To the Zoo!

Today CiBaby and I ventured out to the zoo. I'm a bit embarrased to say that this was the first time I've taken her, but she's been there with G-Mama and Bopa before, and it's been ages since I'd been there (minus the wedding on the coldest day this past winter)...it's BEAUTIFUL! According to G-Mama, we went there all the time when I was a tike, and I LOVED the conservatory...I still do.

So, off we went...

this is fish watching position...

had to take in the "mingos"...

rode the carousel with friends...

tell me, who could deny this face???

and we saw gorgeous butterflies!!! (These butterflies were
eating some of CiBaby's favorite fruits. Maybe she's not
part fruit bat, she's part butterfly!)

it was a full couple of hours, so home we went.

It was a wonderful day at the zoo.

The Princess and the Pee

You read that correctly...pee. CiBaby has her very own throne.

CiBaby's been showing the signs that it's time to start thinking about potty training. We didn't want to do it too soon or force it upon her, as she was forced to go in a potty chair when she was in China...and she hated it. Cried like you wouldn't believe. So, we've been waiting for her to give the "thumbs up" that she was ready.

So while shopping for college dorm room essentials for Big Sister, CiBaby picked out her very own potty...and Dora was it. Talk about starting over!

Of course our current throne room is a wee bit on the tight side, so CiBaby must duck her head when she feels the urge to reign.

Whew!

20 kids + 14 moms = organized chaos

That's how many people were at our house this fine morning for my first official, on the calendar, large group playdate! Thankfully some handy helpers (thanks ladies!!!) were right on time to get the place ready for the playdate...because of course it had to rain last night, and thankfully held off raining again until after everyone had left.

There was food and bevvie (of course, what's a playdate with out those things?!), lots of great conversations between moms and kids, flirting (amongst the kids), ball throwing, car driving, hand holding, sand digging, outdoor cooking, tomato picking, snack eating...really, all of the good things life has to offer.

Organized chaos is da'bomb. I'm so honored we are able to be in the thick of it.

*I'd post the pics I took, but to tell you the truth, they pretty much blow chunks.

Common courtesy - dead or just napping?

Really, where has it gone?

For instance...the other day on the train. With the soaring gas prices people have finally left their single passenger cars at home and opted for mass transit (about time! but I digress), making everything quite full. A very pregnant woman got on the train and ended up having to stand the entire way, while a mid-to-late 20s, professionally dressed bozo sat on his skinny butt listening to his iPod. "Didn't see her?" you say. Only if he was blind (which he wasn't), as her belly was practically in his face!* Who raised these people?!?

I can't tell you how many times I struggle through building doors with a stroller while professional people walk on by, not bothering to help in the least. My darling CiBaby even knows to hold the door for a mama (as shown today, I guess I'm doing something right!)

Then today someone stole the nice lunch I had put together for T-Daddy last night...roast beef with cheddar on whole wheat, veggie sticks and homemade herb dip...all in nice real Tupperware containers and a brand new thermal lunch bag. Apparently this has become an all too often occurrence in his office since a new contractor came to "help" them out. So tomorrow, he's brown bagging it, literally. And me and my somewhat...ahem...quirky humor has decided to write a note...

I hope someone gets the message. Who steals peoples/coworkers' lunches?!

Or the people that leave their dog's droppings on the sidewalk or someone else's yard. That really chaps my hide.

And where have the pleases, thank yous and pardon mes gone?!? My 2 year-old even says all of those things at the appropriate times and mostly without prompting (the pardon mes are a bit harder for her to understand, but we're getting there), unless you're a stranger, then she gets a wee bit tongue tied...but you'll get a wave and a smile!

I really don't think common courtesy is dead as it pops its head up occasionally, but none too often.

As in Pay it Forward, I challenge you...for every nice thing someone does for you, return that favor 3 fold to others. I believe something this small could make our world a kinder and gentler place for us to raise children and just live.

*T-Daddy would have given the woman his seat, if he'd had one.

China Reunion, the Hebrew Nationals and the harvest begins

This morning T-Daddy, CiBaby and I hopped into our fuel efficient car and headed on over to our adoption agency's China Reunion.

There were crafts, vendors (I bought some great books and stamps), a silent auction, music, food, stairs...

It was a very fun event.

But what was almost more fun is that we got to see some friends* we made on our trip to China last year...the Fabulous Ds! (The Ds have 8 children...remember what I told you about the number 8 yesterday?) They are such a great family. (And no, I have no idea why we're so far away from the others in the pic, it's very odd.)

The guys picked up where they left off...

And the kids have all gotten so big and changed so much in the last 9 months.

It was a very fun, and exhausting morning.

This evening before dinner, I went out to the garden to pick some veggies. There were gorgeous cucumbers and a bounty of tomatoes (although I had a hard time keeping the cherry tomatoes in the bowl once CiBaby discovered where I was and what I was picking.)

For dinner we had a wonderful tomato salad, my fav, cucumbers and Hebrew National hotdogs (T-Daddy requested these yesterday at TJs...he likes the commercials)...what can I say?! Can you believe, CiBaby ate 2 1/2 hotdogs for dinner?!? (sans bun, she's low carb-ing it you know, minus the noodles, rice and crackers she eats all day long).

Between the beginning of the Olympics last night and this morning I really want to go back to China. Hey did I mention T-Daddy has softened up to the notion of adopting again?

It was a very good day in this life.

*Unfortunately our other friends were not able to attend this year.

08-08-08

In China, the number 8 is pronounced ba, which sounds so close to the Chinese word for wealth that many people believe it to be linked to prosperity.

The Olympics will begin today at 8:08 PM in China. Many people will be married and many babies will be born. It's a lucky day.

