First Day of School-Kindergarten for Devin & Toddler Class for Serena

Devin couldn't wait to start school, especially this year. All through nursery school & PreK, that's all he talked about, going to Kindergarten. As for Serena, she wanted to go to school because Devin does and she, of course wanted to do everything that Devin does. But since her classes started a week later than Devin's, she was so looking forward to it. Twice a week, I bring her to which were originally called "Mommy & Me" classes now are just "Toddler Class". The kids learn how to socialize & interact with other kids. And of course learning how to listen & follow instructions from someone else other the parents. The bonus part is that I get some sort of a break twice a week & get to see other adult faces & conversations during the long winter months.

Making funny faces before Devin heading off to school as a kindergarten-er.

Ok-a bit more "normal" but Serena looked way too serious.

Serena starting her first day of her Toddler class. She picked out the pink shirt to wear all by herself.

August & September...

In August, Serena & Devin continued with their swimming lessons twice a week, but they still do not know how to swim. It's funny how they love playing in the water, but when it comes to mastering a skill in the water, they just did not want to do it. But I think it's still good for them to be exposed to the water (pool or beach) as much as possible so that they're comfortable to be in it. August is such a "take it easy" month for us, we basically just try to stay outdoor & enjoy the summer.

An outdoor treasure we found: Caterpillar on our block.

Caterpillar on the cement sidewalk...trying to get away from us.

Hanging out with playground buddies: Scott & Cyanna. Funny how the boys sat still and the girls just couldn't stop moving around.

A neighbor's dog we see around all the time.

A get-together at our friends, Raina & Elijah's. Our friends David & Kristin, and their little girl Stella were visiting from Holland.

Having fun at my niece's birthday party in NJ. You can see additional photos from this day on my FB page.

September, our church had service in Central Park on the Sunday right before Labor Day. Everyone from church brought food to share, then played softball & soccer afterwards. We even had a face painter and the kids got their faces painted. And we also went to our niece's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Boy, the kids just love that place.

Then, of course September is also Andrew's birthday month. Devin & Serena loves celebrating birthdays. They couldn't wait to sing & blow the candles out for Daddy. They're just too cute!

Elizabeth's birthday party.

Having fun with the Pastors' youngest daughter, Annalise, after the service at Central Park.

A close-up picture of Serena's painted face.

Andrew showing Devin how to grip the bat at the Church softball game.

Devin hanging out with Lincoln, our Pastors' little boy. Lincoln climbed up that tree all by himself. He's a little adventurer & Devin just loves hanging out with him. Both had their face painted like a snake.

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

What We Did in July

July is special because Serena was born in this month. She turned 2 and what a beautiful girl she is. Just like Devin, she has bountiful of energy & smarts and a great sense of humor. She loves playing with Devin & his toys but I can't say Devin reciprocate the sentiment. She is always thoughtful of him when he's not around, when I get something for her, she always picks up another for Devin. But she does has her quirks...the other day I witnessed her saying "excuse me" to Devin to get through but instead of waiting for Devin to move aside, she pushes him aside. That's when the chaos starts...and that's my Serena.

Starting her morning with a birthday muffin.

The birthday crown she picked out for herself at the dollar store.

And of course the famous birthday pictures. I had to take these at a later date because we were traveling that night to Rochester, NY.

Peeking over the paper sign.

She loves taking pictures.

As mentioned above, we left for Rochester, NY that night to meet up with Andrew's mom. She was spending a week with her sister & her husband for some "sisterly" time. And Aunt Paula & Uncle Rick were so welcoming & their hospitality just made us felt right at home. Even though their kids are all grown up & moved away, they still have tons of children's books around(Aunt Paula was a grade school teacher)and Devin loves books. We went to the Seneca Park Zoo, then the Strong Museum of Play on another day, enjoyed their pool on couple of days...it was so much fun. And the bonus part was we got to see Andrew's mom there as well.

A mocked supermarket inside the Strong Museum of Play.

A train set-play area inside the Strong Museum of Play.

And of course we celebrated Serena's birthday-again!

Serena LOVED the cake.

See what I mean?

Seneca Park Zoo

Serena fits right in!

A very tired boy!

Aunt Paula reading to the kids.

Serena has motion sickness-Rochester, NY is about 7 hours drive...she didn't do so well going there or coming home...

