Wishlist

"I'm almost three!" Charlotte exclaimed.  "I get purple skateboard!"

Where did that come from? Daddy wondered aloud.

"Target!" Charlotte replied happily.

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Here are some random pics of Claire, who does not have a wish list yet:

Chinese New Year in Durham & Singapore

Louise can be delightful.  Last night, she told Daddy, "Come back in seven minutes.  If I'm sleeping, you can turn off the light.  If I'm awake, you can look at me."  She also informed him, "I don't want presents for my birthday.  People should bring cans of food for the hungry."  No presents?  "I suppose they could bring a little something AND a can."

Claire's classroom has been celebrating Chinese New Year for the past week and a half, and Charlotte and Claire have been trading classrooms this week, so I've posted some pics from CNY in Durham and Singapore:

Norma Jean at the zoo

Nana and Grandad flew all the way from Tenerife to help Daddy whilst Mummy was in Singapore last week.  Mummy who?  Between a trip to the zoo, dinner with Ms. Judy, and a busy week of work and daycare, who really noticed she was gone?

At the zoo, Louise had her Marilyn moment:

It's February, so it's time for viruses.  Mummy brought a nice one home from Singapore to share with the family.  This evening, Mummy was sitting down whilst the rest of the family "ran to the target" (ran up and down the upstairs hallway).  Charlotte: "Mummy, run!"  M: "I'm not feeling well - I'm having trouble breathing.  I'll just watch."  Charlotte: "I'll help you.  I'll hold your hand, and you'll run fast!"  More worryingly, Louise has the worst case of pink eye we've ever seen, but she's a trouper about it.

Surreal

Louise received her birthday present early - she is the proud owner of a 20" (!!!) bicycle. Yes, she looks tiny on it, but she can ride it, and the size chart at the bicycle shop indicated that it does fit her. (Charlotte is very excited to inherit the 12" bicycle). We've also been exploring Louise's Kindergarten options...our baby is growing up.

Claire is helping Mummy understand why children's programmes often have a psychedelic feel. "I was dreaming about squirrels in my bed," she told us. "They were sleeping, and dreaming about me." Claire is also, to Mummy's chagrin, enjoying playing with ballerina/Cinderella Barbie. However, she likes to make Barbie fly, shouting "Superhero!" as she does so.

We are delighted that Nana and Grandad are coming to NC on Thursday. The following day, Mummy flies to Singapore for a three day conference.

The Best Defense...

Charlotte apparently believes in an aggressive offensive strategy. She was tossing a soft football and said, "Don't kick it, Mummy. It's a football!" I initially thought: guess she isn't British. Next: hmmm, maybe not a sports fan at all. Finally: if there was ever a child who wasn't willing to take the easy penalty point, but preferred to run for two, it would be Charlotte.

We've had a lovely late December, and 2012 is off to a good start. Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ted visited last Thursday, and we enjoyed seeing them.

We visited the NC Zoo on Saturday. Although we were disappointed that the polar bear exhibit and Kidspace were being renovated (and wouldn't be open until 2013), there was still quite a bit to see. Charlotte loved the gorillas (and did a good imitation of their walk). Louise saw some ostriches (after Granny pointed them out to her). Claire liked the giraffes.

Today we walked around Ayr Mount. I say "walked." Louise alternately ran and walked to maintain her status as "leader." Charlotte galloped, fell, and walked. Princess Claire allowed Daddy (and only Daddy) to push her in the stroller.