The Dream Continues

Meizhi Rides a Pony!

Another first for Meizhi! She and Guoqing both had their first ever pony rides this past weekend at the Chinatown Summer Fair. It was a swelteringly hot day. I mean..HOT. As in...could be as humid hot as a cool day in China. Seriously- yuck! But it was awesome. The trains were delayed a long time- we got there almost an hour after we were supposed to and missed the family we were supposed to meet up with. Martin and I don't blame them though...the meeting place was smack in the middle of the hot sun, no shade in sight and we both agreed we wouldn't have waited either. But we marched on and had a grand old time. We bought the girls cute parasols. G wanted red...she is the Warrior Princess after all, Meizhi of course wanted pink..and the biggest one she could find. Being the follower though, she ultimately wanted a small red one just like Guoqing's and since they were only $2 and I know they will be played with, I got her a second red one and that was it. It was like Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee from that point on. I maybe would have felt bad for all the bazillions people it seemed that the girls walked into w those things except that about 4 dozen other girls were all doing the same thing. hehehe. I never did find the lanterns I wanted to purchase. I am looking for some nice fabric red ones for the house for CNY instead of the el-cheapo paper ones I have now. I figure, make the investment, get a few nice ones and they'll last for years and years, ya know? Anyway, not like I won't be heading to Chinatown anytime soon right? Ha! So that and the vase for my bamboo, didn't find that nor did I get the soaps I had wanted to get either.

Ok so really....I didn't get much shopping in at all. But that's OK. M&G had a fab time and Martin is the male version of me as a total goober when it comes to learning and asking questions and such. We had a great break inside some much needed A/C at the museum and the girls played (sometimes a bit too much and M had to go into time out once smack in the middle of the museum floor ..but she was totally a great girl and listened and didn't even cry about it) We learned about Chinese American history in Chicago, read some amazing transcripts, talked w families who have been in Chinatown for generations and wow the interesting stories we learned. For example- did you all know that the Chinatown in Chicago today is not the original Chinatown? I bet a lot of people thought it was considering how old it is. but nope...the original one is blocks north. Did you also know that originally, all Asian groups were together in one large :"Chinatown' but that a large schism happened and the Vietnamese/Thai/etc 'Asianss' all moved more north in the city and that the Chinese moved to the now known "Chinatown' part of the city. Oh and don't get me started on the laws in the US against Asians. I am sure many MANY people who have adopted Asian children would be shocked to learn of the hatred and discrimination that were legal in this country until approx the last 50-60 yrs. Wow. I knew of the Japanese camps during the WW2 era but wow...I learned a lot. Also, do you all know what a 'paper son' is? I didn't until this past weekend but I sure do now. It was just amazing and fascinating and I really enjoyed it. And once again, I am honored and humbled at the openness and sincere warmth that the Chinese here show to our girls.

G and M sitting nicely at the museum

  

After the A/C cool-off diversion, it was back out into the heat and we decided food was important so we headed to one of Martin's faves to eat. I ordered some orange chicken that had enough heat and pepper seeds in it to melt the titanic iceberg. Whoa Nelly!! But man was it tasty. And not that generic MSG American Chinese food stuff. This was real Chinese food...much like what we all enjoyed and loved in China. Oh how I'd love to be in China right now. I bet the Olympic fever is something amazing! The girls both ate well and Meizhi again knocked my socks off and picked up her chopsticks and used them as if she'd never ever forgotten. It's as if she's finally opening back up/turning back on certain parts of her brain that she's closed off for so long. it was really impressive to watch her eat the noodles and rice with the sticks. So much so...I got out the camcorder and video'd some of it. I'll have to remember how to get it onto the pc someday.

Then  it was more shopping and then tucked into an alley we found a gem...pony rides!  Guoqing and Meizhi had never ever done it before and they were both SO excited. They grinned so wide I thought their cheeks would break. Neither was afraid either. Both us parents were a little worried about that but nope. Not in the least. And when the operator opened the gate and said to the girls"ok -go pick out your horse" Meizhi boldly walked straight up to this cute little brown one and with all the confidence in the world proclaimed- I want THAT one! finger pointed and all. Quite cute. Meizhi rode a brown boy named Pumpkin and Guoqing rode a white/black boy named Sarge.  Adorable!!! just adorable!

   

I just love pix like this of these two together. This one just might have to go to the agency and to M's foster mom.  

Alas, the heat was hot, the parents were tired and the day was long so we headed back.

 

We hopped back on the "L" and then to the train and Meizhi was asleep really fast. G never once crashed - impressive considering the heat and the walking we all did.

