New Haircut and Grandparents Breakfast

Yes, that is a new haircut Longji is sporting (you can see the bald spot at his hairline); however, we did not pay for it. There seems to be a rising star in the field of cosmetology in his classroom. He does not know her name, but he can tell me where she sits in his class. Of course nobody will admit to it...He is still a cutie!

On a better note, he had his first official Grandparents Breakfast today and it seemed to be a delightful event for all parties involved. We got good reports from the grandparents and Longji told John and me that he liked eating with them today at school. He wants to eat with them or Mama and Baba every day.

Longji has reached his 100 checks this week for doing chores and helping out around the house. When he gets to 100 (which usually takes about four weeks) he gets to pick out a toy. It is hilarious watching him look at every toy in such detail to find the perfect one. When I think about it, he did not have six years of going to places like Walmart, Target or Toys-R-Us to pick out toys. He has a lot of kid-stuff to make up for, so we try not to rush such major decisions.

Chinese school is going well. He seems to like it, but he still won't talk to John and I or teach us anything in Mandarin. In time we think he will be more comfortable with it.

Principal's Office, China Belly and Texas Storms

We have been crazy busy here in the Laymon household since school started a few weeks ago. I wanted to jump online quickly tonight to post a few updates. Overall, I would say Longji is doing very well; however, we have had a few incidences at school with him being a little too aggressive...supposedly. Oh, and one visit to the principal's office. Apparently, another little boy hit Longji in the face with a lunch bag and Longji retaliated with a kung fu kick! Probably not the best decision on his part, but at the same time, you can't blame a six year old boy for reacting in such a way. You certainly can't expect to send a six year old from China (only home 3 1/2 months) to the principal's office for a mid afternoon lecture...he has no clue! So John and I have taken an active role in explaining these social situations with Longji by acting out different scenarios. We haven't received any e-mails from the teacher lately so we think this is working a bit.

The other night, the little man decided to bring up mamas and their bellies. He lifted his shirt and pointed to his belly button and said something about a baby in the belly. He then moved to my chair and placed his head on my lap mumbling something about being in Mama's belly (my belly). I, of course, could not respond so John quickly stepped in and gave him an easy, understandable explanation which ended with "My from China belly?" Meanwhile, Jordyn is giving me the eye to see if I am going to break down and cry. I am sure this is not the end of the "China belly" conversation...

I will end on the great Texas storm we had last night. Yes, the one that kept all of us up very late and into the morning. Jackson whined all night and we found one scared little man sitting in his bed, eyes wide open and whining alone in his room. I just knew he would eventually make his way into our room and then it dawned on me, he may be too scared to leave his bed. Sure enough, he was. John rescued him and brought him back to our room. Yes, we let him stay for the rest of the night and a miserable night it was. It was well worth it though. He gives the best hugs and is the cutest little sleepy-head I have ever known. I kind of enjoyed our night together in the bed. He is a squirmy worm and I couldn't do it every night, but I figure I have six years to make up for so I can give up a night's sleep for his comfort.

He is such a blessing...

We lost a tooth!

Longji lost his first tooth today at school. I went to pick him up and he was wearing a "Lost Tooth Club" sticker. I asked him about it and he proudly showed me the new hole in his mouth. Apparently, he wiggled it out of his mouth today after lunch...brave little man he is. He was so excited to show me. We had to rush over to John's football practice so he could show him too. We came home today and he insisted on taking a picture of the tooth. Oh, he is so cute.

As for school, he had a pretty good first week. We meet with the teacher next week so I will have a better idea how he actually is doing in class. It has been crazy here in the Laymon household, but I will try to post more often in the future as things slow down.

First Day of School!

Okay, so I cried like a baby...I tried so hard to hold it together and it was impossible. Poor Longji was consoling me.

John woke him up this morning and he asked for an orange and bread with jelly for breakfast. He was still half a sleep when he was eating. He got dressed and brushed his teeth, we took a few pictures and then we were out the door. We got to school way too early so we sat in the cafeteria waiting for dismissal to the hallway. Then he was the only one in the hallway so I couldn't leave just yet. After a few minutes other kids showed up and then John insisted it was time to go. Longji seemed just fine. He was so handsome in his little outfit. We met to pick him up after school and he told us, "I like this school." Definitely a good sign. He seemed to be having a good time during after school care and he told us he made a friend.

When we were little my mom would take the first day of school off (which is kind of hard for John and I considering we are teachers) and she would make each of us a big cookie. I decided to start this tradition (at least the cookie part)with Longji so after we got him in bed last night we baked a giant cookie for after school. He loved it! I am looking forward to day two.

Qi Qiao Jie - Chinese Valentines Day

We attended our first FCC event this evening with Longji. John and I have attended two in the past without him, but tonight was his first official FCC event! We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant to celebrate Chinese Valentines Day. During dinner a clown showed up at about 6:45pm and entertained the kids for a while. She made balloon animals and shapes, moved on to some magic tricks and then did some face/hand painting. Longji picked the spiderman for his hand. He seemed like he had a good time. He did not interact too much with the other children (they were mostly girls), but I think he really enjoyed the clown. This morning I had to work at school so John took Longji to Lowes for the kids project and he built a bug box. It's pretty cute and he earned his second patch. He also went to a football game with John so he has had a pretty eventful day. If I think about it I will try to post a picture tomorrow of the bug and his patches.

My little fisherman!

Okay, I had to post this one...it is one of my new favorites. John took Adam Longji fishing yesterday and he came home with only one picture, but it is a priceless one! I love it! We are now slowly transitioning to the name Adam. He seems okay with it, but we are moving slowly. I did share my phone number last night with Longji before bed. I explained what it is for and why it is important to know our phone numbers. He practiced calling me from John's phone. This morning during breakfast he spit out the seven digits! Amazingly smart if you ask me...

As for the tooth, he is realizing now that it is going to be a little sore the looser it gets so we are not so into the whole "get money for the teeth" concept anymore. Little does he know, eventually it will fall out. School is right around the corner and we still get the look when we talk about it, but I think he is going to be just fine. Now for myself...that's another story.

3 Months Today!

Okay, so we met our little prince three months ago today...can't believe it. It seems like he has physically been with us longer, though he has been in our hearts forever. I still wouldn't change a thing and I love every minute of it! Even the "crabby" days. The tooth is a little looser, but still attached. I am hoping it will hold on until 1st grade pictures, but who knows. He is ready for school as far as clothes and supplies go and we continue to talk about it daily to prepare him for that 1st big day. I talk to myself about it too...because I need a little preparation. I am definitely going with the waterproof mascara the first day!