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Jeff used our Hotmail email account to sign up for Linkedin.  It's a professional networking site.  Once you sign up, Linkedin spams everyone and everything associated with that email account, until you slowly get it under control.  How would you like to respond to Jeff?

Happy spring!

Ariel's school picture

With the package we got, we have rights to the digital image with 6 different backgrounds.  They're all stunning!  This was the only pose, in her power outfit.  It's cool to have shaggy bangs and be counting on one hand.

St. Patrick's Day (and snow)

Thanks to everyone for the anniversary wishes (a few days back.)  We had a relaxing day, but didn't do much special because we've all been sick with whatever the preschool crowd sends home.

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It was chilly, but we took a good walk and visited neighbors.

 Thanks, Grandma Barb and Pap Rich for the warm coat.  I can still wear it next winter.

 Taking care of LT the cat, across the street.  He was meowing to Ariel as she kissed him.

 LT has a sudden terminal cancer, but he is loving and happy.  His family was only gone overnight.

Silly looks with LT. 

(not real tears, just watery eyes after coming in from the cold)

 The day after, we had snow.

School was still on.

  Cutie-pie Ralph

work and rest

 Ariel fell asleep during a favorite book, Kittens.  Nene usually takes advantage of Ariel naptime to cuddle in.

 Listening to music on headphones.  Ariel is trying the Integrated Listening System at occupational therapy, so she's getting used to headphones at home.  We found out she likes songs from "Grease", country & lively folk music, and John Denver (well, of course.)  We were sick with a bad cold, so I wasn't looking great here.  We have "special time" in the downstairs guest room to focus on play dough, lacing beads, Legos, cutting paper, etc.  Swinging, jumping on the bed, and reading books are her rewards for working.

Swinging with Jody at occupational therapy.  She'll be going to OT twice a week now, and will use the Integrated Listening System during sessions, just like her friend Marika.

Well-deserved rest.

more from Chinese New Year

 Resting up

The dragon danced around the gym for a long time to the beat of drums.

Ariel loved the chaos.

Multicultural night at Ariel's school

This was on a Friday evening a couple weeks ago.  It was an international dessert potluck with exhibits and flags of different countries.  We brought tropical fruit.  Ariel wore a pink Chinese dress, but we took it off later to keep cool.  We enjoyed music and dancing from around the world.  These girls were the Chinese dancers.

video from Chinese New Year

I found this video in our phone photos. It's short and ends with a smile.

shaving cream fun

Jeff walked in to find Ariel covered in shaving cream.  Why not?

pigtails

 I forgot we had several photos from our phone cameras.  These are over a month old.  Another "beauty day."

 Did you know she turns into a vampire when she's tickled?  (Look closely at her teeth.)

 Beautiful and smart.  She knows all her shapes.

The look says it all.

dancing to Wiggles songs

We played a CD of Wiggles songs.  Of course Ariel saves her best dancing for off-camera.  In the song, "Shakey, Shakey", you shake your hands side to side (according to Greg, Murray, Anthony, and Jeff in the video.)  We are big fans of The Wiggles.

A visit from old friends

Our old neighbors from Yokota came to visit us for the day.  Yoko, Dan, Dylan, and Hanna.  The weather was warmer and sunny, so we played in the backyard.  Then Ariel took a nap, and woke up to enjoy Yoko's onigiri (rice snacks with flavors and seaweed.)  We had a fun time with them, and are glad they're nearby.

 Hanna offers Ariel an onigiri.

Hanna, Dylan, and Ariel: together again!

homework with the cats

Ariel has a green bin of "independent work" that her teachers send home with her. We were working on it before breakfast one morning, with support from Ralph and Nene.

A visit to Mr. Lee

On the way back from Baltimore, we visited our old neighborhood in Bowie.  We visited Mr. Lee, who lives across the street form our old house.  His kitchen & dining room is a cheerful key lime green, a color picked out by his late wife, Louise.  

Mr. Lee (aka Tom) has told us stories about growing up in downtown Baltimore, where his parents ran a Chinese restaurant.  Later, he lived in Hawaii, where he met his wife.

Ariel made herself at home by exploring and schmiggling into the downstairs bed.

FCC Chinese New Year

All our wonderful technology has made my blogging very difficult and cumbersome.  That's why some of these photos are sideways.  Maybe I can fix them later.

A couple weeks ago, we went to the Baltimore area for a Families with Children from China (FCC) Chinese New Year Party.  It was a blast!

After her initial balloon-chasing euphoria in a large gymnasium, Ariel needed a nap.

We sat at a table with other families.  We also made a few crafts in the craft area.

The dragon dance / lion dance was the highlight of the party.

The gold dragon danced around the gym to the beat of drums for about 30 minutes.

Bubble wrap "firecrackers"!