My first audition

Lydia has gone to a few auditions and the family as a whole has gone to a couple as well, but today's audition was my first one by myself.  The commercial/print ad was looking for a Chinese ping pong player and seeing that I'm Chinese, and do know how to work the paddle a little, I figured that I would submit my information to the agent.  Well, I got an audition, went to Hollywood to the casting agency for a 10:30 audition time, and waited along with dozens of other Chinese young people wearing everyday athletic attire.  After about a thirty minute wait, I was called into the room with a dread locked Chinese guy.  We gave our info and took profile pictures, and then volleyed for a little while pictures were being taken.  Though I knew that I wouldn't get the booking, especially on my first audition, it was an interesting experience.  Who knows, maybe I'll go to another one if it doesn't interfere with the kids' schedules.  Oh, I might add that if I did get the job, I would have to go to either Montana or Big Bear for a couple of days.  Can't say I would complain about getting away from everyday life for a day or two.  :)

A different Disney

 Since we had nothing scheduled today, we decided to go to Disney.  I had my alarm scheduled for 6, but could not get up for the life of me, but we still managed to get to the park by 8:15.  We hit Carsland first, then Midway Mania, and slowly made our way around the park.  This was our first visit where Sophie was tall enough to ride Goofy's Flying School, and boy did she love it!  We rode on it two more times as a family and would have gone once more if I hadn't reminded her that there were other rides in Disney.  Lydia also made the cut for the one and only ride she has been dying to go on...Screaming over California.  She and Trung went twice while Sophie and I waited in line at Midway Mania and she loved it!  After resting a bit at the Animation Academy, we saw a new Disney Jr show and rode on the famous Radiator Springs Racers before we headed to dinner at Brodard.

 Trung kept the girls busy as I ran around getting Fastpasses

 

 Trung and Lydia got to ride their own bumper cars, while I was stuck with Sophie who wasn't strong enough to handle the steering wheel.

 My last clip before I got asked to put away my camera because Sophie kept on stalling.

 Sophie was excited about this family picture as you can tell.  Oh, and check out the photo bomber in the back.

 Trung and I didn't notice that we had on similar style shirts until we saw this picture.

 The girls aren't really into taking picture with Disney characters, but they had no problem waiting in line for a picture with Sophia the First.

 Three little princesses

 The Animation Academy is such a great place to relax and cool down

 Lydia is like Belle, who would have thought?

 A new show with Sophia the First

and Doc McStuffins

Bella's "bowling" party & GLOW

Even though Lydia is not in the same class as Bella this year, our families have remained friends and we were still invited to Bella's birthday party this year.  The venue was the local bowling alley, where we only go once every six months or so.  The girls have improved tremendously since the last time they bowled though, both using the correct techniques instead of kicking or rolling the ball with both hands.

Bella and Sophie found a way to entertain themselves while waiting for their turns to bowl.

 Who says you have to bowl at a bowling alley?

Bella's homemade birthday cake, complete with bowling pin cookies.

After resting at home for a few hours, we met Guro & family and her friend Saki with her son at Hummus Factory for dinner.  Afterwards, we went to GLOW, an all-night cultural experience, which we found to be just okay, but at least the kids had fun playing in the sand.

 Norah and Sophie watching a human statue

 Waiting for a performance, which we couldn't see or hear

 The kids wrote their names and created designs using the flashlight of an IPhone

 Glow in the dark fun

 Such the little artist

The whole group, standing in the middle of Ocean Ave

Our daily schedule

Now that school is in full swing, all the girls' extracurricular activities have slowly kicked in.  I have been enjoying my solid five hours every morning (except on late start Wednesday) exercising, running errands, etc.  Once I pick up the kids from school, though, the day continues non-stop until bedtime.  

Sophie gets out an hour and ten minutes earlier than Lydia every day, and lately I have just been scooting back home with her since it only takes about seven minutes.  Then Sophie and I go back to school to get Lydia.  I bring the car and pack a snack because right after school, we head over to the Santa Monica Swim Center for Lydia's swim team and Sophie's swim class.  This happens every Wednesday and Friday as well, though Sophie is off on Fridays and we sometimes free swim depending on the weather and what other errands I need to run.  Tuesdays are our only non-activity day of the week, so the girls have a play date.  Thursdays, Sophie has ballet class four blocks away, so we scooter there right after school.  Sometimes Lydia and I walk over to the library during this time.  Then as soon as we get home every day, I make dinner while the girls do their homework.  We eat dinner, the girls shower, and then it's off to bed!

