Dear Miriam,
It was Grandma's birthday this month. We gave her a new porch swing for the front porch, and a book of meditations that I picked up when Dad and I went up to the Redwoods in January. I helped you write your name in a birthday card that said, "Home is where Grandma is," which is certainly true. I'm so grateful that she and Grandpa moved to California with us. It has made everything so much easier for us. You should try to make it more worth her while, instead of running off naked every time she's halfway through changing your diaper.
We didn't do a birthday cake for Grandma. Instead, we did an ice cream sundae bar, and everyone got to have their own sundae. I scooped some ice cream in a bowl for you, and then every time we asked you if you wanted a topping, you said yes. Then you just ate the ice cream and not the toppings. Of course.
Uncle Alex and Aunt Lena came up to celebrate with us. They were wondering about the lack of cake. I told them that Grandma always wants an ice cream cake, but I think they're too much trouble. So this was our fun compromise. Aunt Lena was a bit scandalized that the birthday person didn't get to have the dessert that she wanted, which made Grandma and I laugh.
Your stuffed animals have been getting enough play time that I've been sewing them back together. I had to sew up a little penguin. I had to sew up a turtle puppet. One day, I had to sew Mrs. Rabbit's legs back on. A few days later, I found her riding a dragon. It's no wonder they need maintenance.
There was a book fair at school, so you got to get a new book. You chose one that's all about meat eating insects. It came with a big, rubbery centipede, which I think is disgusting. We have read the book a few times, but I think you really just wanted the centipede. Yuck.
It was School Fiesta time, too. When I got there, you had already been in the bouncy house and were waiting to get your face painted. Corbin got a blue dragon, and you got a green dinosaur. Then you went back in the bouncy house and got all sweaty and the face paint all melted down all over your neck and dress. I was worried that the big kids would bounce you around too much, but you didn't seem to mind them. You were mad when we made you get out so we could go home. You kept squirming around, and crying, and I was trying to hold on to you but not get sweaty face paint all over myself. It was a mess. You were so sweaty and gross that I put you and Corbin into the bathtub together as soon as we got home.
We had a visit from some relatives from Grandpa Lam's side of the family. His younger sister Delma and her daughter Amy's family had driven out from Kansas City to go to Disneyland. So they stopped by one afternoon to visit. Their kids, Nathan and Olivia, came with them. I haven't seen them since they came to our wedding--before kids, of course--so it was very nice to have them visit.
We got a box of clothes from Sofia Chapman (via her mom, Becky). There were a couple of t-shirts, some nice leggings, and about a million dresses. One of the dresses was a cheetah print, so you demanded to wear it right away so that you could be a cheetah. I call you my favorite girl a lot, and lots of times you tell me that you're my favorite puppy, or pony, or lion instead. I made you some dinosaur shirts this month, too, using some iron on patches and some plain t-shirts. Unless your tastes start lining up with dominant American culture, it's going to mean some creative clothing options. To be honest, though, I would rather iron patches on t-shirts for the rest of your life than have you wear clothes that you don't like, just because think you should wear them. Life is too short for that kind of nonsense.
Love,
Mom
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