Journey of a Kumquat: Week 195 and Week 107.5

Last weekend we took the girls skating again with the help of Yaya so I could skate (slowly but steadily I may add). After some arguing with the staff ("our daughter is 4. Ok, she is 5") we took Char skating (again - and we are no fools to bite the hand that feeds us, K?). Venetian does a great job. Sophia was really interested in the non stop entertainment (A band! 3 guys descending the Campanile Tower! Fire jugglers on the ice rink!). We will try to go again this weekend before the ice skating closes. Sorry no photos this go around.

We attempted to go to Galaxy for dim sum and see the Xmas decorations last Sunday with the Raineys - it was not even New Year's and their decorations were down! Char just adores Sarah.

We made a big vat of mashed potatoes (after a mashed potato experience at Telunas Matt complained he never eats them at home so I obliged). The girls... refused to try them! Sophia asked for rice and Char was just being stubborn about it. I know Matt shakes his head at the scoffing of his meat and potato roots. Ahh the price to pay for an expatriate existence!

Matt and I at the last minute decided to go out for New Year's - and it was really fun! I haven't been out for New Year's probably in 5 years. But boy did we pay the price the next day (and we got 2 hours of sleep as it was the night the girls thought it would be fun to get up at 4AM). Remind me not to go to the MGM and expect a decent outlook the next day... especially with any red wine concoctions around. Oy!

The girls have really taken to being part of my makeup/get ready experience in the morning. I let them play and do a big wet wipe clean-up before we leave the house. It is cute bit a bit distracting.

I am weaning - Sophia asks for the milk and I defer and then she asks for Yaya milk (or the formula). She has not been so pushy about it of late so I hope that the end of the desire is near. Though it was a good two year run!

Sophia has not been great about sleeping without some resistance of late - perhaps the milk thing, perhaps a desire to sleep in a toddler bed (she has a couple of nights this week).

Charlotte woke up with a nose bleed the other morning - we think it is because of the drying heat. It has not recurred so we will watch for it (and now we don't sleep with the heater on the whole night - especially as we know she will sleep in our room with us).

The girls are holding on to their tropical roots! Sophia is more compliant than Char. Char refuses to wear socks and coats, or she will go out with a dress (no tights) and a jacket. Cold weather denial! I think that the imprinting is complete - and she will be a lifelong warm weather gal!

I am trying out a new lens I bought - great for outside but rubbish for inside - sorry for the first photos!

Here is Char and Sarah: