Dance Class

Rikki LOVES dancing and music so what could be better than a dance class? When I went to mine in Berkeley, I stopped a little early, so she could have a turn. I was expected to stand OUTSIDE the door so she could do it herself. She is very independent these days -- always asserting "That's mine." and "No touch!" and "I wanna ba daself"

I don't have video of her at my neighbor Miles the pianist's house, but she was observing a rehearsal of some soloists, when she kept saying, "I wanna my turn." They graciously allowed her a spot in the limelight, and it turned out she didn't just want to sing, she wanted to sing AND play the piano. There was much applause.

Talking to Nana

We took some time to chat with Nana when we were in Berkeley, but the phone seemed more interesting than the conversation...

Bye bye Berkeley

We said goodbye to all our friends in Berkeley, including baby Tsoshung, Sonam the nanny's daughter. They are nearly the same size but Tsoshung is just turning one now.

Rikki loved going to the park with her, pushing her on the swings, telling her not to put things in her mouth, holding the edge of the coffee table so she didn't bump her head.

It was also good practice sharing, though Tsoshung loved baobao so much we gave her one of her own.

Farewell for now

We said goodbye this morning to Davis and Olive, and we will see them back in Chicago next week...

Warming up

On a cool day in Berkeley, Olive had a warm-up for her big Birthday bash next week in Chicago.

Reunion

We had a dim-sum and playground playdate with Rikki's "sisters" from our China travel group. (Note the arm around Kira.)

Holding hands

She was excited to have Sylvie (Sulbie in her voice) over and wanted to hold her hand. This shot is in front of what she calls "Mama house," my house in Berkeley where we are staying for a few weeks. When we got here, she kept saying, "I like mama house!". And when we go out, she says, "Bye bye mama house!"

Old friends

Rikki got to play with Kira, one of her friends from the orphanage in China, in Kira's backyard. You should have seen them chattering away!

Having fun in California

We've been here for the last two weeks - and escaped the Chicago heat wave. This pic was taken on a turtle sculpture at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.