Some Funny Moments

* The other day, Aaron and I walked in the house from a doctor appointment, and he LOUDLY and EXCITEDLY was telling Donovan something. I assumed it was, "Big Brother Donovan, Big Brother Donovan, I'm home!" Nope. Rupert translated. Aaron was shouting, "Big Brother Donovan, Big Brother Donovan, I didn't puke in the car!" This comment continues every time we return from a car ride. Aaron encountered severe motion sickness in China, especially on our 2 1/2 hour drive to his orphanage, and on our flight to Hong Kong from Guangzhou, which was supposed to be an hour but took two as we circled around Hong Kong for an hour unable to land due to rain and heavy clouds above Hong Kong. For our big flight from HK to JFK, we gave Aaron Benadryl every 6 hours. (We had not thought to bring Dramamine, as I hadn't even thought about motion sickness, and hadn't known it could be given to a 3 year old. We were told by several parents of kids who have motion sickness that Benadryl may be used with similar results, so we tried it.) Suffice to say we will be buying stock in Dramamine and ginger products. Luckily a 4 hour trip to the coast of Maine or Cape Cod, a 3 hour trip to Santa's Village, or a 2 1/2 hour trip to Albany, NY is the extent of our travels at this point in our family's life! For local car rides, we are training Aaron to look out the windows, and certainly the new experience of riding UP HIGH in a CARSEAT helps a bit with that. (I must say riding in vehicles in China where carseats are not used made me a bit nervous!!)

* A few nights ago we ordered food from my student's family's Chinese Restaurant, which we love. As I walked in the house with the food, Donovan announced, "Mommy got that food IN CHINA!" Rupert and I giggled, confirming it as CHINESE food. Probably Customs wouldn't have allowed that, right!

* Several neighbors have jokingly commented about our two boys and their tendency to both pee in the front yard together. (We have yet to have a peeing "war," but have had some hysterical moments.) Last summer I always had Donovan's potty in the garage/driveway for him to use. I had totally forgotten this, and while enjoying our wonderful weather this past weekend (prior to the snowstorm), when Aaron had to pee, he simply did so outside. (This is the way it is done in China for young children, with or without split pants. We would be walking along the sidewalk or pedestrian streets, and children from 1-4 would be squatting down peeing or having a BM on the street or sidewalk. Not quite what you would see on Church Street [in Burlington, VT], or any other U.S. street. But apparently my front yard is fair game for three year old boys who need to pee.) (Luckily they do at least face the house, with just bare bums showing to the neighbors...We'll remember the potties once we have consistent summerlike weather.)

* The two brothers playing Doctor, fixing me up. Just hysterical and definitely need to get it on video.