19 Great Moments from February 2012

Okay, and we're back. We had a bit of a compatibility problem with our various computer programs, but I think we're up and running again. So February... what was that like? Click here to view the whole album. It was a short month, made to feel even faster with a trip to Tucson in there. So this update contains only 3 of February's 4 weeks. It started on a high note, with Thora's k-8 school celebrating the Chinese New Year. While Thora's class is the first Chinese Language Immersion program at the school (and in Cambridge), they've had Mandarin Language instruction at this school for close to 20 years. So all the kids have knowledge of Chinese culture. Each class performed at this celebration assembly. Here's a shot of Thora's JK/K class performing their version of the song, "Sticky Dumplings for Sale."

And here is a short video of their performance. It contains the first half of the song and then another poem that they memorized. Thora was pretty nervous on the morning of the performance, worried that she would forget the moves. It was sweet. Enjoy!

Here is a version of the song that they performed, complete with Chinese subtitles. They used this video to learn the song.

During February, we hosted a "cooking class" at our house. A group of our friends started this. Each month, a family hosts a dinner that is kid-friendly to help prepare. Our hope is that the more foods our kids cook for themselves, the more foods they'll ultimately eat. At our class, the kids made their own hummus and falafel and then had fun with these letter press cookie cutters for making and decorating cookies.
















Here's Auric being cute, wearing his lion leash on the front, kind of like wearing a baby in a front carrier. This arrangement often impedes his vision a bit, but it allows him to give Lion hugs and kisses at will.









And speaking of Auric being cute, here's a video called, "Auric in 126 seconds," which kind of illustrates what he's like on a normal basis. Enjoy!

And more about cute Auric, I often leave the house in the morning with him still in his jammies. Here we are shopping at Trader Joe's at 8 in the morning.













And here is when I inadvertently dyed his hair pink, just in time for Valentine's Day, which worked out pretty well in the end. Something you should know: the pink washout Manic Panic hair gel works great on very blonde hair. It just lasts until the next bath. The "Vampire Blood" color turns the very blonde's hair pink for a couple weeks. Just in case this information helps you...







Here is Auric and Etta being cute, reading to one another on the couch one morning.















And Auric in a ball pit...












And Auric looking at the board book I had made for him from our trip to England...








Okay, enough of Auric for a moment. Let's focus on Thora's cuteness for a minute. Here is a short video mash-up of some moments from Thora's Tae Kwon Do lessons. Enjoy!

And here's a great video of Thora and Auric tap dancing. Thora really knows how to turn on the video magic. Enjoy!

Sean got a new Oregon winter hat, designed exactly to his specifications! The irony is that we had like 3 days when it was cold enough to merit wearing this hat. But now Sean and Auric had matching hats! Cute.















Here is Auric showing his completely absurd method for eating ice cream (this is toy food), which is exclusively with the tip of his tongue. You can imagine the mess that ensues. Unless it's toy ice cream. Then there's no mess!







I took my Valentine's Day Date for a ride on the train. He's a cheap date.













One Friday morning, the morning I have to myself when my friends take the four little ones, I got this photo texted to me. Auric and his gal pals are eating a snack in the Museum of Science cafeteria, overlooking the Charles River and the Longfellow Bridge in the distance.







I couldn't help including this one of Etta. Without any real help from anyone, she managed to turn herself into this brilliant character, half washer woman, half fancy lady (white glove).









And finally, a video of Auric and his friends enjoying a slide at the park.

I hope you enjoyed February's installment. Stay tuned for our great 5 Days in Tucson!