Visitors

We had lunch with my cousin Michelle and her family, who were visiting from the Bay Area, at Din Tai Fung

Afterwards, we went to a housewarming party at Weiru's new house in Beverly Hills.  The girls kept parading up and down the roomy hallway.

Lydia and Sophie raided Juliet's closet for costumes

A birthday with fireworks

We celebrated Sophie's classmate Francis' fifth birthday today at the pier.  Though the party didn't start until 2, we arrived a little earlier to hit some rides, since the wristbands were good for the entire day.  The kids split up several times over the course of three hours, but no one seemed too upset about it.  Thank goodness for the early clouds or it would have been an even hotter day!

 

 Lulu and Sophie causing a ruckus

Me and the birthday girl

BFFs when they aren't mad at each other

All the kids with Inky the Octopus, the pier's mascot

Washington West mommies

After we walked home from the pier, we hopped into the car and headed over to Danielle's place for an early Fourth of July barbeque and to watch the fireworks at the college, which is only a block away from her house.  Even though we were all exhausted from the afternoon of festivities, the kids still had enough energy to run around.  We couldn't hear the music for the fireworks, but the view wasn't too bad except a power line.  A fun, patriotic and exhausting day!

Danielle busted out the sparklers just before the fireworks started

Silly girls, sitting out front ready for the fireworks

While the kids are away...

 After being sick all week and resting whenever I could (in the mornings when the kids were at Summer Adventure and in the afternoons while the kids played in their room), I was ready for a night out with the ladies.  Catherine graciously invited us over for some wine, cheese, and small eats.  We hadn't seen each other in over a week after seeing each other every day all school year, so the reunion was especially nice.

 

 Lisa and I

Lalaine and Danielle

 Danielle discovers Facetime!

Last day of Disney

Even though I still wasn't feeling too well, I had told the girls last week that we would go to Disneyland this Sunday, so I decided to keep my promise, even if it meant taking longer to recover.  This was the last day that we would be able to go on a weekend before the black-out dates for practically the entire summer goes into effect.  

To help me feel just a little better, we went to Class 302 for lunch where I had some Taiwanese home style cooking which reminded me of home.  The we went to Disneyland for a few hours, hitting all the slower-paced things, like parades and shows.  

Wonton noodle soup, stinky tofu, and mushroom noodle soup

Chocolate and strawberry shaved snow for dessert

Waiting for the retelling of Beauty and the Beast at the new Royal Theatre

The show was entertaining though probably a one time deal

It's always fun to watch the Soundsational parade

Sassy Rapunzel

We didn't know what to expect with the new Fantasyland Theatre and it was wonderful!

What a great show!

Taking it slow

I woke up this morning with flu-like symptoms, a headache, chills, and a sore throat, so I slept in a little longer and felt well enough to hang out in Downtown Santa Monica for a little bit.  We had lunch at True Food Kitchen and stuck around Santa Monica Place before heading over to Angelato for some gelato.  Then we headed back home, so that I could rest up.

Ran into the Dog Whisperer at the Coach store; he's on the left

The new multi-purpose water fountains on the promenade...a water bowl on the bottom for dogs, a regular water fountain, and a water dispenser for filling bottles.

Mad Science

After Summer Adventure, the girls had a simple sack lunch and attended the first of many summer programs at the four Santa Monica branch libraries.  The mad scientist showed a few cool things about science and was very entertaining.  Thank goodness for the library to help the summer go by easier.

Listening...

My first time hearing about flash paper

Yet another reason why my kids don't blow dry their hair.  :P

Holding bubbles made from dry ice.

E learning Photo Shoot

 The third day of summer school and Sophie is already missing class!  Though the entertainment industry is still in hiatus, Sophie has been making out like a madwoman, getting her third job today since mid-May!  This is the first job that either child has gotten that required some real acting skills.  The owner of this e learning program would ask Sophie to make a certain facial expression or gesture, which the photographer would take a picture.  Though only five years old and the youngest at the shoot, Sophie did surprisingly well; I think we had more of a problem with wardrobe than anything because the guy wanted very plain solid colored clothes, which I rarely buy.  Girlfriend doesn't even have a pair of plain blue jeans, it's got at least some kind of design on it!

