Early Christmas shopping at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland -- Photo diary of baby-sitters: 9

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland at Frankenmuth, MI is dubbed as the largest and most comprehensive Christmas store in the States and it is only 10-15 minutes drive away from where Ben & Gabi live.


The store is as large as 1.5 football fields having all kinds of Christmas ornaments, lights, trees, collectibles, and nativities; if you couldn’t find what you want, you do not need it.

So we took Ben and Gabi for an early Christmas shopping in August; Christmas shopping comes earlier every year.

Baby sitting is a full time job -- Photo diary of baby-sitters: 8

What’s “The Shack” got to do with baby-sitting? Before leaving for Michigan for our delightful baby-sitting mission, Thinking I will have lots of time on hand for three and half days: no clinic, no hospital rounds, no calls from the nurses or the patients, I well prepared bringing Moby-Dick, The Collected Works of Oscar Wilde, and Barbra Walters’ Audition (lest Janice would say that I only read deceased authors), or so I thought.

It turned out I never opened the books I brought with me. I noticed a book Jo was reading: William Young’s The Shack; I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. However, I could only manage to read it half way through during the next three days. I couldn’t even read even when they’re watching TV for I had to listen to their commentaries, especially Gabi’s.  If I went away for a few minutes, Gabi would walk to the kitchen (A woman’s job in the kitchen is never done! Katy was making rice dumpling or 肉粽—Jo and Sean’s favorite) asking Ah-ma “where is Ah-gong?” Gaby kept an eye on me just as if she were baby sitting me.

I even brought my iPod and never used it as I had to keep vigilant watching any move or listening for any noise or cry, such as “I want mommy” (unfortunately, I never did, Jo) even after they went to bed; baby-sitting is a full time job.

We left our hearts in Micgigan -- Photo diary of baby-sitters: 7

We arrived Wednesday evening and Jo and Sean left 4 o’clock next morning. Waking up in the morning at her usual hour, Gabi noticed that Katy and I were the only ones around; she was quiet but visibly not happy; she was contemplating how to respond. We left her alone for 5 or 10 minutes. No sooner did Katy bring her up, than she cried; it was obviously a symbolic one; she needed to make effort to keep it going. After a few minutes she stopped crying, realizing she has done her duty to make Jo feel better that she was being missed. For the next 3 and half days she woke up in the morning, took her nap in the afternoon and went to bed in the evening as a happy girl.

Jo has told Ben before they left and on the second day Ben began to ask what day they're coming home; he obviously began to have the concept of "duration" of time.


We always complimented Gabi whenever she peed or pooped and that might have led Gabi asking to pee more often than she needed. Once she asked to pee and Katy hurried bringing her upstairs; upon reaching the bath room, she said she didn't need to pee. Katy said "you're tricking me," to which Gabi whispered to Katy's ear, "no, I just want you to hold me!"


This is how we fell for Gabi who exudes her charm in her own way, and this is why we left our hearts in Michigan.


WeiChen Tsai Gabi responded, “No, I just want you to hold me!”..... 哈哈哈! 她真是超可愛的! 難怪你們left your hearts in Michigan.
Peggy Cancelmi thank heaven for little girls....

An artist at work -- photo diary of baby-sitters: 6

Sean’s (dad) family is a family of artists; Katy’s artistic talent is also well known and Gaby is no exception; she is not shy in showing her talents. Ben is an art instructor.

An artist at work

Playtime at play grounds -- Photo diary of baby-sitters: 5

Recess time at two play grounds. Gaby tried to follow Ben and did every thing he did, but she knew her limit; certain Ben’s daredevil or not lady-like acts, she would stay put and watched. In the end, she still did most of what Ben did and truly enjoyed herself.

Who says saying good-bye has to be a sad occasion? -- Photo diary of baby sitters: 4

The day before Jo and Sean returned, I began to ask Ben and Gaby whether they wanted to come back to Pennsylvania with us. When I told Gaby that we’re going home tomorrow and “Do you want to go with us?” she said “Pennsylvania!” So I began to ask “Who wants to go to Pennsylvania?” Gaby would raise her hand and say “Gaby”, Ben would say, “No, you don’t!”

When Jo and Sean came back, I asked Gabi again “Who wants to go to Pennsylvania?” she smiled, pointing me and said “YOU!”

I am hoping this photo shows they are happy for Jo and Sean’s coming back, not for our leaving.  Who says saying good-bye has to be a sad occasion?

Gabi is a TV commentator -- Photo diary of baby-sitters: 3

While baby sitting I had to forsake my baseball and thankfully I was spared by the agony of Pirates being swept by Milwaukee Brewers while I was away. Pirates shouldn’t leave home at all; they are being welcomed wherever they go; it was the 13 straight losses on the road at Wrigley Field (Chicago) last night.

Ben picked all the TV programs or tapes and they watched attentively; Gaby would give me her commentary from time to time, often revealing the action or excitement to come.

含飴弄孫 -- Photo diary of baby-sitters: 1

We’re invited to be the baby sitters for Ben & Gabi for 3 ½ days, dubbed as my birthday gift—the best one ever. I’ll post some photos here to document our work and also to let the parents know what they have missed.


The Chocolate Covered Fruits from Harry & David come with different flavor (vanilla, blue berry, and strawberry) with various sizes. Ben and Gabi had to cover their eyes to hunt for one at a time, making it more fun to get their favorite one. Gabi was apparently pleased with what she got.

WeiChen Tsai 真是一個幸福快樂的阿公!

陳英毅 含飴弄孫，其樂無窮！

Jer-Yuan Tsai 說得好, “飴” (sweet) is what we used to reach their hearts by way of mouths.

Dining out at MacDonald -- Photo diary of baby-sitters: 2

We took Ben & Gabi out for shopping or dining everyday; They both chose their own dress/clothes with obviously different styles and tastes; you can see Gabi dressed as if she were going to a fancy restaurant—their favorite MacDonald. I had to finish Ben’s cheeseburger, but he asked and got his second chocolate milk and helped finishing Gabi’s 10-piece MacNuggets.


I brought a MacDonald apron for Gabi, she smiled, refusing to put it on saying "I am not a baby."