Just Around Town

Andrew's mom was here for Christmas, stayed a few days with Andrew's brother's family in NJ and a few days with us after Christmas. And at the same time, a family and childhood friend of Andrew's came to visit with his family. It was simply comforting & rewarding to have family & friends together to end 2009.

The BIG tree @ the Rockefeller Center.

The skating rink view from inside the building: Andrew & Devin were out there for about 5 minutes but it was Devin's first time and he DID NOT like it.

A funny group photo with the Imhof's: At the end of a long day-we all looked a bit disheveled: Andrew's tie, Joe's jacket's half off, could barely see Mrs. Imhof or Serena, Andrew's mom crouching in front, Devin's "no-nap-I've-had-it" cry, the Imhof's kids' dazed but polite smiles...I can keep going on & on...

Another outing-the Intrepid Museum: exploring the Concorde.

Posing with Devin inside a space capsule. We did a similar picture at the Kennedy Space Center a couple years back.

Christmas 2009

Here are our Christmas morning pictures below. We didn't take any pictures when we were at Andrew's brother's house or at my sister's house in the afternoon & evening. I think I was just having too much fun / too tired & simply forgot.

Devin-the first one opening presents...

...and with Daddy's help.

Serena's first doll house.

DVDs for Devin.

Serena's friend, Elmo.

Snow Day

We were covered in snow 2 weeks before Christmas. It was our first "real" snow where Devin & Serena could actually go out & played. It was such a fun day!

Looking out from our kitchen window...all dressed & ready to go.

Devin went right to work, digging into the snow.

Throwing out snow with his shovel.

Serena could barely move in her snow pants.

Devin's Christmas Show

Devin had his school Christmas show a couple of weeks before the Winter break. The PreK classes were dressed as angels in white robes and a silver tinsels crowns as halos. They were so cute! They sang two songs: "This Little Light of Mine" & "Jesus Loves Little Children from All Around the World". The pictures I took of them were too dark so I pulled the ones from his school web site. Most of the kids stayed still through out the two songs but started fidgeting towards the end. Devin did really well but was one of the fidgety ones, swinging his arms side to side at the end.

Devin wanted to make sure we see him in the show so he asked us to be in the front rows which of course were reserved. But I did moved up to the front so I could take pictures. He said he saw me but didn't acknowledge that he did so I ended up waving at him like a mad woman thinking that he didn't. Or maybe because I was waving a little too crazy so he was too embarrassed to wave back? Either way, Andrew & I were so excited & proud to be there for Devin's stage "debut". Even Serena was clapping non-stopped. What a fun night!

All the PreK children taking the stage. Devin turned around searching for our faces before climbing up to the stage.

The far top left is Devin.

The PreK children with their music teacher coaching them in the front.

Serena loved the show. She clapped & cheered after each classes' performance.

Thanksgiving 2009

We love getting together with our famillies, especially during the holidays. And not only did we get together this Thankgiving, we got together at Disney World! Not only did we celebrated Thanksgiving, we also celebrated Andrew's brother Mike & Susan's mom, Mrs. Sandt's birthdays! They both had a milestone birthdays, turning 40 & 75 respectfully, earlier this year.

Devin had been so excited about this trip, he was telling everyone & anyone who'd listened about it. We did everything he wanted to do: visit with Grandma, played in the pool, played with toys in Grandma's house, went to the beach, and of course one of his favorite places in the whole world-the Kennedy Space Center and Disney. While Devin knew exactly what he wanted to do, Serena was just happy chasing after Grandma's cat, Biscuit. Unfortunately, Biscuit is not a very friendly cat. So Serena chased after Devin. Wherever he went or did, Serena was right behind him. And she loves the pool as much as Devin does. She & Devin were in the pool everyday even when it wasn't warm enough. Our trip continued onto Disney after 4 days at Grandma's.

Sitting by the pool on the first day...

...beach on the very next day.

Then it got a lot cooler than we expected. Serena was wrapped snugly in 2 towels.

Andrew loves his mama's pies.

At downtown Cocoa, they had a Christmas Light Festival and smores-making over an open fire.

At Kennedy Space Center.

The 3 astronaut wanna-be's.

My favorite place at KSC: the Rocket Garden.

Right after we checked into our hotels, we went straight to the parks. Magic Kingdom was our first stop and Devin is pretty familiar with this park and their rides already. And we did a different park each day from then on and sometimes 2 parks in a day. We packed in a lot, it was tiring but fun at the same time. Both Devin & Serena got sick by the end of the third day, maybe overtired or ate something that didn't agreed with their tummies. Serena threw up in the middle of the night & continued into the morning. But by the afternoon, she was all better & ready to go again. Then Devin threw up right before dinner on the same day. And like Serena, he bounced right back by the morning. And we hit the parks again. By the time we arrived home, we were all exhausted. But we wouldn't have it any other way :)

Devin & AJ

One of our dinners with Cinderella & Prince Charming, all 14 of us!

Serena giving Cinderella some princess tips.

While the adults were riding the grown-up rides, the little ones had to wait. Good thing they liked entertaining each other.

