Half Moon Bay, California November 2012

Friday, April 13, 2012

A New Belt for MD!

For the last 6 weeks, MD has been attending Tae Kwon Do classes afterschool.  It wasn't soemthing he really wanted to do, but I encouraged him to give it a try... and guess what?!  He LOVES it!  Today, April 10, 2012 was his last day of the session.  So, parents were allowed in to watch and see what they do during the class.
Warm ups (surprisingly, he can do 15 push ups! I know!!! I can barely do one!!!)

 All the different stance and positions....
 Don't ask me what they are called!  I was too busy taking pictures!
 I just thought he looked so cute!  :)
 He also kicked a board for the first time!  After that they all received their new belts!  This is his new belt after on 6 classes!
 He is so proud -- and I am too!  way to go buddy!
Here is a video of him kicking a board.  I hope it uploads properly!






Thursday, April 12, 2012

Easter Activities!


April 6, 2012 -- We started out the Easter weekend with a Friday morning egg hunt with MD's Kindergarten class.  It was held at one of his classmates' house (which luckily backs up to the school!).  The children came over before class to decorate eggs, snacked on some yummy food, and enjoyed an egg hunt along with their younger siblings!  I was too busy helping the festivities that I did not have time to take pictures!  These are the only ones I captured... MD did well on his own so I ran around helping other children.
 While running around, I ran into E -- Apparently, he did fine on his own!  I am so proud of him for following directions and then just being on his own while I was busy.
April 7, 2012 --  The next morning, we joined our very good friends in an early Easter breakfast and egg hunt.  I can't believe that MG has known these friends since Kindergarten!  I feel so blessed to have such good friends.  I appreciate these woman for all they have done for me and continue to do for me.  Their support, encouragement, and friendship keep me going.  Here they are having breakfast:
 Then guess what time it was???
 Quick picture of the 3 girls whom have known each other since Kindergarten (Olivia and MG have known each other since preschool!) --
 And my silly little man!
 Outside for the official rules...
 and a quick picture or 2!
 Then they were off!!!!  (I love Jenna's enthusiasm here!)
 there goes MG!
 I love how MD is just looking out... staring into space!
 And now he's off!
 Hey, look what E found!!!!
 BFF since Kindergarten!
 A group picture after a successful hunt!

April 8, 2012 -- Happy Easter!!!!  They woke up bright and early... and discovered that the Easter Bunny did not prepare an egg hunt for them.. but they went on a treasure hunt instead!  that Easter bunny sure is sneaky!  Check out all the clues they had to read and solve!  (but each had a sweet reward attached!)

His gift from the Easter bunny:

They all received new books to read!
They started dividing up the treats from their treasure hunt:

 Then we had breakfast -- I found this really easy recipe and it's sooo good!!!! (and it's pretty too!)

 After breakfast we headed over to Corinna's house -- MG made the beautiful roses for Corinna and Auntie Clare:
 MD rang the lunch bell!!!
 And then we had lunch!
 Then they went into the house and played on this new organ that Corinna's husband has picked up recently.
 He was very excited to hear Morgan playing his organ...
 Then it was off for another egg hunt!!!!
 Corinna has the perfect yard for an egg hunt!
 They checked every crack and corner!
 E needed a bit of help from Auntie Clare:
 MD found Uncle Dave's "flat green egg!"
 All three getting down to the last couple of eggs....
 And then it was over!!!!
 Time to check out the loot!  Woohoo!!!
 Time to enjoy a cake pop that Mommy attempted to make -- not bad, but definitely will be better next time around!
What a busy Easter!!!!!

Monday, April 9, 2012

A performance!

April 4, 2012

MD was so proud this morning... to be able to sing with his class!  It was such a wonderful performance!  Look how cute he is!

 Whoops, he finally saw me!  :)
I am so proud of him!   I am having issues uploading the video.. stay tuned???




Chavez Market

So.. what do you do when you are stuck without a car for 2 hours?  You eat an early dinner!  (My car needed some servicing... so I dropped it off and the children and I went for a walk to have an early dinner).  This new supermarket opened up awhile ago and I've been meaning to visit it.  So why not?!

I didn't know what to order... I just knew I was hungry!  So I ordered steak ranchero -- delicious!  Yes, I ate that entire plate!

 And yes, he ate that entire burrito all by himself!
 She had a bean burrito... and finished 95% of it!
 He helped me eat some of my rice... Dinner... not his cup of tea! :)

After dinner, we walked around the store and they each chose a dessert from the bakery.  they chose Jell-o... Don't ask why! It's not like they don't eat that stuff at home!  Anyway, I let them choose what they wanted... and well, they did not like the jell-o!  I'm not sure why, but none of them finished it and baby girl, she could barely take a second bite!

Before we left, we ordered a few tacos for dad... since I was not home to make dinner.  I love a treat every now and then!  Not cooking dinner... is a big treat! ;)

Remembering Cong (my dad)

April 1, 2012
It was a blustery morning when we went to visit my dad to pay our respects and to remember him.

 But the children knew the reason why they were there and they all did their part:
 She's very detail oriented:
 Working together to get every area clean:
 We stood awhile to be in the moment.  E had lots of questions for dad... I'll spare you the details.  But  there were a lot of unanswered questions needless to say.  He's still trying to figure things out, that little guy...
 Then we went home to burn incense...
 My aunt was very patient and helped each child take turns with the incense.  She helped them say a few words in Chinese (as I wouldn't have had a clue what to say!)
 Down the line she went... 3 times for each child!  (i'm sure her back was killing her after this!)
 Then to the back yard to burn the joss paper:
 They did well until the wind blew the smoke in their eyes!
 Back inside to clear the table... What a spread, no?
Dad... we miss you...