Browse Category: holidays

Memorial Day Weekend – Part 2

IMG_7233On Sunday morning, I took the parents out for breakfast.  We almost lost KK’s sweatshirt there but someone ended up finding it and we were able to get it back by the afternoon.

IMG_5702We later went to church but it was cut short when Jes’ mom came in to retrieve us so that we could meet up with his dad between meetings.

IMG_5710In the afternoon, Jes and I went to Dayantha’s house to visit them and to meet Oliver.  He’s almost 7 months old and so adorable.

IMG_5712I realized we hadn’t seen them since last year’s Hawaii trip for Yoon’s wedding.  Krissy was in the very early part of her pregnancy then and hadn’t told anyone yet.IMG_5726It was nice being able to catch up with them finally.

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For dinner, we met up with Pish and his family for our usual Thai feast at the usual place.  Marie and her family were in San Diego this weekend so it was a smaller group this time around.

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Unfortunately KK slept right though dinner and missed out on the good food.IMG_5737

Before heading back to the Magical House, we went to Creamistry for some ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.  Alice loves playing in the steam.IMG_5743We all shared a little scoop of Cinnamon Crunch ice cream.  It was yummy in its own right but made me miss Secret Breakfast.

IMG_5798On Monday morning, it was time to pack up and drive back to SF.  The drive was long and challenging because of all the congestion on the interstate.  There were times where the traffic would go from 70 mph to 0 in just a couple seconds.  Scary.  It’s nice to be home after such a long drive but I already miss my family.

Memorial Day Weekend – Part 1

IMG_5572I was supposed to work on Monday but one of my co-workers was kind enough to work for me.  So, we jumped at the opportunity to drive down to Cerritos for a long weekend.  We hadn’t been home since Christmas!!  On Friday after dinner, we drove down and arrived at the Magical House by 2:30am.  A long drive would not be complete without a stop at Del Taco when we got there.  After 6.5 hours, a red burrito never tasted so good.

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On Saturday morning, we were up pretty early and Brother came over with the family.  They took KK to Disneyland for the morning and I got to hang out in my pjs for a few hours.  IMG_5611Since Jes was still sleeping and my mom was taking a nap, I decided to treat myself to a pedicure before lunch.  The lady I had this time was really good and I got a nice foot/leg massage.  Aaaah.

IMG_7145The family sent me photos throughout the morning and it looked like KK was having a great time.  They got her in for free with and I saved $93!!  Sweet.

IMG_7174For lunch, we went to Anaheim Packing House.  I had never been and it was pretty cool.  It’s like a hipster food court that serves alcohol and has entertainment.  IMG_5696Here’s a cocktail that Jes got.  Smelled so good…

IMG_5619I ordered a porchetta sandwich from one place and pho from another place.  Meanwhile, Jes got Indian food.

IMG_4035For dessert, there was ice cream for everyone.  It was perfect because the weather was pretty warm and muggy outside.  IMG_4041 Look at these two kids with their ice cream cones!  So funny.

IMG_5675For dinner, we drove up to Pasadena to celebrate Hannah’s graduation from Biola.  We went to a cool little ice cream shop called Cookies and Cream after dinner.  We ordered lychee passionfruit with a lemon cookie for KK and Thai tea for me.

IMG_5672Here are all the flavors they offered.  IMG_5673They let us sample whatever we wanted, including the cookies.

Mother’s Day 2015

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This year, Mother’s Day started with a face full of GG and a smiling KK.IMG_5312I had a sweet morning of just lying around in the tent with my baby girl.

IMG_9884After the kids had their breakfast, the boys sent the moms out for a nice brunch.  We went into town and had a couple hours of peace and quiet.  If only I was able to have some Mommy juice of my own.  Instead, I just had orange juice.  Wuh Wah…

When we got back, we found the boys taking the kids for a hike that the moms probably wouldn’t have approved of but they all got back alive and uninjured.

IMG_5326We got home by the afternoon and I had just enough time to get the laundry started while Jes made me one of my favorite meals – spaghetti!!!  I had a very simple but very nice Mother’s Day this year.  I’m so lucky to have such a healthy, happy little girl to call me Mama.

I still miss him.

IMG_5091My Koa Bear would have turned 11 years old today.  I woke up this morning at 1 am and realized it was his birthday and had a hard time falling back asleep.  I guess I still miss this doggie as if he passed away just a week ago.

