Past few days...

See Video 434 of Lauren playing in a bouncy castle.  When she was younger, Lauren didn't like playing in the bouncy castle because she couldn't balance herself at all and kept falling down.  Now that she's older and sturdier on her feet, she's really beginning to enjoy them.

On Saturday, Chifu Mall (next to our apartment block) hosted a small Chinese New Year fair. Natalie, Lauren and I caught 5 small fish, and were allowed to take 2 fish home.

Also snapped this great photo of Clark and our big girls.

Vivo yee-yee visited us on Friday and proved her rightful title as the "Lauren Whisperer".

She also spent some time with Ashley who stared at her in adoration.

Lauren really enjoyed the bouncy castle 

This photo reminds me of Natalie in the bouncy castle on her 3rd birthday party.

Captured this truly great shot of my three beautiful girls together.  It's a real challenge to get them to all look at the camera at the same time.

Here is Ashley complaining about her wet diaper. 

Today, Lauren rode the train ride at the local mall while waiting for big sister Natalie to finish her piano lessons.

On Thursday, baby Olivia (who is 2.5 years old) came for a play date.  She's super cute and held hands with Lauren twice.

I tried to give Ashley some tummy time, but she just turned her head to the side and looked out the window. Smart girl :)

Another pic of my three girls.  Say cheese!

Ashley's First Play Date

Today, Ashley got to participate in her very own play date! We visited baby Emily (who is 2 months older) at her home and baby Ella came, too, although we only got to enjoy her sleeping company. 

Ashley wore a sweet crochet hat on our way to the play date.  

Big sister Natalie and her good friend Olivia (Emily's big sis) posed with their little sisters before heading off to tutoring.

Emily is a super smiley cutie!  Look how alert Ashley is.

We only got to enjoy baby Ella's sleeping company.  Love how she can sleep on her front, even in the car seat!

While at Debbie yee-yee's house, Ashley got to play on the play mat.

And she also had the chance to try out a bumbo-sitter for the first time.

The couple shots below came from Debbie Yee-yee.  Thanks for passing these super cute pics along!

New ear plugs for Natalie

Since having grommets put in her ears, Natalie needs to wear earplugs when she swims. It's been over a year since we last had earplugs made for her and she's definitely outgrown her old ones! Today, we went to get new custom earplugs made for her.  Hopefully, next time she goes swimming, she won't complain of water getting in her ears.

Good job growing, Ashley!

Video 433 - Watch and listen as Ashley coos, smiles and "talks" to me.  She's also become more coordinated and can bat at her toys and even grab and shake them a little. 

Look who found her thumb!  She can now self-sooth and even put herself back to sleep when she wakes up early in the morning.

She's also getting chubby.  Good job growing, Ashley! 

While at brunch over the weekend, Lauren finally decided to take a nap in her stroller around 2:00 p.m.

Lauren has learned the art of not smiling at the camera when I say "Smile!"

Ocean Park with Nat

Spent a wonderful day at Ocean Park with Natalie today while Lauren enjoyed a lovely ladies brunch with mommy. We spent 6 full hours at OP feeding sea lions, watching a dolphin show, a bird show, riding the cable car and playing in the kids area. A very full day followed by some crazy Chinese homework she was too tired to finish!

Feeding the sea lions...

Riding the cable car...

Bird show...

and some seriously excessive Chinese homework....100 different characters!

Ashley Love and other happenings

Video 431- While out for a walk in a mall, Natalie, Lauren and Nicholas decided to sing "Ring a round the roses" together and do the actions.

Video 432 - While waiting for her skin-prick test at the allergist's, watch Lauren quickly figure out this puzzle. Honestly, I think she's a genius!

Lauren and I heading out to visit the doctor. If I wear my sunglasses out, she insists on wearing hers, too.

Lauren's not quite sure what to make of what Lisa yee-yee is doing to her. But she goes along with it anyway...

Ashley's cousins (and sister) all insisted on taking turns carrying her.  Here Victoria proudly looks after her baby cousin.

Proud older sist, Natalie needed a turn, too.

Nicholas is also a proud older cousin.

Smile, Michael!  Michael totally understands that Ashley is younger and smaller than he is and held her carefully. 

Great pic of Vanessa and Ashley. Even Ashley is looking at the camera with a small smile.

Finally, we got around to making, baking and decorating a Christmasy gingerbread Snoopy house with Natalie and Lauren.  Thanks "uncle" Alvin!

Lauren was super excited and happy to be decorating hers as well. I had to help squeeze the icing, but she eagerly put the candies on it.  Of course she ate while decorating, too.

Ashley has become so much fun. She consistently smiles at people who talk and play with her now.

Another recent tantrum from Lauren. She pulled the hood down and refused to come out.

More cutie smiles from Ashley.

Art Class

Natalie really enjoys art and today she went for her first art class at Artive Kids.
Look at her pretty creation!

Santa's Little Helper

Oops! Looks like Santa forgot a smiley little helper at our house!

Peanut Alert!

Brave little Lauren had her allergy test today. Poor girl is allergic to peanuts, but at least not to tree nuts. We got her an EpiPen just in case!

A Day at Lychee Valley

We went to Lychee Valley over the weekend. We were going to pick strawberries but this being Hong Kong, all the strawberries had already been picked!! We still had a great time tho!

Feeding fish...

Riding ponies...

Feeding rabbits...

And goats...

And "net" fishing!

To see videos of our day at Lychee Valley:

Video 429: Nat Riding a Horse

Video 430: Nat and Lauren Feeding Rabbits

Video 431 and 432: Lauren Feeding Goats