Aftermath

Not that this wasn't completely expected but M is not doing so well since the trip to Chinatown. She's got a fever now since then and is in a bad mood, complaining she hurts. We have plans to attend the Dragon Boat races coming up soon but I think I may have to see how things go and perhaps cancel if she's not better. I am hoping its just the heat that got to her and not something more. I was so hoping to avoid this.

For those who dont like Flickr

OK while Meizhi and Baba watch some Flipper on DVD, I'll try and repost the pix from last Friday. I have been informed that not everyone like the flickr badge in the post.

ready to go see her friends

The hair-do of the day. For "anonymous" who asked...we call these 'twisties'  Basically you make a small/thin pony tail. Then you twist it until it kinda looks like a rope. I wet/mist M's hair a bit when I do this to keep the fly-away hairs under control. Then once the twist looks tight enough, I start to wrap it around the ponytail holder/rubberband. As you wrap, it spirals up. The longer the hair, the higher the twist. Then once its about done, I take another rubberband and just wrap it around the base to hold the twist in place. For the straggler ends (as you can see in the picture) I use a simple barrette. That also helps to keep the twistie in place. Someone noted to me as they saw me do this once they were surprised that M would allow me to do it since it looks really tight and painful. Trust me- it is NOT painful nor tight. The only part that would be 'tight' if anything would be the initial poytail part. And I keep that regular tension, not too snug, since I know I am going to be doing the twistie. See, each day, I ask Meizhi how she would like her hair done. As Mama, I retain veto power on her decision but for the most part, we do whatever hair style she wants that day. The sparkles are only for good behavior. And those you can get at Claire's in the local mall for $1.99. We call them sparkles and fairy dust and glitter. but technically, they are glitter and everywhere M tilts her head down gets showered in glitter until they are basically all gone by the end of the day.

Meizhi and Kenna cleaning the table. All the toys in the world and yet dumping water on the table and pretending to wash it makes their day. ha!

 

Here's M on a two wheeler! Isn't this amazing?!!!! I almost cried. I couldn't believe it. She hopped on and never once was scared and she just took off! And I mean took off! Mama and Baba are hunting for a bike for now since M's birthday is later in the fall/almost winter, we figure we'll get her a bike now so she can enjoy it for the rest of the summer at least. And yes, I am using my noggin and am hunting for a pink or princess bike.

There she goes!

And then in perfect Fancy Nancy style, Kristi had the girls make parfaits and yes indeed, I let Meizhi make and eat hers. Totally showing my dense blonde brain - I asked "what's a parfait?" DUH!!!

parfait = sundae  

So yeah, I felt a little stupid. Nothing like a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a fancy shaped cup w chocolate sauce, some sprinkles, a fancy name, and your best buds to make a day really great, right? And yes, that's Meizhi and Kenna again.

Then later, after Kristi made crowns for the parfaits that somehow turned into hats for the girls, they did 'art' Granted, M&K's version of art is in a whole other league than when Meizhi and I do art, it was a blast watching how each girl was quite unique in her artwork. Note there are letters on Meizhi's canvas. They ultimately were covered up w handprints and other art methods but she's really into her letters and numbers right now. Getting really good at it too for a 3 yr old (even if I am a bit bias)

And the sign of an awesome day? M crashed in the carseat all the way home and went to bed super easy.

 

Misc thoughts on stuff

Getting behind, sorry! Friday playdate was awesome! amazing thing we learned? Meizhi can ride a 2 wheeler so guess what Mama has been hunting on the net? yep- 2 wheel bicycles. Been looking at local stores too. Baba is specific about type of bike. More on that soon. Work is crazy. Weather is intolerably sticky and hot. Went to Chinatown on Sunday for the fair and saw several people we know, including my step brother Bobby. How wild is that? M and G had a BLAST together and thank the big guy upstairs I brought all the snacks and juiiceboxes and the stroller and hand sanitizer as ...well, it was a street fair in Chicago in Chinatown. Use your imagination. The girls were great considering the heat and all. Meizhi of course crashed asleep in the train on the way home and that was good. Only negative was she ran a fever for the next day+ and was unconscious until late Monday. Poor sweetie. A little too much heat I think. But she's a'hopping today! I have my back class tonight
which should be interesting. I am down to 1 day a wk now for adjustments. yeah me! Poor M's pool sprung a leak so no big infalatable pool anymore. Baba bought a replacement one but our yard is at such s slope that it wont work so looks like the old hard plastic one for the rest of this summer. Photos coming soon too. Y'all know how many pix I take. I am slowly getting the home PC built back and I have all the pix from July to organize so a post of lots of photos will be coming soon. Until then...stay cool. I'll post again most likely later tonight.

Playdate with friends

Meizhi had a playdate with her good friends K&M today. It was a fabulous day and just loads of fun as always. I am sure to be hearing about it for days to come. M loves playing w the girls.

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Or maybe I'm not!?

