Tori speaks Zhongwen!

When Andy and I first started learning Chinese, we often would (and still do) teach the kids new Chinese words for things. For the longest time, Tori would tell us that she couldn't speak Chinese and would refuse to even try. Recently though, she has been picking up new words left and right. Now there are many words that she rarely says in English. The other day Tori and I were walking and she pointed to a canal and asked me, "Mommy is that shui (water)?" And she never says apple, but almost always calls them ping guo. Last Friday I was having lunch with a friend at a Chinese restaurant. Tori was trying all kinds of things, but the standard end of the meal at every Chinese restaurant is fruit (usually watermelon). The waiter brought out a plate of watermelon and Tori was SO excited! She kept telling us, "They have xi gua here!" The other woman and I each had one slice and Tori ate the rest (about 6 or 7 slices). There were 5 or so waiters hovering around our table (of course watching that cute little girlie) and because she so enjoyed the first batch of watermelon one of them brought another plate. Tori excitedly exclaimed in a very loud voice: XI GUA (watermelon)! All the people watching laughed. When the Chinese hear our little blondies break out in Chinese, they find it quite humorous. We are just excited that she is choosing to speak ANY Chinese. ;-)