Kailua-Kona, HI

Aloha! We made it to another trip to Hawaii.  We used our Hawaii Air credit to go to Kona this time, instead of Hilo.  Today is our Day 2 in Kona and the kids finally did parasailing.  Scott's mom came with us on this trip and she's been a trooper just keeping up with all the walking.  We stayed our first 2 nights at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel which we enjoyed it very much.  It was such a huge property and we pretty much spent all our time at this resort.  We have been waking up at around 6AM every morning and just had to look for breakfast right away.  Its a bit tricky with Ashley's schedule but she's been really good napping and keeping up with the time change.  Her morning nap helps to slow down the activities so it was nice, or else I can imagine us just doing things throughout the day.   

The flight went by fast.  The kids were disappointed that there were no screens on the flight so they kept themselves busy with their homework, books and each other.  Adam was watching a movie through the cracks between the seats but he was scared already just watching what he was seeing.  We booked Speedi Shuttle for the pick up and ordered an $18 lei for my MIL and the kids.  Amber felt so special and told me how much she liked it.  We just had to get it because it does add that special touch.

We did a digital check in and went straight to the room.  Got the kids to change and we all went to the Lagoon and looked for food.  The food, as expected, was expensive.  

On the last day, I went to do a paddle board yoga which was so enjoyable.  I missed it on Saturday and lucky to get one of the last three paddle boards for Sunday morning.  Adam came with me and he was floating around on the Lagoon while I was doing the yoga on the other side.  

The girls came near the end and went to the pool for a few more rounds of slides before we had to leave for our next stop.  

Tonight, we get to stay at a coffee farm house near the UCC coffee farm.  The host is super nice and they have two kids who are the same age as Adam and Alice.  They were so nice and played a little soccer together until their mom called them for dinner.  The kids also got to do parasailing today.  Amber came up to me and said  "Mommy, it was SO MUCH FUN".  She really had a great and amazing time that she will remember for the rest of her life. 

Amber was so tired tonight that she kept saying CHICKEN CHICKEN because the chickens on the farm disappeared.  She also said that if I moved her to grandmas bed, she would fire me. 

We went to a beach nearby and it was the most beautiful beach.  The sand felt like flour, the color of the water was like crystal blue.  It was so nice.  I sat on the beach with Ashley napping and watched the kids and their dad playing the sand.  Scott spent the hour digging up the big hole and buried them in the sand.  Another dad next to them also started to do the same.  

We spent the last morning at Kona eating at a japanese breakfast place which was actually really close and the kids went to a nearby playground to play a bit before we left for the airport.  The playground apparently had a lot of mosquitos so they left after 10 minutes of playing.  

The flight to Honolulu was short and we arrived in no time.  We rented a car this time and went straight to the hotel - Ala Moana.  We stayed off the Waikiki strip because it was just for the night. After settling in, we went straight to look for a place for dinner.  Drove around a bit because the original place was way too fancy so we went to this really strange hot pot place which had Canh Chua as the hot pot base.  Everyone enjoyed it haha.

T

The next morning, we went to eat lunch at Ginza for the Tonkotsu which was reserved weeks ahead.  Right when it opened, all the tables were seated.  It was great.  Amber was the happiest getting her kids meal.

We arrived at North Shore by the afternoon and rented the boogie boards because its going to be just beach, beach and beach the next day.  We stayed at the Keiki Bungalows and it was surprisingly refreshing when we walked in and it was very clean.  I love the private community and the private access to the beach.  

The best part was another yoga surprise the next morning.  They offered a free yoga session which included a sound bath and massage at the end of the practice.  It was so nice to be able to do yoga with the girls and my MIL.  Scott, Adam and Ashley were walking around and waited for us. 

By the end of the day, we all got a shade darker with the kisses from the sun all day.  We drove up to the Turtle beach to see what this place was about.  We didnt see any turtles but it was nice to just stop by to be at a place we havent been. 

We ate the instant noodles that I bought at Don Quixote for 2 nights and finished all the food we brought for the trip at the Bungalow. The kids spent a lot of time just boogie boarding with the waves and it was so much fun to see them enjoying the nature.  It would be easy to live in Hawaii because time goes by so fast when you are on the beach.  

For our last night at Hawaii, we stayed at the Prince Hotel which was really memorable and nice.  The floor to ceiling windows and the pier view was amazing.  We even got a glimpse of fireworks in the middle of the night.  

