Feeling Guilty

Today, my two sons and I ran errands all morning. One of the errands was stopping by Jamba Juice after the boys got their hair cut before the school resumes.

While we were ordering a drink for Dylan, I caught Ryan was playing with the Orange Squeezer machine at the display counter. I have asked him to stop playing with the machine. He somehow broke one of the rubbers at the bottom of the foundation machine.

The manager told me that I was responsible to pay for the breaking machine, even though it was ONLY ONE of the bottom rubber. Image that one machine would have cost me $99 dollars. I held my tear and told her, "I am aware of it. I simply will do the hot glue when I get home." She saw that thing easily could be fixed it. She went back in the room. While she was in the back of the room, Ryan got very upset and said, "I will not touch NO MORE!," loud with full of tears. Of course, I was embrassed and upset that this was the first I was responsible to pay for the broken item.

When she came out from the back of the room, she decided to drop the charge on me. Whew! Still, I felt REALLY guilty about this. Nevertheless, I certainly hope it taught both of my sons a valuable lesson NOT to play with any displays.

My Husband is a Chef

How did you feel when you first hear that my husband is a chef? You probably would inevitably ask me, "Does he do all the cooking at home?" I'm pretty sure that you automatically think that we eat seven course meals on expensive dishes such as china every single night. This is not definitely true; otherwise, my arms and hands would be sore from doing tons of dishes daily. Thanks goodness!

When David and I started dating over eleven years ago, I assumed he did not have any cooking skills because he had a mighty kitchen (approximately 10 X4) I personally thought he was like many other single men who often bought many T.V. dinners. Also, he often took me out to a variety of restaurants. So one day, he decided to prove me wrong that he was not like most of single men I knew about their cooking meals. He cooked one of the most delicious breakfast I have ever tasted.

By the time we were engaged, he would definitely tell me which brands were the best for the kitchen while we were registering at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It just blew my mind on how much he knew most about the kitchen appliances such as the most expensive pans: CLAD. 300 dollars worth of the set of pans! Holy Craps! But I could not argue with him because he knew so much about metals-- that is his working field. Interesting enough, lots of guests bought us so many appliances that would not even fit in our tiny condo until we moved to a house. They probably assumed that I was an excellent cooker- Pfff, I'm not.

Over time,I appreciate seeing my husband being happy cooking out with his new toy: Stainless Viking BBQ. Of course, buying a stainless BBQ had strained our money. Isn't typical for being so-called chef looking for expensive appliances? Or is it just men like my husband? But again, who could argue with him for making me and my boys the delicious meals?

This past week, he cooked us: Salmon, Steak and Lemon Garlic Chicken. From the bottom of my heart, I would tell you that his cooking is far much better than most restaurants I ever tasted. For example, I am not fond of red meat but with his cooking in steak. Whoa, he sure has saved us a lot of money for per steak instead of going out to Outback Steak house. He admitted that he preferred his own steak than Outback. He usually put Montreal Steak Seasoning on the top of the steak. The herbs can be found at Costco. Dylan, my older son wanted to taste the steak for the first time. He said to us, "That is the most delicious steak I have ever tried it!" Of course, we had several A-1 Flavor. I would not eat the steak A-1 alone. My recommendation is to use the Montreal Steak Seasoning.

Just this evening, he used BBQ Lemon Garlic Chicken after he had marinaded for 24 hours. Believe it or not, both of my sons shoved the entire chicken in their tiny mouth. There will be more different kinds of chickens in the future because my husband bought several Lawry's at the grocery store. After we were stuffed from our dinner, he announced that he wanted to make Baby Ribs tomorrow.

Truthfully, it does not happen often that he would BBQ almost all in this week. I know this would not happen often when I go back to teaching in three weeks. We do take turns in cooking. When I do the cooking, he sometimes would say, " "Honey, this is pretty good. I think next time you should try putting some extra sauce in at the end, it would really add more flavor." Yet, I know he was trying to have me improve my cooking skills.

Whenever you come over to our home, please be sure to tell us what kind of meats or vegetables you would like to have for a meal. Having a chef husband would be gladly to offer you the delicious meal that you ever try it in your entire life. At the end, he continued to amaze me about his cooking skills.

Spray ground

Have you heard about Spray ground Pad? I didn't until I received a flyer from my son's last week of school. That was a good thing to know; otherwise, I would have missed a lot of adventures around San Diego County. Believe it or not, it was one of the nicest days I have had in this summer and it only cost me two dollars.

