Merry Christmas to All

By MAGGIE WANG

Kevin came home from New Orleans on Christmas Eve, just in time for us to join everyone at his sister's place in the Palisades for a festive Christmas (Dings, Changs and Wangs).

Upon arrival, Maven was the shining star in her Christmas-colored outfit and girlish headband, courtesy of A-Ma Ding, who also dressed Sedona.

Maven is able to stand by herself while holding on to something and is gradually figuring out how to cruise with assistance.

Even though I had to tell Kevin when he asked via phone while away for the previous week that Sedona wasn't really asking much for him, Sedona was super happy to be with Kevin when he did return. She was glued to him all day.

Maven celebrated this Elmo gift from A-Gong Ding. It plays a "Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?" song that is catchy enough that Kevin remembers it from his childhood.

Kevin admitted that he didn't really mind too much that Sedona was glued to him, because he missed her, too.

Christmas-card-quality photo of the host family here! We also celebrated Kris' 40th birthday; she was a Christmas baby.

On Christmas Day, Kevin had a Lakers game -- as has been the case every year since we met in 1999 -- but at least this year he was "home" in Los Angeles. My parents, Felix, Lulu and the Boole-Williams family came over to keep us company.

Riley and Sedona exchanged presents despite a no-presents rule that Whitney and I set for ourselves ... a rule that Whitney and I both broke.

Teacher Lulu was appropriately prepared with an activity: cutting shapes for cookies. The girls had so much fun ...

... although we parents had to deal with the aftermath of our girls wanting to eat only cookies.

Sedona definitely understood the concept of presents. She enjoyed opening them and got some really great gifts. I was surprised that she didn't want to tear into all the gifts.

Sedona cheerfully posed with the height-measurement surfboard that surfer-boy A-Gu Felix gave her. We already put it up on the wall right next to Sedona's bed.

Maven's first Christmas was nice. She is definitely no longer a little baby not getting what's going on. She loves observing everything around her and enjoys moving all around the house. Her favorite game now is sitting in Sedona's little rocking chair with full knowledge that it's the right size for her to stand up and grab on to Kevin's fingers.

We hope everyone had a very happy holiday, and before you leave, don't forget to vote in our two polls (regarding whom the girls most resemble) near the top of the right side of this page!

Maven's "Candy"

By MAGGIE WANG

* pictures taken 12/17/08

Because Maven doesn't quite comprehend Christmas yet, she has been opening her larger gifts early...

A-Ma & A-Gong Ding got Maven this fun Radio Flyer rocking horse named Candy. Sedona sweetly asked Maven, "Permission? Can I open your present, Maven?" ... and then dug right into the box (as documented on video below).

Sedona is so great with Maven, who sure looks more grown up these days? It's happening too fast!

Because Maven didn't look nearly as cute in the prior picture, I needed to include one of her smiling. Isn't she pretty darned adorable, too?

YAY! Sedona realizes she can get into the rocking as well (especially on the rare days it rains in L.A., as seen behind her), but she understands it is Maven's toy. Thanks, A-Gong & A-Ma Ding!

Look at Maven! She's starting to eat teething biscuits.

As you can tell, she is loving them.

Sedona's First Tennis Racquet

By SEDONA DING

Daddy is away working for the week, so the rest of us went and stayed with A-Gong Toshi & A-Ma Alice. It was fun bonding with them and playing with doggies Inu and Crystal. I love kissing them and telling them to "Sit!" and "Be Nice!"

Today while Mommy brought Maven on a playdate with Ronin in Glendale, Alice A-Ma & A-Gong Toshi brought me to play tennis for the first time with my pigtails and my new pink Prince Maria Sharapova-model racquet.

I got super excited to see all the balls I would get to hit.

It was interesting to find out what one is supposed to do with this racquet thing that Mommy always carries to what we call "gym class."

I came away loving my racquet, as you can see in my face. I hope Daddy decides to pick up tennis again -- he hasn't played since he was a little guy sorta like me -- so I can play with him, too. Hmm, Mommy and me against Daddy and Maven! Fair teams!

After tennis we hit the Bel-Air Crest private park.

Maven wasn't there to see my first overhead smashes, so here is a cute picture of her. She is actually eyeing a ball to put in her mouth. When is a bigger like me, she'll know that playing with a tennis racquet is much more fun than baby stuff!

P.S. - Maven can say 'Mama' now!

12/14/08: Can you do an African tribal dance? "Maybe later."

12/14/08: None for Sedona. ... Why?

12/11/08: Reclining Maven

11/29/08: The Red Balloon Hunt

My new big chair, plus Kobe's Santa chair

By MAVEN DING

I swear there is a correlation between physical activity and blog fame. I have definitely noticed I'm getting much more face time on our beloved family blog since I've gotten more mobile!

In this photo I am fortunately immobile (I haven't fallen off this thing yet!). I received my first Christmas present Thursday, compliments of Alice A-Ma & Toshi A-Gong. It's my very own chair, with my name even in the very same font as Sedona's rocking chair (in the backdrop of this photo and more prominent in the next photo).

As you can see, Sedona likes my comfy chair, too. (And I actually very much like rocking in her chair, although adult supervision is certainly advised.)

Why is this Santa chair purple and gold (and why is it so big that Santa might presumably fit better if he is 6-foot-6)? On Saturday, Aunt Eugenia invited my mommy to attend a really cool charity event she was hosting. Eugenia is the director of community relations for the Lakers, and her holiday party was for unpriliveged children to enjoy some big-time perks in the form of food, games and meeting the Lakers' players. Kobe Bryant sat in the Santa chair for photos with the kids, but when he vacated the seat, Sedona was quite confident she deserved to ascend to the throne.

