Hello December!

December is at last here, arriving with glorious sunshine and blue sky. For a moment, I thought it felt a bit like spring, as the weather has been cold and dark lately. And of course, seeing the bare trees outside the window propels me back to winter reality. Yet, 'tis the season of joy and it couldn't start any better!

The girls have been waiting for the Christmas tree to be put out and decorated. Even Kyrene, as little as she is, remembers where we out the Christmas tree in the corner of the living room and reminds me quite often about it...

Thanksgiving Day was wonderful and relaxing. No cooking for me as we opt to eat out today at Cracker Barrel to satisfy my southern food craving. However, it was a cold and grey day, and with no place to go, the girls were antsy. And we decided right there and then that a Christmas tree will cure all of the dreary weather outside.

The girls were beyond thrilled, jumping up and down and squealing. And the best part? They were entertained for almost couple of hours, mostly imagining that it was an apple tree and they were "picking" the apple, a.k.a the ornaments, off the tree. Oh yes....great imagination indeed.

This brings the memory of my childhood, as I always loved Christmas tree in our home. I used to turned off the living room lights, and then sort of coaxed my little brothers to join me by the lighted tree, and sang through the Christmas song book. Ah...the memories...

I'm looking forward to this month of advent, of celebrating the Savior's birth, and of slowing down and savoring the time spent with my loved ones.

Autumn Sights

I've been waiting for some warmer weather around here to get the girls to our long awaited trip to Meijer Gardens. And today cannot be more perfect for a good dose of girls day out.

We started the day by stopping by the library for Bright Beginnings playgroup. Hannah surprised me a bit by crawling through a net tunnel, without any hesitation. So very proud of her! They especially enjoyed the green homemade play dough, rolling and cutting them to small dainty pieces.

Then off to McDonald's we go. No nap is required afterwards. Such a treat!

Then, off to one of my favorite places to visit in the fall. The shady gardens looks like a picture out of a storybook:

Immediately as we walked through the covered entry way, thoughtfully placed groups of giant pumpkins, gourds, and mums sets the stage of what we would see inside.

Loving the giant pumpkins.

Long, good day spent with my two favorite girls. Add that to soaking in the bursting colors of reds and oranges around us. It's almost as if nature is making the last bold statement before everything is blanketed with snow. A perfect autumn day indeed.

This is Summer

My 20 things to love about this summer (so far)

1. Nice, breezy weather

2. Ice Cream

3. Strawberry Picking

4. Jam making

5. Lake Michigan

6. Cherry Picking

7. Peaches from Wells Orchard

8. Raspberries Picking

9. Late bedtime

10. Gardening

11. Water Play

12. BBQ

13. Blueberries

14. Playtime at the Park

15. Flowers

16. My Parents' Visit

17. Shirts and Shorts

18. Fourth of July at John Collins Park

19. Chicago

20. Out walking

Summer beauties

I can never get enough of fruit picking during Michigan summer. Getting out in fresh air, picking those little fruits feels very therapeutic. And spending the time with your family out in nature, just enjoying His creation is such a privilege.

The raspberries season is a bit late this year, yet the wait is worth every bite. Just look at these beauties:

We picked 3 quarts and made jam once we got home. The raspberries yield 5 jars of jam, packing the fresh taste of summer to be enjoyed later.

Our Fourth of July

The day was full and satisfying, starting with quite a busy morning in the kitchen. I was fixing potato/egg salad, baking cherries coffee cake, and canning cherry preserves.

My dad was the master cherry pitter.

Cherries Coffee Cake, from Cooking Light

Then we all headed out to John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids for July 4th Celebration. I also need to note what a nice, breezy day it was. In fact, this summer has been unseasonably cool. We've been getting low 70's day and mid 50's night, which is a grand treat after living in the humid and sticky summer in the South.

We laid out our food, enjoyed feast of hot chicken wings, chicken mozarella sausages, and potato salad. The fireworks came around 10 p.m. Hannah loved the first few parts of it, but as the sound got louder and the fireworks got grander, she was not fond of it at all. She spent most of the time sitting in my lap, with her head turned the other way. Maybe next year...

Kyrene on the other hand, sat in my mom's lap the whole time and just enjoy it beyond measure. She was just totally captivated, saying "more more!" whenever there was a few seconds break in between, and just saying "wow".

