Viva Fiesta

It is Fiesta time in San Antonio. Honestly, that really doesn't mean a lot to us because we really aren't big into the Fiesta scene. However, last Friday we joined some friends for a night of Fiesta fun and overpriced food on a stick. It was Lindy's first Fiesta outing. She seemed to enjoy the food, watching the people, and listening to karaoke. She even walked away with a couple strands of Mardi Gras beads but I assure you she didn't do anything naughty to earn them.

When in San Antonio, do as the San Antonians...

After we left, we joined our friends at their house for a bit of cascarone action. Lindy excels at making a mess, so she thought breaking cascarones over her friends' heads was pretty cool.

Take that, Sam!

We're still finding confetti...


Our little senorita...

"Look Mom, she's Chinese!"

For close to a year now, Lindy has been able to recognize Asian people (she thinks they are all Chinese). I first remember her pointing it out in Schlotzky's and the grocery store. Then she noticed people on TV--first broadcasts regarding China on the nightly news, then Sandra Oh on a Grey's Anatomy trailer, then a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. She's even pointed it out in caricature drawings. She's not at all bashful about letting me know when she spots someone of Asian descent. She'll say FULL volume, "Look Mom, she's/he's Chinese like me!" Yep, the embarrassing kid comments are alive and well...

There are a couple interesting things about her fascination with Asian people...

1. Don and I haven't really placed much emphasis on her being Chinese or from China. While we are not ashamed of the fact that she is Chinese, it just hasn't been a big topic of discussion. A lot of it is because she's only two. When we look at Lindy, we just see our daughter not our Chinese daughter. We know it will definitely come up more in the future, though, and we'll handle the various issues as they come.

2. There isn't a huge Asian population where we live. Up until recently, the only Asian friends she's had have been pictures on blogs and the refrigerator.

So, while I don't know where she learned to be so in tune with Asians, it is there. Somehow, I think it must be kind of important to her.

Recently, Lindy was blessed to meet these two little beauties, Libby(left) and Maliah(right).

When she talks about her new friends "Wibby" and "Mawiah," she makes sure to point out they are Chinese.

These three are very active, very social, and funny little spitfires!

It is fun watching them play together and I am hopeful they will continue to be friends as they grow and get older.

Celebrating Gotcha Day

Me on the red couch at the White Swan right before coming home




Me on the eggplant couch at home almost two years later

Yesterday we celebrated my second Gotcha Day. I asked Mommy if it was my birthday and she said Gotcha Day is a special day kind of like a birthday. It is the celebration of the day we finally met in China. Today, April 4th, is the day we officially became a family forever.




First picture with Daddy

Forever his girl

Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time to celebrate as a family last night because Daddy had an important meeting. However, Mommy made sweet and sour chicken with rice, as well as egg drop soup. Mommy promised me she'll make me some dumplings another time. I can't wait!!!

Dinner was okay but dessert was THE BEST!!! Mommy brought home an ice cream cake that was DELICIOUS. It was called Peanut Butter Playground. I could play at that playground ALL day long!!!

To wrap up the night, Mommy read I Love You Like Crazy Cakes. Actually, I told the story. She CRIES every time she reads that book and Shaoey and Dot, too. Not really sure why. She tells me one day I'll understand...

Thanks for letting me tell you about my special day!

Love,

Lindy Li-Xiao

Take me out to the ballgame...

Yesterday afternoon I took Lindy to her first baseball game. We joined our friend, Carolyn, to cheer on the high school team her husband coaches and her son (Lindy's "boyfriend") plays for. Lindy spent a lot of the time eating ballpark food; however, she checked in occasionally to watch the game and cheer for the players. The weather was so pleasant and the Mavs won, which was great!

Despite her inability to stay put, I have a feeling this was the first of many baseball games for Lindy. Her daddy spent many years playing baseball and her mommy was the team scorekeeper/manager for the baseball team throughout high school. Her Grandpa is waiting to take her to a Kansas City Royals game someday, I bet, too.

Here are a few pictures of our outing to the ballpark. If you click on the pictures, they should appear larger...

Play ball!

Make a postcard - it's easy!