le journal de Ming Ming

Friday, September 18, 2015

Ming Ming and Han Han

on a weekend breakfast table

Ming Ming helping Han Han taking a bath

at the end of a bed-time-story section, as Ming Ming accepts (sometimes) that I had to nurse Han Han while reading her.

The first time Ming Ming babysat for me. Emile was sleeping in the stroller, Ming Ming pushed him a little bit in the courtyard and then started reading next to him. =)

Emile taking a bath, Ming Ming helped.

Friday, September 4, 2015

September 2012 Age: 4 years and 3 months
Height: 116 cm (45.67")
Weight: 20kg (44 lb 5 oz)

July 2013 Age: 5 years
Height: 121.8 cm (48")
Weight: 22.4 kg (49 lb 6 oz)

June 2014 Age: 6 years
Height: 130.6 cm (4'3")
Weight: 25.5 kg (56 lb 4 oz)

December 2014 Age: 6 year and 6 months
height: 136.2 cm (4'5")
wight: 26.5 kg (58 lb 7oz)

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Finally, graduation!

Friday, August 14, 2015

family photos at Siesta Key, FL

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Emile swims 2 &3

Emile at Lido beach

back at the pool

Friday, August 7, 2015

Emile's first time in the pool

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Emile reacting to Ming Ming's violin

Ming Ming playing Hunter's chorus... but watch Emile's reaction!

Monday, August 3, 2015

at Siesta Key beach

Books we have read and love

Magic Tree House Series - Since she started first grade, Ming Ming has been taking one or two of these books home from the school library every week. It was a bit boring for me, but she loves them. The strength of the series is that it introduces lots of culture, history, geography (from ancient Japan, the vikings, depression era New York, etc) through the story of an ordinary pair of kids' magical adventures through time and space.
The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child Vol 1: Ancient Times -- This must be one of the best introduction to history series for kids. I got the books first and then the audio CDs for MM for X'mas in 2014. Even Antoine and I love them, make our car ride (eps the daily commute from the lycee) much more enjoyable. Ask Ming Ming the name of Alexander the great's horse, or who invented silk, or where Asian Minor is, or who built Rome, who are the barbarians who invaded the Roman Empire...
all the Leo Lionni book
All the FROG and TOAD stories -- Ming Ming has loved them for years and now she is picking them up again to read it on her own.
Rainbow Magic series: Isabelle the Ice Dance Fairy -- I don't think it is very good but this is the first chapter book (67 pages) that Ming Ming read all by herself, so I am noting it here. (Feb 2015)
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Ming Ming did not know it but we skipped most of the first chapter (too scary for a young kid)
Classic Fairy Tales told by Berlie Doherty, Candlewick Press
The McElderry Book of Greek Myths, retold by Eric A. Kimmel - the best Greek Mythology for young children
Harry Potter Book 1 to Book 4 - Took us a long time, eps book 4. We are on Book 5 now (Jan 2015)
Ramona Quimby Book 1 to Book 4
Judy Moody Around the World in 8 and 1/2 days
Judy Moody Declares Independence
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Books of Wonder) by L. Frank Baum -- the first chapter book we read, Ming Ming was four. Packed with twist and turns, lots of action, we really enjoyed this one.
Abiyoyo Book and CD by Pete Seeger
The Canary Prince by Eric Jon Nones Ah-ha! it is the princess who saves the prince this time!!
Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months by Maurice Sendak Sendak's text is both amusing and amazing! At 4 year old Ming Ming could chant out most of the text if I remind her the name of each month.