Special delivery

While the USPS doesn't work today, UPS must. The Noodle got a special delivery this afternoon from J's Aunt and Uncle who live out in California. As soon as we opened it, we decided it HAD to be tried on...especially the shoes. Aren't they a hoot? Aunt C teaches preschool and one of her students had them--she was inspired. What's even more fun is that they light up. Currently the Chinese Noodle is stomping around the house, trying to see if she can make her shoes dazzle. A BIG THANK YOU for this very sweet and thoughtful gift!!!!




**Here was another set of shoes that Aunt C gave The Noodle. She's definitely doing her part to make sure The C.N. becomes a shoe addict!!

Weekend Re-cap

It was a busy, busy weekend around here, what with Valentine's day and Chinese New Year! Living close to a big city allows us the opportunity to visit Chinatown anytime we desire. This year, they were offering lots of activities, so we went down to nose and browse around and watch some Chinese dancing. Great stuff!

See anything that looks tasty?

Hmmm...live frogs perhaps? No?!
Love that Budda guy...just cracks me up, especially his belly.


For Valentine's day, Lolly and Papa came over for the afternoon, giving J and I the chance to go out for a little "date". Where did we go you ask? Why to pick out a new dining room floor!! Romantic, huh? It WAS, though, because it was great just being together. We already had in mind what we wanted, so it really didn't take too long, and then we went out for a drink afterwards. We were home in time for a special dinner and the red velevet cake the Noodle had helped me make and decorate. As a disclaimer here, I have quickly come to the realization that I am NOT a good cake decorator. My Nana is ALWAYS baking double layer chocolate cakes with fabulous, smooth frosting and they never seem to topple, crumb through the frosting or generally look like the cat has dragged them in. Sigh. Good thing that my 2 biggest fans don't hold it against me...and that it tasted MUCH better than it looked.

Watch out...that red velvet batter stains somethin' fierce!

Don't those Valentine M & Ms just make ya smile? Kinda like the leaning tower o'cake.

2 for 1

Gung Hay Fat Choy!! Happy Lunar New Year, the Year of the Tiger!!
Happy Valentine's Day!!

Whatever you decide to celebrate, let's hope it is filled with lots of red and love!

Storytime

When it is doing this outside--



--might as well hunker down inside and have "storytime" with friends.

Valentine's party

The Noodle had her first ever school party this morning--a Valentine's party. Since they are only in school on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Valentine's day falls on a Sunday this year, they celebrated early. The room was a sea of red and pink and all variations of hearts. Fun and festive! Early on, before school had even officially started, the teachers had asked if I wouldn't mind being the room mother. This was my first task--to organize the food, treat bags and party. Thank goodness for e-mail as a way to coordinate everything! After being on the teacher end of parties, I knew I wanted things to run smoothly and be as organized as possible. I use to always have mixed emotions about party days because they could just be soooo exhausting! All in all, I think things went well. I really can't take any credit for it though, because the Noodle's teachers had obviously dealt with a roomful of excited 3 year olds and the parents that accompany them...they had all the nitty gritty details worked out thus ensuring a great party.

Good friends--like the "tough guy" face?!
Waiting to go to circle time.
Listening to a story about everyone's favorite big, red dog.

What's inside?

Getting ready to say grace before eating the goodies.

Yummy!!

Smells like......

One of the things that the Noodle loves to do at preschool is art work on the easel. Most days she comes home with "something special to show me". I suspect part of the reason she likes it is because of the scented Mr. Sk*tch markers. When I picked her up this morning, she looked like this:

FCC CNY

The mid-January through mid-February time frame ensures that there will be lots of Lunar New Year celebrations. We went to our first one of the season yesterday, hosted by our local FCC (Families with Children from China) group. There was a tasty lunch buffet down at a restaurant in Chinatown. After the children did some crafts, there was a raffle (once again, we came home empty-handed!), the dragon parade and a group picture. Whether it was because of the timing of everything (smack in the middle of nap-time), the fact that the Noodle decided she only wanted to eat a fortune cookie and some rice and so was hungry, or just that she was overwhelmed by all of the unknown people, someone was very clingy. She wanted NO PART of wearing the dragon mask, unlike last year--not so fond of the beard on it she informed me, was adamant about me joining the parade with her, and down-right refused to stand with the other kiddos during the group picture. The one hit was the larger-than-life Buddah--loved the bare toes (?!) and his big belly! Sooooooo, while we had a good time, she was certainly more stand-offish. Oh well, she'll have another opportunity in the not too distant future, I'm sure.

Our eyes are always bigger than our tummies!
Working on an art project.

So many tasty treats.
All the precious children (minus a stubborn one).

Let the parade begin!!

Holding onto her lantern from the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with one hand and me with the other.
Come on...you know you want to rub it!!

Even this couldn't win her over.
Happy New Year!