A Texan in the Making

Annie is out of school this week, and Dan Dan is loving it.  Yesterday we braved the wind and the wet and had lunch outside at McDonald's.  The kids had so much fun.  After a rollercoaster ride of emotions the last few weeks, Annie has decided having a brother is pretty great in the last couple of days, much to Dan Dan's delight.  He adores her with his whole heart.  For the moment they are best buds, which makes my heart sing. 

We finally made progress with a Mandarin translation program on the computer.  In the past, we've tried several apps and programs.  Either they have not worked, or Dan Dan has completely ignored them.  Thankfully we had success, and I was able to tell him we were taking Annie to the doctor for a check-up, and he would not be getting a shot!  This is a fear of his that sends him into a tailspin.  Annie also had the computer translator tell him "Jie Jie loves Dan Dan forever".  Whoa.  Even thinking about this gets me teary-eyed. 

The road to siblinghood has not been an easy one for Annie, who for the past 7 years was the only child and center of our world.  In the blink of an eye, that all changed.  Being a big sister myself, I know it has its ups and downs.  Sometimes the downs can be very low.  There is no one who can push your buttons like a siblng.  Still, I have always been grateful for my brother, have always known my life is better because he's in it.  I pray in the end, my kids will feel the same.  And will not kill each other in the process of learning how to coexist.

Annie taught Dan Dan to say "howdy y'all".  With his Mandarin spin, it sounds like "hoedee yaaaaw".   Hilarious, and super duper cute.   He is very pleased with himself when he says it, too.  As with most things Dan Dan, he is convinced of his fabulosity!   We agree. 

Every time I would try to take a picture, Dan Dan would pretend to be asleep.  :)