Elmo says Isabelle is turning TWO

My Elmo-crazed girl is 2 years old. Again, we were so excited having my parents to visit us so we also had her party one month prior. It was hard to believe when we left Taipei, Isabelle was only 2 months old and she is two now. This is her first party with nursery friends coming to celebrate with her. I think she was so fanciated to see Elmo's faces everywhere. We love you~Happy Birthday!



Last day of school

Have I mentioned Mason loved his school? He does! On his sick days, he'd be so sad or even upset that he cannot go to school. So can you imagine on the last day of school? He was devasted. He literally cried the whole way home and moped about it for almost 3 weeks. He especially misses his best buddy-Tarik. I specially thankful for the teachers for educating my very active boy! He cannot wait for fall to come.



Stronger than any coffee

I was a coffeholic, I could drink up to 8 large cups of black coffee each day. During 3rd and the last year of university, I used to take 5 courses and 2 jobs so I literally depended on coffee to not walk like a zombie. A few years later, I quitted completly for my husbend and my Heavenly Father but I realized it was only for my own good. Another few years later, I was blessed to be a mother of 2 wonderful children. I admit that there were few moments I desperately wanted some coffee or even Latte would do. I truly have great admiration to my dear mom friends who have raised 3 to 6 amazing children. I confess that there were days I simply want to return to my career and have the professionals to watch my kids. However, with my Father's blessings and confirmation, I feel previlaged to raise my kiddos. One of my secret weapon was I have something that is stronger than coffee and here they are:

and more and more...

and I also get a huge boost when:

~when I pick Mason up from school, the moment he spots me he'd run to me so fast and yell out Mommy

~when Isabelle runs to my bed and gives me hugs and kisses after James gets her out of the crib

~when they are both up from a nap, they need to snuggle with me

~when Mason comes to me and tells me how much he loves me for no reason

~when Isabelle comes to me and just wants me to "hold you (her)"

~when Mason says, "thanks Mommy, its so yummy." during meal time

~when Isabelle feeds herself but gives a smile with every bite she takes

~when they come to me for a group hugs

~when they keep asking for each other when they don't see the other

and more and more and more, I believe I have an endless supply of super coffee to keep me going and feel blissful. I just love my children!!!

Superheroes onsite

Mason is surely much older now. 2 months prior, he has decided and requested the theme for his 4th birthday party. He wanted The Incrediables and he wanted to be Dash. He actually started to do this role playing 1 week before the party. I can only call him Dash and he ran around the house like Dash. He only called Isabelle "Jack Jack" and I was the Elastic Girl. Because of my parents' visit, we held his party 1 month earlier than his actual date so they can be part of it. Mason also got to invite the friends to the party. He mostly invited his classmates from preschool and a couple from his Sunbeam class. I can totally understand why most mothers do the parties else where than their own homes. There were loads of planning and preparation. Nevertheless, I'm an event person I actually love doing this and feel previlaged to do it for my children than like old days when I did it for strangers (clients). I only need more time and energy, I have asked James to remind me to start the preparation right after Christmas :) I trust Mason had a great time. After the party, he came to me with a thoughtful look and said, "mommy, it was a great party, I really love it, thank you!" All those stay-up nights paid off right at that instant moment. Mason too has decided for his 5th birthday theme so I guess I can start early then :) Happy Birthday~my darly boy!

 Dash and his superhero friends

 In training to get Sydrome

 They found Sydrome (Pinata)

 Blowing the cake with dear friends

 Quietly he opened all the presents as we were cleanning up

Love you Mason!

family BC trip

My parents came to visit us but their plan was to visit my brother in Vancouver for a few days before flying over to Calgary. However, we decided to surprise them at the Vancouver airport and thus came up our family BC road/camping trip. We had our very first family camp at Riverstoke. The kids were loving it; they loved it so much that they didn't go to bed until after 11pm and still managed to wake up early, I supposed they didn't want to miss out too much of the mountains. We stopped at Sicamus, Hope and onto Vancouver. My parents were so shocked and it took both of them a few moments to comprehend that we were in front of their eyes. It was so great to see and spend time with them as well as visiting my brother. We truly wish they could have live closer to us. We of course visited the town for a few days and the weather was simply lovely. Everywhere we looked was so green unlike Calgary at this time of the year. We thought we really don't mind living in a city that is much warmer. On the way home, we took more stops-Hope, Kolowna, Riverstoke and Yoho National Park as well as Banff for dinner before heading back to cow town. We want to be back in the Rockies again and soon.

 

My sweetheart's big birthday

About 10 years ago, James and I had our very first date and I remember vividly that we were asking eachother's age during dinner. He guessed mine pretty close since I was at my 2nd year of university so it was a given there. Then when I had to guess his, I was way off. I knew he was done school for a while but he had such babyface; thus, I guess the oldest was 25 but he was already 29. I didn't even believe him and asked for his ID for comfirmation. This year he has his big 40 and I honestly think he is still 25 and also looks like 25 and when he is around our children he is only 5. Happy Birthday, my wonderful 25 year-old husband!

As for his big day, he was so sweet and didn't want me to do anything. He had chosen his favorite meal at Dim-Sum and had ice cream cake from DQ. We made it down to Cardston temple trip for a date and some family time at Waterton Park for celebration.