The 1,300 square feet Spray ground offers children the opportunity to cool off while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Santee Lakes. The Spray ground system uses potable water that is treated, filtered and re-circulated just like a swimming pool. An "activation" button is used by the children to start the system which begins the pumps and sends water to the various features creating a fun way to be the heat. What a power for the children to do this without me!

It was a great feeling for me to see that my sons were having fun. I did too just because I didn't have to put my bathing suit to go with them. I just sat down relaxing for two full hours. Simplify, they just played and giggling along with other kids. Both Dylan and Ryan went toward to the water where it poured over their head, sitting on the top of the squirting water, and walked through the arcs.

Of course, they did not play constantly. I had to stop them playing for a little bit in order to have a light snack. It was good thing that I did not have to travel and spend another cent for the gas. There was few picnic tables and a lake right next to us. It was a good feeling for us to sit under the shade and the sun. Dylan took my hat in order to cover his eyes.

Ryan was the ones that wanted to go back to the Spray ground pad. Soon, Dylan joined the club after eating a light snack. They played fighting with their wet shirts. Good grief, none of their wet shirts were torn! Again, I just laughed while I was watching my sons from my folding beach chair. Oh what a wonderful afternoon I have had in a long time.

Just before Two P.M., we leaned toward to look at the Mallory Ducks and an island in the middle of the lake. The next time we will bring the proper food for the ducks, not the bread. It is not in their nutrition diet. We just observed the ducks and sat on one of the rocks.

Without a doubt, we would want to go back to Santee Lake. The park also provide summer movies nearby lake. How does it sound to you? That would be interesting to watch an outdoor movie nearby lakes especially looking at the beautiful stars.

What else better to do at the Santee Lakes? Believe it or not, there are seven man-made lakes, log cabins, R.V. storage, mega tower play structure, museum, and sport activities. It definitely will keep us going back to one of the awesome parks around in San Diego County.

Ceramic + Painting = FUN

What to kill the summer boredom??? Go out and do something new you have never done. My sons never gone out to do the ceramic painting. Actually, the idea of going to Ceramic was coming from my friend, Nikki who went out with her nieces a couple of weeks ago. So, I thought it was a perfect way to use our afternoon time.

The boys took their time to look at what they like to paint their FIRST pottery ceramic. Dylan chose a dachshund dog. It is because he has three Webkidz puppies on the top of his bedroom's computer. He broke his puppy just before I paid for his first ceramic puppy. He was SO UPSET and CRIED! Fortunately, the cash register had a soft heart by dismissing the charge on me and let him to get another one before he started painting his puppy.

Ryan chose a "Hot-Wheels" car. That was an excellent choice because he loves CARS! Not only loving cars, he likes to play with other things in his room. But to paint the first car was an awesome choice.

While I was watching the boys painting their first ceramic, I was pretty amazed how well they picked the colors, and painted on their item. For example, Ryan painted black for the wheels. Dylan picked blue eyes because he has BLUE eyes. Are the kids' mind amazing?

As for me, I chose a heart vase. It suits for all year around-- loving everyone: my friends and family as well. It would be interesting how my art skill turns out when the boys and I come out to pick our items up next Monday. Yet, it was worth to do something fun by trying out something new instead of mopping around watching T.V. all day.

Highlights of the Week

There were few highlights we have had this ZANY week especially Dylan and Ryan. They brought us a lot of headaches, yet made us smile for a life time.

The first highlight was when we received a package. Ryan was SO curious what was in the box. The first thing he took out was plastic air bubbles. He enjoyed jumping ups and downs because Ryan loved the sounds of the pops. Soon, Dylan joined the club. Good grief, my husband and I are deaf. Thus, we did not get any headache on this part of the highlights of this week.

As soon Dylan got tired of popping the air bubbles, he went out to the garage to play with his Hot Wheels and Cars. The boys kept their toys in the "playroom" garage. Know what I discovered in the garage? Dylan created all of his Hot Wheels and Cars in color categories. Frankly, he had always been that way since he was toddler. At the same time, he influenced Ryan to do the same habits. Oh boy, I currently am dealing my two sons who are becoming PERFECTIONISTS!

The third highlight was Ryan found several ways to keep himself busy. One was that he discovered his new hobby by taking all of the couch pillows out of the couch, piled it up and laid on the top of the pillows. His favorite comment, " Look what I made a big mountain. I will climb it up. " He especially liked giving me a hard time while I was either trying to vacuum under the couch or putting the pillows back where it belonged. Ryan would not give it up until he was about to go to bed. He just giggled at me when I got frustrated. He is expert on turning my frustration down then put my smiling face on, just like his dad.

