Ms. Zhou and Maddie's Fridays

Maddie did not go to school during our first year in China as she was too young. So she stayed home every single day with Ms. Zhou, Maddie's ayi. I was so interesting watching their relationship grow. As Maddie was learning to speak English coherently, she was learning how to understand and speak Chinese. Andy and I quickly learned that we should not even try to speak Chinese to Maddie... it just doesn't make sense for a non-Chinese person to speak Chinese to her. So over the past year and a half, Ms. Zhou has used very little English with Maddie. I love coming home from school and sneaking in the house simply because I can hear them in the back room chattering away in Chinese having tea parties and paint sessions!

Ms. Zhou stays overnight at our house every Friday. She has her own room right next to Maddie's and we all seem to treasure the time. Andy and I get to have an official "date night" to unwind from busy weeks and Maddie gets her Ms. Zhou time back. Since Maddie has started to go to school, she only gets a few hours with Ms. Zhou each day... that's quite a shock after having all day with her! Ms. Zhou picks Maddie up from school everyday and they ride bicycles or walk home. On Fridays, Andy and I make it home for a quick kiss and a hug before they are off to the movies at the children's playhouse where we live. They stay there for a few hours and then head home for a night full of bubble baths and children's books in Chinese. I love it that Ms. Zhou bought a Dora the Explorer book in Chinese about how fun it is to go to the dentist! We have a plan of attack!

Maddie loves this time with Ms. Zhou. Ms. Zhou is in her 50s but her energy is boundless and she just giggles and chatters with Maddie all of the time! Fridays are the true special time though because it's their quality time without mom and dad around!