April Happenings...

Legends of Aerospace at the Intrepid

Ok-this happened in March but I didn't get a chance to post it & way too exciting(to our family) not to mention it. As we all know, Devin is a HUGE fan of NASA/space shuttles & rockets, planes & jets, etc. So when I found out Neil Armstrong (along with other great legends) was going to be at the Intrepid, we jumped at the chance to go since Mr. Armstrong doesn't make a lot of public appearances. We went despite NYC was enveloped in a torrential rain storm. As it turned out, the guests couldn't get to NY because of the rain. So the event was moved to the following day which we went back. However, Mr. Armstrong didn't talk about his moon landing experience at all. Slight bit disappointing and meanwhile, Devin turned to me and asked, "Where is Buzz Aldrin? Is he gonna come?"

L to R: David Hartman (moderator-retired USAF officer), Neil Armstrong, Steve Ritchie (the last AF Pilot ACE-meaning have shot down 5 or more enemy jets during aerial combat) & Bob Gilliland (SR-71 Blackbird chief test pilot). Scheduled to show but missing due to date changed: Gene Cernan (last man to step on the moon) & Jim Lovell (Commander of Apollo 13 which Tom Hanks portrayed in the movie).

Grainy picture of Neil Armstrong & Steve Ritchie: I couldn't get close...

Now the followings REALLY happened in April:

Andrew gave himself a day off and we went to the CP zoo...

then to FAO (Serena's first time, not counting in utero)

At the Hall of Science, trying to build a molecular structure...

At cousin AJ's birthday bash-what a fun party. It was a "mobile gaming" party. A van pulls up with video games (wii) set up inside, seats 12 kids. And a rock band video game up which was a huge hit with Devin & Serena.

Serena playing the drums while cousin Elizabeth singing, "You belong with meeeeeeeeeeee..."

Devin's turn to sing & Elizabeth playing the drums.

Devin playing the guitar with mommy's help...Uncle Mike looking a bit perplexed in the foreground.

Another day at the zoo, this time in the Bronx. Serena loved the bug carousel, she rode it twice!

At the zoo's butterfly garden, Devin pretending to be one of his favorite character.

And yes, we celebrated Easter but took pictures with our camera phones. Someday, I will consolidate all our photos...someday.

More Birthday Pictures!

Almost forgot to post my "famous" birthday pictures! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Devin!

Devin is 5! How time flies. He was so excited for his birthday, he was making plans & letting us know what he wanted to do. He told us he wanted to have a pizza birthday party at his school with all his school friends. Then go to Chuck E. Cheese at night. And that's exactly what we did and we even made a pit stop at Toys R Us!

Opening his birthday presents at the crack of dawn with Serena looking on!

In Devin's classroom: a birthday board!

Devin's date is under the dog, on the left side, 2nd row.

Getting ready to blow out the candles-I thought I placed 5 candles on his cupcake but it baffles me that it looked like there were only 3 in the picture!

Picture with Daddy.

Serena fits herself right in. Seriously, she walked in and sat herself down. She took someone else's seat & the teacher was kind enough to let her stayed there & moved the other kid some where else.

Devin's classroom. The 2 aides standing were brought in as extra help. (They usually have one teacher & 2 aides).

Devin goofing with his best-friend-of-the-moment: Derek.

Toys R Us: Birthday crown & balloon.

The big rat aka Chuck-Serena was mesmerized but Devin was more interested in his prize.

Catching up! (Updated with Photos Finally!)

OK-I've been MIA for the last month with this blog. What happened-I have no idea. February kinda just came & went. I have pictures but was just procrastinating with posting. Then when I did have time, I couldn't find the camera cable to download the pictures. Devin likes to use that cable as a "leash". He would hold onto one end & have Serena hold onto the other end and "walk" her around (like a puppy). Serena would happily obliged since Devin actually engaged her in his play. Anyway, back to the camera cable: I'm usually pretty good about taking the cable back from Devin after they're done playing. But this last time (almost 2 weeks ago), I couldn't find it. Devin has no idea where he left it. So, I'm hoping I'll find it one of these days. Some of the pictures I took with my camera phone, I have posted them on my facebook page. When I do find the cable, I'll update this post with pictures from the camera. Stay tuned.

Wearing Daddy's shoes!

Devin's turn wearing Daddy's shoes.

Kids' Day at the Intrepid Museum.

At the Intrepid Museum-one of Devin's favorite places.

Devin & I signed the petition below! (somewhere in there)

Happy New Year!

This is officially the first posting for 2010. After the nice, long Christmas/New Year break, Devin had to get back into the swing of things...doing homework 4 days a week. Albeit the homework are no more than 10 minutes, he is not a big fan. On the other hand, Serena likes to sit down & "do homework" along side with Devin. Go figure!

Devin doing homework.

Serena "doing homework". Notice I give her a similar type of homework as Devin.

For Christmas, we gave Devin these "grow" in the water toys. I didn't think the size would be much different but check these before & after photo.

This the sting ray at its original size:

One week later...and you can leave it in the water for weeks and it would keep growing. It kinda creep me out so I had it taken out. Then it went back to its original size in a couple of days.

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.