A lot of luggage

We're leaving for America! Lizzy and Hayden are so excited to see Grandma/Grandpa. Mom and Dad are also excited but it's gonna be a looooooong flight before we get there. We have three planes to catch with two fairly long layovers. It'll be a good 24 hours before we arrive at our destination. Here the kids are (fighting over who gets to pull the pretty pink luggage), they've both had a good nights' rest, and we're ready to go. This is a lot of luggage - but we've paid for 4 tickets (first time Hayden gets a seat as he is now a 2 year old, yay little Hay!) and we're gonna get our money's worth in terms of luggage allowance. Goodbye China, we'll see you in 6 weeks, just in time for the Olympics!

did this work?

posting vids is always touch and go. you win some, you lose some. trip to the zoo to see the bear.

Oots

Sandra Boynton is one of our favorite board book authors. In this book, the animals wear "red hat, green hat, blue hat," and then the turkey wears the hat wrong, and the line is "oops". The week Hayden spent at home with Daddy, they developed a routine of reading before bedtime. This was one of his favorites and he loves to say the "Oops"! Except when he says it, it sounds like "oots". I love it, and tried to get some footage. He wasn't being particularly cooperative, but it's still cute. Oots!

Meet Grumpy Bear

A ayi took Lizzy to the mall and bought her a bear from Build a Bear Workshop, where the bears are made in China, but stuffed in Taiwan. She named him "Grumpy Bear". Grumpy Bear became a big part of our trip in Taiwan. Much of Lizzy's imaginary stories centered around Grumpy Bear. A ayi broke her budget this month by purchasing GB an outfit, a pair of shoes, a pair of sunglasses, and a skateboard.

Naturally, we needed to have a birthday party for GB. The invitation list was quite exclusive, but if you asked nice enough, you could usually get yourself invited to GB's birthday party. Here is the "cake" (it is composed of a cube puzzle and legos for candles)

Ta-da! The whole set up for GB's birthday party, complete with happy birthday sign (this was a coloring contest from the hotel where we were staying at celebrating their 15th anniversary - what are the chances that happened to be the same time as GB's birthday party?!)

Gao Tie

Lizzy and I went back to Taiwan. This was our first time to take the "Gao Tie", the new railway that superspeeds from Kaohsiung to Taichung in 50 minutes, and another 50 minutes up to Taipei! As soon as we got off the plane, Ah-gong picked us up with (from my very specific instructions) a big old cup of my favorite Boba tea. :)



What's a road trip without a BlueSky show?

Cave

Lizzy and Hayden built a "cave" using cushions from the couch and our toy kitchen.

Best friends

Father's Day

Sunday is Father's Day. Unfortunately, Lizzy and I will be travelling back to Taiwan and will have to give Hayden the responsibility of making Dad feel special on that day. However, it is appropriate for me to give Jason the credit in honor of Father's Day, the number of times I have left one or both kids with him this year.

October 26 - Nov 7, 2007 - Mommy took a trip to LA and left both the children home with Dad.
November 28 - Dec 1, 2007 - Mommy went to Shenzhen and left both the children home with Dad.
April 27 - May 1, 2008 - Mommy and Lizzy went to Kunming and left Hayden home with Dad.
June 15 - Jun 21, 2008 - Mommy and Lizzy are going to Taiwan and leaving Hayden home with Dad.

Not to mention all the times that Daddy takes care of the children so Mom can work at our office, go hang out with my girlfriends, get my facials, etc. I am so thankful that the kids have a Dad who spends just as much time at home as Mom, I know they will forever treasure these memories of growing up with him.

Happy Father's Day, Jason - Lizzy and Hayden are blessed to have you as their Dad!

Plaid Shorts

Plaid shorts are in. I think I might get myself a pair or two.

Here, the kids are playing in a sand pit. I had to put an end to the fun when Hayden won't respond to me yelling, "Stop throwing the sand at your sister!"

Cinderella Party

Lizzy attended a "cinderella" birthday party, where she dressed up in rags, and got to clean an empty apartment with a dish brush. :) And then they went on a carriage ride (aka tricycle) and got dressed up to go to the "ball".


Here they all are dressed up as princesses! They are so sweet.

This is the birthday girl and one of Lizzy's best friends, Rose. I'm so thankful for their friendship.

A ayi and Hayden

Hayden warmed up to A ayi so quickly, he knew that she loved him!

going out with A ayi in a taxi

Persistent on holding A ayi's hand while out and about,

A ayi and Lizzy

A ayi bought Lizzy and Hayden lots of new clothes. One particular dress she liked so much she bought one for herself.

out for ice cream - spoiled by A ayi

girl time - getting our nails done!

fun at the playground

A ayi took us out for smoothies (not pictured, they were mango flavored, and cookie and cream)

A ayi

A ayi came to visit the kids for a few days in Tianjin. We did lots of stuff together, but mostly just relaxed and enjoyed having her around. Lizzy had a hard time letting go of the fact that she's staying only for 3 days and not 5 days, but in the end, she had a good time with her.





We miss you A ayi!

Bowling fun

I took Lizzy along with me when we went bowling with a bunch of other girls. 3 out of 20 turns she knocked down some pins to end up with a grand total of 17!! yay Lizzy! The other 17 times her ball fell into the gutter but she just turned around and said, "it was a nice try". I don't know if I'm more proud of her for getting a score of 17 or for being such a good sport about landing in the gutter 17 times.

Gangsta

Long time no see

Sorry I haven't blogged in so long. Here are some pics to satisfy blog fans.