In Conversation.....

I was talking to Tilly today about school and how she was doing. In general it has gone down like any other thing she's ever attended on a regular basis. The first week she was fine, stoic, handling it. The second week things started to go a bit pear shaped. Then added to this, every other class she usually attends (and loves - because I'm not into sending her to things she doesn't like...) became horrible to her. She cried before every class for every thing. Ballet, Sunday school, regular school. I thought it might be best if I get her into the classroom and leave without making too much of a fuss and let her and the teacher deal with it. Praise the Lord her teacher is a regular little darling. Sweet, loving, gentle. How wrong could I have been however in regards to my approach to sending her to school. This week I had a thought to sit in the classroom with her in the mornings while they are having their morning free play. And we've made a turn around.....

Now Evie and I go to stay with her for around half an hour. We usually play cooking and have a nice time together. There are several other mothers wandering around in the classroom and her teacher actually encouraged it. It's like a play date for Evie and gets her nice and tired for when I bring her home at 9am ready for her nap. Then after school I take Tilly and Evie to the playground attached to the school. It's a lovely little setup and great for Evie too. They have a blast for about 45 minutes, again, getting Evie nice and tired for her second nap. And Tilly is making a much smoother transition having me stay there that little bit in the morning. She wasn't the only one crying and some still are. And as to the conversation this afternoon while walking home. We spoke of general things, how she's feeling about being there, who she knocks about with. Then I asked her:

"Who is that little girl that cries every morning, what's her name?"

"I don't know?"

"You know, the little one and she cries and cries every morning."

"Ummmm, (long pause). Is it me mama?"

"Hahaha, no love. You're the other little one that cries and cries. You know, the little one."

"Haha, oh I know. But I don't know her name.."

She really thought I was talking about her. Well for Tilly at least, the tears have stopped. For her and the little one actually. They both had tear free days today. She was always happy however at lunch when I came to pick her up, but sticking close to the teacher. Now this week when I went to get her she was with her classmates doing things. I think for Tilly her inability to fully express herself in Chinese had her bummed. Tilly is very much a communicator. Our conversations are often long and in depth. I think she certainly feels out of her league there without having complete fluency in Chinese and told Steve and I as much. But she's making friends now and speaking a lot more. When we go on the walk home I keep the Chinese up to her and now I've even started translating a lot of things so she's got the hang of it in both lingos. I can see her mind ticking over a thousand miles a minute. It's been an interesting and unexpected journey. But she is enjoying the learning and the making of new friends.

A little tenderness..

Tilly encouraged Evie all afternoon to walk to her. I'm very impressed with my big girl and what a sweet big sister she is growing into day by day. Evie loves nothing better than to perform for her big sis. I had to run to the office and grab the camera and wildly snap away to catch the two of them doing this.

Evie fell into her arms each time and got a rewarding cuddle!!

First steps!

Evie-lyn has started taking her first steps! And in the presence of none other than, big sister, mummy and daddy!! She was oh so proud of herself, stepping out in front of us all two days ago.

Then this evening while the girls were in their down time before bed (I say down time but it is very much "high" time for all involved - with a rough game of 'tumblings' being played to much merriment) she walked from the bed to the chair. Maybe about ten steps as she's only got little bitty legs and it was a fair way....! She walked from the bed to me and then back again to Tilly! We were going crazy for joy and Evie was loving it!! Yay for walking babies!! Tilly was over the moon clapping her hands and cheering her on. She's been waiting for this day forever... Still a while yet. I'd say in the next two to three weeks she'll starting walking properly. Fingers crossed. Tilly isn't the only one who has been waiting. A big 13 months old today!

Family getaway - the getting home bit.

We always take the coastal route back to Taipei

Turtle Island in the background

What Chiang Family holiday would be complete without a box of chickens feet and a bag of sea snails?

Tilly consuming both.... and loving it.

Evie had to sit down and take it all in.... her verdict.....

Nah..... not for me.

Everyone caught slightly off guard.

Somewhat better! A lovely trip.

Family getaway - the surrounding area bit.

