And the little 2

That's my Happy Guy!

Tristan turned 2 while we were in the US in August, so instead of a party, he got several parties each time we visited someone new. But he didn't get a blog entry, so he deserves that as well. While 2 has brought some additional challenges, like when he is determined that even though it is 90 degrees out I need to wear shoes, not sandals, and yes, the world will end if I don't, in general he continues to be his easy-going self, nearly always cheerful, loves to laugh, talks up a storm, loves to help out, and definitely the peace-maker around here. If he hears anyone mention they need something in passing he is off to go and find it. A little sneeze and he comes running with a tissue for his big sis. When there is a disagreement he is always the first to change his tune and when asked to compromise. For example if he and Amelia are both yelling and fighting that they each want the green cup, I'll ask if he can have yellow, he will totally stop, say "OK," hand Amelia the green cup and go on like absolutely nothing was the matter 5 seconds ago.  He is my special little guy.

Hanging out with Cousin Calvin
Notice any family resemblance? 

The big 4!

Amelia's new Playhouse!

Our little big girl turned 4 this month. What a delightful person she is. At the current time she is significantly more rational than her 2-year old brother, though we expect (hope) that gap lessens with time. They are both caring, compassionate people, that make me feel (at times) like I must have done something right. Just yesterday Amelia and I baked cookies for a charity fundraiser at her school. When she noticed a few sitting on the counter she asked "why are those cookies not on the plate?" I told her I left them out for her and Tristan and Dan and I to have later. She looked at me and said "But if we take them all to school more kids can have money to go to school." Man I love that girl.

The Hungry Lion

The Tall Giraffe

For her party we invited her 15 student class of preK kids and their parents to join us for what we hoped would be games and bbq in our garden and the inauguration of Amelia's new playhouse. But with the weather gods (or the chinese government, depending on what you believe they are capable of) not cooperating we had to keep everyone in out of the rain. A few weeks prior to the party I had spied a large bin of cardboard for recycling outside of Dan's office, so I asked him to bring some home and asked Amelia what she wanted to create for the party, suggesting a castle or a house or some other singular structure. She wanted none of those. She wanted a cardboard zoo. And here it is:

The Friendly Elephant

Zebra and Pals