"People hit people here."
"I can go to the squatty all by myself, let me show you" (and we go to the school bathroom for me to see she can in fact do it all by herself. This was self taught, she learned by watching.
"Some children do not listen and obey the teacher." (ummm...possibly because every person in the room is an only child and has never been told no)
"The little girl asked me my name and then another girl told her I could not speak Chinese"
(interesting, since she can and does speak. But she has admitted to not talking to many kids at school yet, but I think that is changing some)
"Mama, can I eat here PLEEEAAASSSEEEE" (and I sit down with her and let her just this once to see how she would do. She ate the meat but avoided the veg. The menu that day was boiled pork, a sour veg with pork, and yangsi gua, a kind of vegetable,(I have no idea what this is in English and have never seen it in America) all with rice of course. Because I do not want her wasting their food, we have opted not to do this anymore. Note to self, pick her up before they start serving food.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
David's 33rd birthday
(this picture is from last May!)
10.25. 2010
Today is David's birthday. We started our celebration on Friday, inviting the JACK's over (an acronym of their names, our close friends). It happened to be K's birthday on Saturday, so I made per request by David, Chicken Parmesan, salad, garlic bread, and for dessert: snicker cheesecake. Nothing healthy or even vegetarian about this, but it was yummy. We had a great evening with them.
The next day both K and I felt pretty puny with colds/flu, whatever. David made us wonderful french toast with great french bread from a local bakery. I took two naps and still did not feel very rested. Sorry David for your birthday weekend flop. Sunday I was still really tired and knew my body was fighting something.
Today, on his actual birthday our helper is making us one of David's favorite meals, and I am making a strawberry cobbler for yet another dessert...
I cannot really wax eloquent enough about David and his heart for our family and for those around him.
These are some things that constantly amaze me about him:
1. His humility. He is the smartest guy I know, so he is right almost all of the time, but he is humble about it,and patient, and this is quite endearing.
2. His Patience. This does deserve its own line. God knew exactly what he was doing in putting me with a patient man, enduring all my flaws, carelessness (with words sometimes), and just plain uckiness. David is patient with me, with our children, with others and he is so forgiving.
3. He is compassionate. He sees the gray. This makes him see many sides to different situations, not the black and white that I tend to be so adamant about. He has compassion and mercy, I love this about him because it continually gives me a great picture of our Lord, and how I need to be.
4. His golden curly locks, and soccer player physique. Enough said. Attractive.
5. So yes, he is an amazing husband. BUT he has thrived as the spiritual leader of our home. He leads us daily in the Word and nightly teaches our children and reads with them (this among the gazillion other responsibilities he has), I have loved watching him love doing this. Incredible.
6. Lastly, he is my best friend. Very best friend. The friend who knows how to put me in my place, how to lovingly forgive, how to make me talk until I really talk, he knows how to call me out in specific sin, and leads me with patience, and knows how to comfort my hurts.
Happy birthday baby, I love you.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Sophia's first day of school
On Thursday, October 21, 2010 Sophia started Chinese Kindergarten. She waved, smiled and did not look back:
Because David and I both wanted to take her on her first day, we had our helper come a little early to watch Bella. She gave Sophia a great pep talk before the day, saying the same things I had been saying: ask the teacher to help you go potty, remember how to ask friends names, if someone does something you don't like, just ask them nicely not to do it, and on and on.
I am ready, let's go!
We decided it would be a good idea for her to go to school with Caleb on the first day just for some comfort of someone she knows being somewhat near her. (in reality his class is way far from hers and they probably will not see each other much, but just knowing it is his school too is helpful for her). As we came down the stairs that morning, Caleb yelled up to Sophia (it was so cute), then she yelled back: 'I am coming down to go to school, I am coming down to go to school.'
We rode on the bike, David on his moto, and K and Caleb on their electric moto. They had a blast talking back and forth as we rode near each other. On day two I had to tell her that that probably wouldn't happen again.
The school building. Her classroom is on the first floor, far right. One of our neighbors is in the other xiao ban class so they may see each other a lot.
She said bye to Caleb at the entrance to the stairwell
All the other children eat breakfast there, we opted out of any food at the school. Though their breakfast of noodles looked better than our oatmeal at home. She smiled and waved and walked away. I was a little shocked. But usually once she decides something she goes all in.