Last, this one happened nearly every day of this week. Both Dylan and Ryan found their new adventures: running through the sprinkles and jumping in the mud. When Ryan saw the sprinkles went on in our backyard, Ryan yelled at Dylan, "The sprinkles are on. Let's put our bathing suits on." If I had stopped them, they would say, "Oh come on, we need the fun!" Who could argue with them? The worst part was watching them filling the mud all over their body. But the FUN part was hosing the COLD water on them. However, I disliked washing their dirty bathing suits or mopping the kitchen floor at everytime they dripped the dirts nearby our backyard screen door.

Even though, they had drove me NUTS all this week, but my memories with lots of smiling faces last me a life time. I would not want to trade anything.

Sleeping Position

Just discovered Dylan sleeping on his bedroom floor before I hit the sack. Would you be able to have a full of sleep if you slept on a floor? Not me.

Ice Cream

Have you had a slightest idea about the History of an Ice Cream? Don't let this watering you until you finish reading this post. It started out around May 13, 1872, the Puget Sound Ice Company, headed by Capt. Marshall Blinn, imported ice from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and began selling it in Seattle. Would that be interesting if Puget Sound Ice Company still standing?

Since we are not in Seattle, the boys and I instead headed out for 31 Baskin-Robbins Flavor Ice Cream nearby our home. Robbins opened his first ice cream store in Glendale, Calif., in December 1945, following his discharge from the Army. Have you ever thought about how did the store's name came up? Actually, I learned from reading the information the name came from the founder's last name (Irvine Robbins) and his late brother in law's last name. Today, Baskin-Robbins is part of Dunkin' Brands Inc. and has more than 5,800 franchises worldwide.

Recently, the founder had died in his sleep about two months ago. In honor of his ice cream invention, the boys got their afternoon special treat from me. You bet, they were delighted when I announced that I would take them out for an ice cream. It was a PERFECT timing for me to take them out because of today's special: it only cost me a dollar per scoops and fifty cent for the topping. I only paid four dollars.

Dylan had the same taste as his dad. He picked out two scoops of Mint Chocolate Chips with rainbow sprinkles. He was satisfied. Ryan had a total opposite of choice of an ice cream flavor. He loved a pure CHOCOLATE FUDGE ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. Again, the choice of an ice cream was coming from his dad's taste. I'm not into Chocolate at all. I would rather to have Home-made Vanilla Bean, Praline Cream or Reese's. But this time I was not in the mood of having an ice cream. Next time will do!

If you were here with me, I would pay you for a special ice cream treat. What would it be your choice of an ice cream? Have I convince you enough to go out for an ice cream?

Kids' Bedroom Inspiration

When we first moved to a brand new house nearly five years ago, everything was all bland white walls without curtains. Getting our kids' bedroom done was the first thing we had in our mind. We did not paint right away because we knew the kids' change their minds when it comes to the bedroom theme.

Instead of painting the wall for the first five years, we created bed setting to make sure that they are sticking the to the characters they like. Dylan immediately wanted, "Nemo." That was when he was nearly three years old. Ryan had the Winnie the Pooh Bed from Dylan's toddler bedspread. Fortunately, they were able to sleep through the night with the bland white wall and blinds.

As the kids got older, they were interested getting into the bedroom theme. We started out painting Ryan's room as a trail and errors. The ceiling was painted baby blue as a sky with white clouds. The more color they see in Ryan's room, they got excited even Dylan. He knew his room was next.

While we were painting Ryan's room, we encouraged them to help us painting the green hills for Thomas and His Friends Bedroom Theme. Ryan was so excited to sleep on his bed with glowing stars, ceiling fans, desk and seeing all of the Thomas and His Friends on the wall. Now, he wanted to change to a different bedroom theme: Hot Wheels, Speed Race or Wall-E. In fact, he couldn't make his own mind up. If he kept changing his mind, we will wait until he makes up his mind, then we easily would be able to put the new borders over the train tracks. It would not make any difference.

After we finished painting Ryan's room, we started doing in Dylan's room. We created Cars Bedroom Theme. It was not an easy task because his mural borders were created in different lengths on the wall. Also painting part of the red was difficult to cover the white wall.

Dylan had everything like Ryan's (desk, ceiling fans, and computer and glowing stars. ) The only thing Dylan had asked us NOT to put the white clouds in his room. Do you know why? It was because he did not want to copy Ryan's. So far, he has not talked about changing to a different bedroom theme. We would not be surprised if he asks me in a couple of months from now.

