A Day At The Races

Nope, it is not about going out to watch the real “Nascar” car race.. David attended Ryan’s first Father’s Day event at his pre-school. This made Ryan feel very special while his brother; Dylan went out to spend a time with me.

The performance was short and quick. David was surprised yet pleased to see all of the teachers and children signing “I Love You." Shortly after the performance has ended, Ryan joined Father-Son’s dinner: hot dog, potato chips, punch, and a slice of watermelon, and of course, his all time favorite cookie, peanut butter.

As soon as he and his dad completed their dinner, Ryan immediately saw the exciting game: car race with a balloon. At first, he was struggling to blow the balloon and let it go on a table. In fact, the balloon broke three times. Providentially, the third time was a charm. He did it! Boy, he was exhilarating to see the car swift by. He jumped ups and downs as if he had won the race.

When the routine changed, he joined creating the picture frame for his dad. Of course, his soft-hearted dad assisted him through. There was a picture of Father- Son standing next to the real car race. The real car race driver gave Ryan a privilege to get the taste what it was like to be in a car race. He especially liked hearing the “ROAR” motor running. This stunned him hearing it for the first time, yet it gave him an enriching experience.

This was a special treat for both Ryan and his dad.

"Thank you for being there, Dad I love being with you," said Ryan.

Tribute Our Fathers

On both sides of our family, we have very few men. I would like to honor the men in our lives we so cherish.

Dad: Throughout my childhood experience, I appreciate you finding the time to play with me despite the long hours you worked. The first memory I have was when we played karate inside and outside of the karate class. It especially was fun when we were yelled at by mom for doing the karate in the house. Luckily, we didn't knock any furniture over! I enjoyed our midnight snacks like having cereal with chocolate syrup over it and sneaking out to Carl's Junior for our dinner. However, there was one huge embarrassment I tried to forget...all of the people looked at us while running the 5K.. Yep, your bare feet. Of course, it didn't stop me from running away from the spectator you caused ! There are so many memories we shared.

Richard: Since you entered Cathy's life, you have changed her, David, and Deby with all of the happiness you've given them. It meant a lot to see all of the love in the family. We really enjoy your sense of humor. David loves to share all of his memories of going to different sporting events with you ! What a legacy !


Bruce: We appreciate you spending the times with us: going out to scuba dive with David, playing with my active boys, meeting us at Mission Bay for a picnic. Going out to Lake Lopez camping with you for the weekend was a blast. Thank you so much !

Doug: Even though I seldom see you, I feel like I have known you all of my life. It is because David has shared his fun times with you such as going out to ride on a boat. He is very fortunately that he had an opportunity to spend time with you.

David: The most important of all, we can't forget that David is also dad. He has been wonderful to the boys. He gives Dylan and Ryan a lot of love, occasionally having them sleep with him, teaching them about computers (of course) and even cooking them a delicious meal. Besides spoiling them rotten by buying toys. He even took days off when the boys were ill. Thank you for being a loving and supportive husband and dad to Dylan and Ryan.

I have to say I am very fortunately each of you are in my life. I love each and everyone! Thank you so much ! Hope all of you had a wonderful Father's Day. Happy Father's Day with love Laura and the family.

Red, White, and Blue Day

Yep, it's Flag Day (June 14th)! Did you know that Flag Day was first observed in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Continental Congress' adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States? I didn't ! I decided to research the facts about Flag Day. Very Interesting. It is nothing new for me to research educational information. I Love it ! Another unexpected discovery was there I learned a Wisconsin schoolteacher named B.J. Cigrand, wanted June 14 to be known as "Flag Birthday." He first suggested the day of observance to the flag. However, the holiday was not officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill. In 1996, President Bill Clinton made a proclamation about the Flag of the United States of America.

As American citizens, both Dylan and Ryan were all dressed in Red, White and Blue. They both were bragging to be Americans and were off to support their American schools!

GOOD NEWS!!!

I just got an email from the school district today that they found enough course from my transcript to qualify me for the Cultural Linguistic Acquistion Diversity (CLAD) Certficiate. What!?! It means I do not have to take any university classes !! YIIIPPPIIE!! This is one of the nicest end of the year gift I've ever gotten!

Too bad, my husband won't have an opportunity to dress like Mr. Mom!

Hitting The Books

Can you believe that I am one of the few teachers who receive a letter explaining that I have to complete the Cultural Language Acquisition Diversity (CLAD) graduate classes? Yep.. that's true! What it means is that I have to go back to school and take the required classes before the deadline-January 2008. Otherwise, I will be out of teaching job. No pressure.