 Sophie and the Jesus Wall

The "point over there and look at me" gesture

Summer Adventure

The girls started summer school aka Summer Adventure today and will have it for the next five weeks.  Sophie is taking an introduction to kindergarten class while Lydia is taking basketball, "Gods, Myths, and Mythology", and computer keyboarding classes.  The classes are from 8:30-12:30 daily, which leaves me with the most time without both kids ever!  The time goes by quickly, however, so I try to make the most of it.

Sophie loves books more now that she can read!  She went straight for the books the moment she walked into her new classroom.

Karate Kids

I have heard good things about Dawn Barnes Karate Kids, not only to teach the kids karate, but also about manners.  Trung and I took the girls to a trial karate class to check it out and to see if the kids would be interested.  They started out fine, but it was a bit overwhelming for Sophie, so she left the class soon after it started.  Lydia seemed to enjoy herself, though she said that she didn't like it that much afterwards, but then again, she doesn't really like anything that much that doesn't involve a screen.

Busting out their karate moves

Lydia learns how to defend

Lydia was presented with a belt for completing her first class.

Poolside

Planned months ago, we went to Newport Beach today to meet Sabrina, Robin, Ava, and Pierson at the same Marriott villas right about the same time last year.  Just like last year, we had breakfast first at Beachcomber Cafe, which is located right across the street.  I had an opentable.com $50 voucher, which basically covered our entire meal!  Then we met the Hsueh gang at the villas just in time for a treasure hunt.  We spent the rest of the day at the pool, lunching on hot dogs and watching the kids frolic in the water.  When we headed to their hotel room for dinner, Lydia was complaining of a headache and Pierson was lethargic.  We quickly discovered that both kids were suffering from heat stroke, so we gave them as much water as they would drink and fed them anything that they would eat.  Fortunately, by the time we got home, Lydia seemed better and just needed a good night's sleep.

The view from our table at Beachcomber Cafe.

 Flashback to last year, except now Ava and Pierson joined Lydia and Sophie in the water!

Sophie chill-laxing

We barely moved from these spots the entire afternoon

Washington West goes to Disney

Though my cousin Grace was still in Disneyland, two of Sophie's classmates and their families came for the day, so we decided to hang out with them since we had already spent all of yesterday with my cousin.  We were pretty efficient, getting as many fastpasses as possible and always having one in queue as we waited in lines or had our meals.  Until yesterday, we had never gone to Disney in a group before and I think it worked out well.  It really helped to have one adult keeping the kids distracted in shops while another adult (aka me) grabbed fastpasses or saved spots at the shows.

We ran into Kim and her kids at the tram waiting area at 9 AM

Me, Lydia, Sophia, Kim, Sophie, Jacob, Morgan, and Danielle

On the Jungle Cruise while waiting for our Indiana Jones fastpasses to go into effect.

Channeling Jessie

When asked who would do the driving, Sophie piped up, "I am"

Lydia was terrified of this Toad ride the first time she went on it with my brother Mike.  It took her almost three years to finally go on it again.

Young love...should I be worried?

It may be a good thing that these two will be going to different schools next year.

Standing in awe of "Fantasmic"

Last ride of the night and it had to be Space Mountain.  Sophie once again is hiding.

 

Sleep walking back to the car.

California Adventuring with the Cuz

The girls and I met my cousin Grace and her family at California Adventure this morning.  They were visiting from Texas for a couple of days and we rarely get to hang out; I think the 13 hours that we spent together at California Adventure was almost the same amount of time that we have spent together since we've known each other!  It was great catching up and letting the kids really get acquainted.  Hopefully Sophie will let Nathan hold her hand when we see them next!

 Our first picture together

Ready for our first ride

Delta Delta Delta

Acting goofy

Sneaking up on Edward

Colliding couple

Howdy, Jessie

To infinity and beyond!

Racers time!

Not a single eye opened and Sophie is in hiding

In Sync mouse ears

Last day of school

Where has the school year gone?  I don't know, but in a way, I'm glad the "driving Sophie back and forth to school" is now over and that both girls will be attending the same school next year.  I will miss seeing my new mommy friends from Sophie's school on a daily basis, but hopefully our weekly happy hours will continue.  We have a busy summer planned, but it will be fun!  Say "hello" to my second grader and kindergartener!

Miss Nitti and Lydia (who purposely pulled out her second tooth today)

Sophie and Teacher Flavia

Making a mess at Lisa's house; she invited all the preschoolers over for a potluck after school