Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Christmas Eve, on our way to Austin!

Bus ride to the BART train, then a tram ride to get to the plane.  Topped off with a car ride to the final destination.  Merry travels for us.

(btw, Grande's first time on the BART system)

Kinder for a Day

Spot the kid who doesn't belong...

Mini's kinder class had a holiday potluck and families were invited to hang out.  Grande made himself at home and thought himself a big kid.  Classmates loved having him there and took care of him.  

Hugs and More

There's been a breakthrough!  Mini is finally playing the caring big sister and taken Grande under her wing.  She has been slow to this but, this weekend, she did a lot to take care of her lil bro.  They played wonderfully together and both gave lots of love to one another.

Tennis "Expert"

Mini was a speaker for Grande's preschool class today.  She gave a ten minute presentation on Tennis (the class has been learning about balls and sports as their monthly curriculum).  She showed them books and pictures, demonstrated warm-up stretches, taught them the forehand and backhand swings, and handed out a mini tennis ball as goody.

Grande was a total distraction and only caused a ruckus.  He was excited to have us there and wouldn't sit for the lesson.  He was yelling and interrupting Mini, the teachers were speechless at his behavior since they know him as quiet and well-behaved.  Such a Jekyll and Hyde.

Little Helper

Helping daddy fix a light switch.  

Holidays are coming!

Getting in the holiday spirit with a trip to Academy of Sciences to see "snow".  Mini called it out right away and said, "this is just soap and bubbles."

To rectify the fake snow, the kids got to decorate a gingerbread house.  Grande didn't decorate much and ate most of his supplies.

Winter Is Here

Ready for another fun winter in Tahoe!

Little Brother Love

Mini is in a thankful mood these days.  Mostly due to school and their lessons about thankfulness and appreciation centered around Thanksgiving.

Mini wrote the top letter to Grande.  The other two are her "cards".  It's amusing to see her spelling and watch it develop.  She catches on quick, especially when you spell it for her.  She'll remember the combination or sounds the next time.

Conservatory of Flowers

Today was a mommy and son outing to see the Garden Railway exhibit at the SF Conservatory of Flowers.  Grande likes his trains and really wanted to touch the model trains.  He didn't care much for the flowers and plants on display.

It was nice because I've been living here for 20 years and this is my first visit to the Conservatory of Flowers.  Something I got to share with the little one, his first visit too.

Smooth Operator??

Someone is making moves :)

Grande has a girl buddy at preschool.  I've caught him hugging her and playing with "Mei Mei", but I've also seen him screaming into her face.  But all in good fun, she was laughing.

Looks like he's feeling extra friendly in these photos.

Makeover Gone Wrong

Mini is much nicer to Grande these days.  Today, she was in the mood to give him a makeover/face painting treatment complete with mani/pedi.  Grande, of course, loves the attention and lets it happen.

Mini said she turned him into a scary, spooky skeleton.

Ga-Ga

Ever since Grande started talking (about 3 months ago), he would call Mini Ga-Ga. At first, we didn't know what he meant but we soon realized that he couldn't say her name and this was his interpretation of it. His ability to repeat words has improved in the last few weeks so he has been picking up both English and Chinese words quickly. Don't tell Mini but he actually said her name this weekend when repeating after me. However, he still calls her Ga-Ga (which she hates). Mini measured today at 42" -- she can finally ride more rides at Disneyland! She had been stuck at 41" for the last 6 months or so. Grande also grew to 35.5" -- just another half inch to be able to ride some rides by himself!

Hellvedere Halloween

We hosted a Halloween party for our playgroup and had twelve families over for pizza and trick-or-treating on Belvedere St (aka Hellvedere).  It was a crazy night - imagine 24 kids itching to go get candy, then eating said candy, then bouncing off the walls from sugar rushes.

Grande (Thomas the Train) had his first real go at trick-or-treating.  Little man would hop on and off the stroller at each house to collect his booty.  I do think he likes it.  Mini (Skye from Paw Patrol) is an old pro now and ventured off with her friends to collect candy.  Both came back with loaded bags of treats.  

Doggy Paddle, Check!

Three months of lessons and Mini can do the doggy paddle!  Her progress is mostly contributed to a weekend in Vegas where her confidence was boosted by a swim vest and foam noodle.  She had a blast treading around the hotel pool.

Today in class, she dove right in and paddled her way around.  Instructor Ben was very impressed and surprised, he didn't know where it came from since she refused to put her head in the water only a month ago.

Future Dentist

Mini is inspired to be a dentist since we switched to a friend's practice.  This dentist lets the kids get involved and makes the visit so much fun.  Today, Mini controlled the suction tool (aka Mr. Thirsty) for my entire cleaning.  By the end, she was quite adept at finding the water and telling me to open/close and "good job, mommy".

Working Together

Finally!  These two worked together to build a magnatile tower.  This is a first.  No fighting, screaming, crying, or destruction.  

Lost First Tooth

Mini lost her first tooth this morning.  Had to pull it because of cavities.  It was a front, top tooth.

New Smile

First baby tooth is out.  Mini had her front, left tooth pulled this morning bc a of a cavity resulting in a compromised tooth.  The procedure was quick and she got through it with oral sedation.

Looks like the tooth fairy is visiting tonight!

Homework

Mini had her first homework assignment for kindergarten.  The kids made posters for Literacy Day and the posters are displayed in the school hall.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Took Mini to her first circus show today and she was less than amused.  She thought the animals smelled stinky, the music was too loud, and the performances were boring.  She did like the human cannonball act and trampoline artists.  Paid minimal attention to the acrobatics and clowns.  But where else can she watch elephants, tigers, camels, and poodles perform?  She only gave these fabulous animals a glance and then went back to playing with her friends.

First Week of Kinder

You survived your first week of kindergarten :)

And you still like it.  Whew!

Grande's First Phrase

You can say "wo ai ni".  The teachers taught you this today before nap time.  Incredibly cute!!

First Day of Kindergarten

It's here, your first day of kindergarten.  You're a big girl now going to Dianne Feinstein Elementary School.  We packed your lunchbox, backpack, and got you to school at 7:50am.  Your teacher is Ms. Wong in Room 105.  There are 21 other kids in your class and at least you already know two of them.  At least you're not alone.  You are excited and ready for this new adventure.  Good luck, my little one.

Picked you up from school and you said it was a great day and you LOVED it.  We celebrated by going to the library and playing with your new Lego set with Unikitty, something you've been asking for since your birthday.

First Summer Camp

Mini - You finished your first summer camp today.  It was the SF Zoo camp, Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm, Paws and Patterns, Flamingo group.  It was a good thing your best friend Olivia K. was there because you would have quit after the second day.  But you learned about different animals and came home with a handmade craft each day.  I know you had fun even though you said it was boring and too much walking.  You even made a new friend, Olivia T.