She was led to her seat and we quickly left, not wanting to prolong anything. We completely forgot to get the teacher's phone numbers or give them ours. A big OOPS. I got them when I picked her up.
And she had a great day. My whole not very profound prayer was that she would want to go back. And she really liked it and said it was fun and that the teacher's were nice. She tells me she doesn't understand some stuff and that the teacher takes her to the potty and helps her (which she does not do with the others who are very proficient at squatty potty's ), this I will have to work into our home preschool curriculum!
We have been so blessed with a great transition so far into what will be many days of school for her. She goes from 8:30 to 11:15 every morning. Next week will be her first full week.
We are parents of a school girl, our babies are growing up.
Because David and I both wanted to take her on her first day, we had our helper come a little early to watch Bella. She gave Sophia a great pep talk before the day, saying the same things I had been saying: ask the teacher to help you go potty, remember how to ask friends names, if someone does something you don't like, just ask them nicely not to do it, and on and on.
I am ready, let's go!
We decided it would be a good idea for her to go to school with Caleb on the first day just for some comfort of someone she knows being somewhat near her. (in reality his class is way far from hers and they probably will not see each other much, but just knowing it is his school too is helpful for her). As we came down the stairs that morning, Caleb yelled up to Sophia (it was so cute), then she yelled back: 'I am coming down to go to school, I am coming down to go to school.'
We rode on the bike, David on his moto, and K and Caleb on their electric moto. They had a blast talking back and forth as we rode near each other. On day two I had to tell her that that probably wouldn't happen again.
The school building. Her classroom is on the first floor, far right. One of our neighbors is in the other xiao ban class so they may see each other a lot.
She said bye to Caleb at the entrance to the stairwell
All the other children eat breakfast there, we opted out of any food at the school. Though their breakfast of noodles looked better than our oatmeal at home. She smiled and waved and walked away. I was a little shocked. But usually once she decides something she goes all in.
She was led to her seat and we quickly left, not wanting to prolong anything. We completely forgot to get the teacher's phone numbers or give them ours. A big OOPS. I got them when I picked her up.
And she had a great day. My whole not very profound prayer was that she would want to go back. And she really liked it and said it was fun and that the teacher's were nice. She tells me she doesn't understand some stuff and that the teacher takes her to the potty and helps her (which she does not do with the others who are very proficient at squatty potty's ), this I will have to work into our home preschool curriculum!
We have been so blessed with a great transition so far into what will be many days of school for her. She goes from 8:30 to 11:15 every morning. Next week will be her first full week.
We are parents of a school girl, our babies are growing up.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Random
1. David is playing soccer for the Peacock cup. I will post more about this scenario as it unfolds. Last year he started but pulled a muscle his first practice.
2. I am out of my first trimester and still so tired...what gives?
3. I have printed, laminated (a disaster here) all the stuff for preschool with Sophia, my own preschool, got the curriculum on line and will just follow it. we started this week, a lot of it will be review for her, but review is good.
4. I am still running (jogging), but it is HARDER now. And my toe hurts again. What is it with running in this town and my toe? did not bother me in the states.
5. I am reviewing language, all my class lessons are on mp3 and it too is HARDER now. Duh. But I am glad to be back at it. I did not forget it all.
6. Tonight at Jiaozi night (dumplings). Sophia started rubbing her hands together and turned to me and said: 'does Heather do this?' (one of my BF, Heather), I said yes honey, when she gets excited she does do that. Then Abby heard us talking about Heather and I told her what we were saying and she started doing it too and saying how she missed Heather. I do too!
2. I am out of my first trimester and still so tired...what gives?
3. I have printed, laminated (a disaster here) all the stuff for preschool with Sophia, my own preschool, got the curriculum on line and will just follow it. we started this week, a lot of it will be review for her, but review is good.
4. I am still running (jogging), but it is HARDER now. And my toe hurts again. What is it with running in this town and my toe? did not bother me in the states.
5. I am reviewing language, all my class lessons are on mp3 and it too is HARDER now. Duh. But I am glad to be back at it. I did not forget it all.
6. Tonight at Jiaozi night (dumplings). Sophia started rubbing her hands together and turned to me and said: 'does Heather do this?' (one of my BF, Heather), I said yes honey, when she gets excited she does do that. Then Abby heard us talking about Heather and I told her what we were saying and she started doing it too and saying how she missed Heather. I do too!
