Hanging' out at home

Cups copies Uncle Eric. It took a while for her to be able to see through the paper towel. Daddy had to make several adjustments (making the hole bigger each time).

How much does Cups eat nowadays? Her dinner to dessert ratio is 1:1.



Cups woke up at 7:30 both days of the weekend. She lied with Mama for an additional hour this morning. Mama took a nap but was still tired. This picture was X'd by Daddy since Cups did not seem to be asleep.



This picture passed Daddy's approval for fake sleeping.





Uncle is as tall as Cups sitting down. Mama thought to ask uncle for help with changing a light bulb since we have not gotten a ladder yet. Thank you, Uncle!

Playing with Matt

Uncle Paul, Auntie Thao and Matt came over for lunch. We had not seen them in about three years — too long! Auntie Penny shared her fish curry chowder recipe. Auntie Thao helped Mama cook, and it was a success. (See the recipe below.)

We walked to Bakery Nouveau, and the two kids loved the phoenix cake. We also had the classic cheesecake and new snow ball!

Matt took a lot of pictures with Cups' camera. We'll post some of those later. Mama now has some pictures of the house to put on Zillow.







The kids ran up and down the sidewalk while Mama consulted Uncle Paul about gardening.



They found the perfect tree to play around.

The kids had so much fun playing together. The adults had a great time, too. We'll have to get together again soon!

Jamaican Fish Chowder with Kale
1 bunch kale
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup scallions, chopped
2 large red jalapenos, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound sweet potato, cubed
1 small carrot, chopped
1 tablespoon miled curry powder
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 large bay leaves
2 cups chicken or fish stock
1 14-ounce can coconut milk
1 pound red sapper or tilapia, cubed
2 teaspoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooked rice

Place kale in a clean sink or salad spinner and fill it with cold water. Wash kale well, then spin dry. Strip leaves from stems, keeping them separate. Thinly slice stems and chop the leaves.
In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add scallions, jalapenos, thyme, and garlic, and cook until fragrant. Add sweet potatoes, carrots, kale stems, curry powder, allspice, and bay leaves, and stir until the curry scents the kitchen, about 2 minutes. Pour in stock and coconut milk and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered until sweet potato is tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir in chopped kale leaves and simmer until leaves are soft and bright green, about 5 minutes. Toss fish with lime juice in a bowl, then add to simmering soup. Simmer until fish is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Season soup with salt and serve with rice to spoon into the soup.

Brushing teeth

Cups: I am Auntie Angela. (Auntie Angela, a dentist, pulls on the cheek to brush the back teeth.)

I want garbage!

Cups gets geared up to pick up garbage along our adopted street after dinner.



Thinking that Cups was still young, Mama only asked for two garbage pick-uppers.



Cups changes position to get at a better angle.



Think again, Mama. Cups is old enough to help!



Cups helped for a block. She would say, "I want garbage!" It takes a while to pick up all those cigarette butts. We stayed out for an hour, having worked on only one third of our adopted mile. We got tired and called it a night. Cups strolled and sang while she waited for Mama and Daddy to come along. Thank you for helping, Cups!

My Little Pony

We haven't seen Auntie Marci in a long time. We got together for dinner, and she even had a birthday present for Cups!



What's in the box?



Can you tell that Cups has become a pro in having pictures taken with presents?

She likes her My Little Pony. She's three years old — at the My Little Pony stage.



The pony has interchangeable hair — cool! Thank you very much, Auntie Marci!

Birthday gift from Atlanta

What is it from Pottery Barn Kids?



Mama's anticipated builds.




Mama waits patiently.



It's upholstery for an armchair. Mama thought, "We don't have a chair." The instructions says that the pieces to build an armchair will come in another box. We'll keep an eye out for another package! Thank you for a beautiful gift, Uncle Mark and Auntie Brooke!

Cups' new bike

Uncle Jon at Mama's work offered his daughter's old bike to Cups. Cups got on for a picture. We'll wait for daylight to give it a go another day.

Andy's Xmas present

Cups has been anticipating this moment. She knew that Andy wouldn't be able to open her present with the paws, so Cups offered to do it for her.



They were both very excited.



Andy: I got your sock, Cups!



Cups couldn't smile at all after Mama busted her for getting Andy to "swim." Cups walked backwards, pulling Andy along on the tummy and saying, "Swim, Andy. Swim."

The Ladybug Game

The Ladybug Game was a birthday gift from Duncan. It was invented by a first grader. The family had fun playing with it. Cups didn't quite get the concept of moving spaces, but she was very good in counting out aphids for all of us. Aphids are useful with avoiding being eaten by ants.

Cups playing with Nate

Cups enjoyed pushing Nate around the playroom.



Nate did a quality control check on Uncle John's work.



Nate had not played with doughnuts before. Daddy showed him to stack them. Nate remembered the order of the colors in no time. Mama was most impressed. He and everyone else clapped for him when he put it all together. Auntie Robin confessed that she had not opened the same toy for Nate because she didn't think that he knew how to play with it. Mama joked that Auntie should just keep it to give it to a baby.



We liked the new Suburu Forester. It was handsome.

Quite a social day

Half an hour after Duncan and Georgia left, Auntie Teresa came over with Angela and Michael and lunch. Mama snacked soon after she just had lunch. :P



Angela and Michael had so much fun that they would like to come back — yay because Mama likes to visit with Auntie Teresa.

Half an hour before they left, Uncle Tim, Auntie Robin and Nate stopped by for a visit. They brought Christmas and birthday presents for Cups. Thank you so much!!

Cups' Birthday Celebration Part II

Mama downsized on Cups' birthday celebration this year. She invited three of Cups' playmates from daycare to play this Sunday morning. Duncan and Georgia accepted our invitation. Cups and Duncan had a morning snack before Georgia arrived. Cups read before Duncan arrived. She anticipated the kids' arrival for about an hour and played so hard that she didn't have breakfast.



Mama got pizza for lunch and mini Dove ice cream bars for dessert. The kids ate really well! Cups had a clean plate — a rare sight.



Duncan enjoyed it.



Georgia loved it.



It was time to open presents. Georgia had a great time putting stickers over the presents and card. Cups got a small My Little Pony.



What's in the big box?



A My Little Pony set. . .Georgia's mom let Georgia pick it out. She said to Mama, "I am sorry," haha.



The kids posed for a picture.



The girls enjoyed the new toy.

The kids had a great time. We'll play again soon!

Birthday present from Auntie Carla

Thank you, Auntie Carla! Cups and her friends love the "house." (Auntie Carla got Cups a tent with a tunnel.)

Auntie Evelyne's visit

We haven't seen Auntie Evelyne in a long time. It was great to have had her over again. She played with Cups all evening, and even gave Cupcakes a French lesson.



We haven't been to Bakery Nouveau in a while, so we used this special visit as an excuse. (Mama asked Cups to put down the knife to avoid being judged as having bad parenting for Cups' licking Tiramisu off it. Cups couldn't resist.)



Cups was supposed to share the Tiramisu with Auntie Evelyne, but she inhaled it whole in no time. As soon as she turned three years old, her appetite has also increased. Mama is not complaining.



We had to get another piece for Auntie Evelyne. Cups was so excited when she saw the second piece, slapped the table and said, "Put it right here."



Mama warned her that she could only have the piece of chocolate on top and that the second piece was for Auntie. She was good and didn't have any of the second piece until Daddy and Auntie needed help finishing it. She had a couple more bites.



Cups filled with Tiramisu. . .



Overjoyed with sugar, haha. . .