Cooking Chinese style

Taylor has a NEED for Chinese food. She doesn't just want it she needs it, craves it. It seems to be really important to her that we like Chinese food too. It's like, by liking her food, we like all things China. It is hard to explain unless you hear her talk about it but as a family who never ate Chinese food before Taylor came into our life we have taken the food as our own and try to eat something Asian a couple times a week. But take out is expensive and sooo the mom who doesn't much like to cook actually bought a Chinese cookbook and Taylor and I are cooking together. Its lots of fun, easy really and she is so appreciative it makes me humble. Again acceptance of her food is just something that's a big deal to her.
Last night we made spicy cashew chicken. I need a wok, we did all this in a regular old frying pan, but this weekend we're getting ourselves a wok so we can do this thing up right!
By Chinese New Year we'll be ready to cook up a feast!

Happy 6th Birthday!

Yesterday was officially Taylor's Birthday. She has been waiting so long to be 6! She waited very patiently for Sara and Chuck to get in last night and then she got to open her presents from us, Emilee, and Sara and Chuck. She went to sleep with her new Build-A-Bear Bunny who got clothes and a stroller and cool Build-A-Bear make up kit from all of us, as well a a whole season of Full House. Had to watch some of that before she could go go bed :)

Today was the day of the big "all girls" party. This party was just what Taylor dreamed of...makeup and fingernail polish and playing with really good friends. We are so thankful to the moms of her friends who took the time to bring their girls to make this day so special.

Emilee and Sara decorated with streamers and balloons and it was all topped off with a Barbie ballerina cake, and Taylor's big sisters helped apply make up and helped with crafts - the girls made little picture frames and bracelets too.

Tonight we're all going to the football game at our university - go LU!! Tomorrow after church we all go to my mom's for lunch where Taylor will get yet one more party time to receive her present from her grandparents and cousins. wheeww. Glad birthdays only come once a year!

Newest member of the family

My parents just got a new little puppy, a blue heeler and she's such a cutie! Taylor has had to visit her every afternoon since they got her Sunday evening. She seems so calm but very playful too. She has a special plant of my mom's she keeps trying to chew on and it's purple. Taylor says that's because it's her favorite color lol. This little girl is named Dixie and she has a cleft lip which makes her always look like she's smiling :) This puppy stuff has renewed Taylor's plea to get a puppy of her own - we told her we'd talk aobut it when she turned 6 - that's when 6 seemed a long way off. Now she's going to be 6 next week! We're going to have to think of something else to ward off new puppy ownership for awhile lol.