Middle Age

There are pros and cons about being Middle Age.

The Pros are:

1) Becoming Wiser in many aspect areas
2) Closer to Retirement Ages
3) Travel a lot more when the kids are older

The Cons are:

1) Getting more physically aches
2) Forgetting some important things if it applies to you-- that's if you don't take vitamins
3) Trying too hard to act like as if you are in 20's or 30's


That's what happen to me for an entire week-- trying so hard to act like I used to be-- playing with my young children and carrying all of the classroom paperwork assignments from one classroom to another..

By the end of the week, I finally have to stop denying myself that I am actually in Middle-Age.. by having a bad backache. So, I am resting for this evening to share with you about our updated news.

After I get a full rest of the first day of my three day off, I am making a wish to get it back to normal.

1) Catching all the post news up
2) Catching all of the errands in and outside of the house
3) Even better buying vitamins that I need to be "fit as a fiddle."



That's exactly how I feel today

Peculiar Weather

This bright early morning, we had a peculiar weather-- a warm rainy. Who ever thought about the rain would have brought to our home at this time of the year? The Hurricane Dean near Cancun, Mexico brought to save us from feeding the plants. In a small factor, it was a relieved.

When I opened the vertical sliding blinds , I was stunned to see both bright sunny and rainy at the same time-- but no rainbow ! It took us a quick thinking by taking our patio cushions seats out. Otherwise, the smelly cushions would not invite the visitors.

Shortly after the unexpected rainy stopped, the weather left us feeling like we had humidity all day. From that moment at 4: 30 P.M. at 88 degrees, the boys and I hopped at our community swimming pool. It was crowded at the pool, yet it felt so good to be in the pool. While we were in the pool, it was worth teaching the boys to swim with and without life jacket. Dylan swam the half way of the swimming pool at three and a half feet without touching the bottom of the pool. Way to go for Dylan! Ryan tried his best, yet swam two feet to the stairs without my help.

Now even at 8 P.M, the humidity still stands at 72 degrees. It would be a warm and peculiar night for us.

Highest and Lowest Points

This past week, we have had roller coaster events.

The highest points were:

1) Our cars are back on the road. Thank goodness ! Otherwise, we would had used all of our credit cards for paying the rental cars.

2) I have another new Deaf student transferring to my school site. Thus, it filled my vacant schedules.

3) I recently received Cross cultural, Language and Academic Development Certificate. That was the best thing I did take the courses at California State University of Northridge. It is required for all teachers to have this certificate before January 2008. Or, teachers who don't have this kind of certificate, would lose the job.

4) Ryan's teacher said to me through by email, "Ryan interacts with others kids well. He would say, ' I'm My name is Ryan. What is your name?" Then, he would give him/her a hug. Cute, huh? But he needs to set a boundary to keep his hands to himself.

5) David finally started painting Dylan's room after we had extremely busy summer. It would be interesting to get it all done. (Let's hope it will be done before this month ends.)

6) Ryan started putting three to five signs together in a sentence without prompts. In the past, he only would sign one or two in a sentence while using other words in verbally (see at the end of this post as his dinner was in a front of me. He did the rest to himself without my assistance except when I asked him what to say at the end, "please.")

The Lowest points were:

1) David's computer crashed. He couldn't proceed making movies, create a website. All of them have to be on hold.

2) Dylan had been crying every single morning when I had to drop him off at his school. We think it was due to that he is having a hard time adjusting being in a first grade after he had a long summer recess.

3) The heat had killed nearly all of our beauty plants on our front porch. I wish my mother is here to save us because she is a real GREEN THUMB !

4) I still couldn't get my teaching stuff out of the storage. Thus, I had to create the lesson plans and carry it around from one classroom to another throughout the day.

But, we all have to be blessing that we are NOT starving, homeless, and jobless. Even better, we have family and friends who love us, no matter what kind of days we have.

First week of Work and School

A night before we all returned to work and school, I had everything set up for the boys' lunch, clothes, etc. But there was one thing we were not prepared: both of our cars had died on us. David's Jeep battery left lots of jerky. An hour before the store was closed, he took the risk to drive to the Pep Boys to get the new battery while my poor green van was at a high risk. It had over-heated, oil leaking, and engine fan broke.

