Last weekend that it was still maybe OK to gather.....

First time Biking and tuning in to Cocomelon's "I can do it"

We invited the cousins over to play because the first week was so hard to adapt to isolation.  Playdates are pretty much forbidden.  Only family might be OK to still meet.  But after today, the ban goes from 50 to 10 only. Meaning - we can't even eat at the in laws now on Sundays.

Alice has been helping me a lot at the kitchen.  When she helps, of course Amber wants to help.  Alice is a doer - she is go-getter to the extreme, does not ask for permission and has the ultimate just do it attitude.

Big girl Alice turns 5 with her Boba cake!

Week 2 - March 16 to 20

The kids have been enjoying their time learning while we were working at the office.  The best part about the beginning of this week was we were still able to dine out for lunch.

double fisting her dim sum at Capital Seafood.  We were one of the three patrons at the place!

It was so quiet and the dim sum was soooo good.

Alice fell into the pool and luckily - she knew how to swim.  She was taking water out from a bucket and fell in at the deep end.  She told me that she had channeled in Elsa and swam upward. Adam pulled her out of the water and this was a photo I had to take before I stripped her out of her soaking wet clothes and shoes so we can remember this scary moment.

Shelter in Place Order Issued - March 19

The days are already becoming a blur with uncertainties.  I am not so worried as I know the bubble I like in will be safer than others to say the least.  By March 19 - the Governor issued the stay at home order, demanding everyone to be at home in order to flatten the curve.   Coincidentally, we gathered everyone around at work to discuss how this might affect all of us.  Sure enough by March 20 - some businesses are closed until further notice. 

Masks were still not very acceptable to used at public places at this time.  It also didnt help much when all Masks are sold out since February.

A lot of homeschooling and kids material started to appear on my instagram feed and I had to mentally start to prepare on how to keep the kids learning and occupied - while I am still working. 

Amber still had her first ballet class with a new studio I found in Monrovia, which we still attended. She had so much fun but there was a big expectation that she wouldn't be able to continue after her first class.

Last week of School before Lock Down

The corona virus is gradually spreading to the US now.  The schools have been taking temperatures every morning and sending those home with fevers.  None of us were sick and did not know what is going to happen by the end of this week.

Business was still normal but there are definitely paranoia of going to Chinese restaurants already and people avoid Chinese people.  Northern California's number of cases were increasing and they are issuing orders of restricting gatherings of over 250 people.  Sporting events and Disneyland are going to close.

By the end of day on Friday, Schools across the state announced closure across California.    To me, and to most parents - that means the kids will be at home - learning.  At that time, we planned a one day trip to Palm Springs which will be cancelled.

On the last day of School before closure, I asked Alice's class to sing her Happy birthday because she won't be able to celebrate with her friends this year....

Amber's 3rd Birthday Party - Pamela Park - Duarte, CA

As I am blogging about this day almost a month from the event, a lot has changed.  At the time when we planned this birthday party, the corona virus is already spreading in the US, but there wasn't a stay a home order in place.  

We didn't tell Amber about the party and she had no idea we were going to celebrate HER today.  We picked this park that was 5 minutes away from our house and the shelter and tables were offered on a first come first serve basis.  I went there at 8:30am and started to set up with balloons, flowers and snacks and fun things for the kids to do.  We invited the whole class and requested no gift but only a used book and donation to her ballet class.  Most complied but some still brought clothes and toys for little Amber.  The kids have ever been to this park so I knew that they can play for hours and hours.  The kids were dropped off at 9:30am and Amber was so happy to see her "new" used bike and Adam and Alice were so excited to just PLAY!

We stayed at the park until after 1 and she had the BEST time eating her favorite things and seeing ALL her friends from the Class of Love.  We met a lot of the parents from her class and it was so nice to meet them all.  We bought her chocolate cake from a private baker in Sierra Madre which was overloaded with too much chocolate!  She passed out to her deep nap by the time i reached Baldwin Avenue, hugging her minnie mouse box given by Yee Ma!

I have been really tired of planning a party after the ones we did for Adam but Amber deserved a party more than anyone else. 

Catering: Costco Chicken Bake, Pizza, Rotisserie Chicken, Stonefire Grill
Favors: Replay Cups