Journey of a Kumquat

Monday, April 14, 2014

Week 209 and Week 121.5 - Happy birthday Char!

Sorry I am super delinquent about updating.

I went to Singapore for a short business trip and last week was crazy nuts with two formal dinners, 2 kids birthday parties (including Charlotte's) and a little fender bender on my part (I am fine, the side of the car and my ego, not so much).

We are exhausted - but in a 'hey, we have a fun life sometimes' kind of way.

Sophia is more or less potty trained (there are still near daily accidents but for the most part she is in underwear for most of the day). Matt is happy as we are buying a lot less diapers.

Sophia also wants to go to school 'the naked' all the time.

We are a bit 'apocalypse now' with Charlotte turning 4. No more carrying! No more feeding! No more overnight diapers (we hope on the last one - though we have not put that in place yet). Let us hope it sticks this time.

Charlotte's birthday is today! Happy birthday Charlotte! More about her birthday festivities on my next post!

My sister says it is good to take pictures of the girls sleeping - so here is Sophia!

Singing home dinners. Charlotte sits in the high chair and Sophia in a normal one:

Soap horns:

The weather has been great recently. Here are some park photos:

We can retire this shirt for 8 months:

I like this photo:

Char on the exercise machine:

Us at formal dinner #1 on Friday - out at the Lion's Bar afterwards:

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Week 208 and Week 120.5 - Great Sunday

This past Sunday was one of those rare and wonderful days. Matt came home early from Bangkok and was home the night before. I got up and went for a jog. Charlotte and I made pancakes from a mix - and they were wonderful. I learned the secret to making perfect pancakes (that look like they come from McDonald's) is an even not-too-hot heat source (also as an aside - half of the White Wings box makes a zillion pancakes). Charlotte helped to flip the pancakes and was really good at it. We went to Yum Cha and brought these coloring books and Sophia and Charlotte were not their usual monster selves - they were quiet yet engaged. I realize we will probably only ever go get dim sum at Yum Cha (at Sands Cotai Central) since there is hardly a wait they know us and they know we want plain congee and they give us a circular booth. Plus we can take pictures with characters afterwards!

We sought a balloon animal twister and took our obligatory Dreamworks photos. There are some funny photos below as some Chinese guy was also taking pictures of our kids - as if they were his own!

Both girls went down for naps (yay!) and I made dinner (fried rice for the girls and roasted chicken legs for Matt and I). We all ate together and sang songs. And they girls went to bed (though Sophia took ages to finally settle in).

I felt like we were getting the hang of this parenting thing. It was a rare day where I felt on top of things.

Anyway - work has been less busy for me and very busy for Matt. He is in China today and tomorrow.

Charlotte makes pancakes (Matt taught her how to stir):

These awesome coloring books (I guess both girls are southpaws for now)!

I know there are a lot of these photos now:

V is for Victory:

Who is this guy taking my picture?

Char does Kate Moss:

Good times!

Friday, March 28, 2014

Week 207 and Week 119.5 - Skating and Shrekfast!

We had a busy week this week - yay!

Despite Matt and I being super busy at work we did manage to do a couple of fun things this week. Matt is playing hockey in Bangkok now - probably his last trip for a good long while.

I do have to mention that Charlotte did not make me happy yesterday. We were having dinner (and are having breakfast together too - this is a nice family tradition we have started) and Charlotte asked to have soy milk. Specifically she asked Yaya for soy milk. I offered to get it for her and then she said she did not want me to. Then I got it for her and she said she does not want it and she does not like Mommy! Damn button pusher. Well, I got angry and put her in time out for a few minutes (locking the common bathroom with her inside - as an aside I don't even have to hold the door shut for Charlotte. For Sophia I have to keep the door shut from the outside as she constantly will try to open it). Then afterwards, she is fine and sweet as if nothing happens. This sort of bipolar toddler behavior is still something I am getting used to!

Ok - on to the fun stuff! We took the girls ice skating on Sunday morning with Caleb and Cooper. Charlotte is getting better every time (but not good enough for me to take her skating - I am still a beginner myself!). Sophia wanted to wear her skates (and even stood in them again!) and offered them to Caleb. Rainbow Brite(?) is a good place to skate as it is not so busy. We will be back again.

We then took the kids to the Long Tower House (Macau Tower) for dim sum, which ended up to be pizza as we got there after noon (Matt's theory is to beat the crowds on Sunday you MUST arrive before noon). So the kids run around and ate air and some noodles at The Singing Bean. The kids all sat by the water, all 'dock of the bay' Otis Redding style, which made for some cute photos below.

We had a chance to go to Shrekfast for free on Wednesday - it was nice to take the kids. I was a bit nervous Sophia would be scared of Shrek (and everyone else) but luckily there is enough singing and dancing to distract. Matt agreed that Shrekfast put Disney's character meals to shame! Sophia really liked the boy from Mr. Peabody and Sherman, but when I asked her if she wanted a picture with him she responded, "Hmmm, No." She wanted to be in the sphere of the characters, but no pictures please! :)

I am commited to watching the entire Dreamworks animated canon Suelika!

Daddy busy with work all week! Even during an ice cream break!