Lost camera and phone @ park, Bow Tie, Miss A's first car wash and fun with friends at Hair on the Hill

This weeks weather was so moderate that we were able to go the Zoo Tuesday afternoon.  John was able to come with us and we got a lot of nice pictures that are not downloaded here.  Also not downloaded here are the cute pictures from our Wednesday morning spent with Molly M and her mom at library story time followed by lunch.    The reason being I lost both my phone and camera at the park Wednesday afternoon.  Such a bummer but on the bright side the replacement camera I bought has so much better clarity and zoom capability.

Below is a picture from our Thursday afternoon trip to  Bow Tie. 

Miss A's and her creation on their white board.

 Friday afternoon we ran errands.

 This is what I mean about the zoom being better on this camera.

 Miss A's first car wash experience.  We had the music videos from Sound of Music on the DVD player.  I've heard some kids love car washes and although the video below doesn't really show it Audrey not a big fan.

Below is a picture of Audrey sharing Baba's breakfast sandwich Saturday morning.  She had already eaten her own very considerable breakfast.

  A random picture of the silk jacket that we had framed in a shadow box.  Right now we have it in the kitchen ... not sure where it will be placed more permanently.

 Climbing the steps backwards.

 Video of her climbing.

Saturday afternoon we went to Hair on the Hill to hang with Helen H and Patti W (neighbors and friends) while they got their hair done.  Paula joined us too and we had so much fun. 

Audrey dancing with Paula in the washout room.  

 Even though we didn't have an appointment Sue cut Audrey's hair.  This time she really enjoyed getting her hair cut!  Although she would not wear the cape ... at least not while she got her hair cut.

 Here we were teaching her how to look at her hair in the mirror after the haircut is complete.

 Such a shame she is so shy.

 Watching Patti get her hair washed and Boo getting in on the action.  Audrey repeated many time "Patti leaned back" and we felt she understood this way you don't get soap in your eyes.

 Another picture I might win a mother of the year award for.

 Audrey got the full salon experience today.

 She also finally put on the cape as we were all leaving Hair on the Hill.

Paula came over for dinner afterwards.

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Lollipops concert and CNY party at our house

 Saturday morning Audrey, Paula and I went to Music Hall for the Lollipops Family Concert performed by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. An hour before the performance they have interactive music stations in another hall.  

  Paula overheard some people commenting about how little Audrey was and how she attacked the drum with so much confidence.

 The violin was a little more challenging but ...

 she worked it.

  She really enjoyed being on stage  with all these kids.  Below is a very short video that sorta shows her dancing, etc.  I don't have much luck downloading longer videos.

We met Anna and Lucy at the concert and Miss A thought she saw Lucy when she was on the stage.  John also caught up with us for the concert after his run in Mt Airy Park.. 

 Paula and Audrey watching a kid playing the clarinet (below).

 Miss A hugging the library mascot dog.

 A photo of us before we went into the concert.  Because I bought our tickets through Miss Amanda's music class we had fantastic seats ... 6th row center orchestra.  The theme for this concert was "It's Storytime".  The concert started with the Carnival of the Animals which included poems written and read by SCPA students.  Towards the end of the hour long concert John Morris Russel, CSO conductor, led the audience in a sing along of Kookaburra that was fun.  In the middle of the show  Russell introduced a  29 year old Chinese pianist named Lang Lang who he described as the" best in the world".  According to Lang Lang's bio he started playing the piano at 3 years old and by the time he was 5 he was giving recitals and winning competitions.

 Miss A's wardrobe change after her nap for our Chinese New Year party with neighbors and friends Saturday afternoon.  This is the same dress she wore on the red couch in Guangzhou when she was just 10 months old.

  Our neighbors gave her so many gifts.  In the picture above our neighbor Nancy T is giving her a new plush puppy.

 Random candid photos.

 They aren't good pictures but they are the only ones I have of the adults.

 Molly M and Miss A.

 Kids at the kitchen table.  We gave the 16 kids who came to our party red envelopes with 10 yuan (about $1.70 each). 

Chinese New Year celebrations start

 Monday January 23 we went to Susie Wong's to celebrate CNY.  Miss A also got new sunglasses (her request) after she broke her last pair.  She kept repeating a long sentence about how the man at the craft store cut the tag of her sunglasses.  Below she is doing a random monkey imitation.  She was a ham that night and well quite full of herself.  She got a lot of attention. 

  This is a picture of Anna, our waitress, who gave her the red envelope.  She told us to put the envelope under Audrey's pillow.

Below she is counting her money the next money.  Her first $2.00!

 So Tuesday we went to Toys R Us to buy a bank.  At first she thought this ride with Bert and Ernie looked like fun but it bored her pretty quickly and she asked to be taken off.

 This week we started playing yahtzee.  We also watched China Globe trekkers dvd's as we will probably have this playing on the 3rd floor where we think the kids will hang out.

 Wednesday we attended Wee Wednesday class at the art museum (picture below).  She choose this outfit and then after she was completely dressed asked to wear a completely different one.  I draw the line at one wardrobe change.

 We also had lunch at the art museum.  Kid friendly and very reasonably priced.

 We might have gone overboard on CNY decorations.  Probably because we think we will re-use them as A's b-day is sorta close to this celebration.

  The staff as Susie Wong's told us the is the mandarin translation of what Chinese say to each other for CNY. 

 One of the posters from Krohn's 2008 B-fly show that we have hanging in our hallway.

Below is another Krohn poster we hung over the kitchen fireplace.

Below is Miss A climbing down the stairs and then a video of her being very chatty.

Ready to go to Miss Amanda's musikgarten class.  One small wardrobe change ... the boots.

 Wrapping "manket" around herself after breakfast this morning.

 Oh, and this was her choice of outfit this morning. 

Prepping for our CNY party

 Breakfast by Baba one day this week.  Eggs, sausage and grapes.  I don't think Miss A fully appreciates the designs Baba makes for her.

 A and I sweeping prior to Mary (our EI specialist) visit.  Right now she enjoys being included in any activity.   She also wants to know if we are going to bed when I put her in bed.

Friday we celebrated Mary's birthday with cupcakes.  Miss A was taking notes on the candles, wishes, singing "Happy Birthday"  etc.  Unfortunately I did not take any pictures.

  Playing her piano and singing "snuggle puppy".  My attempts to get this on video weren't successful.  She won't take requests.

  Friday afternoon we went downtown to AAA to order Chinese money for the red envelopes we are giving the children coming to our party this Saturday.  Audrey choose this hat and then loved the attention it drew.

Saturday morning we hung out at home as we had an ice storm the previous night.  In the above picture they are playing with Chinese lanterns.

 By Saturday afternoon the ice was less treacherous so  we went shopping for our CNY party.  Here Miss A is pushing the cart. Mary advised us we should take advantage of this "monkey see monkey do" stage.  No pressure.

  Because it was so cold we had another fire Saturday evening.

 Riding her pony.  This is the expression you get when you ask her to do "surprise" face.

 And her natural smile which I am sometimes lucky to get. 

We moved the dragon for the party to a more subtle spot.

Sunday afternoon we toured a toddler enrichment preschool in Hyde Park.  We were impressed with the teachers and facility.  They teach signing and Spanish on alternating weeks.  They focus on teaching children how to negotiate relationships with other children.  Overall they convinced us they had some good methods for fostering a love of learning.  Additionally Audrey was at ease in the environment.  We will see if we get in sometime in February.