I will never understand technology. I try...honest I do but come on man! Cut a person a break every now and then. Ugh! Ok so here's da scoop...you know how I got my beloved PC fixed? yeah well....it was fixed, more RAM added and new virus protection added. Oh..on that last part- can you STILL here me screaming hymns of joy from the highest mountains that Norton is GONE from my world? Ohhhhh yes, there IS a God upstairs who listens. So anyway, the draw back to that was that I have a new virus protection suite. Minor snag. When it was installed, the system date was wrong and that has set off a week+ tirade on my part fighting w the PC on a # of issues. On a total whim...I emailed off to the software (still not reply) and also to our IT-Guy-Who-Walks-On-Water. I just know he did something today because on a fluke, I corrected the system date moments ago and voila! Suddenly the whole PC is working pristine and I can access this here blog 'o mine. Ain't life grand??

More updates.

1) work is giving me a headache and I really think the Chiro is gonna be cranky w me on Monday. I think we went to 1 wk visits about 3 months too early....or maybe thats about 6 months too early. Either way...I got a headache from stress, no sleep, crappy weather and hormones. Oh...and work has a smidge to do w that too.

2) I sent off a crying email to the agency (I think i already mentioned that earlier) and heard back that they want to contact Cathwel regarding our case. Seems folks are flocking OUT of the Taiwan program as the wait times head into the 3 yr range.  yes folks, you heard that right. THREE YEARS...just for referral. Please pardon my language here but same damned thing happened when we signed on for China...2 months later and BAM...the slowdown of the millenia started. Thank God Meizhi found us when she did. I hate repeating mistakes and so tonight, I cried. As Meizhi and I colored and did puzzles and sometimes just sat and hugged, I cried. For all the economic reasons I can think of, having the adoption take until 2010 is a good think but for every other reason and emotion, this is hell. Of course, I also get to deal with USCIS for years more too and I am so not looking forward to that part. I just hope we can be home before we have to apply a 3rd time for the I-171H.  I don't think I am asking too much there.

3) The tomato plants in the back are doing amazing. Just amazing. And the pepper plant seems to have found a 2nd life and has one little flower on it. yeah! The few carrots look good too so we might just have veggies in August. M and I water them every day right now as its nasty sticky hot out. Probably what February in Guilin feels like. :-)

4) Oodles of activities planned in the upcoming weeks.....a play date w our friends from China, zoo with Maddie/Max, the trip to the doll factory, Gotcha day fun w Meizhi and me (I am thinking county fair or local kid farm...'maybe' make a doll at a regional doll place that does that but a lot will depend on costs and money. We are going to try to take M to the state fair this year too, a local pool party w other kids from PRC, and we're going to start looking at cost issues for either real dance lessons with fall and/or real Chinese language classes too.  basically...think "mama/Baba dream versus what can we really afford and do" and thats about the gist there.

5) Things are getting TIGHT here w the cost of gas and other stuff skyrocketing. Honestly, if it were just the gas prices, it'd be OK but food is so so bad here (price wise) and then I got our water bill- it went up $10 (and no..thats from b4 I started water the tomato plants) and the natural gas bill...hold onto your socks...it's TRIPLED in gas price and I literally had to pull out the last year's worth of bills and do an analysis. I called Rich at work...i thought at first we had a gas leak or something. Sorry but thats NUTS! At those prices, I don't know what we are going to do this winter. honest. I cannot afford a $400 or higher heating bill. I just can't.   I am however going to investigate putting an old fashioned antenna on the house and going off cable and satellite. Yes, it will be horrendously painful lifestyle change for us all and yeah, we'll miss a lot of the cool things...but its $$ in the bank that we can use to buy food. and that's more important.  I am pricing the cost of the antenna, the pole, the wiring, the install and of course, we'd most likely get a new TV so we don't have to rent one of those converter boxes starting next Feb 2009.  I have to weigh that cost w what we pay out now and see how much and how long it would take to break even/start saving.

6) the movie thing. Oh how I hope I can relearn this all in time. I took a stab at creating a mini movie when M came home and I have it but I cannot for the life of me remember how I did it! Yikes! I need to learn again fast. I've had 2 local moms offer to help although they are not sure in what way. I'd like to get the shell of it started and then plop in the video segments as I get them. Might be kinda of a dumb way to do it but...I suppose we'll see won't we?

7) I want to try and put up a Flickr badge on the blog here. If I am successful, you should see it shortly.

Locked out...again!

I am getting cranky. I am once again locked out of my own blog! Not thrilled. Typepad says its a corrupt cookie on my end. I tell them I cleared them all and still no good. I can email in posts but not post pix since I cannot access the blog dashboard. I can get to the blog from another PC but prefer to opst from home. This really annoys me...espec after the week I've had.