Meal planning works!

3 year ago, I was doing shopping with Courtney and she talked about doing meal planning and it stuck in my mind. Then I thought, it is hard enough to think what to make for the evening coming and now I have to think about meals for weeks and even months away. Now I have done it and I wish I have always been doing it. Yes, it will take a good couple of hours of planning but it is worth it. For a while, I have theme nights for each day of the week, I thought I'd narrow down what to make for dinners but it still sometimes gives me headache especially when I have 2 little ones demend for me constantly. I only start doing meal planning for 2 weeks, I love it for 2 weeks I know exactly what is for dinner and James looks forwards to dinners come ahead. One more plus side is that I use my grocerey well so that I don't waste any produce or food.

Zoo in Calgary

Mason and I have finally made it to the zoo in Calgary. Mason sure has lots of fun, he simply adores all the animals. He cannot wait to see more and more of them. I only feel a bit homesick and miss all the dear friends there. Obviously due to the mostly freezy weather, most animals are indoor compare to Taipei zoo. Thus, the animals don't have as much space and I do feel sad for them.  I love those zoo trips we did in Taipei though the weather was so hot. I really miss you ladies-Kay, Lori, Leone and Nicole!!! Maybe someday, we'll be visiting the zoo somewhere here in North America.

Spring???

I know it is strong in the genes when I see my children LOVE sunshines and nature as much as I do. We are 'almost' snow free in our back-yard and we were just being lazy and getting all the vitamin D we can. We are simply so excited about spring coming. I'm no gardener but I love all the warmth and blossom. James and I were just saying how much we take it for grated in Taipei since it is lush and beautiful flowers everywhere throughout the year. Though we lived in an apartment we were so blessed to have parks and playgrounds close-by. We also enjoyed all the stores, mall and movie theaters within walking distance. I suppose that is why I lose all my pregnacy weight by 6 months without any exercise or diet plan. I only walk everywhere with Mason. At the same time, I LOVE and so glad to have a nice front and back-yard now. Its such a 'privilaged' feeling to have my toddler playing outside and I get to do some work in the kitchen. I know you'll know what I mean if you have lived in Asia.

Being creative for my boy and I need HELP

I am sending out a help alert to you all dear friends and family out there. It is nothing new that a toddler is a picky eater and many of you know that my 2 year-old simply doesn't eat much or not at all. I do use the strategy that "well, he'll eventutally get hungry but it doesn't work that well with him" He rather plays than eats. I am short of ideas so give me ANYTHING you have to help my short little boy to grow. ^^

Butterfly sandwish (the most requested item)

Ms. Piggy

Chicken brooth congee (nothing special but Mason actually loves it)

Little boy with his balloon (now when Mason wants an apple, he asks for a balloon)

Ms. Chen

Squeeny noodles (idea from familyfun)

Sunny side up of beef Tortellini

The planet

Finding ladybugs

This was such a beautiful afternoon. It was a sunny mild day and we just love it. Mason went out to play in the yard and after a while, he was screaming about bugs. I thought it was something bad that he was scared or something. I went out but he was so excited that he wanted to grab them. We put the ladybugs in the container and he just watched them carefully for more than 30 minutes. He wanted to bring them in so bad. We simply love that spring is coming, we want more and more of this sunshine and warmth.