Happy Halloween!

This week was crazy...  MG got the flu and was out of school for 4 days!  We even skipped trick or treating!
So, anyway, we made it to the school Halloween parade just in time to take a picture of MD as his class was passing us:

 MD and his buddy, Nicholas (not sure how he spells it, so I'll just spell it my way):

 MD and his teacher... meow!

 MD's class:

 It was an early release day. So after class we went home to eat lunch and get MG so she could get out of the house for a bit.  (Thank goodness Mom was able to stay with her today!).  We went to science class and MG decided she wanted to stay... good!  They had a great lesson on the importance of disposing water properly.  This is their homeschooling class.  MG and MD did not want to wear their costumes, but E wore his with pride!  He wore it all day (and night ti hand out candy to trick or treaters!)!  :)

After science class I took the children to Target so they could each pick out a bag of candy that they wanted.  Since we decided not to go trick or treating because MG was sick, I thought this was only fair for them to do this.  MG picked a bag of Jolly Ranchers.  MD picked a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  E picked out a bag of Hersey's Cookies and Creme.  The evening was fun.  MD and E took turns running to the front door to hand out candy to trick or treaters.  E was heard saying, "this is so much fun!  I love giving out candy!"  

Pumpkin Patch Group Photos

Every year since First Grade we have met the same group of friends to take pictures here at the same pumpkin patch:

2009:

2012:

But before the picture was taken... we had to make new shirts!

 After our group photos everyone went their different ways.  We had extra time so we hung out and took some pictures.  He liked this sunflower patch and requested a photo... right there!

 He found this pumpkin and insisted on carrying it... I asked him to get something smaller...

He found these... um, okay....

 She found this one!

 I LOVE this!!!!

 All three -- trying not to get blinded by the sunlight!

 Then they climbed.... (we don't know the little boy and I didn't want him to feel he had to get out of our picture so I just took the picture.  His parents felt bad and carried him off... He didn't object though -- nice boy.  We then found out his name was also Ethan!)

 They each wanted their own photos... #2

 #1:

 and last but not least, #3!

Fun, fun, fun!!!!  :)

Auntie Anita's visit

Anita flew in from Los Angeles to attend Khay and Deo's wedding.  We only had her for the day... But it was a great one!  We went out to breakfast and then headed out to Carmel's Mission.  MG will have to visit a few this year for her fourth grade report.  We picked this one because we've been so many times already and it's just so beautiful.

 Anita and MG -- it was a very bright day!

 UCLA classmates... so many years ago!

 Inside the mission

 We lit a candle for Khay and Deo for their upcoming wedding a few days later.

 Outside -- isn't it beautiful?

 She will have to write a few facts about this place once she starts on her report -- if this is the mission she chooses.

 After the mission visit we drove to a nearby beach, parked, lugged our picnic lunch out and the children (aunty Anita included!) played in the water!

 They are eyeing the competition here....

 No match!

 But they loved it!!!!!

 Hahahaha!!!!!

It was a great day!  Aunty Anita, come back soon!

Day out with Uncle Kelly and Uncle Robert

Saturday, Septemeber 22, 2012:

San Francisco scares me.  Why?  Because the roads are narrow.  The roads are very steep - both ways!  Roads randomly (to me!) goes from 2 ways to one way! Parking is limited.  It is very crowded!  BUT... we have some amazing friends who live there (our dear high school friend moved there with his family too).  So every now and then I suck it up.  Vince helps me by driving because I wouldn't go any where near there if I had to drive.  Then we get the family out for the day.  Frankly, if it's that big an ordeal for me -- we are going all out and making it an entire days event!

This Saturday we left the house early.  We set the directions on our trusty GPS and visited our dear friend, Kelly and his partner, Robert.  They just moved into their new home in Glen Park and were very excited to show off their place.  Selfishly, I just wanted to see Kelly again.  We have known each other since 1996 when I started my teaching career.  We don't see each other as often as we should (or would like).  He has been an important person in my life (he graciously offered to sing at our wedding!) and I really miss him!  So, for months we have been saying, "yes, let's get together."  But then something came up and something came up... then the children started school.  And he started school.  He is a school administrator- an amazing one at it.  If I go back to teaching, I would totally work for him!

So the day finally came and I was very excited!!!
After showing us around their home (beautiful by the way and i should have taken pictures!) we talked about what we wanted to do.  So we decided to walk to the BART station (a mere few blocks from their home) to ride the cable car.  Here they are waiting:

 And the ride was an experience all together -- not sure the children will want to go back on it again!  It was VERY crowded.  I liked the entertainment provided by the passengers and the conductor.  But the children were hanging on for dear life.  MG was leaning on me.  I had to hang on to E the entire time.  My back was hurting.  MG said she felt nauseous.  My legs were feeling wobbly by the end of the ride.  Poor Kelly had to hang from the car on the OUTSIDE!  Then MD kept complaining his legs were hurting.  People were bumping from every direction.  And even though I felt we were packed like sardines... the ticket guy kept saying, "sure, I can take a few more."  And he would direct the group further into the car!  Seriously, it was PACKED!  All I have to say is, good thing I showered... wish I could say the same about others around me.  HAHAHA!  (just kidding!)
This is one relieved girl...

