We got to attend another Chinese New Year party at a restaurant in Rockville.  It was for a Chinese language and culture school (mainly for adoptive families and other Chinese Americans.)  I lady I met through Families with Children from China invited us.  The best part was the lion dance!  Ariel got to participate and feed money to the lions.  Alice was in town for a short visit, so she got to go with us. 

We also visited my friend Norma, who I worked in a lab with.  She has a son, Miguel, who is Ariel's age.  It was the first time we'd seen each other in 7 years.  Forgot to take any pictures, but we had a nice visit / play date.

The next day was warmer and sunny, so we had a nature walk at Huntley Meadows nature preserve.

After Alice's visit, Ariel caught up on her rest with Nene.

 Ariel has a renewed interest in Doraemon, a Japanese cartoon cat.  We have one Doraemon video with English songs, and this Doraemon doll that I got on a whim from a thrift store in Japan.  Little did I know these items would become so loved.  Of course, it's all guided by the spirit of the real Doraemon, one of Ariel's first cats.  His portrait hangs in the dining room.

Nene & Ralph's daily cuddle time.