 Play date at Sydney and Ava's house on Tuesday

 Lydia got her team swim cap on Wednesday

Sophie wanted to take a picture with President Roosevelt after school on Friday

Soccer girls

Since Trung was in Texas this weekend fixing up the house for our new tenants, I took the girls to soccer practice this morning.  Usually only dads attend and I noticed today that all the participants were girls, but today there was another mom to.  As usual, the girls didn't kick much, but at least they weren't complaining.  Afterwards, Diane and Ione met us at the playground, which was nice because the girls had a lot of catching up to do.

The usual suspects

60's Mystery Murder

My oldest LA friend Guro had a 60's themed mystery murder birthday party tonight.  Everyone was assigned a role a few days ago, so we all came dressed in character.  While the adults mingled and tried to learn as much about each other's character as possible, the kids watched movies downstairs.  Though I wasn't aware of certain plots, the game was interesting and somehow I stabbed someone?  It's okay, he was already dead.  :P

 All the kids watching Austin Powers, very briefly

 The Murder Party

 They call me "Wiggy", fashion icon and model

 The hosts

 Marina (Nutmeg), Guro (Khaki O.), Katya (Blissity), and me

 The 60's were very laid back

 Wig swap

Dancing at the Love Shack

Sophie loves to dance, so I have been looking at ballet schools again, but this time only at places that have an end of the season performance.  Sophie tried Westside Ballet a couple of months ago and it was pretty good, and then today we tried Miss Marie's Academy of Dance, where our friend Isabelle goes.  I plan on putting Sophie in the Thursday class in Santa Monica, but this week was pretty crazy, so I took her to the Saturday class in Venice instead.  The location was very interesting...an art gallery with bean bags everywhere.  Sophie seemed to have a good time though and the teacher made it fun.  I think we will go with this school because of the location and see how Sophie feels after one session.

 Stretching

 Walking around the gallery

 So serious

 Plie

 Lydia doesn't like ballet as much; swimming is her thing, so she just watched Sophie with me.

Chillin'

Sharks

Monday, Lydia "tried-out" for the Sharks swim team at the Santa Monica Swim Center, which was basically weeding out the kids that couldn't swim consistent laps.  I was really proud of her and didn't realize how hard it was until I saw kids crying and giving up after one lap, but Lydia kept on going.  Today was her first day on the team and she said it went well.  The first 25-30 minutes is spent doing dry exercises...stretches, sit-ups, etc. and the next hour is spent swimming laps.  It's been quite an adjustment going to the pool twice week for thirty minute lessons to going three times a week for 1.5 hours, but I know that Lydia can do it.

I got the girls swim caps to help protect their hair, but so many kids said that her cat was "so cute" that Lydia didn't want to wear hers anymore.

Waiting for the swim team instructor to tell her to go.

Back to School Picnic

  We didn't go to the back to school picnic the last two years, but since both girls are at Roosevelt, I decided to take them this year.  I didn't purchase the In and Out burger boxed dinner since the girls are not into hamburgers and packed ham sandwiches instead.  We found an empty patch of grass and sat down to have dinner, but the girls got distracted with all their friends that I barely was able to get them to finish eating before they were off.  At least I got to meet some new parents and catch up with some old friends.

 

Try not to let the funny faces distract you

Lydia spends her recesses playing handball now and is surprisingly pretty good

 Lydia wanted to take a break from losing, so she wanted Sophie, who doesn't know how to play handball at all, to play

 

Sophie stayed with Lydia the entire time, just watching her play

School year's first

The girls attended their first birthday of the school year today; the party was held for Sophie's classmate Peri at a nearby kid's gymnasium called Kidnasium.  The place had the usual set-up, ball pit, foamy wedges, mats, etc., but this time the kids played dodgeball against the adults.  Some kids got hurt when their own parents nailed them in the face (mine included), but overall, everyone enjoyed throwing the foamy balls at each other.

How many kids can we squish together at this one table?

I used to love playing dodgeball

Pulling teeth

One of Lydia's middle upper teeth has been loose for awhile now.  Two nights ago she decided that she wanted to pull it, but that didn't happen.  I gave it a go too, but couldn't get a good grip.  It's okay though, we tried again tonight and it came out quite easily.  The video clip was too large to upload, but I assure you the process was painless.

My attempt on Monday night

Stop and stare at the squirrel

Since we live only four blocks away from school and Sophie gets out of school at 1:40 while Lydia doesn't get out until 2:50, I've been walking back home in between dismissals.  I bring Sophie's scooter and we can get home in about ten minutes flat.  Plus, I get Lydia to go to playground access for thirty minutes after school, so I can get a solid hour in doing whatever I need to do at home.  Today on the way home, Sophie and I met a brave squirrel.  It got within a few feet of us and I'm pretty sure would have eaten right out of our hands if we had any food.

