Ice Skating

Tuesday night is family night at Dublin Ice Skating Rink.  Haley and Nic Nic went and had a couple hours of fun in the rink.  Daddy helped Nic and Maggie helped Haley.  Thanks Haley for sharing your snacks with Nicholas. 

Pool time

It was a super hot weekend and we chilled out in the pool two days in a row.  Stella and Michael opened up the pool and invited us and Haley and Chester to the pool as well.  It was Lexi's first time in the pool.  She was little scared at first.  But once she is in the water, she fell asleep within 5 mins.  So cute!  Nic did not spend much time in the water but he was busy shooting water at Daddy the whole time.  On Sunday, we went Cally and Joe's pool and practiced swimming.  Coco showed off his swimming skills.  She swims fast.  She is working on her graduation ribbon. 

Fourth of July Parade 2012

We went to the parade back in 2010 with the Boggs and we had so much fun! We decided to come back again this year! We learned from our past experience that we need to set up chairs the night before. We did just that and found a shady spot to put a row of chairs and blocked it off.

We got there early the day of. Maggie found another great spot and set up the canopy. Awesome job!

The parade is still very exciting to me and to the kids! Helicopters, military tanks, firetrucks, police cars, vintage cars, bands, candies, and flags and goodies kept the kids entertained for 2 hours! The parade ends with the gun shot and Nic was fascinated! What a Fun fun day!!!

Taekwondo Belt Test

Nicholas has been going to Tae Kwon Do since end of May.  We brought him there to learn about discipline, confidence, and concentration.  He also enjoys half an hour of running, jumping, rolling, and fighting!  Master Kenny and Master Cho are great teachers and they are really patience with Nicholas being the newest kid in the class.

Nic began as a white belt.  Master Kenny invited him to the belt test in July.  He was so excited.  He practiced his kicks and his Korean numbers.  But the test was so much more.  It was an eye opener for me.  All the students put on a great show for us.

Nic waiting patiently for his turn.  All of the brown belts go first.

Nic is showing off his orange belt. So proud of him!

Kick Kick Kick!

Bow to the Masters.

Nic's solo with Master Kenny

Outing at Lake De Valle

We love summer! Summer means spending time outside with loved ones!

We spent a great afternoon at Lake De Valle in Livermore with grannies and cousins. We set up the tent and picnicked and had snacks on the lawn. The kids kicked some balls and grandpa flew a kite. Nic and Coco held hands and walked on the beach.

Our highlight was the boat ride! We were so lucky that we were able to rent the sun cruiser that comfortably sits all 10 of us. Ricky was our captain and off we went! The kids got to wear their life jackets but Lexi was so uncomfortable in it that she cried for 15 mins until we took it off. We went all the way to the end of the lake and saw the dam then we turned around and head back! I'd love more fun days like this before the summer ends!

Achievements today 7.11.12

Lexi made 2 big achievements today.

She is able to stand up from sitting position without holding on but only for a brief second. She tried to flick her arms to balance. Then, she would fall and land on her butt! So cute!

Her third teeth (front left teeth on top) came out today. She is such an amazing baby. She didn't cry or get fuzzy. She didn't need Oralgel to ease the pain. She still drinks her milk and eat her baby food like normal days. She only drools like crazy. She is the same happy baby. I am so lucky to have her as my daughter! I feel so blessed.

W's Assistant

Ricky asked me to assist him at the wedding and Alex as his second shooter. The wedding is at Viansa Winery in Napa. It's a beautiful day to be outside. We hung out at Gott's Roadside before the wedding. Gott's burgers are so good! We were fed well! Now on to the job!

Great Helper

Nic loves to help! He wanted to help me wash the vegetables today. So I showed him how and he washed all the veggies on his own. Great job, Nicholas!

Lexi Photo Session Teaser

Lexi is already 7 months old. Now that she can sit up on her own, there is more variety to the pictures we can take for her.
Ricky aka hubby aka W Photography did a few quick snapshots with her two nights ago! Here is a couple of the pics as a teaser! More to come!

Lexi's first teeth

My poor Lexi is so cranky today. Her first teeth just cut through her gums. It's the lower teeth on the left. She would just sit in her favorite chair and cry all evening.

After dinner, I went to the store to get her Oraljel. I used it on her but it doesn't seem to help a lot. I hope the pain will go away soon.

Nic at school

I got to leave work early and went to pick up Nicholas from school. He refused to go home with me cuz it's time to go to the playground.