 When we exited at Pier 39, everyone was so happy!  The cable car stayed a few minutes so we grabbed some photos.  The noise makers!

 Our wonderful group:

 While walking around the pier the children ran toward this bubble maker -- I think I may have ingested some!  :)  After this we walked over to lunch at a small fish and chips place that Robert and Kelly bragged about.  I will have to agree with them and Yelp  -- WONDERFUL meal!

 Photo opp:

 Dad got an ice cream cone at Dryer's Ice Cream.  They only wanted the whipped cream off his sundae.  I couldn't imagine HOW he was able to eat this after having such a huge lunch.  I was completely full and wanted a nap! ;) (no, really, I did!).  But we walked on...

We took some photos with Alcatraz in the background.  I'll have to ask Kelly to send those to me.  We had originally planned to take the ferry but it was sort of rough in the bay.  And it was cold! So we changed our minds and just walked around the pier.  We of course, had to stop and watch the sea lions.  They were VERY entertaining!

 At one point we witnessed one sea lion get out of the water and bully ALL the sea lions that were sun bathing because he wanted that particular spot.  It was bullying at its best.  He was able to convince about 2 to 3 others to literally leave the plank and find another spot or even dive into the water to get away from him!  It was hilarious!

 They had a naturalist out at one of the tables talking to the children and educating them about the sea lions.

 I wish I had known about this so that MG could have visited and asked questions for her report last year!  (She did fine, of course, but it would have been more exciting!)

 They found this huge display a fun place to play!  They all played a game right behind them (spin the wheel) and E won a free pass to the aquarium!  (I guess we'll be back!).

 This was a fun structure to climb.  Hello there everyone!

 Then it was back home to Uncle Kelly and Uncle Robert's place.  We left around noon and returned home around 7pm.  It was a long day!  The children walked from Pier 39 to Pier 1 and down Embarcadero.  So as you can imagine, they were exhausted and were ready to kick off their shoes and socks and rest.
Kelly and Robert showed us some of their home videos from the various trips they had been on while the children played for a bit.  We saw pictures and videos of their trip to China, Italy, and trips home for a few family weddings.

It was way after 9:45PM before we got home when MD realized we did not have dinner.  So he and MG ate left over fries from lunch while I put E to bed.  He, of course, fell asleep on the ride home.

Thank you for a wonderful visit Uncle Kelly and Uncle Robert.  See you during fleet week!

Happy Trails!

So, I signed the children and myself up for the Santa Clara County Park's Healthy Trails Challenge!  It sounds a bit intimidating, but it really isn't.  What it is is FUN!  Well, we've only just begun but I know they will like it!
We were given a guide book with all the Santa Clara County Park and Trail names and maps.  We are then challenged to hike, bike, walk, etc. on just five trails out of the entire book.  See... not so intimidating, right?  We are also given the choice to either venture out on our own or attend a ranger led hike.  Since it's our first, I thought it best to go at our own pace.  There are a few events that might be interesting to attend as a larger group (which will encourage my 3 to follow along better).

Today we started with an easy hike, a trail that we are very familiar with -- Vasona Lake/Los Gatos Creek Trail.

They stopped to check out the view using these binoculars (E brought his own too!):

 They spent quite a bit of time here.  They also packed their own snacks, so they stopped to have a bite (or in MD's case 2 or 3!):

 Then we reached the half way point!  (This is where the dam is)

The entire loop around was 3 miles!

They did well, considering MG and MG rode their bikes.  (Looking back I found it quite amusing that MD rode his bike like he was late to some appointment.  His motto is "need for speed."  While MG rode her bike like she was in no hurry what so ever.  She rode with such ease.  She seemed so prim and proper on her bike.)  E had to follow along on his scooter.  I thought he kept up fairly well.  (He complained a few times but kept chugging along in the end when he had no choice.)  I walked.  But let me tell you, walking while the others were on wheels... made me wish I could ride a bike.  This might be my main motivation to learn how to ride a bike soon!

I'm looking forward to the next hike already!  (oh, did I tell you that they will receive something "special" once they finish this challenge?  I'm not sure what it is... but we'll see!  It's sponsored by Kaiser Permanante and Santa Clara County Park.  So it has to be something healthy!  After we signed up we were each given a bandanna (which we used to wipe off sweat during our hike!) and a whistle (which MG got to keep since E has one built into his camel-back and MD has 3 in his!)

Big Boy! (off to PreK)

He's been waiting... (actually, I've been waiting longer! hahaha).  He was truly excited and ready this time!  So, in the end, I'm so glad we waited...

Ready to go!!!

Look at his smile!  He was so excited to see his name!

 Once he was signed in and found his name badge, he sat down and began playing with play dough... in his favorite color!!!!

 I stayed for a  bit to listen to the teacher's introduction.

 And he played... and check on me a few times.  Then I kissed him and went to run some errands near by.  2 and 1/2 hours fly by if I roam too far!

 I picked him up and saw the biggest smile on his face!  This is his teacher, Mrs. Victorine.  She seems very soft spoken.  :)

He seems so grown up to me now.  I am so proud of him!