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.

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!