School for Sophia
We knew we would put Sophia in Chinese 'kindergarten' (which starts way younger than 5, it is like preschool). We thought it would take her at least a month to get her Chinese up to par. But after one week of her being able to really do well with our helper we thought she was ready. And we talked to other expats who had put their children in, some who had very little Chinese.
We knew it also would be unlikely there would be room for her already over a month into the semester, but we pursued it anyway. She really wants friends! If we had to wait until next semester and then have to leave for the baby then she would go months with no friends, and then only be in school for a month. We really did not like this option. Here is how it went:
First visit (last Friday): The guard does not open the gate and says: We are full, there is no way your daughter can come here. We reply that we would like to speak to the principle. He reluctantly lets us in. We talk with a few administrators including the principle. They too tell us they are full. We explain, smile, beg. It would only be the morning, a few hours, she would not eat here and on and on. We see them start to consider. They say they have to ask the teachers, and they let us take a good look around. We left wanting to go to school there too, it looked like a place Sophia would love.
Second visit (Monday): After receiving no phone call from them by Monday afternoon, we decided it would be good if I went back up there to ask/beg again. In the morning the guard did not let me in and told me to come back in the afternoon, none of the administrators were there. I decided to take Sophia with me, and told her to speak to the people when spoken to, etc. I sat and spoke with two ladies, both were very nice. They did try to talk to Sophia who really did not speak to them. When asked if she wanted to come there to school she shook her head no. Then they let me take her to what would be her classroom. Girls surrounded her, and they all just jabbered away at me. This made me nervous for Sophia (will she be able to understand them?), but she loved seeing the rooms, the people, the backpack she would receive. This time when we went back to the office the admins asked her if it was fun and she replied: 'it was fun'. I was so glad I took her to check it out. After this she has been nervous/excited. But it was still up in the air. They told us only one teacher had been asked and that the other two had to agree. I have prayed about it non stop since then. And at 8:30 a.m. this morning they called us and said YES!!! What a blessing.
Third visit: we went to fill out paperwork and figure out all that was needed. She needed a physical (that usually involves drawing blood, but since she is half day and will not eat this was waived). And she needed passport photos to put on all her stuff. And of course we will need to pay. We will pay as if she is going the full semester, it is about 200 USD a semester which includes a uniform and backpack.
Tomorrow we will go pay and take all of the paperwork. Sophia did superb during her physical, she just laid down and let the doc look at her and do what they need to do, in America at this point she fussed whined and everything else. She knows this is for school and she is excited.
When we first got back for our meeting at the school I asked her if she was excited. She shook her head saying no, but was smiling. I asked if she was nervous. She replied: 'what does nervous look like?' and I used the analogy of swimming in Poppy and CC's pool. She was excited to be trying something new, but it was a little scary, and once she got used to it she was swimming with just floaties, no need for mommy and daddy anymore. I really think she got it. After we took her for pictures she said she wanted to go to school right then.
She will start Thursday. She is excited. This does not mean she will waltz in there and not look back, I am prepared for some tears, maybe even a fit, who knows. But we are doing this. And it is good for her. I am nervous too. I have fears. But this is what is best for her, and we are thankful for the opportunity. Pray she adjusts and makes friends fast!
We knew it also would be unlikely there would be room for her already over a month into the semester, but we pursued it anyway. She really wants friends! If we had to wait until next semester and then have to leave for the baby then she would go months with no friends, and then only be in school for a month. We really did not like this option. Here is how it went:
First visit (last Friday): The guard does not open the gate and says: We are full, there is no way your daughter can come here. We reply that we would like to speak to the principle. He reluctantly lets us in. We talk with a few administrators including the principle. They too tell us they are full. We explain, smile, beg. It would only be the morning, a few hours, she would not eat here and on and on. We see them start to consider. They say they have to ask the teachers, and they let us take a good look around. We left wanting to go to school there too, it looked like a place Sophia would love.
Second visit (Monday): After receiving no phone call from them by Monday afternoon, we decided it would be good if I went back up there to ask/beg again. In the morning the guard did not let me in and told me to come back in the afternoon, none of the administrators were there. I decided to take Sophia with me, and told her to speak to the people when spoken to, etc. I sat and spoke with two ladies, both were very nice. They did try to talk to Sophia who really did not speak to them. When asked if she wanted to come there to school she shook her head no. Then they let me take her to what would be her classroom. Girls surrounded her, and they all just jabbered away at me. This made me nervous for Sophia (will she be able to understand them?), but she loved seeing the rooms, the people, the backpack she would receive. This time when we went back to the office the admins asked her if it was fun and she replied: 'it was fun'. I was so glad I took her to check it out. After this she has been nervous/excited. But it was still up in the air. They told us only one teacher had been asked and that the other two had to agree. I have prayed about it non stop since then. And at 8:30 a.m. this morning they called us and said YES!!! What a blessing.