Our good luck baby, born July 1 (7+1=8!), was officially placed with us on a lucky day, October 16 (1+0+1+6=8!). Coincidental*? I think not.

Our lucky #8

May the luck of China be with you!

*I've decided that nothing is by coincidence.

Did you know...

that blueberries will turn your (or your small child's) poop almost black?!?! No? Neither did I!

I knew beets could put the fear of death into you, until you remember..."oh yeah, we had beets last night." And I knew if you eat a healthy helping of greens...well, you know what I mean.

I never guessed blueberries.

*There's always fun "surprises" while changing diapers.

Nope

T-Daddy recounted the following story to me this morning.

Last night, during the 2nd of the 3Bs (bath, books, bed), T-Daddy and CiBaby were reading My First Word Board Book. When they got to the "ear," T-Daddy asked her where her ear was. (Notice, we always use the singular?) CiBaby reaches up to her right ear, then she reaches up the left side of her head to declare, "Nope!"

Why can't we all just get along?

This pains me to post this, but I feel it necessary.

I recently* found out that during the very fun Dragon Festival, some very hateful people defaced a beautiful sculpture with very racist remarks and symbols at the very same park.

Why?

Why would someone hate someone else so much just based on the color of their skin? Aren't we really all the same? We're all daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers, who laugh, cry, live and love.

Why?

Is it a superiority complex? Get over yourself, you're not that great.

I don't understand.

I weep at the thought that someone could hate my beautiful daughter so much as to call her such ugly names, or worse. I weep for all of those before me that have had to ask themselves the very same question...Why?

So for those who think we've come too far in race relations to think that hate crimes don't still exist...or "not here," think again.

*Yes, I keep myself in a news bubble. Why bring yourself down with all of the bad that's reported? The media needs to find the good out there too.

Bring it on!

CiBaby has recently added 3 word sentences to her repertoire.

This past weekend we were driving and we heard from the back seat "I love juice," very longingly. (I believe we had just told her she needed to wait until we were at one of the parties for more.)

Then yesterday evening we were having Baby Tickle Time in the bedroom. To our surprise, she holds out her little arms in the "T" position and says..."Bring it on!"

T-Daddy and I were both dying.

What a weekend!

Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar-tay! We were partying fools! 4 birthday parties in 3 days.

Friday we celebrated our buddy Ry's 3rd birthday in the morning and that night we ushered in another year for Bopa. Saturday our pal Ing's had a 2nd birthday gala and Sunday we had a (sort of) surprise party for our friend Kar.

Things we learned this weekend:

1. CiBaby understands self-preservation. She bailed out of the moving Barbie car she was driving, and Ry was pushing the power pedal, straight for the large play structure, leaving Ry and the baby doll to fend for themselves.
2. Who needs ropes for an awesome tire swing when you have T-Daddy and Bopa around?
3. Overcrowded pools aren't in CiBaby's grand plan.
4. If you have a swing, she will come.
5. Fruit trumps cake, frosting rules the world.
   

Happy to you all!

*When/if I get pictures from the other parties, I will post them. :-)

Of course!

Every year at the farmer's market I'm on the lookout for old favorites and new tasty delights. Last year I discovered sweet potato leaves at a particular Asian vendor, he had a table loaded with them. We got talking about them and I decided to give them a shot, heck it was only $1 for a big bundle and I'm an adventurous cook.*

I brought them home and came up with a new stir-fry dish. To say T-Daddy was a little skeptical, is toning it down (he's not big into cooked greens). To his, and my, delight they were WONDERFUL!!! So much so we bought many bunches last summer and today he requested I pick some up. To my udder dismay, no stand in the market had any. I talked with one very nice young Chinese woman and she told me they were selling out of them early every day this summer**. WHAT?!?! It was only 9 AM. One woman had come by and bought 20 bunches and cleaned her out. hmph. Teaches me to open my big mouth about these! I was telling everyone how wonderful they were last summer...shhhh, you didn't hear it from me.

To make your own lovely stir-fry, try this out...

CzaMama's Sweet Potato Leaf Stir-fry with Chicken
1 lb chicken breast
corn starch (or arrow root if you're allergic to corn, like I am)
2 Tbsp oil(your choice, I used peanut)
sesame oil
2 tsp Chinese 5 Spice

Cut chicken into bit size pieces and place in bowl. Add enough corn starch to coat. Heat a large skillet or wok until hot, then add oil and a few drops of sesame oil, for flavor. The oil should ripple, indicating it's hot. Gently lay coated chicken into the pan, sprinkle with Chinese 5 Spice. Let cook half way (it should lift easily out of the pan) and then flip it to finish. Once cooked, put into a bowl and set aside.

3 small or 2 large leeks, sliced into small pieces
1 small bundle sweet potato leaves, removed from stems, washed and drained
2 tsp oil
sesame oil
2 tsp soy sauce
1-2 tsp sea or kosher salt

In same skillet/wok, if necessary, add a bit more oil and leek. Saute until tender. Remove from pan and add to chicken bowl. Add sweet potato leaves to the skillet, it will be a huge pile, but it wilts down. Sprinkle oils and soy sauce on top of leaves and add salt. Stir occasionally. It will only take a couple minutes. When wilted down, but not soggy, add chicken and leek back in to heat. Add more Chinese 5 Spice, soy sauce*** and salt to taste.

Serve over steamed rice.

Enjoy!

*To be sure the leaves you're eating are edible, I highly encourage you to buy them from a farmer and not pick them from your own garden...unless you really know your plants.
**I'm going back tomorrow to get my sweet potato leaves...early!
***We added the additional soy sauce once we put it over the rice.