One More Update for April

 This is the most I've managed to post in a while!  I am falling way behind on the pictures and updates of the kids.  I think I have to stop saving up all the details for a proper mega post and just get on here and tap away some shorthand notes and random pictures here and there.  That's why this post, instead of trying to cover all of the pictures from April 5 (yes...) will only cover the past week or so.

The kids are growing so fast.  Al and Teo are now 16 months (just turned yesterday)!

Lola looks like a BIG kid now.  Here she is in her winter uniform for KCS, which I am somewhat delighted and depressed to announce, she has managed to wear once.  Delighted because at least we got one time, and depressed because we only got one time...

The boys are eating really well, and by that I mean they're getting better and better at eating by themselves.  Teo is still quite reluctant about this, but he can be convinced in the appropriate situation (i.e., when it's not particularly smushy or wet, or slimy, or when it's something he really likes to eat, like grapes or strawberries or pizza or chips).  Al is light years ahead in that he's scooping up food with his spoon, and pretty darn good at it (i.e., only 50% of the food gets lost, 50% of the time).

Al also LOVES "working". He loves, loves loves tapping away at my laptop.  It's so funny, it's like he has a little chip or sensor in his brain, as soon as he sees my laptop he makes a beeline for me and starts emitting alarm-like sounds that loosely translate (in my mind) to "MUST. GET. LAPTOP. MUST. TOUCH. KEYS.  PICK ME UP MOMMY, NOWWWWW."  Incidentally, in what might be one of my favorite parenting moments (and there are many), Al calls me "money."  How great is that?!  He shouts "Money!" at the time of his lungs whenever he sees me, and comes over immediately to give me the tightest and closest of hugs.  This guy is such a sweetheart.  As you may know from my previous posts, Al is always trying to butt in or participate on whatever others are working on.

Teo is less interested in the laptop, but he loves the TV.  Teo is super good at taking direction and you should see him signing along with Wheels on the Bus, or throwing down on the dough when he's at playgroup.  This guy observes, concentrates, and immediately picks up how to do things.  Here at Highgate, he sat and played with these spools of yarn and felt and cloth for nearly 10 minutes, super contentedly, and happily, without any input or interruptions from others.  Teo really prefers to play independently and explore on his own, except he is still getting confident on walking on his own so he really wants to hold hands when walking, and I find it's one of the most endearing things when he reaches out and wants you to walk with him.  He's getting confident and fast now though, so maybe those days are limited.  Ahhh, parenthood.  The days are so long but the years are so short.  I really can't believe the boys are 16 months.  Soon I will have 1.5 year old twins!!

Lola has started swim lessons with Harry Wright.  I would love to say that we have her at the American Club, considering how much money we shelled out just to have a membership, but because we need flexibility and that means somewhere close to our apartment as well as somewhere that will allow other adults to be in the pool with her, the job falls on... surprise, surprise! Me.  We went to her first lesson at 8:20 am last Sunday and it was great. Her coach is so nice.  They group kids by the same age and same ability so it's all a very even playing field.  She was inquisitive, brave, and followed instructions well.  I had to wear a face shield but it was okay.  I'm really heartened by how well the first class went.  In true Lola fashion though, she told me we didn't need to go anymore because she has already learned how to swim.

We started to do some really great playgroup sessions with the kids and parents from Al and Teo's Highgate group, and I can't stress enough how great this has been.  We all live in different parts of Hong Kong and our apartments are all different, which I also love, but what we all have in common is a very toy- and kid-centric environment.  It's been the best way to give the kids new opportunities to try and see new environments, play with peers, and frankly, to enjoy cool toys without buying more things!

It's been a really cold spring for Hong Kong, and lately it's been a bit drizzly and wet.  Lola loves it however, and we went out this morning to jump in puddles. 

I love this picture, taken just this morning, because in our entire apartment the kids decided they all needed to squeeze into this tiny corner in Lola's room, wedged between the bed and the windowsill.  I missed the shot that I really wanted, which is when Teo was on the windowsill and the three of them were all lined up in a row.  All in a row!  Not fighting!  Playing side by side!  It was really great.

At one point Lola got bored and the boys played/drew side by side.  A moment of peace that is still noteworthy.

It's become a ritual/routine for us all to sit in the living room and watch The Wheels on the Bus and Twinkle Twinkle after dinner as a family.  The boys are engrossed and enamored and just... love it.  Then they go to bed (Lola probably relishes that they get dismissed and she gets to stay) and Lola gets to watch two more videos, usually 2 French, but sometimes 1 English and 1 French or 1 Chinese and 1 French.  It's her choice.  Incidentally, this a fantastic (the only possible?) time to get some good pictures of the kids.

And that's a wrap!