Sedona wanted to sit there by herself, but Eugenia, Daddy and I wormed our way in there. I think I deserved Kobe's chair more anyway, because earlier Kobe had come over to us and without even asking excitedly moved in to pick me up out of Daddy's arms and enjoy holding me. Sedona did get a high-five request from Kobe a minute later, but the totally blank expression on her face got him to give up immediately and switch to a low-five in which he patted her unopened hand.

Requiring ... so ... much ... concentration. What am I doing? Well, Mommy gave me freeze-dried apple pieces tonight to munch on for the first time. I'm not sure I should be eating these things yet, but I'm enjoying them immensely ... and Mommy and Daddy are enjoying how well I occupy myself trying to eat them. Sedona is enjoying them, too, even if she only wants them because I'm eating them. (Here's a secret: Sedona has been sucking on her two fingers like me sometimes. Funny! I thought I was supposed to copy my big sister, not the other way around.)

I think the struggle is worth it. These things are pretty yummy.

I'm 8 months old!

By MAVEN DING

Austin in the O.C.

By MAVEN DING

Our Sunday in the O.C. started with a visit to the Tully-Lev residence for a playdate with Austin. He is quickly catching up to me in weight and really getting some nice fat leg rolls going. We went on to see the cool upgrades that Mommy's clients Fermin and Laura made to their house (Mag and Sarah referred their friends to work with Mommy). Then it was off to watch Daddy, Uncle Mag and A-Gu Felix win their softball game ... or at least I heard that's what happened while I was enjoying Sedona pushing me around in my stroller.

I'm not sure if Austin was eyeing his toy that I put in my mouth, but everything goes in my mouth. He should know that. He's in the same stage as I am.

I have to admit that I was in a crabby mood today -- very unlike me. I wanted Mommy to hold me most of the day, so Sedona went ahead and turned on the charm. She had A-Gu Felix making phone calls for her and was simultaneously petting Austin. (Sedona couldn't get her hands on Austin's rather standoffish kitty, Bicha, despite repeated overtures.)

While I nuzzled with my mommy, Sedona let Austin lean on him. She can be very nurturing. Isn't she great?!

Bonding with Janna, Anita and Kai-lan!

By SEDONA DING

My 4 1/2-year-old neighbor Janna came over with her newborn brother, Jason, for a playdate Friday. We ran around the house pretending to ride a horse and had a ball coloring, too.

I really like Janna ... as you can see in my smiles!

Today, I went to Kaitlyn's birthday party (sorry, no pictures; she turned 7). I spent the majority of my time following her 4-year-old little sister, Sydney, around. For some reason, I really respect (and enjoy) my elders when it comes hanging out with other kids; I'm not shy or hesitant about giving or recieving hugs from the older girls ... just my peers.

My mommy has said she looks forward to when I'm 4 and Maven is 2. I think I'll be a pretty good bossy sister given my ongoing track record of telling her what to do.

After my playdate with Janna, Auntie Anita came to visit! I haven't seen her since she got married! She spent time with Maven while I watched the great Chinese-themed cartoon Mommy found for me on Nick Jr.: "Ni Hao, Kai-lan" before bedtime. It is great at teaching cause-and-effect thinking, along with some Chinese words. Daddy's favorite character is Hoho, the cute little monkey, but I announced tonight that my (latest) favorite character is koala bear Tolee, who is the "thinker of the group."

Hermosa Tree Lighting

By MAVEN DING

I woke up this morning to Sedona kissing and hugging me. I was already ready to start the new day ... after all, today is Mommy & Maven day (we have our regular class Thursdays).

My class had a field trip to the Hermosa Beach Tree Lighting, so Sedona was invited to tag along ... and somehow it turned into one of her playdates with her usual crew (see below).

Luckily, A-ma Ding joined us so that I had someone to play with while Daddy was away in Washington, D.C. (I do give Mommy credit for wearing the "Maven" hoodie that Daddy got for her on Mommy & Maven day, even if you can only see the "M" in this photo.)

A-Ma Ding is so much fun. I love her!

--

By SEDONA DING

Maven is right. It turned into my personal playdate, and I did have a super great time.

Every once in a while I can get affectionate with my pal, Riley. Aren't we cute? Our mommies have begun playing tennis together, so while they are kicking some butt, we play together in in what we call "gym class" (day-care service at the gym).

We did a lot of running on the pier, which I managed in my new cozy boots. Mommy put them (unwrapped) under the Christmas tree the day after it went up, and I went down there to get them out right away so I could break them in by wearing them around the house.

"Chase me! Chase me!"

One more note to cap the night: Maven woke up crying later this evening, so I tried to be helpful by screaming out, "Mommy, hold Maven! Mommy, hold Maven." Mommy and Daddy have been working with Maven lately on putting herself back to sleep lately -- her two-finger-sucking technique isn't totally working for her anymore -- and usually I just sleep right through, no matter that Maven is there in the same room.

Yesterday, I was also pretty funny, if I do say so myself. I have a sleep routine: put on pajamas and Sleep Sack, brush teeth, read two books and then get tucked into bed. My mommy was busy, so A-Gong Toshi thought he could do it ... just by dropping me in bed. Um, hardly. After Mommy discovered what he had done, she came to get me to do my routine. I chuckled when Mommy came back and I said, "A-Gong Toshi did wrong! A-Gong Toshi wrong!"

Cooking with Sedona

By MAGGIE WANG

A-Ma Alice came to visit, and look who did some cooking!