DSC_1874aOh, I miss his funny habits like sleeping in the laundry basket and eating his kibble late at night.  I still anticipate hearing him trot over each time I crack an egg too.  I don’t necessarily miss walking him in the rain but the early morning walks on Sundays were nice.

DSC_8108We would love to get another shiba but it might not be the best time right now since we’ll be adding another human to our family this summer.

DSC_5393Happy Birthday, Koa.  We miss you.

Nemo Party for KK

IMG_4655My Baby Girl turned 3 on Monday and we celebrated on Sunday morning with all her buddies.

IMG_4610IMG_4608We held the party at the Children’s Creativity Museum where the kids got to run free and play all they wanted before the food arrived.

IMG_4667We rented the birthday room upstairs and her cupcakes and balloons had a Nemo theme.  DSC_1196It’s funny that her first birthday cake at a Nemo theme as well but this time around it actually meant something to her.

DSC_6216I think most of the grown-ups had almost as much fun at the museum and I actually got to sit and just watch KK play with her friends without having to do much.

DSC00041KK blew out her candles with no problems this year.  When she turned one, she was clueless and I had to blow out her candle.  When she turned two, she got gun shy and just straight up refused.  This year, she totally gets it and blew them out like a champ.  What was funny was how she had such a confused look on her face when she saw the smoke go up after she blew them out.

IMG_1524Watching all the kids eat the cake and bright blue frosting was pretty entertaining.  I got photos of as many of them as I could.

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TheoDSC_6244HenryDSC_6242VivianDSC_6236SophieDSC_6240Isla

IMG_4623After we cleared out of the birthday room (we only had it for 2 hours), everyone rode the carousel twice.  KK wanted to ride the dragon chair on the first round.

IMG_4629Then she sat on a horse next to her friends on the second go-around.IMG_4665We also managed to get a group photo of the kids.  I love how Vivian held Henry’s hand for the picture to keep them both from wandering off.

IMG_4652Unfortunately, this was the only family photo we got at the party.  I never seem to get enough photos taken when I’m hosting my own party.

Here are a couple thoughts I had on planning this party:

  1. Amazon.com is great for finding party favors.  Nemo stuff is not sold at party stores anymore but there were plenty of things to choose from online.  Everything came to my door and I was ready for the party.
  2. Safeway really saved me money and time with the cupcakes and balloons.  The logistics of having a party on a Sunday morning are pretty tough.  Most cupcake places are not open on Sundays and Party City doesn’t open until 10.  SO, I ordered the cupcakes from Safeway, picked them up at 9:30 am,  and they were only 50 cents each compared to $3.50 each at a fancy store.  They were also able to blow up the balloons I had bought online in just minutes.
  3. Our food was ordered from a place that didn’t open until 11 but Jes managed to get there at 10:30 and knocked on the window to get the food as early as possible from the cooks in the back.  It helps to have a persistent husband who just doesn’t give a flying fish who he pisses off – all for the sake of his little girl, of course!
  4. Kid parties don’t need to last very long.  The party started at 10:30 and two hours in the birthday room was plenty of time to eat and have cake.  Also, most kids were overdue for their naps after the carousel ride so the timing was just about right.  KK also passed out as soon as I put her in the stroller and started walking home from the museum.
  5. I’m glad I waited until she turned 3 to throw a party.  We celebrated Year 1 mostly for sentimental reasons and we did something really small for Year 2 (dinner with family).  This year, she was genuinely excited for the party and had enough friends who could enjoy the activities.  She also loves the “Happy Birthday” song and opening presents was fun for her this year.

Lunar New Year

IMG_2792We had a late celebration this year with the usual animals.  We met up with the Bangs and Sokol-Juns at Yank Sing on Sunday for some dim sum and catching up.  It’s fun seeing all 5 kids interact with each other nowadays.  Mei-mei follows KK around.  Rowan follows Jack around.  Reese plays with everyone.

IMG_2773Jack tried chicken feet for the first time and needed a little practice with separating the meat from the bones.

IMG_2775It was nice to have place where the grown-ups could have a good meal together while the kids had a place to roam and be kids.  We were seated out in the atrium where their noises blended in with everything else.

IMG_2797Happy Year of the Ram!  Next year, Peanut will be added to this photo.