little bitty girl

Every holiday season, it always feels a little more hectic for my family because usually a couple of days after Christmas, we celebrate the Queen Bee's birthday. Who is the Queen Bee, you ask? My grandma, Mama Kang's mama.

Back in the day, Mama (grandma) and Kong Kong (grandpa) weren't so into birth control and this is the result. This is a picture of my Mama with all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. And this isn't even the full crew! It's amazing that I can keep everyone's name straight although I think at some point I am going to have to start writing names down.

We're so large that we usually have to one half of the restaurant blocked off just for us to host these celebrations. I pity Stefan every time he has to go to one of these events. He's only barely starting to get people's names and who everyone belongs to. It's been about five and a half years. I always tell him the most important person he ever needs to remember is Queen Bee and the Crown Princess, my oldest aunt.

We are definitely a very matriachal family. I love that despite there are so many boys in the family, the women definitely rule the roost. It's strange because we're all so dispersed in age, my oldest cousin who is in his forties and my youngest one is about twelve. Some of us are definitely closer in age and friendship than others but there is always a really nice camaraderie between us all.

Every year, I amaze at the growth of all the new little ones and tease all the older ones about their grey hairs. My female cousins especially Sherry, Amy and Angel seem to get younger looking every year despite being mothers of multiple children.

It's also really nice to see the mix of children as a couple of my cousins have married outside our culture. I am always amazed how children of mixed heritage look so completely like themselves and not anyone else. All my little cousins are so gorgeous and I tease their parents about having to beat suitors off with a stick. It also makes me wonder what Stefan and mine children will look like one day.

It's nice to be able to celebrate the holidays with the extended family.

But, in some ways it also makes me sad because I also miss my cousins in Asia whom we used to spend every holiday season with until we moved here. Hopefully one day soon, all of us can celebrate again en masse.