People born under Chinese sign of Monkey are great fun to be around. Monkeys are bouncy people, always young at heart, born entertainers, loving pranks and riddles. Happiest when they have an audience, they love social gatherings that are light-hearted. Others forgive their tendency to show off because they are such fun to have around. People born under this sign are intelligent and quick thinkers. However, this can lead to impatience with others and boredom.

Monkeys attract many friends because they are amusing and witty. However, they are not particularly loyal or reliable. They are so busy several interests at once that they often ignore others. They don't intend to be hurtful, it's just that their enthusiasm gets better of them. Monkeys are best suited to flexible, fast moving careers that can meet their need for change. Few Monkeys stay in same career for life.

There are twelve Chinese year signs in Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Legend has it that as Buddha was about to depart earth he summoned all animals to say goodbye. Only twelve turned up so, to show his appreciation of their loyalty, he vowed that from then on each year would bear name of one of animals. Chinese astrology is based on Lunar Calendar. This means Chinese New Year does not fall on same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consult charts to determine correct sign.

Chinese Years: February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006: Rooster

January 22, 2004 - February 8, 2005: Monkey

February 1, 2003 - January 21, 2004: Goat

I must say that there's absolutely nothing quite like it at all.

When was it that he got so big? He's almost too big to fit into my arms as his legs dangled off edge of my other arm. He speaks almost in adult-fashion now but in child lingo. He has mastered art of writing and drawing a very funny and ‘individualistic' sketch of sun and a smiley face. He is old enough to tell me that his favorite color is red and favorite number is 4. I know I am his mom but effects of being a protector, a caregiver; a mom has never failed to astound me.

Sometimes daily needs outweigh needs of our children. Their need to have us by their sides to kiss wounds and to heal tantrums. They need us – now what else can be more important than that. They need us to tell them that it's OK when others are not nice to them and that they don't have to avenge bad behavior of others. They need us to tell them that it's OK to feel bad when they've made a mistake and are asked to say sorry for mistakes. They need us to bring them out in playground and teach them about nature, about living and about world. They need us. Period.