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Last Friday was an absolutely GORGEOUS day. As luck would have it, Lily had off from school for a Teacher Development Day. Yippee! That meant we could spend the entire day at the zoo. It was perfect. Really.
Friday was one of those 'hint of Spring' days. You know the kind of day...when you can actually get away without wearing a coat...and somehow...just because it's still February...it makes the whole experience that much more delicious! Right?
Well, little Miss Lily wasn't content to just not wear a coat. Nope. She wanted to wear flip flops, too! Never mind that the flip flops she was sporting are from last summer and a good half inch of her heel hung off the back.
The fact that the flip flops didn't fit was of little consequence to Lily. She was desperate to wear them. Here's how our conversation went:
"But Mama, it's perfect flip flop weather!"
"Sorry, honey. You are not wearing flip flops out of the house in February."
Huh??
Help me. What kind of logic is that???
It used to drive me absolutely wild that my father wouldn't put on the air conditioning if it was 101° in May. Simply because it was May. The mere fact that it was May did not negate the fact that the inside of the house felt like an oven!
I guess what I'm saying is that resistance has proven futile. I have become a parent...my parents to be exact!
Anyway, we had a wonderful day at the zoo (sans flip flops). The weather was beautiful, we had our first picnic of the season, and we weren't the only ones with a bad case of spring fever.
Let's just say some of the animals were feeling rather "frisky". Since I try to keep this blog 'family friendly' I won't post the picture I inadvertently snapped.
I will, however, provide you with one of Lily's observations from the day: "Look Mommy, that zebra's giving the other zebra a piggy back ride!"
Oh my. I am just not mature enough for this parenting thing. I imagine years and years from now I'll stop laughing. Um. Scratch that...I doubt I'll ever stop.
After the beautiful weather on Friday it seemed like a complete affront to have to don our snow boots again on Tuesday.
Good news is that we got over the insult rather quickly and had a blast playing in (hopefully the last of the season) snow!
Late Tuesday afternoon I dropped Lily off at Tony's office for a special Daddy and Daughter Date Night.
Date night began with a tour of Lily's art gallery...aka Tony's office. It's been a long time since Lily was inside Tony's office and she was thrilled to see every square inch covered in her art work!
After touring her art exhibit, Tony and Lily headed out to a special "Daddy Daughter Date Night" sponsored by Chick-fil-a. Only those with reservations were allowed in the fast-food establishment...I mean restaurant.
Once there, Lily and Tony were treated to dinner at a table with a white tablecloth, Lily received a long stem pink rose, a waitress came and took their order, they ate a "yummy" dinner, they had their picture taken, and then the happy couple took a limousine ride around the perimeter of the mall.
I'm not sure what Lily enjoyed more...spending quality time with Daddy...touring the art exhibit...the cookies and cream milkshake...or driving in a limousine without a "beltseat". I think the correct answer is...all of the above. Absolutely!
I know I said I'd stop with the rabbit humor, but I lied! Hang in there. The CNY celebrating is almost over for this year!
I was made aware today (via text message from a certain niece) that I haven't blogged in over a week. Where does the time go??? Oh, I know...celebrating a 15 day holiday!!
Last weekend we celebrated Chinese New Year on Saturday and Sunday. By now this is all ancient history, but I'll post about it anyway.
On Saturday, we went out to a Chinese restaurant for dinner with our families . Somehow I managed not to take a single picture.
Thank goodness Aunt Pappyrazzi at least got a picture of Lily and Ariel! Yes, mermaids celebrate Chinese New Year too. I'm surprised you didn't know that.
While I LOVE celebrating CNY with the family, I think I've decided I don't like going out to a restaurant. Sitting at big long table in a restaurant doesn't give us much of an opportunity to visit, relax, and just enjoy each other's company.
Next year I think I'll have the family Chinese New Year party at our house. It will be tight quarters, but I still think it will be more "comfortable".
