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| Official Christmas 2011 Photo! |
As I write, my children are in a pretend log cabin in the dining/play room, complete with lanterns and a picnic I just made for them. "What do camping-out people eat, Mommy?", Annie asked as I assmebled the tent. We decided on turkey sandwiches and carrots. Apparently carrots was the wrong answer, as I just received this report from my eldest: "Dan Dan is spitting carrots all over". Such is life with these beautiful children.
Sweet, bright, exhausting, colorful, never boring, wild, very full. That about sums things up. And it all whizes by at rapid speed. If I had time to write it all down, I could make a book about the antics and danger my son cooks up, and my daughter, she is only too happy to join in. One incident included a make-shift water park that was created in our bedroom. It was really quite impressive, including mountains of wet laundry, a lake right in the center of the tile floor, a water slide fashioned from a laundry basket, and one soaked queen-sized mattress (perhaps this was the Lazy River). Shad and I thought they were watching a movie, as we enjoyed one of very few conversations alone. Imagine our delight when we discovered they had emptied a gallon of water over all in sight, pausing only to stop and reload in the bathroom sink when the well ran dry. I have no clue how many gallons they dumped in our room, it looked like 1000. And they were so eerily quiet as this went down. Annie finally decided she needed to report the incident to us, since her brother was the instigator and all, and was really rather shocked when we were actually mad at BOTH of them. Surely we recognized she was but a mere and innocent bystander, as she stood before us ringing wet from head to toe. This is one of MANY moments of mayhem and foolishness, just in that day alone. I am hoping for calmer New Normal soon.
We are settling in and making progress as we adjust to life as a family of four. The kids have become great pals for the most part, and sincerely enjoy spending time together. I feel very grateful. Dan Dan has grown in every way, mentally, emotionally, and physically, too. He is learning to trust us, and feeling more secure. He is also learning English, and understands so much of what we say now, which is a huge help. His grandmother taught him "Jingle Bells" this season, and let me tell you, it is cuter than cute when he sings it. Annie is amazing in her ability to communicate with her brother. They have their own made-up language together, part Mandarin, part English, and part Crazy. Somehow it works.
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| Leaf fight |
A couple of weeks ago the kids had their first professional picture taken together. This was what I wanted for Christmas, and all things considered, I call it a success. The photographer was so patient and sweet, and was very understanding of Dan Dan's life philosophy- standing still + containment = TOTAL DRAG. She did manage to get some awesome shots of my babies, and despite major challenges, I am so happy for the experience. About halfway through the session Dan Dan decided he would start posing and became a total ham. Through cold, rain, lots of laughter, and high-speed chases, we all endured.
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| Sweet Annie Rose, age 8 |
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| Charlie "Dan Dan", age 3.5 (He was not coached to do these poses!) |
Christmas 2011 has had an added magic and made me more thankful than ever. My heart is so full as the mother of my two children, these precious beings and overwhelming handfuls who I love so much and have been entrusted to raise. We wish all of you a peaceful 2012, full of joy and blessings. I for one know regardless of what comes our way, my New Year will not be dull.