Leaving the park at almost 11 at night, tired but happy. Happy to be spending time together, but especially grateful for the opportunity to live in this country. When I heard the band playing Star Spangled Banner, I couldn't help but felt a bit of warm tinge in my eyes. As an immigrant who was given the privilege of living here, I am immensely thankful for all the things this country is all about.

Girls Day Out

Today I got to spend the whole day with my little women, as Tim was busy finishing assignments at school. We started our day at Michael's, then went on to bring lunch to Daddy, which has always been a source of excitement for Hannah.

I made an impromptu plan to go to Meijer Gardens and skip nap time, since Hannah has not been napping this week. Both of them were wonderfully pleasant the whole time, as I told them beforehand what I expected of them while we were there. 

Kyrene was super excited to see all the cactus plants and they both had a blast throwing hay in the red barn.

I can imagine how we're going to do things together as they grow up, doing all those woman things. I thank God for the privilege of having daughters in my life.

Friday, Feb. 13 picture

My first attempt at roasting chicken. It came out looking beautifully, but a bit undercooked on the thighs. I popped them back in the oven and it came out tastier with crispy skin. There's that certain warmth in the house when the chicken was cooking in the oven. Will be roasting one more soon.

Another week in February

Thursday (2/5)

New Love

Hannah has been really into this storytime DVD featuring her beloved Miss Kristin from the library. She loves the "Peanut Butter and Jelly" rhyme.

Today at the storytime, she made a big progress of actually being comfortable enough to talk to Miss Kristin and play a bit. I was so proud of her!

Friday (2/6)

Playdoh Time!

Hannah loves filling up her egg platter with some scrumptious playdoh cakes. Who knew those playdoh molds can be so much fun? The only not-fun part is trying to keep Kyrene from licking those colorful "cakes"

Saturday (2/7)

Bribery Object

It's been too long that we tried to get Hannah to some pooping in the potty and who knew that could be so hard? We resorted to this Doggy that you can pull around. She first saw it at a friend's house and she loved it. We'll just wait when she'll cave in.

Sunday (2/8)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

We've been eating this two Sundays in a row. Complete with lime squeeze and tortilla chips, it's the new favorite soup in our house!

Monday (2/9)

Slow Dancing

This sweet moment didn't last long, as they were dancing together to Jim Gill's song, but I enjoyed it very much while it lasted for a short moment.

Tuesday (2/10)

At Last!!

Hannah did it!!! We're just overjoyed! And in our pre-parenting days, who knew we could get excited over poop in the toilet? But she did it! And she was just beaming as Daddy unwrapped the doggie for her to play before bedtime.  She clutched that thing all night long:)

She also took a nap today without diapers, we just continued it on for nighttime. Hannah is done with diapers! Part of me is so happy, yet I also felt a bit sad thinking I won't ever again put on another diaper on her. My baby is growing up!

*It's a warm day (high 50's) and we took a walk both in the morning and afternoon. It's such a relief to finally be able to get some fresh air! Kyrene was so happy being able to walk outside, being her first time doing it. Hannah also took advantage of some snow left around and made some snow cakes.

Wednesday (2/11)

Yet Again!

She did it again tonight and she was so happy for the two Hershey kisses she got as rewards! She's been waiting for the treats for a long time!!!

Thursday (2/12)

Letters Factory

I checked this out from the library and Hannah loves it! Since English is not my first language, this really helps me with some ways that will help me as I teach her to read. She watched it twice already today.

A week of pictures

Thursday (1/29)  

"Barney Revisited"

Hannah first watched Barney when she was about 15 months old. At the time, she only liked the opening and closing song, and didn't care much about what's in between. It's been a few weeks that we revisit that good ole' purple Dinosaur. A dear friend gave us a tape of Barney in the Zoo, which has become a new favorite. 

Friday (1/30)

"Snowflakes Everywhere!"

Snowflakes, snowflakes, turn around

Snowflakes, snowflake, touch the ground!

Snowflakes, snowflakes, land on my nose,

Snowflakes, snowflakes, freeze my toes!

Snowflakes, snowflakes, in the air!

Snowflakes, snowflakes everywhere!

It's the new winter rhyme from the library storytime and Hannah loves reciting it at home, while using her Pooh cards as "snowflakes". I'm surprised at how fast she memorized it, since she's just learned it in a couple of weeks.