Speaking of tight quarters...Sunday afternoon we had 3 of Lily's girlfriends and their parents over to celebrate CNY.
Lily's friends each asked if they could wear a qipao like Lily. Lily absolutely LOVED that!!
I couldn't believe that the girls all remembered wearing qipaos at last year's CNY party. I guess I better order some bigger qipaos for next year!
I made a ton of Chinese food...we all ate with chopsticks...the girls had a blast...and we ended the celebration with bubble wrap fireworks!
After the "fireworks" Tony gave the girls bubble wrap rides. In their qipaos they slid across the floor easily...and as a bonus the floors got dust mopped, too!
When Lily was a little girl (because she's such a big girl now) someone gave her a copy of Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. The book came complete with a stuffed Big and Little Nutbrown Hare.
Lily used to say, "Mommy, can you read me Hut Brown Naro?" I don't know how she came up with that name from Nutbrown Hare...but I loved that she called the book that without batting an eye.
Lily hasn't asked for that book or played with the two stuffed rabbits in a very long time...until recently.
Well, the other day Lily was looking for her stuffed friends and said, "Mommy, have you seen Hut Brown Naro?" Then she said..."Hut Brown Naro??? Hut? Brown?? Naro??? What on earth is that????" Then Lily laughed herself silly.
I also got a serious case of the giggles...but then I got a little bit sad remembering how long it's been since I've heard Lily say Hut Brown Naro.
I'm sure this sudden interest in Hut Brown Naro has more than a little to do with the fact that this is The Year Of The Rabbit.
Lily is really into Chinese New Year this year. On Monday, Lily had the opportunity to celebrate The Year Of The Rabbit with her classmates. She was so, so excited!
We made snacks that looked like rabbits (sort of), put together gift bags filled with clementines, red envelopes, and Chinese Astrology coloring books. Lily also brought in a children's book about Chinese New Year.
When I picked Lily up from school she was positively beaming! Lily told me all about how she stood in front of the class and talked about Chinese New Year. She was also able to pick two friends to help her pass out the snack and the gift bags. Needless to say, Lily felt like queen for the day!
Monday night we went to a local restaurant that was holding a fundraising event for Lily's school. One of Lily's classmates was there and was still carrying his gift bag. His mom mentioned that he hadn't put it down all afternoon. Lily was positively glowing!
Tuesday morning Lily's teacher called me to tell me what an incredible job Lily had done sharing with the class about Chinese New Year! Effusive is not a word I would use to describe Lily's teacher...so that made the phone call even more special.
While I was speaking with Lily's teacher she asked for the title and author of the book Lily brought in about Chinese New Year so they could add it to their library. I just love that!! Hmm...I wonder if they have a copy of Hut Brown Naro in their library?
Today welcomes in The Year Of The Rabbit. So, that isn't a typo in the title of this post...it's just my lame attempt at rabbit humor.
We have a TON of things planned over the next several weeks to celebrate the New Year. Between the parties, dinners, and parades it will be a hare raising good time.
Okay, okay, okay. I'll stop with the bunny humor.
Today, Lily and I spent the afternoon with friends making dozens and dozens of dumplings. I have no idea what the final count was...but we made several hundred dumplings at a minimum. Several woman were making dumplings and those babies were multiplying like rabbits. Oops. There I go again.
I don't want to say this too loud, but I'm actually getting pretty good at dumpling making. For the first time I noticed you really couldn't tell which dumplings I had made and which ones my friends had made. Silly thing to be proud of...I know...but it's all about life's little victories!
I didn't get any pictures of Lily making dumplings...my hands were coated with flour the entire time.
If I had taken pictures you really wouldn't have seen many of Lily actually making dumplings. Now, if you wanted to see pictures of Lily eating dumpling wrappers...by the dozen...that I could have shown you!
So, instead of pictures of the dumpling wrapper eating machine you'll have to settle for pictures of my little hippie pirate. I just love some of the outfits this child comes up with! This ensemble needs a bit more color don't you think??
