Starting off the New Year

Is it my turn yet?

 January brought a bunch of new starts for Iris (and us, too).  Iris began participating in the gymnastics time weekly with "Mr. Rick" at her preschool.  She also took group swim lessons at the YMCA with her swimming buddy, Madeline. The first birthday party of 2012 was at the Round Table Pizza place for and 8-year-old "jie-jie".

Lemon cake is good!  Happy birthday, Bobbie!

Enter the Year of the Dragon!  Jan. 23rd was the first day of the traditional Chinese calendar.  We celebrated with Aunt Ruth, cousin Noah and friend Kathy at a Chinese restaurant called Jennie Low's  named after mother of my former high school classmate.  We really enjoyed the prawns.  Noah entertained Iris with a napkin rabbit.  Iris wore her pink dress with a Mandarin collar; called a "cham-sam" (in Cantonese) or "chee-pow" (in Mandarin).  I visited her preschool class to tell a story about a mythical race that determined the 12-animal zodiac calendar that is used by Chinese people all around the world.  It was fun to read a colorful book, and a few of the older children (over 5 years old) asked some questions about the Chinese culture.  Each child got a "hong-bow" or red envelope with a dollar and a sheet with all the zodiac animals and alleged characteristics of people born under that sign.  I was born in the year of the dragon....so now you can guess my age.  Yikes!

Reading a book about "The Great Race" at preschool

You're making a hole in the soap stone!

 In early February, we went to the local county museum when it was "family day" and showcased live Native American dancing.  Iris (with a little help) carved a hole in a piece of soap stone.  Eventually, we made a necklace with the soap stone, colored by the oil from the inside of a pine nut, and strung with hollowed out pine nuts on each side of the soap stone.  Then, we went downstairs to watch the Kashaya Indians dance.  Here's a sample:

 Just last week, Iris had the extreme pleasure of having an overnight guest-Curious George!  He came complete with a suitcase with a small bed, blanket, pillow, ball (all George's size) and a journal to write what adventures he and Iris had for their evening together.  Here they are getting ready to listen to Mama read a story of Curious George and the Pizza Place.

Our Praises:  Iris is starting to stay dry overnight, ask "why" questions (which can be annoying at times) and be responsible for putting away her plate/dish after a meal, as she continues to develop into a social, cheerful (most of the time) independent-minded four-year-old.  At a recent informal conference with her preschool teacher (Yes, we had our first "teacher-parent" conference!), we were told that Iris is right on track to go to Kindergarten in the fall.  Unfortunately, her enrollment is up in the air because of the new cutoff date for entering Kindergarten.  She was born in late fall, so there is the possibility of a "kinder academy" at the local elementary school.  We may not know whether there will be such a class for her in August, but the papers are in.  Check back in the summer for definite news of that.  Another praise for Iris and I surviving five days together while Daddy was out of town for work.  We all got colds that week, but pulled through by the following weekend.  I thank God for good babysitters. 

Our Prayer Requests:  We (the parents) continue to love Iris with compassion, patience, and forgiveness.  Likewise, we keep our marriage strong, so that we are unified in raising her the best we can.  In fact, we're going to get away as a couple for a two-night stay up the north coast.  Pray for grandparents and friends who will help watch Iris.  Pray for a positive connection between husband and wife as we near our 21st (!) wedding anniversary.  As always, pray that Iris will develop a desire to know Jesus and that she believes in the saving grace that He offers us.