Cookies for Santa

Madison's note & cookies for Santa

Christmas Eve with the Woo's

Traditionally, we celebrate Christmas with Michael's family on Christmas Eve as we celebrate with my family on Christmas Day. Right now, at 11:25pm, Jaclyn is out searching for homes with Christmas lights with Michael, Grandma Hope and cousin Brandon (my bet is that the kids are sleeping in the car). Madison is still up as well, teaching Uncle Brandon and Auntie Judy how to play UNO. Matthew is puttering around still eating whatever he can get his hands on.

We started the evening with an early dinner. After dinner, the kids played so hard that they were sweating profusely, and had to take a bath. Then the gift opening frenzy began with a visit from Santa (Grandpa Jerry in full costume). The favourite gift was the zhu zhu pet accessories - house, mobile & garage, and a boat & dock - assembly required - so it occupied the most of their time. Matthew was fascinated with the pets motoring about in the fun house.

Great Grandma was full of smiles watching the great grandchildren go wild over all the presents. All-in-all, it was a wonderful family time.

P.S. I was wrong...Jaclyn and Brandon didn't fall asleep. They are back from their adventure at 11:35pm, and they are not even close to asleep.

Tummy!

Madison: "How do you get into mommy's tummy?" (when we were talking about our friend's new baby).

Jaclyn: "God knit you in mommy's tummy".

Madison: "WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?"

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Jaclyn reads well now. We drove by a sign that read CASINO. So she said, "Mommy, can I go to the cossino?" (trying to spell it like she pronounced it).
Then I said, "Oh, it's a place only for big people."
She said, "I know. That's where they play cards."

Madison ... AGAIN ...

Madison to a Nordstrom sales clerk: "You are fat!"
Clerk: "Yes, I am fat. And you are cute."
Me: "What did she say? I am so sorry."
Clerk: "It's okay. She's so cute."

And then to another sales clerk who was East Indian, Madison said, "What's your name?"
"Kooshi."
"That's a funny name."

Not Single

I had a conversation with Jaclyn about her teacher, Veronique...and this is how it ended...

Jaclyn said "Veronique is not single. She has a dog!"

Funny words today...

1. I showed Madison an old picture of Michael and asked her if she knew who it was. She said, "Daddy. I mean, Grumpy."

2. Jaclyn: "Who is Miss Stanima?" (after she heard me say the word "stamina"). Another one of her mixed up words following, "Halleyuya" instead of hallelujah and "hostible" instead of hospital.

A photo book for my mom given in May 2009 for her birthday

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A photo book given to my Uncle Hong in April 2009

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A memory book of our California Trip 2010

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funny Jaclyn words

She learnt a new song at school. "Glory, Glory, Halleyouya."

And...
This morning she asked if Auntie Ali has LEMONADE her bookmark yet. (Supposed to be laminate.)

Yen Yen

When I showed Madison this picture of my grandma taken in 1963, Madison said, "Oh, she's pretty, very, VERY pretty."
Yup...she was. I have even heard people say that she was very regal. When I was born, I think she already had a stroke and had aged quite a bit...so I didn't get to see her in her elegant ways. She was often in bed resting.

I remember a couple of times when we would take her somewhere for acupuncture and there was even a time when she had a treatment at the King Ed House. Those needles freaked me out. I cried because I thought the "doctor" was hurting her. And now, funny, I am married to an acupuncturist.

Yen Yen didn't speak much English but she and I were always able to communicate with signing and facial expressions. It didn't matter that we didn't speak the same language. She loved me so much. I loved her, too. I think I was about 7 when she passed away but my memory of her is so vivid.

Our Little Tree

On Tuesday, the girls decorated decorated our little mini tree. It's nothing big but they get to decorate it with all their homemade things that they made at school.

Some recent cute conversations:
Madison to Jaclyn: "Is mommy your boss?"
Jaclyn: "Of course she is because she tells us what to do!"

UNO & turkey stuff

The girls have been soooooooooo into the card game of UNO. Every day UNO. Skip a turn, pick up 2, pick up 4, UNO! They also like to team up on Michael & me and give each other high fives. In the summer, it was all about melting beads. But this fall has been all about UNO. It's a great family game.

Thanksgiving dinner with the Smith's and the Moore's was great fun. We had a potluck dinner at the Smith's new house. Joann made the turkey and an AMAZING stuffing. Ali's vegetables were delicious. And Grandma Smith made a great, tarty cranberry dessert (from Ina Garten's new recipe book). I brought the salad and pumpkin pie. Michael bought a chocolate eruption cake from Whole Foods with "HHWJTCRK and HTTTR" (or something like that) on it.

The adults played Cranium Whoonu while the kids played with the new Xbox Kinect. And then the adults played Kinect while the kids ate popcorn and watched "Polar Express". Fun was had by all.

As Cooper said, "Happy Thanksgiving, Turkey!"

No School Tomorrow Too!