December 2010: Highlights of this month include a visit to the Children's Museum, Christmas, the first major snowfall of the winter, and a trip to Mexico.


December 2, 2010: When Kathy went to pick up Aurora on the first day back after Thanksgiving, she was notified that there had been a case of head lice at the school. Two days later, Aurora had it too and had to leave early. She spent the rest of the day hanging out at Walnut Hill. The next morning, we headed to NitPicker for a professional hair combing/lice removal and lesson. $200 later, Aurora was lice-free. We are so proud of how patient she was, sitting still for over an hour as her hair was combed and recombed. Here Aurora is showing off her well-conditioned hairdo.



December 10, 2010: We headed to the Children's Museum that evening for some playtime. She loves going there and has some favorite activities she spends lots of time doing each time we go there.


Jon is hoping that Aurora will want to help out around the house soon.


As soon as Aurora saw all the books, she immediately sat down and wanted to read them all.


Peep's World, with the sand and water tables, is one exhibit we always explore.


Video: Make a big shadow

We have been going to the Children's Museum for almost a year now, and it is amazing to see how much she has learned to do at each exhibit. She can do so much more now at the water tables.


Video: Spinning spoons

Video: Baba puts on an apron

A year ago, Aurora could barely figure out how to spin the bike pedals, even with our help. Now she sits right down and knows exactly what to do, and likes to watch the lights she turns on.


Bounce!


Video: I can do it myself!



Video: Use your power!

The bubble room!



December 11, 2010: Aurora loves to eat with her "kuai zi" and often asks for them.



December 12, 2010: Two very tired kids.



December 18, 2010: A birthday party at a gymnastics studio. Aurora had a blast!


Video: The Flying Aurora!


December 24, 2010: Various shots of the tree and presents before going to bed. Notice how the lower branches are more heavily decorated than the upper ones...and that ornaments of the same color tend to get grouped together. Can you guess who is responsible for that?



December 25, 2010: Christmas morning! Does Aurora notice the presents under the tree? Hard to tell. She is more excited about the cleared floor. By the way, notice that she is now advertising for Whole Foods.

Video: Christmas morning!

The requisite photos in front of the tree.


Now for the real meaning of Christmas - ripping open presents! This year, Aurora can recognize several letters, so she figured out presents that start with an "A" were hers and those with "B" and "J" labels were for Jon. She was very helpful, assisting us in opening our gifts as well as her own.


Video: The first gift

Video: From santa

Video: "J" for you Baba

Video: "B" for Anthony

Video: "A...A...A...A"

Video: "A" for me

There were so many presents to open, that we had to take a break, eat lunch, nap, and then wait for Uncle Anthony to show up to finish opening them after dinner that evening.



December 27, 2010: We were supposed to be leaving to spend 5 days in Mexico, but instead got stranded at home by a blizzard. Aurora did not seem to mind the cold at all, thanks in large part to the very cozy snowsuit Wai Po bought her.


Video: Whoa! Splish!

Video: Are you silly?