 The squirrel didn't seem afraid of us at all

 

Stare down

Angels vs Rangers

 I saw a deal for $9 tickets for an Angels game on Travelzoo last week.  They were playing the Texas Rangers and it was "kids day", so I brought it up to Trung to see if he wanted to go.  He was interested in seeing the stadium and the Angels have some pretty good players, but it was really up to the kids to decide if they would be bored.  We went to a Dodgers game before and the kids seemed to enjoy it, so I figured they might be okay with going to this one too.  I was right, but the reason Lydia wanted to go was because of the junk food she gets to eat and Sophie always wants what her sister wants.  Sure, a couple snacks to keep them busy was fine by me, so I bought the tickets.

So, we left home after a light breakfast and went to Brodard for lunch.  As we were driving to the stadium, Trung realized that he didn't have his wallet and the Travelzoo voucher specifically said ID was required.  I pretty much thought that we were screwed AND since the tickets were nonrefundable, we would be out $36 and an afternoon of entertainment (I wasn't going to go with just the kids).  We took our chances and still went to the stadium and I felt that we really lucked out, because the ticket person only asked for my ID (I purposely made Trung stand a few feet behind me with the kids).  We found our seats in a very sunny section and didn't last long in the heat.  For three innings, we watched the game in the shaded concession standing area, and then we finally moved to an empty shaded sitting area.  Trung and I watched the game as the girls snacked on peanuts, but not after complaining about the heat and constantly asking to go home.  The Angels lost and it was super hot, but at least we got to watch some rowdy Rangers fans get kicked out.

 The view from our original seats

 Trung teaches the girls all about America's favorite pastime

 After moving into a shaded section and twice more to get out of the shifting sunlight, we ended up with a pretty decent view.  What's a baseball game without peanuts and Cracker Jack, which the girls polished off in minutes.

 You can see the stadium from my brother's house.

Trung has a big hat to fill

Beach buddies

My friend Danielle and I planned to meet at the beach today since her husband was out of town this weekend and she needed something to keep her son busy.  We met around 11:15 near lifeguard station #24, which was a little south from our usual spot.  After failed attempts of boogie boarding and building sandcastles, we finally settled on jump roping with a large strand of seaweed.  Lydia's good friend and classmate, Mia, and her family happened to be at the beach today too, and somehow they found a nice piece of seaweed to use as a jump rope.  Morgan and Sophie kept themselves busy looking for sand crabs and I heard that they caught quite a few!

 

I asked Lydia to hold the blanket and turned around to find it strapped around Sophie, with gun in hand

When life gives you seaweed, jump rope.

We didn't get any video clips of Trung or I jumping, but we did get a few in.

Searching for snow crabs

There's Something About Benihana

Lydia specifically requested to eat at Benihana for her birthday dinner.  Conveniently enough, our public library gave away kids meal vouchers for the restaurant for each child that completed the summer reading program, so their meals were free.

Even though the food isn't that great and the kids know all the tricks, they still want to go back.

Lydia wanted to wear the same dress from last year.  :)

Transformations

 Today happened to be a school holiday and Lydia's actual birthdate, so we had planned a couple months ago to go to Disneyland.  What the girls didn't know was that I had booked appointments for them at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to get them all princess-ed up.  So, after Lydia's 7 year old well child exam, I busted out the dresses of their favorite princesses and they changed in the patient room.  They didn't know we were going to the boutique until we physically walked into the store and I told them they were going to be all made up.  Even though they didn't show it, we could totally tell that they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Lydia asked if it was free, no, my dear, but it was worth every penny.  :)

 The entire process took about an hour per child.  Fortunately, Sophie got started with another stylist halfway through Lydia's session.

 This hairdo reminds me of the little Siamese kids from "The King and I"

 First, Lydia wanted her extensions in black to match her hair and to look more like Jasmine, then she wanted blonde to have her friend Mia's hair color, but then finally settled on pink after seeing the girl next to her get pink.  Plus, what other time will she ever get to have pink hair?

 From my little girl to a royal princess (which she already was in my book)!

 Sophie looking like Piglet from Winnie the Pooh

 Sophie chose the corn rolls look

 Introducing Princesses Sophie and Lydia

 Sophie's stylist didn't think her hair would stay very well because it is so fine, but Sophie was happy with how it turned out.  Some of her hair did start coming out later in the day, but no one really noticed.

 Lydia and Trung went on Space Mountain a couple of times with Fastpasses, so Sophie and I found rides with short lines.  I was pleasantly surprised how short the wait times were for all the rides thinking that everyone would be at Disneyland for the Rosh Hashanah school holiday.

 Lydia found out the day before at school that her good friend Sydney was going to be at Disney too, so her mom and I texted back and forth and we were able to finally meet up for a quick show before they had to leave.

Still going strong after we headed over to California Adventure when Disneyland closed at 7

Two dancing princesses