Joyeux NOEL

Is it December already?

Noel and Kota, how sweet is this? 

So my facebook is full of my complains of cold.  My stress level increases on what kind of gifts to buy, not just to my friends, but Noel's friends.  Yes, it is the end of the year, and yes, in Taiwan, you gain yet, another year not by your birthday, but by the approach of a new year (well, it's really Chinese New year.)

I never felt that sense of urgency when it comes to aging.  I used to pride myself for looking pretty fit and young among my peers; but that all changed when I have a kid.  You look at how much they grow within a year, you could not help but wonder.... okay, then how do I look?

The last night I saw Kota, he looked like this........

Kota's mom and dad were my old neighbors but had moved back to their native Japan in 2007.  We were lucky to visit again last month when Kota's dad had a business trip here.  When I saw little Kota walking up to my door step, I could not help but again, marveled at how fast time travels.

But you want to know the real shocker? 

See that cutest little boy and his beautiful mom?  The boy is now a teenager!

When I was talking to my classmates about a 10- year reunion, it did not really "sound" like a big deal.  Ten years, yeah, some things have changed; but it is not like a 30- year reunion, so how bad can it be?  Well, this photo will tell the story.  That boy was 3 in the picture, I babysat him when I attended graduate school in NY.  Now, he is taller than his mom and my own daughter is already older than 3!  The biggest mystery though is.... Lisa, how do you stay EXACTLY the same?  :)

love notes

What happens when your kid learns to read and write? 

I thought receiving love notes is a high school privilege ( at least it was when I was younger.)  Lately, I could be doing dishes, and as I turn around, there will be a love note left by my feet.  Or I could be getting ready for bed, and there on my pillow, another love note :)  Without fail, each time those carefully composed note brings me a big smile. 

 

What a sweet child!

Happy Thanksgiving!

bilingual? really?

I am aging too fast

...when I see how fast my baby is growing!

I am a triceratops

Is there a better way to challenge an artist mom than Halloween?

"mommy, I want to be a triceratops."  Noel asked.

"...hmmm, how about something else?  A hippy or a cowgirl?"  I answered.  Trying to sound creative, but really, I was trying to find an easy way out.

"Nope, a triceratops, definitely a triceratops."  Noel insisted.

A baby triceratops look :)

All grown up!

....and don't forget to check out my tail!

I can spell....kind of

Ever since Noel starts reading, she wait for no time taking on writing.  This smart cookie is doing well, but spelling is still early for a 4 year-old; and when she could not spell the right word, she comes right to her mom for answers (yeah, like that is very helpful :)  )

Noel has her own facebook and a journal, along with a "handy dandy notebook!"  Like many of us, she cannot wait to go on her facebook and play games, instead of looking at it as something negative and stopping her from doing it, I try to make the best out of it - teach her to read, write, and communicate with others there.  For those of you get the messages from her, no matter if the messages make sense, or not, yep, they really do come from Noel.

In the beginning, Noel would write/type messages that might not make any sense to you, but if you ask her, oh, yeah, it makes "perfect sense" to herself.  and lately, she is determined to do better..... " mama, how do you spell 'what', 'how' why' 'speak'  'lights'  'know'.....etc?"

It was super exciting for me at first, then it gets old, she would even come into the bathroom while I am in the shower, asking for the spelling of a new word.  That's it, so I borrow the "handy dandy notebook" idea from Blue's Clue.  For words that she asks a lot, I just write them down and she can look them up anytime!

 

Hey Noel, are you going to be a spelling bee one day?

for auntie Junny

I can read :)

unconditional love

By nature, Noel really is a very sweet child, I have not, so far, witnessed the fierce temper such as mine (sometimes,)  although I have seen plenty of stubbornness that is no doubt, coming from her mama.

Perhaps it's the age thing, when I am not getting enough sleep, my temper fares up, and I become pretty...hmmm, unreasonable, this weekend was eventful, from the lack of sleep, to the drop of the temperature, the breaking down of the sump pump in the basement...... I am telling you, I even called Starbucks and complained their employee. 

During moments like this, my sweet daughter is always on my side, she might drop a few tears when mama got mad at her (well, sometimes it's necessary because someone misbehaves!)  but for the most part, she is the one brings me that unconditional love : "mama, you are not mad at me, you are just tired, right?"

And the next thing you know, she "brews" me a cup of coffee or tea to cheer me up :)

My real cup of coffee might be the one that wakes me up; but this tiny cup is the one that warms my heart, and it's always filled with lots of love from Noel.

 

Noel : " mama, here is a drawing of me being bad at first, but after I apologized, you are happy!  and I love it when you are happy."

"and.....

...this is me bringing you a cup of tea!"

She did not mention anything about the writing on her shirt, but I know..."

I have lots to learn from my little girl.