Growing up- Part Two

On Children's Day Asa's whole preschool put on a show for themselves. I think it is kind of funny on the holiday that is for them, they have to work so hard to put on a show for us!

Top photo was the opening number. Which was actually quite good. Flags, Chinese music, exercises etc.

This is Asa's class. He is the middle row third up. He would practice every night to get the moves just right!

No preschool performance is complete without a routine with plastic machine guns. Here are the boys and girls dancing in camouflage with their guns. Asa was seriously bummed his class did not get to carry guns.

I do have a really good picture of all three kids on Children's Day- but it in on another camera. Will try to get that on here soon.

Growing up- Part One

Miriam's Chinese tutor who lives right in our same complex and comes three days and week to help with homework is on the right. Miriam's second grade teacher on the left.

Today in China it is Children's Day. Kind of like Father and Mother's Day- but for kids. Also today Miriam got her red scarf and now is a member of the Young Pioneers. Think a club in school that promotes the values that make China China. It has been an interesting journey walking with Miriam as she prepared for this day. She was thrilled to be "growing up". Here is what she had to say to me at Breakfast today.

"Mom, you know I am growing up right?"
Why- yes I do honey
"Today you blinked and then I got the red scarf. And then you will blink and I will graduate from high school. And then you will blink and I will get married. And then you will blink and I will have babies"
I really did not know what to say! Except that I was very proud of her and what God was doing in her heart and life.

Then I take her (and Asa and Salome) on the bike to school this morning. Usually she hops off the bike and talks to me one last time before she heads off into the gate of the school. She will ask me to pray for her test, ask what time I am coming to pick her up etc. So today, she hops off the bike and does not turn around to talk to me. She heads straight for the gate. I start to tear up. Indeed I am blinking- and she is growing up. How can I feel sad she is growing up and she is only eight years old!?


Right after getting the scarf. THRILLED.

Her class. In Chinese elementary school you have the same kids in your class until fifth grade. We really have gotten to know and love these kids!

When we were on the bike today. Miriam said- Mom there are going to be so many kids on stage with me how will you find me? I had to smile. As she really does not see herself as different than the other kids- she is one of the gang.

Miriam's best friend at school. Cherry. Often they fight. But I think they love each other too.

Asa had a huge dance performance today too. I will blog about that tomorrow!

Asa- one tooth less

" What happened with your tooth today?

It broke. I used a Kleenex. My Mom's way did not work. I did it.

"How does it feel?"

Kind of good. First when I touched it I bent it back and then it broke off

"What is the tooth fairy?"

Daddy. There is no REAL tooth fairy.

"How much money are you getting?"

Maybe one kuai. And what happens to the tooth?

Asa's tooth has been hanging on my a thread for about a week. He took matters into his own hands today at preschool and pulled it out. I guess everyone in his class was cheering him on to pull it out (he uses broke for pull). I wish I could of been a fly on a wall for that!

Asa was my worst teething baby! Yikes. We worked hard for every tooth. I think the tooth fairy is coming to my pillow tonight too!!!

(PS- the amount he looks like my Dad meets Joab Meyer is unreal!)

Matthew 7:11

Two things - kind of small- happened this week that make me reflect how much more MORE God loves and cares about my kids. First, a baby doll for Salome. We somehow lost her one and only baby doll a couple of weeks ago. She did not seem to mind- she used everything else BUT a baby doll to act like a real baby doll. Today, I was going through old toys and there was another baby doll! Just for her. It might as well been Christmas morning for her! She is THRILLED. And I rejoice that now she has a real baby doll to love and not a water bottle or an action superhero, naked barbie dolls or a dirty diaper!

Miriam and English. Always in my head I am thinking about how in the world do I squeeze in more English for her? This week a friend I barely knew called me to ask if I wanted 3rd and 4th grade home school curriculum? WOW, I had not even thought this far! But yes, please! I don't think I will do all the pieces that came (for free) with this set. So thankful for something to guide us down this unknown path of local school/home school combo deal.

Parenting makes me marvel at God's abundant goodness. He knows what we need before we even ask. Dolls and books included. Matthew 7:11 sums up my feelings this hot sticky afternoon:

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Kids Update

Taking a bath all together is really more about having fun than getting clean. But still they are so cute all together. Someday soon I know Miriam is not going to think this is too fun. Everyday when she goes off to school I remind her to "have fun, you are only eight once". She then reminds me she is closer to 8.5 which is really almost 9. Yikes, where has the time gone?

Salome pretty much calls everything baby these days: dirty diapers are here "babies", plastic water bottle are her "babies, Superman action figures are her "babies". One of my friends expressed she is amazed at how maternal she is for only 17 months. She also says about equal number of words in Chinese as English. I think she likes speaking Chinese more as she gets WAY more attention if she whips it out!

Miriam is gearing up to move from a "little green sprout" at school to a "red scarf student" (think Brownies to Girl Scouts ). She is thrilled to be "growing up" and always amazes us at school. She is also really picking up the local dialect here- Shanghaiese. She will now translate for me at the grocery store when someone is speaking it. She and Asa have a blast together playing outside after school, reading books together and trying to make Salome laugh.

Asa is still coming up with all sorts of things to make us laugh. He usually gets out the dress up clothes whenever he can and even wants to sleep in them at night! He also is loving the warm weather and playing with all our neighbors outside.

So there they are. All my little Hot Dog combos (Meyer-Frank). All very different. All a lot of wonderful work.

Three Peas in Pod

Trying to get all the kids to sleep in one room is...well...interesting. Last night we tried Salome on Asa's bunk and Asa on the floor. The girls slept great- Asa was up at 3 Am saying he could not sleep. So we will try again tonight! The baby woke up at 6:30 AM got off the bed and came to find me! She is loving to be the "big" girl.

Salome has been in a pack in play in the office/guest room/baby room. But with Joab calling early to the USA more and more we needed a way for the office really to be an office! Salome has been napping in the kids room with no problem for a long time so we decided to try and move them all to one room.

Miriam needing "five more minutes" and Salome ready to play.

Miriam awake and pretty :)

This is actually how Asa came to breakfast. With a bear on his head.

And for breakfast? My new passion- homemade sourdough bread! Also potato pancakes and cherry tomatoes!

Motherhood

A very Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and Mom in Law!

Here is a picture of me with kiddos before church. Baby must now have a baby doll in tow when we go out!

We had a really fun day! Thankful for the gift of raising these three little blessings!