As of right now, they started to close their bedroom door when they wanted to read books, playing with the computer or doing homework. I learned from reading a research that it is very normal for kids to do this kind of stuff (closing their bedroom door) at this age. It was a good thing they did not have the locks. What's next???

Besides shutting their bedroom door, do you have any childhood bedroom memories? If so, please share it with me.

Update Photo

Aren't they darling?

BBQ Salmon for Kids

If you have read my recent post about encouraging my kids eating Omega-3 Vitamins, I still wanted them to get more Omega-3 at least twice a week. This time, David and I gambled ourselves by encouraging our kids to get into eating the BBQ Salmons with Herbs.

Naturally, the boys had a negative reaction when they saw four small pieces of BBQ Salmon on their dish for dinner. We told them that it really does the brain good. It was not easy for Dylan to accept the fact because he knew we sometimes find our way around to get him into something. Thus, it did not convince him until he saw his younger brother rambled everything in this mouth: BBQ Salmon

Ryan as usual was the opposite. He acted like he was starved but he loved the Salmon! Actually, he was the kind of a person who nearly would try anything new.

Eventually, Dylan shut his eyes and put one small piece of Salmon with lemon in his mouth. He announced, "It is the most delicious Salmon I ever eaten!" Then, we told him about the Brotherly Bear from Disney movie who loves to catch Salmon and eat it. His eyes grew bigger and said he wanted to go camping nearby the river, so he can catch more Salmon like the grizzly bear.

I would not mind to eat the BBQ Salmon as long there are no grossing looks on a fish. Personally, I REFUSED to eat any fish that has dead eyes, gills, fins or skins left on a dish. That even counts on looking at the fish whenever go out to fish market. You would not want to be around with me; otherwise, I seriously would puke. David was the ones who is more braver to eat the fish even straight from the river before cooking the fish.

Not only being stubborned, I would even eat the left -over BBQ Salmon. Out from the refrigerator, I would put it on the Ritz Cracker. Truthfully, it is really DELICIOUS If you are a fish lover, then you ought to try it.

Our destination has paid it off by encouraging our sons eating the BBQ Salmon. Let's hope they will be Seafood lovers just like us.

Blowing Bubbles

When was the last time you had blow bubbles? It does not matter if you are now adult. You still can have fun with your spouse, friends, animals and/or kids. Wouldn't you want to make yourself and others smile?

I found two giant bubbles at Target for a dollar each. Good Deal, huh? It was my purpose to have a fun summer for my kids including my husband.

Brothers exchanged their coloring bubbles into the tubes. The orange and blue changed to brown. They loved it!

My husband eventually joined the fun activity when he came home from work.

Special Treats

How does drinking Triple Berry Smoothies sound to you? David bought and brought two packs of Fruit Smoothies home from Costco. It was REALLY EASY and DELICIOUS!

Get a pouch of Triple Berries and pour into Smoothie Blender

Pour a cup of milk in a blender

Husband and Wife cheer for our Special Treats: Triple Berries Smoothie

My Weekend's Workshop

Last weekend, I attended two days of Handwriting without Tears workshop. It was quite expensive to attend the workshop, but it was WORTH!

Along with four different sign language interpreters, it certainly helped me follow the instructions easily (10.5 hours of training.) I took a lot of notes and received tons of products for Pre-K to 5th graders. I can use it for both of my sons and my upcoming Pre-schooler students.

Did you know that it is important to use lots of hand-on activities before learning to cursive?

First, it is important to teach the young kids to recognize all of the Capital letters first before they move on to the lower cases. While teaching the Capital letters, you can use the Wooden Shapes, Roll dough clays, Stamp and See Screen Board and Slate board. The Slate Board is the last thing you teach before teaching your student/child on a piece of paper.

Too often, we assumed it is the best to give a large size of pencil or crayon at age 3 or 4. Wrong! The speaker said it is important to encourage them to constantly practice on using fingers appropriately. You can also pretend you are dropping straw on a floor, and have them pick them up. It is good for the gross motor.

Also so many of us have learned to write with many dash lines or dot lines while learning to cursive writing. It is very confusing for some of the students because they are not able to follow the letters or line throughly.

With the wooden, any adult can teach the prepositional phrases: under, over, around. Kids learn fast while using a lot of physical movements. I loved the idea!

Since I have learned a lot and collect a lot of products (that s why I paid awful a lot of money.) I even purchased a book: Mat Man Shapes. It teaches the children to use the shapes (can be used for drawing body, houses, Snowman, etc), rhymes, imagination, exploration and community.