It left me no choice but using David's Jeep after he had replaced his battery in order to take the boys to their first day of school as I returned to my first day of working. I felt so bad that David was the ones who had to take his day off and took his own risk to drive the green van to the shop. Luckily, it got there safety. But David ended up getting a rental car for two and a half day. It took a small toll of our budget.

After I dropped both Dylan and Ryan at two different school sites nearby my work, I found it out that I had NO CLASSROOM or TEACHING SCHEDULES for more than one period. I only teach one period with a student while I work for the office until my working hours ends. It was because there was a lack of communication between the principal and the special education director.. so hopefully, I will be able to work at an elementary school where Dylan attends. If that is correct, it would be a lot easier for me to have Dylan join the van and then pick Ryan up.

Besides not having a teaching schedule, I learned a lot more about the boys' first week of school.

Dylan's first grade teacher expects Dylan to learn to do the cursive writing. Boy, I was shocked because I didn't learn to do the cursive writing until I was in third or fourth grade. After I had gathered all of the required paperwork, I found one of the papers about volunteers wanted. One of the questions was, " What would you like to do?" As usual, Dylan answered, without giving me the opportunity to finish the paperwork, "play, play." I just guffawed.

As far as for Ryan, there were several positive aspects on his parts. His teacher and the aides told me that he did talk a lot more with others. She also expects him to practice on writing the manuscript letters. Actually at first, he resisted to write his name. Ryan's teacher, Mrs. Jacobson, an educational specialists, put her hand on the top of his hand, gradually let it go.. then he wrote his name on his own. His 18 classmates and 3 adults clapped. He made a beaming smile.

At the end of the day, he told the teacher that he didn't want to go home !

Frankly, I have a very good feeling about this teacher because he did make new quick progresses within less than a week.

For instances:

1) For the first time, he said, "My name is Ryan. What is your name?" In the past, he has always said, "I'm Ryan." He did ask his second cousin, Sean when he and his family came over to our pad.

2) On Sunday morning, he approached to me, " I want a breakfast" in a full sentence while I was waiting for the hash brown ready.

I replied to him, "Well, right now, I'm cooking the breakfast."

To my astonishment, he said, "What are you cooking?"

I believe both boys' teachers will give them a great impact in learning because they have a high and positive reputation in my work school district.

Well besides of having the car problems, this was behind us because both of our cars are up, except I am waiting for the word of what to do next week. Hopefully, my teaching schedule will solved.

Kids + Sun+ Water = Water Squirting

This past weekend, we have had the heat waves, close to 90 degrees with 60 % of humidity. It was no fun to live with this kind of weather. However, we didn't stop from having the fun.

Well, we invited Deby's kids, Alexis and Logan and Melissa, Sean and Layla a try at the water squirting. Before grabbing this opportunity, we had our lunch under the roof with ceiling fans above us while there were several performances in a front of water squirting (that time the water was off.) It was a perfect timing to enjoy our lunch.

Shortly after the performances were over, I invaded the shading parts. There, we all were standing and sitting under the shading place. Not only sitting under the shade, the parents jumped in at this opportunity while my boys, Dylan and Ryan were already in the water squirting. Eventually, Sean was the braves ones to take his daughter, Layla in the water squirting. Soon enough, she joined the club with my sons. Alexis was the ones who ran around the water until her mom, Deby had the guts to get herself wet, too. It helped to see the kids giggling, including Logan. David was the ones who held Logan.

Except Katya was not feeling well, she laid under the shade. David had a heartfelt for her. Instead of ignoring her, he was willing to let his cap filled with full of water and poured the water over her head. Boy, she was stunned! But knowing that it did cool her off a little bit since she was so used with only 15 % of humidity in Oregon while we had 60 % of humidity.

Being changed into dry clothes, we all went to Barnes and Nobles where we could get ourselves cool off from the heat waves. The kids enjoyed playing with Thomas and the Trains, and reading the books. Layla found a place to sit in a cool chair at Barnes and Nobles.










