Ni hao ma, we're off to China!

We started our second unit this week.  We're doing an Around the World unit, covering the next several weeks.  The kids wanted to start in China; they both studied it this year at school and were captivated with its history and culture.  We started with a world map and I showed them where China is on it.  We added a red star to the map to help them remember which one it was, and posted it on the wall in our dining room.  I plan on doing this for the other 5 countries we have planned on studying.  I checked out several books per country at the library.  There is a series called Countries of the World by Michael Dahl that spotlights all the different aspects of that country.  It's a great book for an overview.  They had them for 4 out of the 5 countries, but China wasn't one of them.  We learned about their respect for their elders, what life is like for Chinese children; the foods they eat, animals found there, and their national treasures, such as The Great Wall.  My kids were able to educate me on some facts, and we found out some interesting history about China.  For instance, did you know that in the days of the Emporers the color yellow was reserved for royalty only? 

We also learned a few key words in Chinese.  Now my kids, when they toot, say (phonetic spelling), g-way gwoh.  Brighton asked me that afternoon, while grocery shopping, how to say "Excuse me in Chinese."  That seems to be the only one that stuck in their memory.

The highlight of our week was the cuisine.  We had 3 days of Chinese food, and had a Chinese party on Day 2, with stuff I had for a Chinese New Year party a few years ago.  We even got to taste peppermint tea for the first time.  My girls thought it was disgusting, even with the addition of honey.  Brighton tried his, pronounced it "yummy", and finished everyone else's off.  We dined on white rice, orange chicken, and kung pao chicken (now I know why they call it Kung POW chicken--man was it hot!)

When in China, do as the Chinese do, so we ate with chopsticks.

What a cute little rice picker!

During dinner we learned how to count to 10 in Chinese, hopefully the pronunciation was anywhere close! 

On the last night, we had Chinese fried rice and lettuce wraps.  We tried fortune cookies, but they didn't work.  I should have gone with my gut and used the Martha Stewart recipe I used for Irelynd's Fablehaven party. 

We also made Chinese fans, handprint dragons, and we intended to make Chinese lanterns, but ran out of week.  Next week we are off to India.  We hope to take a field trip to the Sri Lanka Temple nearby to view Indian architecture.  I'm excited for a chance to try Indian cuisine.  I've never made any before.  Scott is nervous I'll overdo the curry.  Wimp! 

Naughty little monkies

I found these two little monkies on my dining room table earlier this week, having a blast with the red metallic confetti.  It was EVERYWHERE!  It was hard to get mad, because they were so cute.

Patriotic hair clips

Inspired by my SIL's greatness, I made these flowers with scraps at home.  Please ignore my huge arm.  My model was less than willing.

Stadium of Fire 2010

We got lucky this year and were offered free Stadium of Fire tickets by The Little Heroes Foundation, a charity affiliated with the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation, which we belong to.  Savannah was pee-your-pants excited, as Carrie Underwood was the headline show.  We had third-row seats, but on the side, so we saw everyone's profiles instead.  That's ok, we enjoyed the show greatly;  even the twins behaved, most of the time.  They adored the fireworks, and Keaton sat immobile through everything else.

This was our view of the stage.  I didn't get any of Carrie Underwood though, dang it!

Recognize this man?  We were sitting just a stone's throw from Lavell Edwards, BYU's former football coach, and my dad's celebrity hero and look-a-like.

Not a happy camper.

boil, boil, toil and trouble

Not the kind of thing you'd expect for Independence Day, but the three girls were brewing potions in grandma's backyard before dinner.  The session broke up, however, when Irelynd insisted it needed water, and the other two objected to the mud factor.

Lil' man at work

Brighton goes everywhere with his construction helmet these days.  Leftover from his birthday party last fall, it was recently re-located in the garage, and has become his favorite thing, almost.  He was in the shower last week, stark naked, of course, but with his hat on.  Would've made a cute picture, but we're not running that kind of blog here.

Fireworks!

The twins loved the fireworks this year.  Waverly laughed and giggled at every new burst of light shot forth.  Brighton was still skittish and sat in the back of the van to observe from afar.

Not so thrilled with the sparklers.

I thought these shots were cool.  I didn't doctor them up at all.  Scott shot all the fireworks shots.

Notice Keaton's expression of "oooohh?"

We call this "the Ghosts of Fireworks past"

Fourth of July with the circus

We partied for three days this Fourth of July; it's kind of fun to have the holiday on a Sunday because it lasts longer.  We spent the actual 4th with Dad's family.  I searched high and low for this holiday shirt for Waverly, so of course, I had to get pictures.  Besides, I love holiday photos!  Especially red, white, and blue. 

Try as I might, I COULD NOT get a smile out of Keaton.  He just has this dumb look on his face.

He put up with pictures with his sis, but Brighton was a different matter entirely.

My girls with their cute cousin, Grace.

Grace's face got blocked by Savannah's arm, but I love the two little girls' eyes in this picture.

Irelynd and Grace are only 5 weeks apart and Irelynd loves spending time with her.

Alyson insisted we do a jumping picture.  I loved how they turned out!

They look too heavy to get lift-off in this shot.

Jello Jigglers get patriotic!

I found a link for these on Tip junkie and had to try them for our family Fourth of July dinner.  I thought the flag in the center one looked like the Americans have been to the Jello planet and claimed it for their own...

The twins turn 2!

Ok, so I had big plans for the twins' second birthday: carnival, clowns, jump house, cotton-candy maker...Scott didn't see my vision, and eventually, neither did I.  Ok, maybe when they're 3 and won't be scared to death by Bobo.  So, we went the frugal, smart way and just did a small family party at my mom's.  They probably enjoyed it all the same anyway.

Grandma make small water balloons for the kids (and kids-at-heart) to play with.  My twins LOVE "ba-boots," so they were very excited to have one each.  Here they are happily playing with them on the swing.

Mesmerized.

I guess we forgot to explain that water balloons can't be chewed on.

He was not amused.  (Though everyone else was!)

I made chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate raspberry-filled cupcakes.

They each had their own jumbo cupcake to eat.

We were lucky to have my brother and his family here from St. George to celebrate with us.

The guests of honor, and banished off the patio!

We finally got the hang of opening presents!

They got clothes, bubble blowers, animal crackers (organic, no less!), Sid the Science kid movies, a mini wheel barrow, and these favorites, bouncy balls, in pink and blue, of course!

Cake time!  These 2 were hilarious.  Keaton would blow out his candle as soon as it was lit.  Waverly took the Big Bad Wolf approach: she huffed and she puffed but couldn't blow out her candle.  She did, however, blow out a whole lot of spit!  The flames had them mesmerized.  We forgot birthday candles, so my mom rummaged til she found a substitute.  It probably worked even better.

I love his puckered lips here.

This expression is so Waverly.

I cannot believe my babies are two years old already!!!  There were times I never thought I'd live to see it, but it has come so quickly!  They are growing up too fast!  I just want to hold them like this for a little while longer.  I have enjoyed these two little ones more than I ever thought possible.  Sure, our house is more chaotic than most, with two babies running around, hanging on my pant legs, climbing on the countertops, crying for mommy, wanting to be held, screaming at each other "Not Nice!", and generally creating havoc everywhere they go, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in this big wide world.  I adore my twins, and I'm glad Heavenly Father didn't listen to my plea and sent me two babies to love.  Happy birthday my little blondie-babes!