We just got back from the East Coast, but I'll write about that in a separate post. Every weekend in August was packed and we managed to visit the beach twice. The weekend after camping, we met up with the Shaws, Ngs, and Koralages at the Seymour Marine Discory Center. Granted, the aquarium is small, but it's also less expensive and has all you really need for a child under the age of five. The kids enjoyed posing with statuary, the touch pool (probably because it's a smaller facility, but they let you touch a greater variety of creatures than at the Monterey Bay Aquarium), and eventually settled in to play with marine life themed puzzles.
We met up with Ryan mid-week and had dinner together. The kids did remarkably well at the restaurant, but perhaps it was because we went to a Thai restaurant.. it's in the blood! We also hosted Quincy and Annie for a few days in the middle of the week. We're always happy to see friends. :) Nik and I even managed to have a lunch date at a pretty legit Persian restaurant.. the food was great and though I've never been to Iran, I imagine it must look a little bit like this restaurant.
The next weekend was church retreat. It was a quick trip, but it's always nice to step away from the daily hustle and bustle of life and reflect on spiritual matters and relationships.
The day after coming back from retreat, we headed out to Santa Cruz for a day trip with my parents. Since we now have a minivan, we thought it'd be nice to take my parents out--especially since we have the time before baby #3's arrival. Even though it was a Monday, the Boardwalk was unexpectedly crowded, but it was definitely preferable to a weekend visit. Because of a book that they had read, the first thing the kids wanted to do was to find and ride the Ferris wheel. The kids loved the rides, and the Ferris wheel and Bouncin' Buggies rides were surprisingly scary! (perhaps Nik and I are just getting old) We've taken the kids to Happy Hollow and Disneyland before and this was the first time the kids actually enjoyed the rides.
As we were getting ready for our East Coast trip, Kai caught a mild virus.. after being KO'ed by back-to-back illnesses in July, I didn't want to take any chances since we were headed out of town in a few days so I kept him at home with me. Since he was at home anyway, I took him out to get his hair cut at the salon (he had been asking to get his hair cut at a store). He was a little apprehensive and watched two other little boys get their hair cut first, but eventually he settled in to watch Thomas with his lollypop.
With #3 on the way, we decided to transition Sora over from Bright Star to Agape early, so the days leading up to our East Coast trip were her last days at Bright Star. She has always been precocious and despite her small size, she's always believed that she can do anything that Kai can do. As I had done for Kai, I had Xiaoyan take a few pictures of her during her last few days at daycare.
On Sora's last day at Bright Star we had a "graduation" party. Five of Sora's other classmates were also graduating, so it was quite the party! The kids performed their Mandarin recitations and singing for the parents, and then enjoyed the cake and their graduation gifts. As we were leaving, Xiaoyan said that she already has a spot reserved for our #3. :)
Following a full week of activities, events, and illness, we had a jam-packed weekend just prior to leaving for NY. We helped Mason celebrate his birthday; the kids loved the blue birthday cake frosting and playing with Mason's Power Wheels birthday gift (although it was a bit nerve-wracking for me.. I was relieved when it started running low on battery power). We also hosted the Ngs, Rongs, and Kongs for dinner later that evening. It was great having everyone over and the kids were so excited to see each other.
Sunday was filled with last minute packing and preparation for our trip, and I visited my parents' house to pass the time since Nik had to work that evening. Every trip, I tell myself that we need to start packing earlier, and every trip I never manage to do it. :P
In the midst of all this last minute summer busyness, we still made time for our usual routines. Like playing outside:
.. indoor play:
.. and running errands and doing chores at home:
August was certainly very busy with lots of activities and travel, and we're looking forward to things settling down in the fall.. haha, just kidding, we're expecting a baby so things aren't going to settle down for a while (is that humor or resignation? I'm not sure).
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| Let's see how many kids we can fit on this thing |
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| Never one to be left out of the fun.. |
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| Kai and Sora's arms weren't long enough to touch the shark |
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| Sora was here |
After a quick lunch, we headed out to the beach. Since the Boardwalk on a Saturday afternoon in August was packed and absolutely crazy, we went to to Seabright Beach. Fortunately, the cool morning fog had burnt off and it was a great day at the beach, with lots of playing in the surf and sand. After working up an appetite, we had Hawaiian food for dinner.
