It is amazing how fast Zoey and Kate are picking up English words and our family's way of doing things. Yesterday, Jillian and Molly decided to teach Zoey and Kate how to rock their 'babies.' J and M carefully wrapped up two dolls in baby blankets and helped first Zoey, and then Kate, climb into the rocking chair. Soon Kate was rocking her baby and singing, "Deep and Wide," a new favorite that Jake has requested often. After only a few days of hearing it, Kate picked it up and can sing the first line. Both girls enjoyed rocking their babies, although they soon chucked them onto the floor. Ok--we have to work on that a bit!
Each day they add an English word or two to their vocabulary. Although they don't speak much English yet, they understand a lot of what we say. "Snack" is a big favorite! Zoey is very verbal and jabbers away in Chinese quite a bit. She also mimic's us, and can repeat most of what we say. Yesterday, the girls were mad at each other about something and yelled at each other in Chinese. I was dying to know what they said! They don't coverse much in Chinese, though. I think it is because Kate tends to be a quiet little thing.
Despite being quiet, you don't want to get between Kate and a brownie. The other night, after she had one, she wanted another. I told her she could not have a second one and she started flipping out. I offered her an apple, which she accepted, but she was ticked about the brownie. I handed her the apple and she glared at me when I told her she had to say 'xie, xie,' (thank you). She says it all the time, but she gave me a look and refused. Little stinker. At that point, I was in a power struggle, from which I knew I could not back down. Drat....I hate it when I do that! Suffice it to say, that after 20 minutes of her screaming while I held her, she accepted the apple with a smile and said very loudly, 'XIE XIE!" Now, every time I give her something, she smiles sweetly and says, "Xie xie." Her foster mom was so kind to her, but it is pretty common to give the kids candy when they cry--or just give in to their demands. So, Kate is having to learn some boundaries, but she is responding well. Zoey has had a bit more discipline, so she usually obeys pretty quickly when we tell her something. Last night at dinner, they wanted dessert before they finished their dinner. I motioned to them and told them that they had to eat their dinner first. Kate pushed her bowl away and frowned. Zoey started scarfing her dinner so she could have dessert! Too funny! Kate eventually realized that she needed to comply, so she pulled her bowl back, ate, and then was happy to get her dessert.
Last but not least, it was brought to my attention that my family room looked way too clean in one of the last pictures of the kids. haha... The truth is that Jeff cleaned it! Just so you don't think I have it all together, I will post this picture of what our kitchen looked like last week when I was sick. The kids grazed and dirtied dishes all day and I felt even sicker when I looked at the mess. haha...
