We didn't know what to expect but had a lot of fun at the show watching trains go around a very impressive 875 sq foot city/farmland/grand prix race scene/caynon/oceanscape built entirely out of LEGOs. The kids had fun building from the bricks in the play area too. 目不遐給 is how I would describe it.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Dinosaur Fair
We found out about the Sonoma County Fair and its dinosaur theme quite late and decided at the last minute to take the kids there. The largest themed flower show in the U.S. was indeed quite impressive and it was a fun day. Our normally decent diet took a back seat and we all partook in greasy curly fries and chicken strips (although the fries were fresh-cut...) The adults tried something for the first time - funnel cake - also very greasy, but so good !
I showed Katrina the album below and she decided to blog about some of her favorite experiences. Now that she's graduated from one-liner blogs, check out what else she has to say about our day at the fair :)
View album
I showed Katrina the album below and she decided to blog about some of her favorite experiences. Now that she's graduated from one-liner blogs, check out what else she has to say about our day at the fair :)
View album
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Berkeley Kite Festival
We went to the Berkeley Kite Festival a few weeks ago and I did Rokkaku battling for the first time (totally on a whim). 4th street was nearby so we headed over for lunch and chanced upon The Pasta Shop’s annual Hog Heaven event where we got to sample all kinds of salami, nduja, prosciutto, chicharrones, mortadella, ham, housemade sausages etc.
View album
View album
Friday, August 14, 2009
Comic moments
Like Katrina, Nathan cracks us up often with his random comments, but unlike his sister who actually does have a sense of humor, his are often unintentional...
Like most moms, I always scout out restrooms upon arriving at a new location. All of a sudden, Nathan yells "NO pee !", turns out he saw this sign:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That same night, we were warmly greeted after sitting down:
"Hi, my name is Bob and I'll be your server for the evening"
While busy coloring, Nathan mutters to himself without looking up, "佢話佢個名係SpongeBob 呀" [He said his name is SpongeBob]....
Like most moms, I always scout out restrooms upon arriving at a new location. All of a sudden, Nathan yells "NO pee !", turns out he saw this sign:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------That same night, we were warmly greeted after sitting down:
"Hi, my name is Bob and I'll be your server for the evening"
While busy coloring, Nathan mutters to himself without looking up, "佢話佢個名係SpongeBob 呀" [He said his name is SpongeBob]....
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Bird sightings
Besides frequent visits from squirrels, bunnies, deer, and other critters, we recently had some interesting bird sightings that entertained the kids during breakfast time.
One morning, a whole bunch of these showed up in our yard:
They then lined up neatly one by one on the ledge:
Lately, we also have lots of hummingbirds drinking from our tree:
I guess although we don't get to see stray peacocks and such like we did when we lived by the Zoo, we're still somewhat "in the wild" here...
They then lined up neatly one by one on the ledge:
Lately, we also have lots of hummingbirds drinking from our tree:
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
My other son
While still dealing with the impending closure of a chapter in my life in another area (will end my relationship with my current company in a few weeks - but that's another post), I just got word that my 16-year relationship with my 'son' is coming to an end.
It's not bad news really - "The World Vision office in Ethiopia notified us that a relative of Mesfin Matewos is now able to assume responsibility for him. This family member will be taking care of Mesfin and providing for his everyday needs. Mesfin will no longer be a participant in the sponsorship program." In fact, it's quite good news for Mesfin - but indeed it's been a very long relatonship and it'll take a while to get used to.
I guess every sponsorship has to come to an end eventually, and even our own children will move away one day.... The bright side is we'll get to help another child. My first child before Mesfin was Monicah in Kenya - I'm leaning towards a girl in the Southern region this time - maybe we'll even let the kids choose their 'sister' this time !
When I met Mesfin for the first time, he seemed a bit sad and scared. He wasn't able to attend school because they were struggling to make ends meet.
After a couple of years, he's grown a very cute head of hair and was getting his basic needs met and had started school and other activities.
Many many years later, he had grown into a confident and strong young man !
It's not bad news really - "The World Vision office in Ethiopia notified us that a relative of Mesfin Matewos is now able to assume responsibility for him. This family member will be taking care of Mesfin and providing for his everyday needs. Mesfin will no longer be a participant in the sponsorship program." In fact, it's quite good news for Mesfin - but indeed it's been a very long relatonship and it'll take a while to get used to.
I guess every sponsorship has to come to an end eventually, and even our own children will move away one day.... The bright side is we'll get to help another child. My first child before Mesfin was Monicah in Kenya - I'm leaning towards a girl in the Southern region this time - maybe we'll even let the kids choose their 'sister' this time !
After a couple of years, he's grown a very cute head of hair and was getting his basic needs met and had started school and other activities.
Many many years later, he had grown into a confident and strong young man !
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pretend play
You know your 3 yr-old is ready for preschool when his most exciting weekly entertainment is the gardening team who comes by to service our neighborhood. He's obsessed with mimicking the many 剪草師傅 (gardeners) whenever he gets a chance....
Made a backpack leaf blower out of balloon art from a clown :
But then he thought the balloon 唔夠似 (doesn't totally resemble the blower) because it's not "open", so off came the grip of his putter which has a hollow shaft and makes a much more believable blower:
Well, there's always one guy on the gardening team who trims the edges of the lawn, so his golf iron takes the role of an edger:
He'd make the leaf blowing sound and pretend he's gardening with whatever is around - even when he's in his PJs and ready for bed:
Made a backpack leaf blower out of balloon art from a clown :
But then he thought the balloon 唔夠似 (doesn't totally resemble the blower) because it's not "open", so off came the grip of his putter which has a hollow shaft and makes a much more believable blower:
Well, there's always one guy on the gardening team who trims the edges of the lawn, so his golf iron takes the role of an edger:
He'd make the leaf blowing sound and pretend he's gardening with whatever is around - even when he's in his PJs and ready for bed:
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