They all loved the stay at Prince and wants to stay here again.  

Days before Ashley turns 1

Each week goes by very quickly with the kids schedule + work! Our schedule right now runs like this:

Wake up at 7AM

Ashley wakes up around 7AM to 7:30PM

Adam, Alice and Amber get ready - eat breakfast. 

We are out of the house by 7:40AM.

Drives back home and prepare breakfast for Ashley

Brings lunch to work

Gets to work around 9AM and works through 2PM to pick Alice and Amber up from school.

(This part is the worst because I have to find parking and walk in to pick up Amber)

On Mondays we start bringing the girls to the Arcadia library.  We also try to squeeze in a nap for Amber but she has been holding up very well this week. 

Gets home by 4PM because Nora leaves.  Ashley is now taking her second nap around 3PM and can sleep til 4:30 to 5PM.  

During this time, dinner is prepped and we usually eat quickly before soccer practice or eat early anyways so they can sleep earlier.  They have been able to sleep at 8:45PM.  But Ashley wakes up several times a night.  Currently, I am trying to wean her off so she can sleep through better....

The kids are learning a new songv(等你等到我心痛) by Jackie Chan which they love.  I picked up an old CD at my mom's house and Amber listens to it to learn the words which is the cutest thing.

Today Alice tells me how she sits with not so smart people and she doesnt like it because they can't help her.  This girl just figures everything out.  

Next week, I get to read to them again. I cannot wait to surprise them!

This weekend is going to be wild.  We are renting big tables with linens and have lots of people coming!

My sister helped with our first balloon garland.  

O this Fisher Price chair - I am ready to move on with it and Ashley now keeps crawling on it.  It's cute.  She gets on it and just reads her books and plays with her toys.  

Week After Labor Day

Today was a day that included things gone right and things gone wrong.  In a nutshell, the kids had an early dismissal (12:45) and I picked up Adam and his friend without asking his mom.  His mom was ok but I got a call from Wushu said its not OK.  Took the kids for some aqua frescas and amber got a free drink.  It was another hot day and just didnt really have the motivation to cook.  We ordered Lins Club for dinner and she gave me a complimentary dish because she had extra.  Amber was screaming and mad while I really wanted to just go to the supermarket.  Was able to took her with me and she fell asleep in the car.  

Came back and Adam was setting up the table and gave all of us a cup of water.  He helped me get the food in and it's good to know that he approves the dinner.  If he doesnt like the food, he will go on strike.  I took Amber in and gave her a spa treatment (bubble bath, lights off, candles lit and music)  This always works.  

Ashley now needs to show every day because when we feed her, she tends to grab her hair at the end of the meal.  Maybe she gets tired of sitting and eating.  I try to put her down to sleep between 8 to 9PM.  She wakes up around 7AM.  She came back with a fever from our trip and broke out in rashes.  Luckily, the rashes are all gone and she is sleeping much better tonight. 

Today I called an old business friend and his kids are now in college.  He told me that the kids get better with each age.  There is always something to enjoy and it's amazing that they can become your friend.  I think it is so true.  I love all their ages and I can't wait to see who they become when they grow older.  I love their logic, common sense and responses.  For example when I told Alice and Adam about the case I am involved in for uncle, I loved how Alice said - But it was an accident! He didnt know.  Adam then goes, sell the property and divide the proceeds.  Believe me, hanging a lawsuit for family for a large sum of money with multiple plaintiffs and a nasty lawyer is the most stressful thing.  I really hope this case can settle. 

I am just rambling on because there is so much going on in my mind.  This heat wave this week is very unbearable.  It just sucks up all the energy and that motiviation to cook stems all from love.  When i am in a bad mood, I just dont know what to make.  Then everyone starts to be lost and when you see the kids start reading, you just dont want to drag them out.  

Its been so hard for the kids to wake up on time and get ready for school.  Tonight, all of them actually all slept by 9:30PM.  Ashley actually, for the first time now, nurses and rolls around and falls asleep on her own.  She has been asleep, uninterrupted, since 9:30PM and it's really the first time!  She has been whining a bit but she went back to to sleep!  I am so excited about that!

1st week of August

Two more weeks of August until school starts.  We are winding down the summer with more swimming days, gathering with friends and ice cream. 