I got to observe how he interacts with other kids in school and he actually behaves so well. My oh my! He is a different person in school! He picks up his toys, he follows directions, he is smart and funny. Can I bring this little angel home with me?

Last Day of Spring Break

The weather did not exactly cooperate with us during the Spring Break.  There has been pouring rain for the whole week.  The thunder storm hit really hard on Thursday night.  Lightning was flashing after dinner time until like 11:30pm.  Therefore, Nic had been stuck at home most of the week expect for a playdate with Haley and Chester on Thursday and Coco and RaeRae on Friday.

On Sunday, the last day of Spring Break, the sun finally came out.  In the morning, we spend some time in the backyard, blowing bubbles, watering plants, and just enjoying the sun.  It was also Claire's birthday party in the afternoon.  Nic got excited for a while because the party theme was Tangled.  He was so happy to see the Rapunzel cakes.  There were lots of kids and everyone enjoyed their time.  Nic even made a few new friends at the park.  

When we got home, we decided to have some ice cream.  I had bought the Open Nature Greek Frozen Yogurt from Safeway.  I tasted it at work and it was so rich and tasty.  I felt less guilty giving him icecream now cuz it's high in protein!  Nic had a big bowl with a little cone and he loved it.

Then, Ricky made us some great food for dinner.  He got a steak for himself and Nic and I had Halibut.  It's so yummy.  Look how pretty my Halibut is after it's plated!  I LOVE my husband who is an awesome cook!  I am such a lucky person and am definitely spoiled!

Time Out for Nic

Nic is a pretty good eater most of the time on the foods he like to eat.  Lately, he is starting to become a picky eater.  He always needs to be reminded to focus on eating because otherwise, he would just keep talking, or singing, or watching TV.  We generally do not let him get off his seat during a meal until he is done eating.  But it is not working anymore.

So this night, I was home by myself with Nic and Lexi.  Ricky had an engagement session in LA.  Nic just won't touch his veggies.  So I explained to him the veggies will help with his poopoo, so he doesn't need to push hard.  Then, he said I don't want to poopoo.  and when I poopoo I want to push very hard.  TIME OUT!  He should know better that he is asking for trouble when he talks back to mama.  I took him to time out immediately.  I also gave him his plate and told him that he cannot come out until he finishes his veggies. 

This is him, finishing his veg in the timeout corner with his plate. 

GroopDealz

I came across this website called GroopDealz.  It's similar to Groupon, but the products that are sold on this site is more crafty, kinda what you would find on Etsy. 

I made my first purchase on GroopDealz today.  It's a ruffled skirt and the color that I picked was Hot Pink!  I see lots of picture of Lexi in this cute skirt!  I can't wait for it to come in!

Biggest Loser Challenge

At work, besides negotiationg, data crunching, and cost savings, it's also about work/life balance, being healthy, and having fun.  This year I get to participate in the Biggest Loser Challenge for the first time.  I have not participated in this before.  But since I need lots of motivation to lose the baby weight, I decided to join.

Here's the CHALLENGE:

• Starts, Tuesday February 21st and ends April 30th. Pot will be split between the two payout periods:

       1. First set of winners (male/female) at week 5, March 26th

       2. Second set of winners (male/female) at week 10, April 30th.

• Buy In = $20

• Weigh In: every Monday morning. Confidential weigh-in’s. To keep this fair for everyone, you must be consistent in attending the weigh-in’s. It’s not fair to the rest of the group when they don’t know progress of their competition.

• Every week, I’ll issue a report listing out % loss by individual. The percentage will be based on weight loss to total body weight. (Actual weight will never be reported.) Males & Females will be measured in their own respective buckets, not against each other.

• Two payout periods. Half the pot will be paid in each period. On Mar 26th and Apr 30th, the male and female with the highest percentage loss takes home the money!

Here is my progress so far -

Week 1 - 1.83% - Rank 4

Week 2 - 2.36% - Rank 5

Week 3 - 2.88% - Rank 4

Week 4 - 4.46% - Rank 2

Week 5 - 4.85% - Rank 4

Week 6 - out sick, didn't weigh in

Week 7 - 6.68% - Rank 1

Week 4, I was #2, and 0.01% lower than the leader.  Week 5, which is pay out week, everyone stepped up the game and my rank was down to #4!!!!  This week, I am in the LEAD!  Wow, me?  I cannot believe it.  All I did was cutting out carbs and taking the stairs whenever possible (I am on the 4th floor). 

I still have a long way towards my goal, but since I have such positive experience, I will continue to get fit and stay healthy.  Maybe when summer comes, I will be ready for the beach!