Memorial Day Weekend Through June...

Memorial Day Weekend

We went to visit my sister Connie & her family in VA. Our visits to her house always includes a trip to one of the Smithsonian museums. And with Devin around, it's going to be the Air & Space Museum, of course.

The retired space shuttle: Enterprise

Popsicle break.

Water park.

It was Devin & Serena's first time at a water park & they loved it!

Volcano

On our way back from VA, we stopped at a Cracker Barrels for a meal. But the main attraction for us is their store. We LOVE their store. Andrew bought Devin a volcano making kit.

Here it goes...!

Even Serena wanted to pour the vinegar & see its "eruption". We used up a small bottle of vinegar and then some.

Aquarium

Serena loved watching the "fishies".

I love Devin's expression here!

Graduation

June 22, 2010-Devin's Pre-K Graduation Day. All the kids were dressed up-especially the girls! They were just adorable! I didn't take such great photos of Devin & his classmates but here's the link to the photos his school took:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hSdyqIICi8&feature=player_embedded

Devin with his shirt & tie and his cap!

Walking up to get his one of his 3 certificates/awards.

Post-ceremony picture.

Astoria Park

On June 30th, Astoria Park had a July 4th celebration. They usually have the firework celebration a few days earlier so it doesn't fall on the same day as the Macy's firework show. So we packed some dinner & snacks, set up a picnic & watched the fireworks. Devin & Serena loved it!

Serena excitedly waiting for the fireworks to start without even knowing what "fireworks" is.

Serena & Daddy.

Devin & Mommy.

Funny faces.

Even funnier faces!

The Rest of May...

Tribeca Film Festival-Family Day

We've always enjoyed going to this annual event since there are always something for Devin to do there. This is Serena's first time, and she seem to like it as much as Devin did.

Devin & the fire truck dials...

With one of the friendly fire fighter...

And another friendly fire fighter...

Devin playing street hockey, courtesy of the NHL.

Jog-a-Thon

Devin's school had a fundraiser, but the parents were told the wrong time. By the parents showed up, the event was over. To make up this error, the school had the parents stayed for a couple of hours for a Parents/Kids Day. So we did arts & craft, the class read books & sang to the parents. But I really wished we saw the kids ran. Devin was disappointed too because he reminded us that very morning to come & cheer him on. Regardless, he did very well. He ran 27 laps around the school gym and came in third place. Thank you so much to everyone that have sponsored him!

Even Serena enjoyed the Parents/Kids Day.

A certificate for participating in the Jog-a-Thon.

This certificate was a surprise-unbeknownst to the parents, the school had a ceremony presenting the Jog-a-Thon awards. Devin was so funny when I asked him how his day was, he said nonchalantly, "Oh-we had gym, chapel and then I went up to the stage to get my Jog-a-Thon award."

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, my brother Hon took all of us out for dinner since all his sisters are Mommies too. It's always nice to have all of us together & have a meal, no matter how chaotic it feels at times. Actually, it didn't feel chaotic this time.

My brother Hon & Mom.

My siblings & my Mom, but missing my sister Connie who lives in VA so we let Serena sneak into the photo. I didn't realize how badly I was slouching in this picture until I loaded this picture up. Yikes!

Meeting Curious George!

The Jewish Museum had an exhibit on the authors, Margret & H.A. Rey, of all the Curious George books. They were Jewish & it was Curious George's 35th Anniversary. Devin actually met Curious George AND the man with the Yellow Hat when he was 6 months old in Boston, but too young to remember it.

The last weekend of the exhibit was Kids' Day. They had a band, The Funky Monkeys (or something) performing for the kids.

Arts & crafts: Devin was in the process of making a book.

Curious George and the Lopez's! Serena was so excited to meet George, we went back in line so she could give George a hug.

Reading Curious George books that were scattered around in the "Book Room".

Surprise, Surprise: Serena immediately went to get Curious George (stuffed toy) off the shelf when we got home. It's really Devin's so there was a little fighting over George after this picture was taken.

Meeting Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat when Devin was 6 months in Boston.

Devin trying to reach for George. I don't have the picture digitally (it was made into a button) but I had the Man with the Yellow Hat holding Devin. Maybe I'll try to take a picture of it & post it here someday. Don't hold your breath though.