While we were there, the little handsome kid, Logan fell asleep in my arm. It was a great feeling for me to hold him while Deby grabbed her own little spare time. We, the parents, took turns to watch the kids while we went out to get our own favorite drinks: Star bucks and Juicy Drinks. Yummy, the drinks satisfied us

When, it was time to leave, we had a little opportunity to do the window shopping. Many of the stores we have seen were like as if we were in Beverly Hills-- there were no way we couldn't afford. I guess that we all were too cheap to buy the expensive things, but our dreams didn't stop us from dreaming.

Before the sunset came, Melissa, Sean and their daughter had to leave for Vista. Deby and the kids remained with us. We all went to have a dinner and chatted at Boston Market.

What an adventure we had with our kids !

Dylan and Alexis

On August 10th, the five cousins met together for "Cousins" pictures from Picture People (the pictures will show up after our scanner runs again.) After we had a tasty lunch, my generous Dylan decided to give Alexis a lift. Alexis was thrilled to get to know his cousin better.

After few hundred steps, Alexis started to slip it down until Dylan got an assistance. It didn't stop from attaching to each other.

Legoland

Before we all returned to work and school, there were two families (my family and my good friend, Ginny and her family ) attended Legoland for the day. It was a perfect weather with 76 degrees.

We had our boys tested their driving skills. They were brave enough to race vehicle and test its acceleration, braking and maneuverability as they raced on the Lego Techno Test Track roller coaster. Even Ryan passed his driving test, our friends who acted like they were lawyers gave my poor innocent son, Ryan a verbal subpoena for crashing their son's car as they got a picture evidence for crashing their son Davon's car (Let's see what they have to say and show it to us when they read this.)After serving us a verbal subpoena, we had to cheer our kids up by riding up in a helicopter. Dylan took a charge while Ryan oversees to make sure everything is okay, including us. Good grief, they didn't jump out to rescue others.
One of the rides, we joined in the Hero Wanted rides... believe it or not, two of us (David and I) and Ginny and her spouse, Ward jumped on a fire truck, raced to hose down a burning building with our children running behind us. When we got to the burning house, we gave our boys the privilege to water the "fire" out. They loved it !Boy, we didn't realize we ran out of our energy fuels after pumping the hoses. Unfortunately, we didn't win the race nor my friend and her spouse.

While we needed to preserve our energy skills, we took our boys to Lego Clubhouse. From there, they used their imagination when they built their Legos. Actually, the T.V. shows interfered them by creating their imagination-- so the boys were hooked it up by watching t.v. I felt that the t.v. shouldn't be there because it is supposed to be physically activity, not just sitting there to watch the T.V. My encouragement for them to make at least one building. It worked for a short time: Dylan built a bridge while Ryan made a car.

After we regained our energy, we dared to get our children soaked wet ! The children took their guts to ride on Splash Battle and Soak and Sail. There were pirate pranks by pouring overhead with the 300 gallons of water. It didn't stop them. (Both boys were wearing Orange Bathing Suits.) After they played at least for a half hour, they already were shivered. It was fun to watch our children playing with the water.























Before we headed for home, we visited the Mini land U.S.A, could you ever have the patience to make over 20 million Lego bricks of many famous landmarks!?! Not me ! While we were there, there were additional landmarks: Las Vegas. I was even surprised to see the lights flicking over the buildings. There were Sphinx and Pyramid. Dylan actually thought the landmarks were from Egypt ! Pretty good guessing?? We even saw the Grand Central Station (New York.)

By the time the sunset arrived, we decided to have a dinner before heading for home. Boy, we were already pooped by the time we walked back to our van. But it was a pleasant day especially at the right temperature.

Last Day of Swimming Lesson

Last week, both of my boys completed their two week of swimming lessons. They had learned to swim with their feet and hands. Even, they learned to go under the water and got their rings.

Dylan learned to swim across the coaches

Ryan did it after Dylan

Ryan dove to get his rings

Coach helped Dylan

Ziploc Omelets

Wouldn't this be fun-- to have a ZIPLOCK OMELT PARTY? That's what I had this morning with my co-workers while we had a brief staff meeting. When I learned that it was made out of a plastic bag, I had a skeptics, but they turned out good.