Saturday (1/31)

"Always Has to Bring Something"

Every night, Hannah would bring her "item of affection" of the day to bed. I have no idea what criteria she uses everyday to give an item such an honor as bedtime companion, but tonight, it's her play chocolate chip cookie. Other nights, there were the potato chip (play food of course), tiny plastic bucket, wooden drawer from the doll house. At times, it can be as random as daddy's "green" mints box or the stackable crayon pencil.

And she likes repeating what we tell her" Always have to bring something". That girl has quirks!

Sunday (2/1)

"Choo Choo"

Again...the girls simply love being in their box "choo choo trains" and pushed around. Daddy seemed a bit worn out after several rounds of trips around the house.

Monday (2/2)

"Painting"

I love it when Hannah comes up with some imaginative pretend play. Tonight, armed with her tiny paintbrush from her watercolor set, she decided the doll house needed some painting. 

Tuesday (2/3)

"Just one of those days"

Again, everything that can go wrong, did go wrong today. Both of them skipped afternoon nap and got to be out of their rooms by 2:30. Then I decided to take them to Meijer, for some much-needed errand and afternoon entertainment. Everything went pretty well until Hannah spilled a whole box of spaghetti all over the floor at the checkout lane. I tried to clean them by pushing them aside and moving my cart out of the way, which made lovely crackling sound while the wheels rolled over the dry spaghetti. I just chuckled a bit, while apologizing to the cashier and telling him that's all I could do-laughing through the "one-of-those-days" moment. Good thing he seemed to understand:)

Wednesday (2/4)

"Grape Talking"

Lately, Hannah has been repeating some of the lines from Winnie the Pooh, the "Cookie Tree" episode. I tried to get the words down, but I just randomly heard phrases like "peach tree", "sooo....if you put this on, you'll get to the cookie tree", and some other words I can't quite catch on. So, during lunch today, she was "Darby" talking to the grapes.

Sunday-Wednesday Pictures

Sunday

Another attempt at lumpia goreng after a messy failure a few years back. I made this for Chinese New Year dinner with some friends tonight. 

This dish always brings special childhood memory as my mom always made this once a year for Chinese New Year. I hope I continue this tradition with the girls.

Monday

I love how much they enjoyed looking at the scrapbook album. Kyrene just excitedly pointed to the pictures while Hannah flipped the album. I love how the pictures in album can be more enjoyed, rather than hiding in the hard drive of my computer. Love to see how my work is appreciated.

Tuesday

Kyrene's first attempt at finger painting. She enjoyed it for a few minutes, but then complained of the dirty hands, demanding to be washed immediately.

Wednesday

"Goodnight My Duckling" before bedtime. A new favorite.

Cooking Day (24/365)

We spent much of the day cooking and preparing for Chinese New Year. Lots of dumplings and lumpias!

Thursday and Friday Photos (22-23/365)

Kids truly don't need expensive and numerous toys around. Who knows diaper boxes can be so much fun? Kyrene loves being pushed around in her little "boat" and Hannah happily takes on the job.

Hannah has been gladly participating in domestic responsibilities around the house, including folding laundry. She loves it, but sometimes gets easily frustrated when things don't align properly (she's quite a little perfectionist). But with a little training on the job, I think she'll be a laundry master in no time.

Good Days (20-21/365)

Although I may not agree on how Obama stands on some issues, I couldn't help but feel so moved by the whole inauguration event. History is being made and we're part of it. 

At the mall tonight, Kyrene had her first carousel ride with Daddy. Hannah just wanted to stand by and ride the rocking horse instead.

From yesterday and today (18&19/365)

A relaxing evening at home with the girls yesterday, who were dancing to grandpa's CD. Daddy was out studying, so it were just us girls. The picture is not so perfect, but I love it anyway because it represents a tiny bit of our day. 

Today I caught Hannah whispering "Good night" to Tigger and giving him a night kiss while putting him in his "bed". I told her that Piglet can come along to sleep on the other side of the "bed", too... She said it just the same way as I do when I put her to sleep:)

Lately, she's also been having lots of imaginative "conversations" with her stuffed doggie, and various objects of affections around the house. She mostly loves pretending her doggie to be "Buster" in Winnie the Pooh, keep saying to him: "Something's wrong with Buster! You're okay, Buster!" 

"Small" the Ant seems to appear in our house a lot lately, coming in form of a super little red purse, or yellow hat from the Potato Head gears.

It's just plain hillarious listening to those small talks. Just one of those little simple things I love being home with the girls and being able to catch the momenth throughout the day...