Happy Birthday~MASON!

I threw Mason a "Mickey Mouse Splash party" and I thought it will be a piece of a cake since there'll be so many products out there about Mickey but I just had to a bit picky and not use what is avaiable out there and most of them are only avaiable in the states. Hence, I had to hand-made pretty much everything. I didn't even have a mickey mouse cookie cutter for the treats because I spend over 2 hours looking for it and found out it was not avaiable in Canada. I thought now that I am back in North America, I can get everything at Walmart. NOPE. I literally spent a week every night after the kids were in bed and housework done then start doing the craft. I know it didn't seem that much stuff, why did I take that long??? Nevertheless, I get my rewards daily. Mason would come to me while I was preparing for his party and said, "thank you, mommy." He also had a blast and still asks me when is his next birthday party. I know I'll do it again and also start earlier.

a pre-party between brother and sister

Yes, I cheated on the cake, I just use candy.

Goodie bag and don't ask me what does 3 mean

sweet treats

lunch for everyone and Mason has NONE

must have the cake

Present time

surprisingly that no one fights the candy after the pinata was broken

our present to Mason-his first bike

Banff

As toursty as Banff is, it is still undenailable that it is such a beautiful place. Banff was our first out of town trip together and who knows the second trip back to the same spot we travel in four now. Look at the mountains, how can you not be in love with the Rockies? We had a gorgeous walk around the town and had lunch by the river. Mason's favorite part certainly was playing with the gophers. They were super friedly and chubby; they were sure different the ones we see in the city. They literally played hide-and-seek with Mason and they played for over 40 minutes, we had to force Mason to go and promised him that we will come back again. How I enjoy seeing Mason love being in the nature and so fond of the animals. We still miss Taipei a lot but moments like this make everything comforting.

weekend like this..

Without a doubt, there are many things that James and I would like to do; things that seem to be privilages after having two wonderful children. Our life style certainly alter greatly and we know we would not want it any other way. Yes, we miss going to the movies weekly but then a Saturday like this beats any 5 stars movie. We had gone to the Heritage Park and it is such a fun place for all of us, there're something for each of us. It is also educational for us; we learn more about the old Alberta. There're fun rides for Mason and Isabelle. We even went to a live theather show and amazingly that both of the little ones stayed and did not move their eyes from the actors for 35 minutes. The weather was simply perfect and I truly cannot ask for more when I hear each other's laughter and smiles.

Mason, "hello, anybody there?"

Mason pumping gas for his bike

Mason's first ferris wheel ride by himself, he was very relaxed

Going back old time on the train

Daddy kind of candy store

Daddy's girl

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.