December days...

December always seem so short to me, maybe because of the Christmas holiday and the rushing about of all the family & church get-togethers, shopping & other seasonal activities. And I love every moment of it!

Devin had his school Christmas program on the 10th and he was so thrilled to be part of it. He'd practice singing bits & pieces of the songs he needed to sing at home weeks before the program. Then Serena would always wanted to sing along but does not know the words...so she would just imitate Devin. It was just too funny to watch them when they play together so nicely.

The Elementary class Program-Can you find Devin?

A closer look...

One of the songs they sang was "Bundled Up" so they wore their winter gears to sing the song...so cute!

Serena had the most fun, clapping & singing on the sideline.

Devin walking off the stage & giving us a high-five on his way back to his class.

On the 18th, we left for Florida to visit & spend Christmas with Andrew's mom. We stayed in Florida for about 10 days. It was unseasonably cold in Florida this December but we did everything the kids wanted to do: zoo, Kennedy Space Center, Alligator Farm, Disney, playground, play in pool(yes, Andrew went into the pool with the kids even though it was cold, they didn't last too long)& some days we just relaxed. Everywhere we went, we were pretty much bundled up except for a day here & there, where we had on a hoodie or a lighter jacket. Every night Devin was responsible to put a log in the fireplace at Grandma's and sometimes we would even put two!

All in all, we had a WONDERFUL time, especially with Andrew's mom.

Serena feeding the giraffes for the first time.

Riding the zoo train.

KSC-when we went, the launch of the Endeavor was delayed so we got to see the shuttle still at the launch pad.

Devin refused to put on long sleeves or long pants. And did not want his jacket.

"This is Florida, it's not supposed to be cold!", he had claimed over & over through out our trip.

Beach day!

Digging in the sand...

Burying themselves in the sand...

Taking a break from digging...

Grandma & Devin

The night before Christmas.

The kids woke up at the crack of dawn...6am!

WOW WOW WOW!

Alligator farm-we all took turn holding an baby alligator (with its mouth clamped shut) except for Andrew's mom. So different from the last time when we went, I think Devin was 3 or almost 4, he ran to the opposite side of the room when the handler came toward us with the baby alligator. This time, he held all the insects & reptiles...even Serena! The kids loved it.

Holding & touching a snake...

Serena's turn...

Serena holding a scorpion

Devin's turn

Quality time-Relaxing with Grandma

October Days

For the month of October, we fell into a schedule of: Devin going to school, come home, snack homework then playground or TV depending on the weather. While Devin is in school & Andrew at work, Serena & I go to the library, run errands, playground or playdates on the days when she doesn't have her class. I know she enjoys going to the classes because she would asks to go to school even on her days off.

With a set routine, I always welcome the interruptions of school trips because I get to go with Devin's class as a chaperone. His class trip was to a farm nearby. His whole class loved it. And to see all these city kids running around trying to catch a chicken was just hilarious! Devin pretty much did everything there except riding the pony and milking the cow (he said it's too messy for him, lol). Riding on the school bus with his class was what I had anticipated to be: 14 kids, loud & louder. The funny thing was they all were pretty quiet on the way back. They were TIRED.

Sitting on the bench, waiting patiently for the whole class to get off from the bus.

Getting feed from their farm guide...

Feeding the chickens...

On the hayride with his friends, Amara on the left & Michelle on the right...they were under my watch on this trip.

Checking out the pigs...

Llamas...when Devin was small & learning his words, he thought "llama" was "mama"-it was so funny when he would point to a picture of a llama & then at me!

Picking out a perfect pumpkin to bring home from a sea of pumpkins!

After lunch & hanging out...

Getting ready to go home...

I didn't think of this at the moment but it was my first time to a farm just like Devin & I have forgotten to take a picture of myself with the farm. Oh well, next time...maybe.

In the middle of the month, we went to our annual excursion: apple picking. Devin enjoys it and he always tries to find the best apple from each tree. As for Serena, she was picking weeds from the ground. When we asked her to pick apples, she was picking them off the ground, the bruised & wormy ones. It was such a beautiful day, we stayed till the orchard was about to close.

Devin picking an perfect apple from this tree.

And Serena picking a perfect weed from the ground.

A beautiful fall day!

Beautiful sunshine!

Another perfect one!

Pony ride for Serena...

...maze for Devin.

At the end of the month, of course, Halloween. For the first 3 years of Devin's life, we didn't have a costume for him. But we did let him go trick or treat with his little friends to get candies when he was two & three. We just weren't sure how to handle this day since we certainly don't want our children to think it's ok to get dressed up as scary as possible to frighten others. For Devin's 4th year, we let him wear his astronaut suit, (which he wears whenever he wanted to on other days) to go "candy collecting" with his friends. And this year, still unsure how to handle Halloween, we asked our Pastors since they have 4 kids of their own. The Pastors recommended "Redeeming Halloween", (a book put out by A Focus on the Family a few years ago) and let us decide what to do with Halloween. After reading the book & talking to our Pastors, we felt better about letting our kids dressed up (with our approval of their costumes) & go "candy collecting".

Serena as a black cat at her school's party. Next to her are her friends Orion as Thomas & Olivia as Cinderella.

See her little tail sticking out from underneath her shirt?

Serena liked face-painting so much, she asked me to paint her face again the following day. This time as a butterfly.

On our way to the kids' party at our co-op complex.

Devin & Serena's friends...they were adorable!

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.

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!