Zimmer Children's Museum

This weekend several museums had free admission "to present the arts and culture to the diverse and myriad communities," so we decided to check out the Zimmer Children's Museum. The museum opened at 12:30 and we arrived at 1:30, only to find the entrance filled with people. There was one line to get a ticket to return at a later time, and another line with people returning to their allocated time. It was utter madness; next time we will just pay for admission.

When we finally got in around 3:30 PM, the kids actually did enjoy the simple things the museum had to offer. There wasn't anything "scientific" as Trung put it, but the girls always found something to do.

One girl show

Our cameo picture

Hypercolor!


Yes, we were too lazy to push the girls, so we got some girl to do it for us. :P

The girls' favorite activity


Lydia couldn't stop laughing

Writing, more like drawing, their wishing for the word

Sticking the wish into the wall

Striking a pose

Captain and co-captain

Hopscotch

Year of the Dragon

Today we went to Downtown Chinatown to watch the annual Chinese New Year parade. We arrived around 11, ate dim sum, and found a shaded spot to watch the parade. The parade consisted of politicians, bands, and dragon dances; and every now and then something interesting would appear. The kids liked seeing The Lorax and Mulan with Mushu, while Trung and I found the Batmobile and Mystery Mobile amusing. Afterwards, the girls made a lantern at a craft table and we just wandered around. I don't know if we'll come back again next year, but it was nice checking it out.

Fireworks!


Watch out behind you!

All about the Benjamins

The Lorax

We rarely go to McDonald's, so I wasn't sure if the girls would know who this was

I found these drummers pretty interesting

The best performance of the parade, too bad they didn't perform closer to us


Sweet Sophie

Getting crafty

The girls will always stop to play with bubbles

Little Scientists

Lydia's school had a science event after school on Friday, so after I picked up Lydia, Xander, and Maggie after gymnastics, we headed straight over. Junior high students from SMASH presented trout and mercury to the kids, and a dozen microscopes were scattered around for the kids to analyze Santa Monica water.

Lydia and Maggie drawing what they see

Sophie looking through the scope her own way

Listening for the ocean

Christine and Sophie

Funny photos

Roosevelt on Youtube

Melodious Minji

After an early dinner, my Dad and I drove down to Anaheim to attend my sister-in-law Minji's concert. Once again, she did a fantastic job, this time with a full orchestra; she truly is a talented pianist. We are so proud of her!

Minji performing with an orchestra

Can you get any faster?


Cousin Christine, Dad, me, Minji, Mike, Uncle Stan, and Aunt Monica

Party Day

Today we attended Maggie and Xander's birthday party at their house, literally 1.5 blocks away from us. The kids played pin the tale on the donkey, hit a pinata, and had a grand ole time. While we were at the party, Trung was at a conference near LAX and picked up my Dad after his session. We met them at home around 2, went to the library for awhile, and then headed to my Aunt Monica's house for a Chinese New Year's dinner celebration. We ate way too much as we always do at my Aunt's. Happy Chinese New Year!

Pinata time!

Candy all around

Maggie, Nurit, and Lydia

Trung, Lydia, and my cousin's daughters dancing


Yummy food


The usual gang, plus my Dad.

Roosevelt Read-a-thon

Roosevelt Elementary had their second annual flash mob dance today to promote reading. The entire school of 800 kids danced their hearts out and did a wonderful job. So fun!

Lydia in the middle



Bright Book Light ("Dynamite")


Actor Jon Favreau (in the blue) watched his three daughters dance along with the rest of us.

MLK at Menchies

Our friend Angela and her son Logan came out to Santa Monica for a play date today. The last few times we have gone to their home in Burbank, so we decided to change the atmosphere a little. The kids spent most of the playing with the girls' new kitchen, then we had some lunch, and then we had dessert at a nearby frozen yogurt place called Menchies. Menchies is located across the street from Lydia's school and happens to be a popular celebrity hang-out. On this particular day, we actually did see a celebrity, Maria Bello, for Prime Suspect and "A History of Violence". I didn't ask to take a picture with her since she was with her son, but I did stand behind her at check-out and snap a random shot of her later. :P

Dirty Sophie heading off to the restroom

At Menchies with Angela...

and Maria Bello!

Flash Mob

Lydia and Sophie practicing the flash mob dance that Lydia's entire school will be presenting on Wednesday.

Mammoth

Trung went on his annual guys ski trip this weekend, this time to Mammoth. He said that there wasn't any real snow since it has been a pretty dry winter, but he had a great time hanging out with the guys. While he was away, we girls did what we do best...shop. Well, I shopped while Lydia and Sophie got their fill of Netflix and Youtube videos. What can I say, it's the best way to kill time. :)

Austin buddies together again

"Danger" is Trung's middle name

Snow-less

Until next year...

Long time no visit

Since it was the last day of vacation and Lydia has been asking about the awesome kid's meal at La Grande Orange Cafe, we decided to trek up to Pasadena for the free monthly family night at Kidspace Museum and for dinner. One of our first LA friends, Christine and Elyse, joined us and we had did a lot of catching up. Christine thoroughly enjoyed dinner and there were no complaints from Elyse either. Now for school to start up again tomorrow!

Sophie can bike by herself now

An Elyse sandwich

"Go faster!"


Tonight was Chinese New Year themed. The girls practiced writing their Chinese characters.

Gentle strokes

Hanging on for dear life

Lydia spelled our her name in Wiki Stix

Starting the year at Disney

I finally convinced Trung to purchase a Disneyland Annual Pass and we all went before all the holiday decorations came down. We went to our favorite rides, saw our favorite Disney characters, and watched spectacular shows. We arrived at 9 AM and left at 11 PM, and had a heck of a time!

Trung took the wheel for a smoother drive at Autopia

Who's watching the road?

Grumpy girls

3D Fashionista

Sophie getting a high five from one of the Phineas and Ferb dancers

Too cute!

The "It's a Small World" ride was decked out for the holidays

Watching the Christmas parade

We stood behind the VIP, so we ot lots of smiles and waves from the characters

A special message from Santa


Sophie showing Snow White her boo-boo

"It's a Small World" was so beautifully lit up

Lydia had been asking about snow and she finally got it!


10 PM and waiting for Fantasmic...

which was fantastic!