February 2011

This month was a busy one. We celebrated Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Our Anniversary, and Gem's Musical Debut. We even threw in a movie party for M and started a dance class with Boo. Read on for all the details...

1-7 Chinese New Year: We celebrated this in phases. On the actual day we had take out Chinese food from PF Chang's. Then we watched Ni Hao Kai lan's Chinese Celebration. The following Saturday we went to a show at our local Chinese culture school. There were dancers and music. We thought it would get Boo excited to do Chinese dancing, but she decided she would rather do ballet. It took us a couple of weeks to have our friends come over to celebrate the year of the rabbit with food and crafts. It took the whole month, but was a lot of fun.

8-15 Valentine's Day: The day began with Boo's first Valentine party. She loved the passing of valentines and all the candy she got. We went straight from her party to M's last Valentine's party with his favorite teacher Ms. McD. The thing that marked it, besides being his last, was all the creativity spent on making cool boxes. There were robots, mazes and basketball hoops. M made a monster box complete with teeth. The cute girl in the pictures with Boo and M is M's special friend. Boo has a soft place in her heart for her too, since this sweetie always takes the time to play with Boo. Later on in the evening we dedicate to our family and the love that we share. We had heart shaped pizzas, a heart shaped cake, and then watched Pooh's Valentine Adventure. I got the kids heart related music on iTunes and piano music, with Boo getting a CD. Gem was at rehearsal till pretty late, but she managed to get the tail end of the party.

16 Anniversary: T and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary by attending Gem's musical. We did manage to go to the Sweetheart Ball the weekend before, and have a fun weekend planned in March. T surprised me by giving me a heart necklace. It is amazing that it has been so long. It feels so short, but like we have known each other forever.

17 M's Movie Party: M read the book, Down the Rabbit Hole for school. I was able to volunteer for his reading group, so learned the story along with some of the kids in his class. To celebrate the finishing of the book, and because the movie, Dial M for Murder is referenced throughout, we decided to host a movie party after school. Nothing like a classic Hitchcock to broaden the horizons of the youth.

18,19 Boo's Ballet: I have arranged a great trading situation with some friends of mine. One of my friends has her daughters taking art and piano lessons. In return my girls get dance classes and M gets personal training. It is a huge win win for everyone. As a result, Boo started a ballet class with a couple of her friends. She loves it!

20-24 Gem's Musical: Gem got a small part in the high school's musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie. She was in the chorus for most of it, tap dancing and singing. She also got to do a speakeasy scene and walk across the stage talking. Her big spot light part was of being the new modern. She came out at the very end and everyone turns and puts all the attention on her. She loved it! We had several friends and family come from all over to see her. It was so great to see all of those who support and love her. We love all of you!!