Complement

Last week, I finally added some colors to Mason's room with no budget in our book. I only cut out some paper and form sheet and print out some lovely pictures of Mason with Grandparents and aunties in Taipei. While I was doing it, Mason asked, "what are you doing, Mommy?" I said, "just decorating your room." Then he took a quick look and said, "Good job, Mommy." And this just made my day or week because everytime I thought about it, it still warms my heart. After I put up all the Mickey faces and starts around his room, he did a imaginary look and said, "wow, disneyland." I love how children think in their minds and I am so blessed to be a part of my son's imaginary world.

Way to go-Johnson!

We're so proud of Johnson who did his first trialthlon over the weekend. Brother-you did GREAT!!! Mason was such great cheer for his uncle to come along. When we were having lunch, he sat beside his uncle and said, "you ride the bike,eh..pretty fast, eh..." The event took place at university of Calgary and it was almost 8 years ago when I was in the campus so it was surely a memory trip back for me. There're more buildings in the campus and most stayed the same and boy do I feel different, coming back to my old school with 2 kids. James and I also took a look at where we first met 10 years ago and what a sweet memory it brought.

Waiting for Uncle J and why not a snack?

Zooming through

Going strong!

Mason tries to catch up

Beautiful SUNNY day

The very last place I lived in Calgary before sailing out

Mason finds a bunny

sweet memories we recall

Fish fish and Uptown Calgary

We visited Bow inhabitant station on Sat. We started the morning with free pancake breakfast, the line was a bit too long and we knew that we won't be doing THAT again with young kids, not even for Stampede. However, it was very enjoyable at the end. They even prepared some violinests playing on the side. We sure loved all the wonderful music. How often do you have live music playing for you during breakfast. Then another long line to enter the station since they have to assigned us into groups (we feel like being in TW again with all these LONG line-up), it was so neat to know all the facts about fish and wildlife in Alberta. It was fun seeing fish laying eggs, playing with the baby fish and feeding the fish as well as trying to hold the live fish (Mason was in charge of these). It was an educational and fun morning. Then we were off to Uptown 17 Ave in the city, I used to live around there during first year of university and we were trying to look for the house I lived in but to my surprise, I actually couldn't remember where it was. I guess after 2 kids, my memories are slipping. Though it was nice to walk around the Avenue with lots of bouqtic stores and there were lots of flash backs and it had been over 7 years ago. Gosh, I may have to get face-lifting cream soon.

    Feeding the fish

Catching the live fish

Crafting for a fish

Just enjoying the warmth

My fish hat

Fishing for a big one

I can be a firefighter too

We were walking when we turned our back we cannot find Mason and there he was hiding in between walls.

stone pizza rocks

I have been making homemade (includes the dough) pizzas for many years but do I find the perfect recipe or what. Thanks to ourbestbites.com and their suggestion to bake the pizza on the stone. It really makes a difference and this is the most requested dinner. I think we are having pizza again for Italian night this week. YUMMY.

My first clipper experience

When we were in Taipei, Leone who is a very talented hair stylist and she was giving a lesson during Enrichement activity. I of course attened but I was not paying 100% attention and some of it because I didn't think I'd need to cut my boy's hair since it only costs like 4-7 dollars for a boy haircut. I'd rather have the professional do the job. Then a few months later, we moved back to Canada and a boy haircut cost from 16-25 dollars. Boy do I feel regretful about NOT learning from Leone... I put on an action movie that he usually is not allowed to watch but then I REALLY need him to sit still. Okay, clipping on the sides was going smoothly then when I finished the sides I was like..what do I do now?? I call Leone and she helped to get through my first clipper experience. THANKS! Now I have come to a conclusion that whenever I have a chance to learn something, do not pass on it---always prepare for the raining days. And I'm sorry Mason about your hair.

Yes, the hair is so LONG.

Did you spot my nervous smile?

Well, at least it is short now.

Happy Easter

We had a great Easter weekend down in south to be with our extended family in Lethbridge. In the morning, we began egg hunting with the kids in the backyear of Laura's house. It was Mason's 3rd egg hunt and he was sure advanced. I remember the first year, we still needed to hold him in our arms for him to "hunt" for the eggs and the second year, he was able to "hunt" for the eggs but he didn't know what was the point so we showed him that there were goodies in the eggs so he simply hunted for the egg and opened it on the spot then threw the empty egg on the ground and went for the next one. This year, he ran for all the eggs and did not want to spare any. In the afternoon of Good Friday, we made it to the Cardston temple with my in-laws. I love visiting our temples and I am so grateful that I'm able to visit them. In the evening, we had a feast of Easter dinner with the family. The next day, we made it to another Easter event at Glen musem and the kids actually get to meet Easter bunny. Mason was so happy and scared simutanteously. There were craft tables and he made a paper frog then ran to give to Easter bunny. We went to a Chinese restaurant in town, the one James used to be very fond of then he just miss Taipei food more. We really had so much fun hanging out with Mangals. Thanks for your "open house" and we took it like ours ^^ love you guys!

In front of the most beautiful building in southern Alberta

Getting Easter treat from Grndama

Found the bunny in the morning

Easter Goodies

My cutie bunnies

Cannot wait to go out for egg hunting but the camera is getting ready

Is there anymore??

Isabelle was content with one egg

Enjoying the goodies after the hunt

Its nice in aunt Laura's arms

wow..its Easter bunny

I am comfortable

Going to be a bunny too

So comfortable...

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.