In the meantime, my school district is going through my official university transcripts to see if I took any of the CLAD classes during my graduate program at California State University of Northridge. Fortunately, I was told that I already completed two classes out of six classes. That's better than starting from the scratch. However, one of the required classes is "Teaching and Testing English Second Language (ESL) Listening and Speaking skills." Humm.. Do you think I can bluff my way through this class? I doubt it ! There is no way I would be successful unless I can be an example for the graduate students to study me (winks.) Actually, I did make a request to waive this class. Please keep your fingers crossed.

While I am taking graduate classes, David will become Mr. Mom. Too bad, it is only temporary. I will be taking night classes at the University California of San Diego in La Jolla. Fun, huh? I will miss the boys and my dear husband, David. Perhaps, any of you are interested in loaning me an apron, size 9 1/2 high heels (any color will do) and make-up for David to be the real Mr. Mom?

Getting To Know You

There are so many of you that stop by and post on a regular basis, and I thought it would be fun to get to know you all a little better. So, I'll answer first, then you have to do is "copy and paste" the questions, and replace my answers with yours.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME: David
HOW TALL ARE YOU: 6' 0'
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE: Royal Blue
FAVORITE FOOD: Lobster
FAVORITE CANDY:Chocolate Mint from S.F.
FAVORITE DRINK: Root Bear
YOUR WORST HABIT: Procrastinating
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON: Spring
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER: 7
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL: Huskie dog
WORD OF HABITS: "It's so rare "
WHAT ANIMAL ARE YOU THE MOST AFRAID OF: Scorpio
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Switzerland
FAVORITE PLACE TO GO(NOT VACATION): Go Under the Water (Ocean)
FAVORITE BOOK/MAG:MaxiumPC
FAVORITE MOVIE: Lord of Rings Triology
BEST MEMORIES:Traveling to Europe

WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Laura
HOW TALL ARE YOU: 5' 3"
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE: Aqua Blue
FAVORITE FOOD: Lobster
FAVORITE CANDY: Soft Button Licorice
FAVORITE DRINK: Chai Tea
YOUR WORST HABIT: biting nails
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON: Spring
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER:21
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL: House Pet Cat
WORD OF HABITS: "Let's Go !"
WHAT ANIMAL ARE YOU THE MOST AFRAID OF: Any Snake
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Victoria, Canada
FAVORITE PLACE TO GO(NOT VACATION): Go to the pool
FAVORITE BOOK/MAG: Danielle Steele Books/Any Scrapbook Magazine
FAVORITE MOVIE: Bicentennial Man
BEST MEMORIES: Watched Deaf Olympic Games in Europe

WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Dylan
HOW TALL ARE YOU: 4'1"
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE: Orange
FAVORITE FOOD: Taco
FAVORITE CANDY: Blueberry Lollipop
FAVORITE DRINK: Rootbeer
YOUR WORST HABIT: Sucking Fingers and playing with my hair at the same time
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON: Summer
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER:100
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL: Lion
WORD OF HABITS: "BUT"
WHAT ANIMAL ARE YOU THE MOST AFRAID OF: Shark
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Hawaii
FAVORITE PLACE TO GO(NOT VACATION): Go To The Park
FAVORITE BOOK/MAG: Ten Little Fish
FAVORITE MOVIE: Bambi

WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Ryan
HOW TALL ARE YOU: 3' 8"
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE: Blue-Green
FAVORITE FOOD: Green Apple
FAVORITE CANDY: Chocolate M & M
FAVORITE DRINK: Chocolate Milk
YOUR WORST HABIT: biting toe nails
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON: Winter
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER:1
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL: Giraffe
WORD OF HABITS: "Why? "
WHAT ARE YOU THE MOST AFRAID OF: Spiders
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Hawaii
FAVORITE PLACE TO GO(NOT VACATION):McDonald's
FAVORITE BOOK/MAG: Today I will Fly (the current ones)
FAVORITE MOVIE: Henry and The Elephant

Okay, your turn! Tell us about yourself and have fun with your answers!

Coooook-ie Monsters

C is for cookie

That's good enough for me,
C is for cookie,
That's good enough for me, C is for cookie,
Oh Cookie, Cookie, Cookie starts with C !

What does that sound like to you? Yes, you are right! My sons made their own cookies on Monday afternoon with my mom and Bruce. My mom and Bruce let Dylan and Ryan create their own alphabet letters and numbers using cookie cutters. Of course, the boys were SOOO excited because they had a freedom of choice for the first time!

My mom asked Dylan and Ryan pick their favorite letters and numbers from the cookie cutters. I would have thought for sure they would have picked letters to spell: D-Y-L-A-N and R-Y-A-N, but did they? NO!!

After all of their hard work cutting and decorating the cookies with the sprinkles, I was feeling a bit impish (nothing new about me.) I decided to use the frosting to make the cookie look like they have blue hairy goatees. Even though I couldn't hear their squeals, what joy on their smiling little faces. My mom and Bruce never had such a fun snack!

Do you want to join my little Baker's in the next creative cookie session? It's guaranteed to be fun!