#mini lee

Fortunately we landed soon afterwards, and Mini Lee was greeted by warm welcomes. The next day we went on a tour of the wine country nearby. Fascinated by the long straight rows of plantings in the vineyards, Mini Lee climbed up on a vine to take a closer look at the grapes. “These are so tiny and green!”

From tiny green grapes on the vine to vino in the bottle, Mini Lee enjoyed learning about the wine-making process. But to tell the truth, he was much more interested in tasting the end product (especially when it came with delicious snacks).

Very quickly Mini Lee picked up the wine-tasting lingo. “Hmmm, I love the fruity nose on this varietal.”

He was determined to taste everything he could before picking out a few bottles to bring home. “I can’t decide between the white and the rosé. Can I have another sip of each?” Careful there, Mini Lee, you’re turning into a two-fisted drinker!

Oops, someone had a little too much saké!

Mini Lee decided to take a nap while the rest of us finished touring the winery, but when I came back to fetch him he was gone! Just as I was about to panic, I heard a loud giggle from behind the fence, followed by a shout: “Wheeeee, look at meeeee!!” 

I managed to catch him just as he slid off the edge of the “Wino Crossing” sign. “No more alcohol for you, young man!” 

After a good night’s sleep, it was time to eat again (what else does one do at family gatherings?), and we decided to go out for a dim sum brunch. “Oh boy oh boy oh boy, I LOVE dim sum!” Mini Lee exclaimed, rubbing his tummy in anticipation. 

“Aha, soup dumplings, my favorite!” 

“Ooh, yummy har gow! Har har, I love those too!”

“No wait, actually my favorite is cha siu bao! But I can’t finish these – can we bring them home?” 

Yes, Mini Lee, but at this rate you’ll soon become Fat Pei Pei! 

He also had fun playing hide-and-seek among the lilacs and the dogwoods.

After a couple of hours walking around the Arboretum, climbing up and down trees and playing with all the kids running around on the grass, it was time for us to leave. (To tell the truth, Mini Lee was getting hungry -- it was past his lunchtime!) But as we walked past a very tall tree, Mini Lee turned and asked if I would take a picture of him in front of the tree.

"Sure. Is this what you had in mind?” I showed him the photo. 

“Umm, can you go a little to the left?”

I took another photo. “Oops, now it’s a little too much on the other side,” he said. “Can you go back just a tiny bit?” “No problem,” I said, “how about this?”

“Perfect! Ahahahah, doesn’t this look like I’ve got antlers growing out of my head?” 

*facepalm* I knew I shouldn’t have let Mini Lee binge-watch Pushing Daisies...

When I finally opened the third box, lo and behold – the long-awaited Mini Lee!

He seemed none the worse for wear after such a long journey (across THREE continents!), and immediately jumped out of his comfy berth and plopped right into the cloud of brightly colored crepe paper. 

“What’s underneath?” he said. “Let’s dig it up!” Before I could help him, he had already wadded up the crepe paper and tossed it out of the box, and was now standing on top of a large white envelope wrapped with pretty ribbons.

“Oooh, open it, please! I have a feeling there’s something special inside.” And he was right! A lovely card commemorating the Keeping Pace with Nature campaign in honor of Big (Jumbo? Mega?) Lee’s 37th birthday, together with some adorable pictures of Mini Lee himself.

While I was busy putting away the card and the photos, I heard more rustling behind me and a shout of “Woohoo! There’s something else down here!” I turned around just in time to see Mini Lee gleefully tearing open a beautifully wrapped package that was at the bottom of the box. 

I was going to ask Mini Lee to be careful with the ribbons and the wrapping paper – they were so beautiful I wanted to save them for later if I could – but it was too late. 

“Haha, look at this!” he cried triumphantly. “It feels so nice and soft. But, umm, what is it?” When I finally disentangled Mini Lee from the nest of crepe paper and ribbons and took out what’s inside, it turned out to be a beautifully made T-shirt imprinted with the logo for the Keeping Pace with Nature campaign. 

He pondered for a moment and decided, “Well, it’s kinda big for me, but maybe it’ll fit you.” I thanked him for his generosity but didn’t have the heart to tell him that the shirt was actually meant for me. 

“Well, I’m starving,” Mini Lee declared, rubbing his tummy. “What’s for dinner?” (to be cont’d.)

Mini Lee: Arrival

Enormous thanks to the super-talented @halapipita for making Mini Lee and to the lovely ladies at @leepacefansnetwork for sending me all these wonderful gifts (and especially to @cautious-swimmer for wrapping everything so beautifully!). 😘💗💋💕 to you all!