Threedom

Michael Isaac is three years old!

On the day before his birthday a package appeared in our stairwell.

Since Titus is not around to devour our books, Mike has taken up the job. Berenstain Bears in Chinese and Dr. Seuss in English, specifically Green Eggs & Ham and Yertle the Turtle are his favorites. We were inspired to make our own Greens, Eggs and Ham. Michael has been insistent on helping cook nearly every meal. It's kinda dangerous, cooking over an open flame, but...so is getting out of bed, you know?
The green is a local melon/gourd called 丝瓜 si gua; it's got a subtle earthy flavor and soft texture.

On Mike's birth day morn the little guys and I hiked up the mountain, with a stop at the secret swings. It was a clear, breezy day. At the crest we could see Drew's office building, so we waved to Dad! (then texted to inform him we were doing so...) Across the city, he looked out from his tower window and waved back.

As you likely know, the mother of this family is a hopeless baker, so somehow as of 2013 we are now a Store-Bought Cake Family, hehe! Now isn't life filled with classic moments? How about the one when your kid sneaks to the fridge before breakfast on the day of his birthday party and wielding a spatula, "cooks" and taste-tests his tiramisu cake until it is thoroughly mixed, upset and rearranged. (Idea certainly inspired by all the cooking he's been doing recently.) Call in the substitute white-strawberry dessert.

Mai-Mai had a lovely little supper party with a new neighbor couple and their toddler boy, two co-workers from the South Church, Auntie Wang and my good friend Xu Kai. 

Earlier this week Mai-Mai had a blast at preschool orientation. He's very comfortable in the school environment, having played there nearly every day for the past two years when we pick-up Titus. Chinese preschool consists of much choreographed aerobics and action songs. Titus required about three semesters to start moving. Mike, our bodily-kinethestic intelligence guy, was already grooving with enthusiasm. And he did not need Mama, "Mom, is you going to go now?" In the afternoon, "Is I going back to xiao ban now?" "I is three! Now I can go to xiao ban!"

Finally, Mike has charmed our regular fruit-seller. She boasts that she's his favorite aunt and always puts free grapes, pears or dragon-eyes in his bicycle basket.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

morning hikes in the woods; Jonathon determined, strong and keeping up

blue plates

hopping children

new neighbors who are nice, honest, relational people; anticipating good friendship

how Xu Kai is so gifted at relating to anyone

clean and tired, camping on cushions on the floor beside clean and tired husband, watching a movie on a Friday night

Drew's relentless efforts to keep this marriage unified

opportunity to bring back American supplements, vitamins for friends here with a specific felt need -- something they perceive as a great value

discovery that si gua, eggs and ground pork is a delicious combination

time on the weekends