Thursday, December 26, 2013
Simon made a thank you card for Santa using the tag from one of his stuffed toys. He cut out the card and drew on it then used tape to “seal” it so it wouldn’t get smeared.
He wrote his name on it and a smiley face. He stuck it in our mail slot to have our mail carrier pick it up to mail to Santa. (Mommy picked it up since it fell out of the slot and now it is in my wallet.)
“Miso Cute” Iris.
Contemplating in her sleep.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Christmas Day! Simon was so excited to open his presents from Santa. Santa drank all the milk and ate most of the cookies and left 3 presents for Simon and 2 presents for Iris. Here is the other gift he asked for: a flat bed truck.
Iris having fun with her alpaca wooden animal.
Simon helped to open Iris’ gifts too. Santa wrapped them in special reindeer wrapping paper.
Iris’ first Christmas!
Our tree with all the gifts for our family before we packed up to head to Millbrae to Grandma and Grandpa Chung’s house.
Simon all dressed up for dinner.
GM and GP Chung’s Christmas tree.
Full of presents!
Trying to take a nap but Iris was too full of energy.
Playing in the tatami room as we wait for dinner.
Simon couldn’t wait so GM Chung let him open one gift: a piggy bank. Simon then went around asking for coins so that he could fill his bank.
Simon put on a performance for us too using the karaoke set and YouTube. He saw Frosty the Snowman, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and some Chinese songs. In the short while that Christmas songs have been on the radio, he has pretty much memorized the words to Frosty the Snowman. I was quite impressed.
Our delicious rib roast cooked by Ron on the BBQ.
Our delicious turkey cooked by Auntie Betty and Uncle Henry.
Family picture before opening gifts.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration with their family and friends! Merry Christmas from Simon, Iris, and Santa!
We might not be getting holiday cards out this season.. so sorry to our family and friends… but we wish you the very best for the new year!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Iris discovered a “real” banana (versus mashed up) and loves using her teeth to scrape off pieces to “chew” herself.
We were having dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Tam’s house for dinner but before we left, we baked some cookies for Santa. Simon helped with pouring the ingredients and shaping the cookies. It was the first time using our home’s oven for baking homemade cookies.
The finished product: chocolate chip walnut oatmeal cookies. Recipe from the Tartine bakery cookbook.
Then we drove out to San Ramon to have dinner. Iris tried on her Santa outfit again.
Mommy and Iris by the tree.
Our main courses for the evening were sashimi and crab legs. Simon had a club sandwich and fruit.
Then we opened some gifts after dinner. Grandma Tam gave Iris this new Hello Kitty hat.
Simon saw this huge bag and could see the toy inside. It was his beloved crane that he asked for from Santa. We made up a little story for him so he would still think it was from Santa. We told him that the crane was too big to fit into Santa’s sleigh so he asked Gung Gung and Pau Pau to get it for him instead. He was super happy but we didn’t let him open it just yet.
Grandparents and Grandkids.
When we got home from San Ramon, Simon set out some cookies and a drink for Santa. We ran out of milk earlier in the day so he gave his some mango smoothie instead. Earlier in the day, Simon colored a picture for Santa (next to his knee) so cut it out for Santa to take with him and wrote “Simon” so that Santa would know the cookies and drink were for him (on the plate).
Monday, December 23, 2013
Simon showed Iris how to play with this drum.
After a very tiring trip to Costco with both kids to buy supplies for Christmas, Simon had a rest (not a nap) then helped me to trim the tree. He loved hanging up the ornaments.
We were able to accomplish this task because Iris took a nap.
Happy and playful after a good rest.
If I time it right, Iris really enjoys her time in the bath. Sometimes I give her a bath too late and she’s a little bit cranky. She was in a good mood this day.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Today we spent the morning at the Oakland Zoo. Our friends Susan, Ken, and Caden joined us for a day of exploring.
Simon has been showing off that he can stand on one foot. Perfect timing here with the flamingos! He is so proud of himself that he can balance.
Hello comfy little bear in the hammock!
Caden and Simon posing at the entrance to the Children’s area of the zoo.
Hearing like a rabbit.
Caden and Simon enjoying the children’s play area.
After seeing the animals, we exited to the ride area to have lunch. Iris and I finishing up our lunch.
After lunch, the boys went on some of the rides together. Both were super excited about the fire engine.
Then riding the jeep.
Then flying an airplane up and down!
After the zoo, Simon had his nap before we went out again to pick our Christmas tree. There was a tree lot on University Ave from Delancey Street Foundation (which we used as our movers) so chose a smallish tree for our smaller home.
Since it was near sunset, we drove down to the Berkeley Pier to see if we could catch the sunset and walk down to the end of the pier. Simon had a great time jumping over “cracks” on the pier.
Iris enjoyed the stroll down the pier.
Kiddos with the sunset.
Back in the car… Simon the red-bowed little boy!
Iris playing at home.
An activity filled day, now knocked out for the night.
