Monday, February 3, 2014

Simon drew this picture during school today. It is Simon playing ball with Mommy and Daddy. Mommy is the colored person on the left and Daddy is the one without color in the middle. The star is is our house and the animal is our pet. I asked Simon where was Iris and he said she was inside the house playing with Annie. I love his drawings and explanations.

Iris’ picture of the day.

Simon’s picture of the day.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Simon wasn’t feeling very well most of the day. Complaining about his stomach hurting and being tired. But he wasn’t nauseated or throwing up or having diarrhea so I didn’t think it was a stomach flu. So he just rested and drank some Pediasure and Pedialyte because he wasn’t really interested in eating. I made the trip to Walgreens to buy him the drinks and some antacid so stopped by Gregoire to pick up some food for Simon. We were afraid he might have had some intolerance to something from last night’s dinner so didn’t want him eating leftovers. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and their famous potato puffs.

While I was there, I neglected to check what type of oil they use in their fryer. I called when I got home because, since the restaurant is French, I suspected it was peanut oil. Unfortunately, it was peanut oil so Simon couldn’t eat either item. So he just had some Mickey Mouse shaped chicken nuggets. Mom FAIL! I’m glad I called to check before feeding it to him but I need to be more cautious.

He was happy with eating his chicken nuggets at least.

But he complained about stomach pain again so had to go rest and take his afternoon nap. Iris and I decided to go out and check out a picnic area for Simon’s birthday next month. Let’s go!

When we got there, it was a little cold and Iris had fallen asleep in the car. Once I moved her to the stroller, she woke up but was still very drowsy. We took a walk around the lake and checked out the different picnic spots. This is near the beach where there is sand and you can swim in warmer weather.

We continued walking and took a picture near the lake.

The picnic spot looks like a good area with a small children’s playground nearby and very close to the beach so kids could play in the sand if they like. So I think this is where his party will be and I’m going to cross my fingers and toes for warm weather!

After our excursion, we headed to Costco to buy some fruits and vegetables.

Iris loves sitting in the shopping cart and apparently Mommy loves filling the shopping cart. We only went in to buy a few things but ended up spending over $200! At least I filled the minivan with inexpensive gas since there was no line.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

I had work in the morning but we had plans to visit the Chabot Space and Science Center in the late afternoon. Bank of America had their “Museums on Us” promotion this weekend at Chabot so that Ron and I did not have to pay for admission since we are both Bank of America card holders. We just had to pay for Simon’s admission since he is over 3 years old.

I found both kids napping when I got home from work. Iris was a little fussy and needed to be held to sleep except for these few minutes where she slept on Annie’s futon.

Simon was sleeping under his tent and at first, I thought he was awake because his eyes were open! But he was snoring and fast asleep so didn’t see me or hear me come into his room. A bit scary to see him with his eyes open.

We made it in time to Chabot to watch their planetarium show about the moon.

Simon relaxing in the seat.

Iris and I watched too, sitting in the front. She was very calm and watched the lights above her. She only cried out a few times and was able to sit through the whole show.

After the show, our friends arrived and Simon was excited to explore with his friend Caden. There is a small playroom for younger kids so they played there first.

Simon is ready to blast off into space!

They both really liked this bigger space shuttle.

They tested man’s first “steps on the moon” for size.

Ron donned a space helmet.

Then a space suit.

Iris was well behaved and just observed her surroundings.

She even got in on the fun by trying on the space suit.

Simon was already getting tired and hungry so he didn’t want to get into the space suit. So we went to find ourselves some dinner and ended up at a Japanese restaurant in Montclair Village called Kotobuki. Their three item combination dinner is huge.

But overall, the food was only so-so. I’m not sure we will go back but it was nearby and service was quick for our hungry kiddos.

Fast asleep after an eventful day.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Happy Chinese New Year!

Simon had the day off from school today and Ron decided to work from home today so they visited me at work during lunchtime. We tried the new Bowl’d on Telegraph Ave (was Sura then Copan and recently changed to Bowl’d – they also have a location in Albany on Solano Ave). Delicious bi bim bap! But you should really try their kimchi fried rice, so buttery and delicious.

Simon was cold so borrowed my sweater vest.

Little Iris having fun during bathtime.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Lunch for the last day of school this week. Tomorrow the school is closed for Chinese New Year. He has strawberries, a mandarin orange, pizza rolls, rice with pork floss (rousong), and two cookies. Simon loves rousong. He ate every last bite of his lunch. He’s usually a pretty good eater when it is food he really likes.

Tonight we had Chinese New Year Eve dinner in San Ramon at Grandma and Grandpa Tam’s house. The kiddos got all dressed up for the celebration.

I wore one of my Chinese tops today too.

Iris had matching gold shoes. She can stand up for 1 second before buckling her knees and sitting/falling down.

They were still doing a lot of cooking so Iris was playing in the living room and Simon was watching TV.

Our nanny Annie also joined us for dinner. Iris really liked her scarf.

Uncle Tim and Auntie Callie helped to babysit Iris too.

Sitting down to our lovely meal. (Grandpa Tam is taking the picture.)

We were all happily stuffed after the delicious traditional meal. Iris even tried some of the good food like the sugar snap peas, the fish, rice, and chicken.

Simon got too hot wearing his outfit so took off the top. Grandma Tam gave him a new toy, Dusty from the Pixar Planes movie.

Iris and Grandma Tam. She is wearing a sweater that grandma gave her. So cute!

Little girl in action!

From 01-30-2014 CNY Eve in San Ramon

“Mommy and Daddy, I think I’m ready to go home”

It was a wonderful evening with family.

Late post of some pictures from Ron’s phone.