I must admit that it is a lot easier than flipping it over the eggs and make it a real mess.

All you need to prepare all the ingredients: even a couple of far-out choices! Like anchovies (not my choice), or tiny shrimps.

Don't forget to include the fruit juices, bagels, and fruits.

Ingredients (Each serving) :

Crack 2 eggs (large or extra large) into the (Ziplock Freezer) bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.

Put out a variety of ingredients such as: different cheeses, ham, bacon, sausage, onion, green pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, seasonings, etc.

Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag, shake it, (and e writes their name on their baggie with a Sharpie)

Place the bags (zipper part to the top for best results in rolling out) into LARGE POT rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes.. (keep water at a rolling boil.)

You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot, For more, make another pot of boiling water. (Wouldn't that save your time if you have a large family for a breakfast!)

Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily.











Be prepared for everyone to be amazed!

Have toppers like: guacamole, sour cream, salsa, etc.

It was a great way to start off my working year with one of the best breakfasts I have ever had tasted. Try it at home with your family or friends!

Need a Break of the Old Chain

Before I ask you for a suggestion, I wanted to tell you all before I had Dylan in our life. The Lamaze teacher had asked what I had wish the baby would be. My answers were: having this child look like his daddy and get some kind of spirits from David's father, Mike.

Well, when he was born, he wasn't like his daddy until he was a few months old. Except, I didn't expect that Dylan would get his grandfather Mike's habit: sucking his fingers until he was nine!

When I learned this Grandfather Mike McClellan didn't stop until he was nine, I said to myself, "Oh my goodness, I didn't think God would take my wishes seriously."

We once tried to do the nail biting polish on his sucking fingers. He just would wiped it off and put it back. Then, I've tried to put a little bit of a hot sauce on the same finger. Again, his stubbornness didn't stop him.

Now, I would need to have your suggestion on what to do since Dylan wouldn't let his fingers out of mouth. He had promised me he would stop on his sixth birthday. Obviously, he hasn't kept his promise. I fear this would not break of the Old Chain-- don't want to pass it down to the next generation.

Un-Birthday Party

For those who don't know what it is "Un-Birthday," it is too bad you have missed the greatest opportunity I ever had experience in my life. This idea was coming from my mother in law, Cathy back in 1994. Every single year, the four families get together in one place and celebrate the "un-birthday" party at once. It actually saves a lot of times because we all have different birthday months. (For the outside of the family member, you are more than welcome to steal the idea from my mother in law's "Un-birthday Party.")
This year, we have had 14 kids from age 8 months to 16 years old. I thought it was great there were different group of ages that could play together. The noises of chatting from the kids were in every single room, but good thing I couldn't hear the cries. I give my sympathy to the hearing parents and grandparents who suffered with the temporary noises.

Chatting, eating, laughing, and hugging were the best for adults. I know the kids LOVED getting their surprise gifts. Some of them said, "OH thank goodness, I have always wanted it." It was extremely funny to watch them looking up as if they were talking to God by thanking for the gift that they wanted it so badly.

After the kids finished opening their un-birthday gift from their grandparents, we, as adults, decided to give the parents a surprise gift, even though they requested not to give them any gift. Too bad for mom and dad because we love you very much ! It was a gift certificate for their 25 year of anniversary to Mediterranean Cruise. Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad !

Like I said it was one of the best thing to have a family gathering, the next door neighbor of Cathy's was very generous to take a picture of all of us. (24 of us ! Plus, Zack, the dog is also a family member. Have you ever thought about the number 25 suits well for their 25 year anniversary?) Aren't we all wonderful, loving family?
At the end, we all are lucky to have another family gathering-- to Disney Cruise in 2009. Thanks to Mom and Dad ! This will be fun for all of us.

Magnificent Kids' Pictures

On August 4th, we had 14 kids from age 8 months to 16 years old. There were ten adults at the party. I have collected all of the awesome, fashionable pictures of the kids from the party. Each person' s personality from the picture reflects on how they are: aren't they adorable?

















There will be more pictures with news on the next post.