Last week we invited Toby and Charise over and they came again two days after.  We rode our bikes back to the house and it was a nice bike ride back home with Adam.  One of the things we need to remind Adam is that when he plays, he forgets all responsibilities - which is very normal.  But I feel like he needs to be reminded to not be destructive and mean when he is having fun. 

Mrs.  Ho made Chap Chae and we ate it all that week.  

Last week was also Avery's first week of school.  The kids were all so excited for her and I love this photo of them.  They have all been in this classroom and this school just gave us so many fond memories of their childhood. 

Today Alice was whining about how I dont spend enough time with her while I spent the whole day with her.  She then all of a sudden told me the reason why she talks differently is because she likes her daddy squeeze her very hard in the morning.  

San Diego - Weekend at Little Elephant - Wizard of Oz

Well, let's see.  Two more weeks until they go back to school.  Last week was the last week of their musical camp and this summer they did the Wizard of Oz.  The soundtrack is great and it's just nice to see them having fun at the camp with the people there.  Alice did not have her meltdowns after starting at this camp and had so many with the art camp.  Adam has fun playing games with Gautum at this camp. Due to the covid surge, their time at the camp was cut short and became half day instead of full day.

We watched the show last Friday and as always, Amber had the best time watching the play.  She truly enjoys these performances and I hope to take her more this coming year.  Ashley watched her first play and she did pretty good!  She did make a few noises ...eek. 

We are putting Amber at Tzu Chi for another 2 weeks before school starts.  It is going to be a 2 year break from Tzu Chi before Ashley starts.  Ms. Rachel is also leaving and it will be interesting to see who will be there when Ashley starts. Avery is also starting now so it will be nice to still be able to visit the campus from time to time.  

Last party of her class will be for Alysha.  They had so much fun at this indoor playground.  It was nice.  So many things for Ashley to do!  She even took a nice nap in the baby carrier. 

On Sunday, Adam went to SD with Bryan and he was so happy.  He had the best timing bonding with his uncle and he was so disappointed to come back.  Watching him having these feelings and seeing how he handles them is very challenging.  The disappointment and the sadness - things we all have to go through.  He was ok shortly after but before he went to bed, he told me he wants to go back to SD tomorrow. It's so nice to see that he enjoyed his time with the uncle I know he will be ready to move away from home when it's his time.  

Santa Barbara Natural Museum Day Trip

This weekend is a busy one.  We invited some of Amber's friends (Jackson, Camilla, Dora) over to swim and for bbq.  Jackson's Dad bought over Panda Express enough for everyone and maybe more.  We played freeze dance, Alice had her girl time with Kylie and Caitlin and Ashley was a good sport keeping up with the later hours.  Amber is so happy spending time with her friends.  At the end of the night, she told her dad and me separately that she had fun. 

The next morning, we took the kids to the Santa Barbara museum to see the butterfly exhibit. There was traffic going there and we didnt arrive until noon and we left a little after 9.  We went straight to the butterfly museum and met with our friends there.  All the kids enjoyed meeting the butterflies.  We went to eat a late lunch at On the Alley and the fish and chip was very good.  Amber was so tired that she couldnt continue to walk.  It was a very beautiful day and the breeze was so cold. 

The kids are on a point system with Scott and they are accumulating points by doing laundry, cleaning  the play room and removing Scott's white hair.  Adam is very motivated and uses his points for picking what and where to eat for dinner.  Adam saves but Alice is very short sighted.  She simply says she doesnt care and gets what ever she likes because she wants it.  

Going to Santa Barbara was fun and I am enjoying these day trips with them.  Its always nice to be able to travel for the day and sleep in your own bed. Ashley did phenomenal on this car ride!

First Week of Musical Camp

Last year, Adam and Alice joined the musical camp and performed at the Seussical.  They came home everyday, happy, cheery and singing all the songs.  I signed them up this year even though they were especially excited for it.  But the first day was a successful - they came home so happy and told me all about it.  They were brave to audition for roles and I am so proud of them. 

Gautum also joined again and he brings his switch everywhere he goes.  I love how they set up their gaming station and Ashley also joined them.  

They were so excited rehearsing their lines.

A few weeks ago, we captured two preying mantis and we have been feeding them with crickets and spiders.  The smallest one, we named him Yummy and the larger one we found at a lime tree is named Hungry.

