Sophia loved going back and forth on all the paths.
This is the man who took care of the place and told us that it was a place to 'play' he said we could come back anytime and bring food or whatever. We plan on it!
Typical village house.
Strong lady.
We kept driving out and then had to ask our way back a little, it has all changed quite a bit. It was a very pleasant drive.
We got back for afternoon fun and dinner. Bella had done great while we were gone, I was afraid she would cry knowing we all were gone. But she was fine!
CC had the marvelous idea of having a valentine's day tea party, but early. We had other friends coming in, and the Cokers were leaving on the 14th, so we decided on a tea party for Saturday, the 11th. This way everyone could participate. So this night we made the cookies for the party. Poppy and CC brought heart cookie cutters and the girls had fun cutting them and decorating.
All ready for tomorrow's party!
