Our Chinatown visit

Photos from Feb/March

We were in Chinatown for the New Year parade. It was fun to look at the crowd and costumes, but we didn't stay for the parade because everyone was tired, and it was not easy to keep an eye on Luca and Maya who wanted to run around.

Maya, an artist

Maya loves creating arts. When farmor was here, they drew and did crafts almost every day. Mama just signed her up for two-week art workshop at Art Kids Bash, a well-reviewed studio (mama always does a thorough research), run by a well-known book illustrator. It's close to home so mama doesn't have to drive far.

Here are three pieces of work by Maya

Luca, Why Are You Upset?

The Globe 1

The Globe 2 (and what's with that "Luca, No, No"?, which reminds me an earlier message written by Maya: "This is mine, mine, mine, mine! I like it! So don't take it away please! Don't take it away please please please! No, no, no, Luca, no touching!"

Maya is Mr. Nguyen's Winner, again! Congratulations, Maya.

We're back, after three months' busy life

It will take quite a while for us to catch up with the posting. We've been so busy. The day after Waigong and Waipo left in Feb., Farfar and Farmor arrived. Then mama took a 2-week trip to China in March, meeting publishers and writers. While she was in China, Luca had to go to emergency room because of coughing and short of breath, and was hospitalized for one night. As soon as mama was back, we had to meet our tax guy and our financial advisor. Many other appointments, too. Hospital visits, car services, etc. Then we took a mini vacation at Napa and Sonoma County. Nice hotels and great food and wine, Farfar and Farmo's presence making the whole thing even more memorable. It was hard to say goodbye to Farfar and Farmor but we understood that they missed their home in Sweden, and they had many things to take care of. We were grateful for their visit - Maya and Luca had such a wonderful time with them. We're still getting used to their absence, but we have begun to set into a new routine (or the old routine before we got any help from the grandparents.) Luca started morning preschool about two months ago, so mama can devote her mornings to her writing and other work. We also have a new babysitter (Jennifer moved to San Diego to be a live-in nanny) and her name is Tammy. She's Maya's old pre-school teacher. She comes every Thursday afternoon so papa and mama can have a peaceful dinner and talk about things. Pappa has been very busy at work, having recently taken on a new role to run a brand-new group.

BMX biking

Waipo and Waigong is going to a Chinese party in Calabazas park today and they have areally cool BMX track there. Maya wants to try it out so I drive back home to pick up her bike. 

Maya quickly gets the hang of it and starts riding the berms for increased speed and goes over even the big jumps. 

With daddy running along she dares clear the series of 5 big jumps too all by herself 

This was lots of fun and we'll be back again soon for more BMXing!

Baking again

Maya, Luca and daddy bake chocolate chip cup cakes. Both Luca and Maya help get all the ingredients, measure and mix it all together. 

We carefully select colorful cupcake cases and everyone helps pour the batter in the cup cake form. The wait is sooo long. 

Almost done!

Luca keeps saying "Kiiikoo, Kiiikoo, Kiiikoo" which means cookie. 

Yummy! And definitely approved by Luca and Maya:

Maya trying Wushu for the first time

Maya is trying Wushu (Kung Fu) for the first time today. She is a bit shy at first but really seem to enjoy it after she warms up to the teacher. Maya is a natural athlete and really quickly catches on to the patterns and movements. She loves jumping, running, kicking and moving around. 

They practice stretching and the names of different positions. Towards the end of the class Maya is having LOTS of fun and doing all the moves with enthusiasm...lower stance, horse stand, lower kick, snap kick, punch etc. 

New Year's Day hike

Out for a nice hike and picnic at Rancho San Antonio on New Year's Day. When we arrived we saw radio controlled air planes and Luca was in heaven. Luca is completely and totally into cars and air planes now. Even when it comes to clothes he only wants to wear stuff with cars and airplanes on it. 

He's got a favorite pair of socks that are orange and blue stripes, any other socks is a big fit to get on him. Funny that a two year old already has such a strong preference.