The next workshop will be for Handwriting Without Tears for Special Needs. I am anxious to go for another one in the Early 2009. Even better, I can use my extra Professional Growth Hours!

Oh, I am so excited to start working with my young pre-schoolers in a few weeks from now.

Mr. Mom's Weekend

While I was away for a short business trip, David was extremely lucky he didn't have to change the boys' diapers, waking up in the middle of the night, using strollers, or especially carrying them around the stores. For two entire days, they were laying themselves back with their dad. The nicest part was sleeping peacefully until nine a.m. on an air mattress next to their dad-- just like no more waking up in the middle of the night, crying. Wasn't he lucky?

The boys are even luckier that their dad knows how to cook delicious meals. I have to admit that he is far much better than I actually cook. I do have to follow many simple recipes from the cook book. David is an excellent role model for the boys to look it up, and let them know it is alright to have a male cooking for others. Perhaps for their future wife? Oops, it is too advance to think about this?

Most of their "chilling" afternoon was playing with the computer. Who knows they will be sophisticated like their dad, who is addicted to the computer? I can tell you that I am pretty amazed how fast they had learned. It may be good and bad for them to be addicted to the computer. The good parts are that many future jobs are required to have skilled in computer and schools are required to do typing for research part. The bad parts are that there are too many free games on the computer.

In reality, in the life of the temporary stay-at-home dad, changes happen fast. It is already come up, if you count summer vacation. This fall, the boys are going to start their public school soon, first and second grade. What happen to the past seven years? Like I said the times goes by REALLY FAST-- given David a privilege the time with his two wonderful sons are one of the precious stay-home dad experiences. So, don't forget to spend the quality of times with your loved on: children, nephews/nieces, grandchild/ren, or cousins.

Dealing With Rebellious, Challenging Children

As my children are getting older, they are able to communicate with me a lot more. However, there were times they rebelled whenever David and I ordered them to do the simple chores or eating healthy nutrition.

Right now, I am dealing a lot to keep their disciplines up:

1) Requires them to eat two of Omega-3 Vitamins before getting out of their table. Otherwise, they will have to stay at the table for an entire time until they finish swallow the vitamins..

It happened to Dylan, who refused to use Omega-3 Vitamins. His brother was the opposite. Thus, my sister in law and I made him to sit at the table. We have watched him making ugly face, begging, tearing his eyes. But he eventually swallowed two Vitamins an hour later. Was I being mean?

Just this evening, my husband and I encouraged Ryan to drink a whole cup of milk during his meal. His tenancy to drink at least one fourth of cup. We told him that using a cup of milk will increase his calcium.

Know what he said to us? He said, "You don't talk to me. You both are being rude." Right after his comment, I had a snap and told him immediately, " I am going upstairs to turn your computer off until you finish the whole milk!" Boy, he was MAD at me. But my punishment worked because he then drank the entire milk.

2) Requires to do simple chores: taking light trashes out, making their own bed, putting their toys away. Once in a while, I encourage them to shredded the OLD and important papers. If they don't help me, then their privilege will be taken away: TV or computer. Or I would dare to throw their favorite toy to Goodwill ! (that was my sister in law's advice, thanks!)

Just this afternoon, Dylan and Ryan helped me to shredded the papers with my supervision. They nearly gave up. I told them. " You will not be able to keep the Hot Wheels you have it in the boxes if you don't help me." It scared the heck out of them!

Their behavior had changed a lot better after I had shared my frustration with my sister in law. I even asked her to talk to them out because I know too often children listened to other adults better than their own parents. I thanked to my sister in law, Deby who took her time to yalk them out last week.

There were times of this evening, I simply asked them to put the dishwasher towels, plastic bags and few other small things away for me. They made NO obligation. Let's hope their behavior continue this way.

If you have any valuable lesson you have learned from your parents, please give me an example and I might use it for my kids if their misconduction appear again.

Business Trip

This is the first Business Trip I will be out of town for two days. It is mainly about teaching me how to work with Pre-Schoolers on Handwriting Without Tears. I will fill more blog news when I return.

1. Handwriting Without Tears Workshop
2. Challenging Kids
3. Mr. Mom's Weekend
4. ?????

Silly Billy

That is the our Silly Billy Son, Ryan.
From the Webster Dictionary, "Silly Billy" defines a clownish person.
Thus it suits Ryan's personality


Ryan thought putting goggle would be the best
to see through the sprinkles.

Ryan tried to tell us that he was exhausted and
wanted to hit the sack in his suitcase.