Third visit: we went to fill out paperwork and figure out all that was needed. She needed a physical (that usually involves drawing blood, but since she is half day and will not eat this was waived). And she needed passport photos to put on all her stuff. And of course we will need to pay. We will pay as if she is going the full semester, it is about 200 USD a semester which includes a uniform and backpack.
Tomorrow we will go pay and take all of the paperwork. Sophia did superb during her physical, she just laid down and let the doc look at her and do what they need to do, in America at this point she fussed whined and everything else. She knows this is for school and she is excited.
When we first got back for our meeting at the school I asked her if she was excited. She shook her head saying no, but was smiling. I asked if she was nervous. She replied: 'what does nervous look like?' and I used the analogy of swimming in Poppy and CC's pool. She was excited to be trying something new, but it was a little scary, and once she got used to it she was swimming with just floaties, no need for mommy and daddy anymore. I really think she got it. After we took her for pictures she said she wanted to go to school right then.
She will start Thursday. She is excited. This does not mean she will waltz in there and not look back, I am prepared for some tears, maybe even a fit, who knows. But we are doing this. And it is good for her. I am nervous too. I have fears. But this is what is best for her, and we are thankful for the opportunity. Pray she adjusts and makes friends fast!
Sunday pics
beautiful baby. Strong spirit. Or should I just call it what it is: rebellion. In all our hearts. I remember Sophia being much more compliant at this age (not so much now, but then). We discipline Bella in various ways, her feelings might get hurt for a minute, but she goes right back to playing in those curtains.
matching dresses. These are from cousin Anna, whom she still talks about. And she has picked up talking about Big Caleb again and says things like: 'will you tell Big Caleb that I love him very much and tell him to tell his mommy that he loves me so much too'. (What??!!)
Me and three babies, one only 14 weeks in my belly!
'Car' and 'Driver'
In the past ten years in China, the number of cars on the road has grown exponentially. I just made that up because I really don't know the statistic, but it has to be mind boggling. In the past year alone we have noticed a big increase. And no, here in China, you do not learn to drive at 16, not at all. People learn to drive when they get a car, which could be mid-forties, could be mid-80's, could be you get a car and a license and never really learn the nuances of what it takes to drive. I remember our old teacher (mid-twenties) telling us when she was out practicing she accidentally pressed the gas instead of the break. OOPS.
Anyway, we were having a nice outing down stairs with our neighbors, playing, running. When we heard a small crash and saw an old man reverse into a part of a building. He then drove forward and promptly did this again. He was really trying to go around it we think, but he could not figure out how to do it. David and another man helped push the car off the brick so he could try again. Finally David helped him reverse the car around the corner. Now, I put quotations around 'car' and 'driver' because it is debatable whether either of these is the case. And as a follow up, a few days later Sophia and I were in the middle of our downstairs area drawing with chalk, when I heard an engine rev and no movement, this is a clear sign someone does not know how to drive. And around the corner came the same man in a 3 wheel vehicle going really fast. Thankfully when I first heard it I moved us out of the way. This man was just laughing at himself as he drove by.
l
And then there is Sophia and Annabelle (our friend's daughter).
Anyway, we were having a nice outing down stairs with our neighbors, playing, running. When we heard a small crash and saw an old man reverse into a part of a building. He then drove forward and promptly did this again. He was really trying to go around it we think, but he could not figure out how to do it. David and another man helped push the car off the brick so he could try again. Finally David helped him reverse the car around the corner. Now, I put quotations around 'car' and 'driver' because it is debatable whether either of these is the case. And as a follow up, a few days later Sophia and I were in the middle of our downstairs area drawing with chalk, when I heard an engine rev and no movement, this is a clear sign someone does not know how to drive. And around the corner came the same man in a 3 wheel vehicle going really fast. Thankfully when I first heard it I moved us out of the way. This man was just laughing at himself as he drove by.
l
And then there is Sophia and Annabelle (our friend's daughter).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)