My Big Girl

Ten days ago, Zoë turned four, as predicted. So, as she, herself, proclaimed -- Zoë's now a "big girl".

Days leading up to this big deal, she started dressing herself and putting her dishes in the sink, and all these other big girl things. I think the biggest excitement for us was that this was the first birthday where she was fully excited and aware of the big day. The other years, the birthday was more about our excitement and marking her milestones, she probably barely noticed. But this time... she noticed! (and we benefitted -- mornings are so much easier when she can brush her teeth, get clothes on and put her own shoes on!)

Sure, I miss cute, cuddly, diapered baby Zoë with the giggles and wobbly steps, but there are plenty of rewards when I realize that she can be independent and do things by her "own self". It is hard not to get sentimental about her cute outfits that don't fit anymore, or see her cloth-bottomed shoes and finger-sized booties and remember her nearly featherweight snoozing warmth swaddled in my arms. But then, it is so much more satisfying to be needed these days for fun and play than for food, diaper-changing, and those basic needs. "Mommy, I NEED you! Come play with me."

Of course, such a momentous age as "4" needed to be celebrated in as many ways as possible. Zoë had a class party. Actually, it was a Valentine's Day party, but most of the kids now associate V-day with Zoë Day (true story: one of the kids went home and told their mother that they weren't allowed to say "Happy Valentine's Day" because Zoë wasn't there and it was her special day). They sang to her like 3 times, before Mommy finally appeared with the obligatory payesh (rice pudding).

Then there was the celebration at Frosting, the cupcake cafe. (In case you are concerned about the number of cupcakes consumed in these celebrations, please refer to the earlier posting about that impossibility of "too many cupcakes" because of the theory of Tummy Chambers.)

We opened presents and Zoë sported her new backpack around the apartment and we soon got started making the dollhouse sent by her grandparents (that's her screwing together the walls all by herself)! Other presents were also read, played with, and worn within 24 hours of being opened. She loved everything and got settled making her Thank you cards, which now are beautifully signed by her own signature. On her birthday, I received a beautiful present of her impressive artwork!
 

Then we celebrated with all her friends at BounceU, a giant warehouse of inflatable slides, gym and climbing, and ate pizza and cake. I think even Zoë was then all birthday'ed out... until she began discussing her plans for her NEXT birthday. That's it -- she's hooked. It's official now: she's a BIG girl. Our little big girl :)

Holidays in CA

We are back from vacation in California -- two weeks of family, fun and good food! The link to the full set of pictures is here (including videos!), but below are some of the highlights:

Trip to San Francisco & Ghiradelli with Mom, Ninamashi, Boris and Didun We spent an evening (after nap!) in San Francisco. We took the BART train there and back, which was one of the most exciting things. Then, we walked to Union Square to see the Christmas tree and Macy's while Boris held our space in line for the Cable Car, then we got to ride the Cable Car to North Beach where we had yummy pasta! Then we walked to Ghiradelli Square for dessert-- a hot fudge sundae!

"Polar Express" Trainride -- "All aboard!" This was a pretty cool experience! First we took a bus from the parking lot to the train. The train went from Union City to Sunol and back. This train was covered with Holiday lights and full of happy children and families (when they weren't stressing about saving and finding seats). Naturally, we had to drink hot cocoa and eat goodies. The best part: Santa and Mrs. Claus were on the train too and made the rounds. Zoë was surprisingly nonchalant with Santa (not super excited, but unlike last year, not scared either). Dadu pulled Santa's beard and offered a cookie in retribution. I am guessing he received coal this year...

There were, of course, many other fun parts of our visit to Walnut Creek like: decorating the tree, going to the park, Mom and Dad had date night at the ballet, having brunch with Sabina, Ruxana, and Nuru, opening presents (Santa's elves arranged an early visit!) and general hanging out.

Then we flew off to San Diego (thank you, Southwest Airlines, no reindeer required!)... Mimi came to the airport to greet us with Grandpa. Here, also, our vacation sped by at whirlwind speed. The highlights included time at the park, time playing with Emiley, Sasha and Allan and all the new toys, Christmas Eve at the Crulls where the train elicited squeals of excitement that might have been heard at the North Pole, and the beach (75 degrees in December?! What a special gift for us)!

Did I mention we had some professional family pictures taken of the whole Zych family?

Sadly, this Holiday season has seen one casualty-- Matt got rear-ended on his way to the airport and our poor dependable Honda was totaled. We ring in the new year with a new car, Welcome Passat! (no pics yet)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

One!

Hey everyone,

I turned one a whole week ago! It was a great party. Small and intimate, but good fun with old friends. Hey, Rumadida was even at my Mom's first birthday-- so these are dear friends indeed. I really enjoyed opening my birthday presents. Besides Lars, my Austrian teddy bear, and a handknit sweater (in Cal colors-- Go Bears!) from Mom, I received many pink and red (yay, I'm a Valentine's Day baby!) outfits from Aunt Michele and my cousins and from Didun and Dadu, and other toys too. It was fun because everyday there was more mail and more presents, from my Grandparents and from Ninamashi and Boris. See? I think people must really LOVE me! And people called and wrote nice messages on Facebook for me. And my Daddy bought me a special walking toy that I can push around the hallway (but it is in the mail and not yet here). So my birthday actually lasted this whole week, and longer!

Anyway, the presents were nice. But the cupcake was AMAZING -- I think I want to have a birthday every day because then I can make a mess and spread crumbs everywhere and eat sweet, yummy, goodness. Here are some pics of the grand event. (Oh! If you click on the slideshow, it will take you to the Picasa website where you can see the pictures a little better and print or download).



But in case you aren't convinced how much I truly enjoyed the chocolate cupcake, here's a video. I can't even stop to clap ("thai thai") at my artistic endeavors. I am far too busy eating, no, RELISHING, my treat.

And here are some more random pictures of me since a few weeks ago. I've grown and am doing interesting things... like playing with dishwashers, finding new places to hang out, and feeding myself.



Ok-- that's all I have to report for now. Maybe in a few weeks I will have some more exciting news, like... saying words or first steps, or feeding myself with a spoon. These are the things that my parents are anxiously awaiting (and I CAN do them, sort of... but I like to wait and see them squirm. Shhhhh... don't tell them!)

Love,
Zoë

p.s. One of the teachers at school overheard me saying "baby" but I think I convinced my parents that it was only a fluke. They are so gullible. Ha.