This summer is going by so fast and I forget how nice it was that they have no pressure to complete any homework and get to school for classes.  

Father's Day, Night at PioneerTown, CA

 The month is June is slowly coming to an end.  Just like that, we are half way into 2022.  Sometimes setting no expectation is best.  The pandemic seems to be coming to an end but yet, you hear a lot more people are getting it right now.  

For Father's Day - we took my step dad and everyone to M Grill, which was a Brazilian barbeque restaurant located in J town.  Adam will probably always remember this because he ate and tried every thing and even walked to get his Somi Somi.  I will just leave it at that because according to Scott, we shouldnt have "walk it off" which make your stomach work even harder.  

 The day after the school year came to an end, we went to Joshua Tree and spent a night at a teepee.  The teepee was set up behind someone's backyard and we found this place on hipcamp.com.  The hosts were very nice.  Although, there was a heatwave that weekend, it was surprising breezy at night.  We wanted to hike the next day but it was already too hot by 10AM.  The kids had a good time exploring our new home for the night and dipped into their plunge pool and met too many black widows.  The night before, we had dinner at one of the only restaurants nearby.  We ordered a cocktail which was way too strong for me.  The food was ok and the music was too loud.  

We drove back that afternoon and then my mom was going through an episode of kidney stones.  That lasted 2 days and thankfully it passed on its own.  

Summer is here 2022

 The summer is here for the kids and I had planned their activities very last minute.  Adam and Alice are enrolled at the summer school at Monroe.  Adam started Wushu and Alice is doing an art camp at Global art.  Amber is back at Class of Love with her classmates for summer school.  She graduated from Class of Respect and had the sweetest graduation ceremony.  I volunteered to take photos of the graduation which was fun to be at the front to see everything so close.  

Ashley is now almost 9 months!  She eats everything but not really picking up the food and putting them in her mouth.  She is such a happy baby.  She has a good sleeping schedule down.  Sleep about 11 hours overnight and gets about 3 hours during the day.  Currently, I am trying to train her to fall asleep by rolling around in bed but she gets tired and starts to cry for me to nurse her to sleep.  She feel two times on the floor already by rolling out! 

Her solid diet consists of all vegetables, meat and no carbs.  She eats whatever we give her - thankful that she has no allergies.  

Scott went to Ensenada to do an installation so I am here with 4 kids.  We went to have dinner at Mooncat Ramen and went to piano lessons afterward.  They were all good and efficient and went to bed by 9:30.  I am here enjoying the thunder and rain which came very unexpectedly.  The lightning are so strong and loud.  I cannot remember when we had this type of weather here in California.  

Scott made it back earlier than expected and the kids were so happy to have him back.  Every night, Amber came out of her bed and told me she is scared.  

After summer school, Alice would get dropped off at Global Art - a new art studio near our house.  She gets to bring something back every day but every day she throws some type of tandrum.  The other day, she was angry at me because I was driving too slow and it was too hot.  

Every other day, I get to take Adam, his friend Max and Alice out for lunch.  I am not sure how long I can keep up with this but I am sure it's nice to get a break from school lunch.  

Frozen Yogurt at Ace Yogurt

Dear Ashley

 Ashley is now 7 months, almost 8.  She sleeps so much better now but still wakes up a few times at night for comfort.  Her favorite song is Are you sleeping and Wheels on the Bus.  These songs just hit the spot.  She is very good in the car, as long as you plan the right song.  She eats EVERYTHING! We are on a vegetable and legumes diet - she loves to eat everything right now but not feeding herself - yet!

Nora does a wonderful job loving Ashley and we are just so lucky.  Ashley loves seeing her everyday.

Family Photoshoot Day at the OC

It was definitely time to do a family photo since the last one we did was over 10 years ago.  We chose Jake Choi from Tustin and went to his studio.  We had to change the time last minute because Adam's team made it to the playoff so he had a game in the morning.  The planning behind this photoshoot was a process.  I decided that I did not want to buy anymore clothing but only bought Alice's dress because she is running out of dresses.  It was hard to decide on the color but I have to say that I am pretty happy with it this time around.

Ashley was not feeling that well yesterday but I think she is all better today!  Took a nice long nap before we had to leave and just got the cutest outfits!!!