50 years ago today the world was changed forever and for better!
In honor of my big sister's 50th birthday I've listed 50 Reasons (in no particular order) why I love her:
- Because you have created most of my favorite holiday traditions.
- Because you wore black jumpsuits with gold zippers and tried to teach me to disco dance in our living room.
- Because you thought you were Grandmom. I mean...Literally. Thought. You. Were. Grandmom.
- Because you used to tell us if we had to go to the bathroom we should eat bread and the bread would soak up all the...you know what...and we believed you!
- Because you made Patti and I go with you to watch Don (or some new guy named Ed) play softball.
- Because you picked out the outfits for Patti and I to wear...right down to the neckerchiefs...to watch Don (or some new guy named Ed) play softball.
- Because you were/are such a wonderful advocate for Mom and Dad.
- Because you thought Las Vegas was a state.
- Because when you promised Ed you wouldn't tell me and Patti that the two of you had gotten engaged you decided we should have an impromptu game of charades.
- Because you made us cold strawberry soup.
- Because you are a fabulous mother.
- Because of your Harvest Moon Dinners...complete with hand written menus.
- Because of the way you show your love for all of us every day.
- Because you come up with great names for things like: "The Dead Lady Sale" and "Nuts and Nuns."
- Because you are thoughtful and generous with your time and talent.
- Because you are a loving wife.
- Because you thought the jockeys for greyhound races must be very, very small.
- Because I'm still in therapy after your little "episode" on the Appalachian Trail.
- Because you are a wonderful sister.
- Because you tell the punch line of a joke before you tell the joke.
- Because you always answer my "tough" cooking questions.
- Because you handle your various health challenges and dietary restrictions with such grace.
- Because some nights when I can't fall asleep I can still hear "The Best of Bread" playing in my memory.
- Because I have always and will always look up to you.
- Because you are an awesome Aunt Baba.
- Because when we were in China and our basement flooded you handled everything (insurance adjusters, carpet replacement, etc.) so thoroughly we never would have known it happened if you hadn't told us.
- Because you were the first person I had ever heard call Ocean City - OC. I thought you were so cool.
- Because you love the craziest dog in Catonsville.
- Because you always put your family first.
- Because you wore a green sequined gown the first time you met Tony.
- Because you dressed up like an elf for our neighborhood Santa...and somehow made it look cool.
- Because you armed us with hair brushes and nail files when you were babysitting and thought someone was breaking in.
- Because you let me spend the night in your dorm room even though we both know that wasn't such a great idea.
- Because your home is always such a warm and welcoming place.
- Because you are a loyal friend.
- Because when Mom was dying you moved all the medical equipment/monitors out of the way so we all could be right next to her.
- Because you live your faith.
- Because you always come up with fun specialty drinks for family vacation...and even provide surf side delivery!
- Because you will drive all over town looking for just the right thing to complete one of your beautiful craft projects.
- Because you have always encouraged me in anything I wanted to do.
- Because you were always so poised and self-contained coming off the school bus.
- Because you are our very own "Ask A Nurse."
- Because your door is always open...literally.
- Because even though I'm sure you would have rather had Debbie...you asked me to be your Maid Of Honor.
- Because if I ever need a spare wreath, vase, bolt of ribbon, frame, yard of fabric, candle stick, basket, or whatever I never need to look further than your attic.
- Because you like "Tony's tiny little hands."
- Because you order a hot tea, an orange juice, and a glass of water all at the same time when we go out to breakfast. Good to know I'm not the only one with a "drinking problem."
- Because you are the thrift store queen, but somehow you and your home always look like a million bucks.
- Because you used to bring your work home with you...literally. I have vivid memories of Little People (aka dwarves) sitting at the picnic table on telephone books eating steamed crabs at Mom and Dad's.
- Because you are the best big sister a girl could ever have!
Happy Birthday, Bethie! I love you!!!