Devin at the Animal Kingdom.

After one of Devin's favorite ride, Buzz Lightyear.

Devin's School Days...

Devin really is enjoying his school days. He'd come home singing songs he learned or recite lessons he had that day. And on the bonus side, the school (or just his class) would have an special event, at least once a month. So far, they had the "Bring Your Favorite Stuff Animal" Day, International Week, Crazy Feet Day, Crazy Hat or Hair Day...just to name a few.

International Week-on one of the days, was bring an item that represents your country. We don't have anything from Cuba (but now that I think about it, maybe a can of Goya beans would do??). So I gave Devin some chopsticks to bring...the two little girls brought currency from Honduras & India, respectively.

Crazy Feet Day: it was only for his class and the teacher took the whole class around to visit other classes & sang a song about their Crazy Feet! Devin had on his Lightning McQueens (from Cars) slippers which took me forever to find...

Posing with all the boys from his class, which represents only a third of his class. The number of girls in his class are double of the boys.

Operation Christmas Child: Devin's school does this annual event which he was so excited to participate. He chose the age group & gender to resemble himself so he get to pick what went inside the box. Now that I'm looking at the picture, I don't remember half of the stuff that went in...especially those blue greenish objects in the upper right corner...

Label on the top of the box.

Picture with his box.

The Samaritan's Purse who sponsors the program actually went to Devin's school to shoot a promotional video for future use. And the school had a special chapel service where all the students dedicated the boxes to Jesus & prayed over the boxes & for the kids who would to receive them; which was done once already the previous Friday. Devin got so excited, he insisted in making a second box. It was such a joy to see him getting so excited & involved in helping others.

The Rest of October...

Okay, so it happened again-I haven't updated this blog for the entire month of November. And there were updates from October that I didn't even get to post yet. So now I'll just do a quick version, post a couple of pictures & just use your imagination for the rest. Enjoy!

Celebrated my older brother, Hon's birthday at the beginning of October at my mom's. It so happened it was the Chinese Moon Cake Holiday (I'm sure there's a better sounding name ...Mid Autumn Day?), so one of my sisters, Wendy's family was also there.

Notice how Devin is trying to blow out his uncle's candle in the background...

Mid-October, we did our annual apple-picking trip. As usual, we were there at the last couple of hours & by the time we get to the market stand, the fresh cider doughnuts were sold out...

Serena liked apple picking & learned to say "apple" (she was calling them "ball").

Devin & Serena dressed up for our playground's Halloween party. Devin's an astronaut (his dream job) and Serena's a ladybug, her hood has antennas.

Andrew's Birthday!

It was Andrew's birthday in September and I finally got around to post this...I often forget to take pictures or make a video these days so I'm trying to be more mindful because time speed us by and I want to remember as many detail as possible of moments like these...I only caught the last line of the song (and the dear "Daddy" part). Devin loves blowing out the candles whether it's his birthday or not. Serena still has no idea what is going on...except she knows she is getting some ice cream afterwards!

First Day of School!

Devin started his first day of school right after Labor Day: the real PreK. Last year's preK was more like a nursery school & he only went in for half day. He was excited to go back to school & really couldn't wait. He kept wanting to be in PreK4 last year when he was in PreK3. He even knew all the teachers by name & face from the PreK4 class while he was still in PreK3.

When I went to pick him up at the end of his first day, he came out crying. I asked him what happened, he said the teachers took his blankie away. I tried to explain to him that he has to leave the blankie there because it's for his nap time. But he said it was too special with his ABC's & animals on it that he couldn't leave it at school. So we bought it home & switched to a not-so-special blanket. And since then, he's been quite happy. He even enjoys doing his homework which he gets Monday through Thursday.

Last year, he would tell anyyone that would listen that he's going to become an astronaut after kindergarten. So we'd tell him that he will need to be in school for a while yet, like go to college before becoming one. So now he tells people he's going to college soon...how cute is he!

Getting ready for his first day of school.

Making a funny face...trying to disguise his excitement.

This was taken after I picked him up & reclaimed his blanket. I think he was telling me how special the blanket was to him.

Holding onto his special blanket & in deep thoughts.

US Open'09

On Labor Day we went to the US Open. It was a beautiful day, but a bit on the warm side. And I wasn't feeling that great so I ended up going in & out of the stadium carrying Serena with me. The people around us must really love me (being sarcastic here!) because on top of that, I was going in & out with Devin too. He wanted hot dog, then ice cream...he really couldn't sit still for the game (he IS only 4.5). Then finally I just took Serena with me & stayed out...but I was feeling better after lunch so we took Devin & Serena to the Smash Zone (mostly for kids). And Devin really enjoyed it. Serena was napping but she woke up at the end & we did a balloon game together.

I think we'll just do the kid's day for the US Open next year until the kids are old enough to sit still for the games OR we just go by ourselves. Hmm...not a bad thought. All you babysitter volunteers out there reading this-we'll be hitting you up!

The view from our seats.

Devin at the Smash Zone: Concentrating...

Forehand!

Even Andrew got to play!