After the shoot, we all went to OMOMO for tea.  The wait was long and it quenched all our thirsts and cooled everyone down because there was a heatwave.  We then went to South Coast for some food before we went to our official place for dinner, which was a malaysian restaurant.

The kids had fun being in the spotlight and especially the girls who got to dress up and look pretty.

Spring Break - Fort Lauderale/Orlando 2022

 This year's spring break landed on the same week as the IWCE show so w decided to take the whole family to Fort Lauderdale with us.  We flew Jetblue and everyone got their own screens and watched TV on demand.  The kids watched My Little Pony, NFL, pink panthers on the plane.  

 We arrived at 7PM the first night and went to eat at Momosan - ramen by Morimoto near the Miami airport.  Restaurants are still closing early so we finished just in time before the restaurant closed at 10.  We had ramen, gyoza, bao with duck meat and a sashimi rice for Scott. We drove to our first airbnb by the convention center at a Marina residential community which is right by the boats.  We arrived really late but the time difference kept the kids up and they went to bed almost midnight.

The next morning, I went early to the tradeshow to set up and Scott went in the later afternoon to finish.  It ended up being a long day because the backwall took some time to build.  Scott came back at 6 and we went to the Greek kitchen for dinner which was the best meal of the trip:

We had octopus, bread with fresh hummus, shrimp, chicken wings, lamp chops and they ordered a baklava.   After dinner, we walked over to the beach at night and 

  The next day, I was gone the whole day and went to eat dinner with the team before I went home.  The kids enjoyed a day with Scott at the beach.  They are pretty good at having fun whereever they go.  

The next day, we left early to go to Orlando for Disneyworld.  The forecast says that it will rain which it did when we arrived.  Even though a large number of people went home due to the rain, it was still so busy!

We bought  Disney ponchos for everyone which we ended up not using because it stopped raining by 3PM.  The kids enjoyed the Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, the Magic carpet ride the most.  I made a reservation at a Crystal Palace but we didnt make it to the dinner because they went to Space Mountain which was the highlight for Adam. 

We planned the day so that they could stay to watch the fireworks which was never a disappointment.  

The airbnb that evening was a Disney-decorated house which the kids really loved.

We drove back to Fort Lauderdale the next day and went to a wetland which was so surprisingly therapeutic and also we got lucky to see alligators!  This wetland was a popular sight for birds nesting and roosting.  It was quite a sight to see these giant birds building large nests and seeing the baby birds!

That evening, we went to eat at Il Mulino, an italian restaurant about 15 minutes from our hotel.  The next morning, we stopped by a french bakery to get some more pastries, croissants before our long flight home.  One thing I do enjoyed here in Florida is the many restaurants and variety of cuisines it had to offer.  The roads are big, wide and parking didnt seem to be an issue.  It made traveling so easy!  Not too bad for a trip with very minimal planning. =)

Ashley is almost 6 months

Let's see, the last few months have gone so quickly.  Adam, Alice and Amber are now on a regular schedule with school.  Ashley is turning 6 months in 2 more weeks and she is doing really well. 

We got extremely lucky with our new nanny - Nora who comes everyday from 9 - 3:30.  She lives in San Gabriel and has been so good to Ashley.  She is referred by a friend from Tzu Chi and she was highly recommended.  We are so happy to just be able to find someone who we can trust to care for Ashley.  Again, we are so lucky with always being able to find help to watch our kids.  This time was also by chance. 

Scott is taking the kids to school every morning  - they wake up at 7AM and has to be out the door by 7:40AM.  Instead of being the last one to get ready, Scott is the first one to leave the house with the kids.  Amber is going to start this schedule by this Fall, which I am not looking forward to.   The kids are appreciating home lunches and not impressed with the school lunches anymore.  

Adam is starting soccer season which I am very excited about!

Amber turned 5 this year.  We went to Disneyland with Joyce, Avery and Hoang and it was her first time.  She loved it.  We spent our first hour at Mickey's house taking photos and decorated our cupcake.  She was so sad at night that it was all over and held her birthday badges close to her to sleep.

The next day we had a surprised ice cream party for Amber.  I went to buy $38 of Thrifty ice cream at Rite Aid the morning of and she had too much fun serving the ice cream to her friends. 

I wish you all the best and good things in this world Amber.  You deserve the best, really you do.