One Little Word = Big Guilt

Why, why, why must they always use the word "need?" When I got to Starbucks here and order my beverage of choice they then ask me, "You NEED whip cream?" Of course I don't NEED it, I just want it. I much prefer how they do it in the States, "Whip?" I always end up feeling so guilty here when I answer their questions with a yes. I have taken lately to answering with, "Well since you asked, I don't NEED whip cream as much as I just want whip cream." Which make the little Chinese girl behind the counter really confused, yet somehow makes me feel better!

Welcome to the Year of the Ox

This past Sunday, was Chinese New Year's Eve. We have now entered the Year of the Ox. To celebrate, we enjoyed a nice traditional dinner of dumplings at a famous dumpling restaurant in Yu Garden with our friends Matt, Jessica, Russ and TR. Then, around 8pm, our best friends Buster & Amy came over to our place ring in the new year. We always enjoy hanging out with them, laughing and playing cards. As midnight arrived we watched an insane amount of fireworks going off all over the city. As far as you can see! I know that last year I tried to put into words how incredible it is at that moment. But words cannot describe. The sky is so bright all across the city with fireworks it looks like daytime! Right after midnight we ate some more dumplings. It is said that the number of dumplings you eat right after midnight will have a direct reflection on how prosperous you are in the new year. So just to cover all our bases, we had dumplings for dinner at 5pm. We had dumplings again right after midnight. And then we had dumplings again on new year's day. I'll let y'all know in about 364 days how all the dumpling eating worked out for us.

On Friday, LingLing (our nanny/housekeeper) made homemade dumplings for us with the "help" of Gabe, Maddox, and myself. It was messy, but the boys loved making them. These are the dumplings that we ate just after midnight.

Madd-Dog and the soon to be eaten dumpling.

Family photo time!

Brotherly Advice

Just a short bit ago Maddox was being a typical 3 year old and was acting ornery. I was sitting at the dining room table and I told him to come here to me so we could talk about his behavior. He hesitated, then just sat down on the floor and started crying saying, "I don't want to be in trouble, I don't want to be in trouble." I gave him a stern look and he did get up and come over to me. We had a little chat about acting nice then I sent him on his way. He went to sit in one of our living room chairs to pout for a few minutes. I then left the room and when I came back in a few minutes later Gabe was sitting in the chair with him and patting Maddox's head. I heard Gabe murmuring to Maddox, "I'm older Maddox and I know the best thing to do. When Mom tells you to go talk to her don't sit down and cry on the floor. Just hurry to her, listen to her, look REALLY, SUPER, REALLY sad, say sorry even if you are not sorry, and then you can walk away and come play with me! It's MUCH, MUCH better!"

Michael and I have prayed so many times that our boys would have a loving brotherly relationship, be best friends and that Gabe would be a good older brother. I'm just not sure this is what we meant by that! I hope Gabe's older brother advice improves over the years. Actually, not that this wasn't good advice. It was! Just not the kind I had in mind.