Next door to the B&B, jars of soy beans becoming Soy Sauce. This place had a restaurant attached with the most delicious roast chicken roasted with local sweet potatoes and pumpkins, plus huge salad and a mushroom and herb soup. Unbelievable meal.

Rows of beetlenut trees.

A lake area we almost missed. I was skeptical that it would be worthwhile but Tilly asked could we go none the less.

So glad she did! Pretty little place, really nice.

Glasses behind back (refer to this post)

Evie touching grass. Poor sweet city baby.

Pines and ferns, surrounding mountains. Lovely.

Ridiculously expensive cafe.

Family getaway - the B&B bit

Entrance into the living quarters.

Pretty little courtyard that we did a lot of sitting around in. So quiet and peaceful.

Lovely grey weather. Cool but not cold. Just perfect after a hot hot summer.

Tilly getting lost in picking flowers.

Drinking 'rosy tea'.

Hard to capture. The butterflies were abundant and of many different varities.



Also hard to capture. On the roof of the B&B the next morning. I can't abide by monkeys. I always think if they won't give you some kind of disease they'll scratch your eyes out. Apparently these little guys won't do either....



Another view looking onto the B&B. Mountain of monkeys in the background.

Family getaway - the farm bit.

We stayed in a B&B in Luo Dong which is 15 minutes from Yi-Lan proper. And Yi-Lan is about an hour from Taipei.

The pathway above leads to a pretty cafe and rest area. Beyond that is a farm with fruit trees, ponds, fish, chickens, abusive geese....... what is up with geese? Never met a good one.

 



The area is completely surrounded by mountains on either side.



Evie had her eyes planted firmly on them nasty geese..... They were making their noisy way over at that point. And look at Tills, not a care in the world. Soaking up her time in the bush... A bush kid at heart.

The tale of the lost glasses...... in pictures.

On head

In hand

Behind back

On head again.

And again.

Completely missing......

Unlike the lost toy in the post below, I did not love my glasses and need to get a new pair anyway. But, I feel my brain is missing a few links somewhere.....

Feeding Evie moments later and still no glasses, not on head, not beside and not on my eyes... and completely oblivious to the fact they are back over the bridge and in the grass somewhere. Love all these happy snaps. Completely tracked the lost glasses and the lost toy. Wouldn't normally have a whole series of shots of myself, but the subject lent itself to it.... sorry.

The tale of the lost toy... in pictures.

We went away for a couple of days to Yi-Lan. We had such a lovely time. But when we came home tonight I searched for a long time for a little toy that Tilly and Evie's cousin Bonnie had made for Evie with some of our craft beads and a bell. I loved that toy, loved it. More than Evie did. Just loved it, it was gorgeous. Did I mention that I loved it? And here is the tale of the missing toy...... only to be discovered after Steve and I went through the photos of the trip.....

In hand.....

Beside hand

Dropped

Forgotten

Mama didn't even know she had it and Daddy was taking the photos at this stage. He promised he'd ring in the morning to ask them to go look for it. I hope it's there. I wanted to ring tonight at 10. Daddy said no...... I loved that toy. 

Lazy Saturday morning

Harmonious Saturday morning moment in which the harmony lasted all of 15 minutes. But we won't go into that.

Happy Moon Festival

Tilly made moon cakes this week at school to celebrate the Chinese holiday, Mid Autumn or Moon Festival.

Moon cakes are a traditional custom and in Taiwan it's known mostly for the BBQ's everyone has. BBQ being a little wire grate over a patch of coals, usually out on the street (as where else are you going to have it in this concrete jungle). The festival is characterised by the smells of burning meat. And then there is the predictable turn in the weather where the oppressive summer heat is not so oppressive, just slightly miserable....

Tilly's moon cake has an egg yolk in it and sweet red bean paste. I LOVE moon cakes. Another speciality is pineapple cakes. My sister in law is a master at these and we got three boxes this year.

While big sister's away.......

.......Evie still plays. I was wondering how Evie would be on her own without her big sister in the mornings to accompany her. She's very much like Tilly was at this age. Content in her own company and happy to play by herself. Although it must be said that as soon as she sees me with the camera the spell is immediately broken.