We met up with Ryan mid-week and had dinner together. The kids did remarkably well at the restaurant, but perhaps it was because we went to a Thai restaurant.. it's in the blood! We also hosted Quincy and Annie for a few days in the middle of the week. We're always happy to see friends. :) Nik and I even managed to have a lunch date at a pretty legit Persian restaurant.. the food was great and though I've never been to Iran, I imagine it must look a little bit like this restaurant.
The next weekend was church retreat. It was a quick trip, but it's always nice to step away from the daily hustle and bustle of life and reflect on spiritual matters and relationships.
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| Jerm and Stephen's drones were a big hit with the kids |
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| Deviancy starts at a young age |
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| One of the activities was to paint a tile representing yourself and then smash it. The kids had a difficult time accepting that my tile needed to be smashed, but eventually they helped me do the deed.. |
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| .. and everyone's smashed tiles were reassembled into a mosaic |
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| Reflection and prayer |
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| The obligatory group photo ™ |
The day after coming back from retreat, we headed out to Santa Cruz for a day trip with my parents. Since we now have a minivan, we thought it'd be nice to take my parents out--especially since we have the time before baby #3's arrival. Even though it was a Monday, the Boardwalk was unexpectedly crowded, but it was definitely preferable to a weekend visit. Because of a book that they had read, the first thing the kids wanted to do was to find and ride the Ferris wheel. The kids loved the rides, and the Ferris wheel and Bouncin' Buggies rides were surprisingly scary! (perhaps Nik and I are just getting old) We've taken the kids to Happy Hollow and Disneyland before and this was the first time the kids actually enjoyed the rides.
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| Surprisingly scary! |
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| My crazy kids |
As we were getting ready for our East Coast trip, Kai caught a mild virus.. after being KO'ed by back-to-back illnesses in July, I didn't want to take any chances since we were headed out of town in a few days so I kept him at home with me. Since he was at home anyway, I took him out to get his hair cut at the salon (he had been asking to get his hair cut at a store). He was a little apprehensive and watched two other little boys get their hair cut first, but eventually he settled in to watch Thomas with his lollypop.
With #3 on the way, we decided to transition Sora over from Bright Star to Agape early, so the days leading up to our East Coast trip were her last days at Bright Star. She has always been precocious and despite her small size, she's always believed that she can do anything that Kai can do. As I had done for Kai, I had Xiaoyan take a few pictures of her during her last few days at daycare.
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| Mid-sip with Aurelia |
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| Nap time! |
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| Playing with Leonard |
On Sora's last day at Bright Star we had a "graduation" party. Five of Sora's other classmates were also graduating, so it was quite the party! The kids performed their Mandarin recitations and singing for the parents, and then enjoyed the cake and their graduation gifts. As we were leaving, Xiaoyan said that she already has a spot reserved for our #3. :)
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| Lined up and ready to perform! |
Following a full week of activities, events, and illness, we had a jam-packed weekend just prior to leaving for NY. We helped Mason celebrate his birthday; the kids loved the blue birthday cake frosting and playing with Mason's Power Wheels birthday gift (although it was a bit nerve-wracking for me.. I was relieved when it started running low on battery power). We also hosted the Ngs, Rongs, and Kongs for dinner later that evening. It was great having everyone over and the kids were so excited to see each other.
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| Polaroids: "it's like Instagram, but in real life" |
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| Always awesome to see our So Cal friends :) |
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| Sometimes Kai can be a good big brother |
Sunday was filled with last minute packing and preparation for our trip, and I visited my parents' house to pass the time since Nik had to work that evening. Every trip, I tell myself that we need to start packing earlier, and every trip I never manage to do it. :P
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| Gung Gung playing keep away with the TV remotes |
In the midst of all this last minute summer busyness, we still made time for our usual routines. Like playing outside:
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| Breaking out the sparklers on a random warm evening. The kids were scared at first, but eventually enjoyed them, though they wanted to keep their distance (that's probably a good thing!) |
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| We ran into the Leos one evening and the kids enjoyed their reunion! |
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| Little climbers |
.. indoor play:
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| Making a mess at my parents' |
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| They have their moments... |
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| Who dat? |
.. and running errands and doing chores at home:
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| The cherry pit planting didn't really go anywhere, but we'll it try again next year |
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| Grocery shopping is always better with free cookies |
August was certainly very busy with lots of activities and travel, and we're looking forward to things settling down in the fall.. haha, just kidding, we're expecting a baby so things aren't going to settle down for a while (is that humor or resignation? I'm not sure).
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| Preparing to be a big sister <3 |
