Alone time

LanLan is playing with her cousin. She runs into the bathroom and yells to her: "Come here! I need you to leave because I have to go potty. I need priva-seat!"

The Little Nurse

My husband recently had his appendix removed. While in the hospital LanLan stayed at a friend's house. When her daddy came home it was apparent that she had missed him. I walked into the room and saw this scene. My husband, who was very tired laid down for a nap. LanLan pulled up a chair right next to him and held his hand. It was so sweet! She even got him his drink and later on brought him her stuffed animals as well. She really missed her daddy.

Sick

LanLan, asleep on the coach, woke up and saw me. She lifted her head and said, "I'm gonna wake up in 20 minutes, ok mom?"

Sick

LanLan woke up this morning with an upset stomach. Her daddy was there comforting her and she said to him:
"I'm really not well. Can you call my friend and tell her?"

Daddy: "Why?"

LanLan: "So she doesn't come over."

Daddy: "Well, she's sleeping, and besides, she's not coming over, anyway."

LanLan: "Well, then, can you call her mommy and tell her?"

Flower Girl

My sweet "little orchid" was in a wedding this past weekend. It was her first time to be a flower girl. It wasn't a typical wedding someone from a Western country might think of. Although there were a few things that were similar there were more things that were out of the ordinary. The father walked the bride down the aisle which was a dirt street covered with a red carpet and shoulder to shoulder people pushing their way to see. As the bride, father of the bride and the two flower girls walked down the "aisle" people sprayed silly string and threw confetti. I guess this is like our tradition of throwing rice, or now a days, bird seed or bubbles. The ceremony took place inside the courtyard of the groom's house where people just crowded in so they could see.

Though my daughter was born in China and has been "popular" since the first time we took her outside you can see her personality shining through in the above picture. When lots of people she doesn't know are around she turns inward and internalizes everything. She doesn't talk (even very little to mom & dad), clings to mom or dad (in the picture she is staying very close to her friend) and never smiles. Looking at her I thought she was very scared and about to cry. I didn't think she was enjoying the experience. But I guess I was wrong...

When we left I talked to her and asked her what she thought about the wedding. She told me that she had a great time! She loved walking down the aisle and having people throw stuff at her. I never would have thought looking at that face.

Popularity

Being a child with white skin in China can be a little overwhelming. Fair skin is considered true beauty in China. If you watch the ads or look at the skin products they sell here most things are to help whiten your skin. So when a Chinese person sees a child with white skin they are fascinated and think they are the most beautiful person they have ever seen. (I don't blame them, my children are the most beautiful! hehe)

We knew we were in for a ride when we took LanLan to the park when she was only a couple months old. In a matter of minutes we were surrounded by at least 25 people just looking at her, wanting to take her picture, or taking a picture with her. My husband had to stand on a ledge to get out of reach from people so they wouldn't touch her. It's been 4 years since that has happened and almost every time we go out (especially to parks or an attraction) people come crowding around to have a look. It can get taxing and most of the time LanLan doesn't appreciate it.

Yesterday I was shocked! I noticed that a woman was eyeing my two children and I saw her get her camera out (not surprising). But she had the sweetest spirit and spoke so kindly. She talked to LanLan, asking her name, telling her she was beautiful (also not surprising) and then asked if she could take a picture with her. Most of the time people don't even ask they just do it. Occasionally we will have someone ask but there was something totally different about this woman. LanLan I think was taken with this woman's kindness and agreed to take a picture with her! (LanLan will usually refuse)

Attitude

Sometimes my precious little orchid is the sweetest little girl, very caring for her brother, kind to her friends, loving, and encouraging. But there are moments where she is likes to give a little attitude. Yesterday I took the kids to the park to enjoy the beauty of creation. I told LanLan, "Look at all the beautiful trees and flowers that are blooming! It is such a pretty day, isn't it?"

LanLan turned to me and said "No! It's a BLACK day! With BLACK flowers and BLACK trees!"