What Spring Break?

Spring Break 2016.
With both girls home 24/7 and Daniel working (and going out of town) for 16 days straight, there was really not much of a "break" for Mama.
But we all survived (even despite some sickness), and here are some pictures to prove it...

It started off low-key.
All day jammies. Non-educational app overload on the tablet.
Basically it was a full of day "lazin'" as Aubrey calls it. (Lazy + Relaxin' = Lazin')

And then came the junk food...

It wasn't all screen time and Happy Meals though -- Aubrey was super psyched that AR tests (Accelerated Reader) for her school were available 24/7 over the break. She devoured 17 chapters books! Go girl!

One day we drove a little out of town to eat lunch at the girls' favorite place...Patti's 1880's Settlement! 

We burned some energy at the jump park...

And at the park...

Then one day we drove to Union City, TN to the Discovery Park of America.

It's a science / history museum, which is Miss Aubrey's ultimate love. 

Unfortunately, about 12 minutes after we arrived, Mina had a horrific accident. There was a military helicopter that was open for kids (and adults) to go in and explore. Well, Mina-bug fell from the cockpit down the steel ladder and landed on her chin -- busting it right open.

Oh how I wish I could wrap this child up in bubble wrap. 

Thankfully no stitches were needed, just a good cleaning and butterfly bandage. When Mina sadly realized that the "butterfly bandage" didn't actually have butterflies on it -- Big Sis came to the rescue!

By mid-week, I needed a date night out. 

It was on this particular evening that I witnessed a man consume more sushi than I thought humanly possible. Oh Daniel-san. Your talents are truly endless. 

On the final stretch of Spring Break, Aubrey -- out of nowhere -- started feeling yuck.
Fever and stomach pains that turned into a nasty stomach virus that lasted 4-5 days.
I kept telling myself (and Aubrey), "At least we're not at the beach, and you're stuck inside with this yuckiness!" But we both had a good cry over the pitifulness of it all.

Meanwhile, Daniel was on a guy trip in NYC while I was home washing sheets and Clorox-ing everything in our house.

I had several pity-parties for myself at the end, but when Daniel finally got home (with a canister of Garrett's popcorn from his layover in Chicago) all was well. Health and happiness was restored.

But next year, I think we deserve a full family vacation! :)

First Snow Day in 2016

When it comes to snow days, Mina and I are very much alike.

We are enamored with the beauty of it, but when people make us get out IN it -- let's just say we're less than jazzed about it.

Daniel and Aubrey, on the other hand, love being out in the snow. It's as if the freezing temperatures and wetness from snow have no effect on their happiness. In fact, I often wonder if they realize those things are actually unpleasant. They're just so "okay" with it. You can even see it in their faces below.  "Ahh, just a regular lovely day outside. I am so comfortable and at peace with nature." 

Poor Mina is like, "Ehh, exactly how much longer do I have do this..."

After about 20 minutes (and that's being generous), Mina and I came inside and proceeded to drink our weight in hot chocolate. Which is everyone's favorite part of a snow day...

Private

I decided with the girls getting older and the world getting crazier, it was a good idea to make this blog private. 

But if you're reading this, it means we don't mind you peeking into our everyday chaos! :)

Mina's Popsicle Party

Sweet little Mina's 4th Birthday party was all the way back in July.

When asked what she'd like to do for her special day, she said without hesitation, "Play with my friends at the park and eat popsicles!"

So, that's what we did! We invited all the girls from her preschool class for a morning at the park and unlimited popsicles! 

The day before her party, she thought it would be fun to jump off a bed holding an umbrella. It resulted in a bloodied busted lip, which turned into what looked like a fever blister by the day of her party. However, not even a bum lip can make this girl look any less adorable. 

Since our girl isn't a big fan of cake (what?!), I made a fake cake out of popsicle sticks.

We had other "popsicle" type goodies too!

Push-pops filled with her favorite "gummies" and jelly beans.

For every birthday, I always make sure there is one "white" element in honor of her birthmom. I had this white heart at the front of the picnic shelter over the party. I always have this tangible sense of her birthmom, especially on big milestone days. 

I had one of the picnic tables set-up with popsicle stick frames for the kids to decorate with stickers. I sent a photo of each sweet guest at the party with the thank-you card for them to put in their frame.

And because making Mina smile is one of our most favorite hobbies, we secretly booked Barnyard Buddies to come and give pony / horse rides. She LOVED it!

As did Big Sis... :)

Happiest Birthday to the girl who makes us all melt!

________________________________

Mina's Birthday Questionnaire...

Favorite color?  Pink!
Favorite toy?  Shifu (stuffed red panda from St. Louis Zoo)

Favorite drink? Coke (She tries to sneak sips from us all the time!)

Favorite food?  Gummies (fruit snacks, gummy worms, anything gummy)
Favorite tv show?  Mulan

Favorite movie? HomeFavorite outfit? Striped cotton dress 
Favorite game?  Candyland
Favorite animal?  Baby Pandas
Favorite song?  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Favorite book?  Fancy Nancy
Best friend?  Tamera (from preschool)
Favorite thing to do outside?  Ride my scooter
Favorite holiday?  Holiday World (haha!)
What’s one thing you don’t like to do: I do not like to wait for Aubrey to get off the bus.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor. 
Anything else you'd like to add? Something I like to do! JUGGLE, pick fruit from trees, and see my little Hanky-poo (cousin Henrik). :)

Stats:

Weight: 33 lbs. (30%ile)

Height 3 ft. 3 in. (30%ile)

Mina is 4

Our precious little Mina turned 4 today.

What an absolute blessing she is to us.

I have so many "favorite things" about her, but I think #1 would be...

Her laugh.

It is literally my favorite sound in the whole wide world.

It is impossible to have a bad day with this girl around.
She pours out hugs and kisses all day long and compliments everything.
"I wove your pwetty shirt, Mama!" "I wove your pwetty neckwace!" "I wove your pwetty fwip fwops!"
Seriously, she is pure sunshine.
If it was possible, she would have me hold her / carry her everywhere I go.
She thrives on physical touch and closeness.
I could just eat her up.

This past year I've noticed Mina becoming more aware that she looks different. She will excitedly point out whenever we see another Asian person -- in a magazine, on TV, or in person -- "Mama! They look like me!" She loves saying, "Mommy and Aubrey have the same hair, and me and Daddy have the same hair!" Hey, it's close enough... ;)

And these two girls.
They laugh, fight, play, yell, tell secrets, get into trouble, and tattletale on each other every single day. Total opposites, yet the perfect pair. I cannot imagine one without the other.

Oh, this precious child...

She brings me to tears.
Her little life riddled with such unexplained heartache, yet her joy shines brighter than anyone I've ever known.

Happiest Birthday to our sweetheart.
Wo ai ni, Mina Shisi.
You are a treasure.

(All photos in this post were taken by the wonderful Ann Wade while we were on vacation this summer!)