kids philosophizing over death

Saturday night, Ming Ming announced to me that "Mama, one day you will be dead!"
I did not know how to response other than admit my mortality "hummm, right."
Ming Ming: "but if you are nice then you won't die right? and kids won't die. Avi will never die!" (Right, Avital has been made god).
me: hummmm, right.

This morning, Ming Ming raised the issue again.
With a big smile, "Anya's grandpa died!" (it is true, this happened last December. MM has probably just figured out that the euphemism of "turning into an angel" means dying, that is why the big smile and the excitement in her voice.)
me: "Ming Ming, we don't laugh when we talk about people dying. it is always sad when someone died."
Ming Ming: "you will die when you get old right? But kids will never get old, and papa and mama will never get old right? only grandparents get old."
me: hummmm, right.

Max told me that Oscar cried for a long time when he (at age 4 and a half) figured out that his parents, like everyone else, will die one day and that "it is for real, not pretend". Ming Ming is probably still too young for that conservation?  

au revoir papou et mamie

Ming Ming came to pick me up at the university library on bike today.

before papou and mamie's departure

mamie and papou - day 15

I went to the Chinese embassy to renew my passport, while Mamie left with me and visited downtown chicago again.

 

 

stopped by Bibs and Ribs. a surprise present for papou

Ming Ming had a play date with Faustine in the afternoon, and Claire came in early evening. both her parents were busy tonight so we take care of her for one evening. 

 

we made wontons!

the kids helped and made a lot of them.

mamie and papou day 14

Monday morning: mamie and papou took Ming Ming to school

papa working from home today!

 

stacking animal game!

 

MM building bunk beds for her animal babies.

checking them the next morning

lingering at our flowery back porch

mamie and papou-day 13: Garfield Park conservatory

our first trip to the conservatory, apparently our neighbors know this place pretty well and  come here often during the winter months.

 

 

wonder what we are laughing at?

Keven and his funky hairdo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

chilling out

us too

a water fountain!

lunch: bring your own picnic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the day comes to a prefect ending -- ice cream treat by papou! everyone is happy!

Mamie and Papou - day 12

me cooking

Christian (papou's nephew) and Michel come over for dinner.

sunday morning, Chinese class got cancelled. Ming Ming hanging out with papou!