Chester got on slide on his own

Cherry picking

游水中的突破

I watched Haley outside the pool area through the glass during her swimming lessons.  She always shook her head whenever Ms. Kelsey asked to try dipping her head underwater.  From touching the water with her ears sideways, blowing bubbles with her mouth and nose in the water...she came a long way and finally dipping her head underwater by herself!  I shouted hurrah for her right there and told all the parents next to me that she did it.  I was so surprised and excited.  It is a very BIG step for her to overcome the fear of water.  Mommy is really really proud of her.  Instead of just sitting on the steps while waiting for her turn, she will now freely play in the water.

Chester is helping out too!

Harvest of our cherry tree

Everyday Haley will ask to go outside to pick cherry.  We let her pick a small basket each time.  They are not big cherries, but sure has a fresh taste.  Haley and Chester helped to water the fruit trees, they enjoy the harvest from their daily work.  : )

Chester with train set

What to do to comfort an ouchy?

Chester - drama king continues...

Chester's temper is getting worse and worse.  He begins to stomp his feet whenever things are not to his favor.  He would slowly lay down on the floor, cry and scream.  He would even turn face down and start kicking on the floor.  I tried to ignore his misbehavior so he could learn that this kind of behavior is not getting him any attention.  It works sometimes, at home or in public.  He is testing my limits all the time.  I want to wean him from nursing before nap and before bedtime.  Chester has no trouble falling asleep when I am away, but he demands to be nurse when I'm with him. He still wakes up once in the middle of night.  He starts kicking and screams his lungs out as soon as he wakes up.  Daddy tries to calm him, but it doesn't work.  He calls mama until I walk in to hold or nurse him.  Daddy was mad at him too because of his bad temper.  Last night, daddy refused to let go of Chester to me.  He held him tight so he can't move.  He screamed and screamed, and finally stopped and fell back to sleep.  I was in the other room, listening to his crying.  I couldn't sleep again, waiting for him to wake up again early in the morning, so I can go hug my little precious.  SIGH!  This boy is a piece of work!

Haley - separation anxiety? sudden change of act...

Haley has such a strong will.  Her stubbornness is driving me nuts.  Lately, Haley becomes very attached to me.  Separation anxiety all of a sudden becomes an issue.  No matter where we go...school, dancing, awana, church nursery, she sometimes will not let me go or she will start to cry.  Haley wasn't like that before.  She didn't even cry on the first day of school.  I had to leave as soon as she walks into her class so she won't have time to drag on asking me to stay.  On Awana awards night, she demanded mommy to go up to the stage with her.  I prepared a bucket of treats with all her favorite snack as a price if she went up there by herself.  It didn't work.  At swimming class, she screamed and cried when the male substitute teacher approached her.  She refused to go into her dance class this past week.  After I bribe her with treats, she went in by herself.  I walked into the classroom toward the end to record the dance so we can practice at home for the upcoming recital.  She stopped to dance and started to cry as soon as she saw me.  In the combination of different incidents, I think I have to be firm and begin to train Haley back to independence.  I need her to learn to be independent when either mommy is present or not.

Driving with daddy

2011-2012 AWANA awards night

www.awana.org

Preschoolers can hardly wait for their next Cubbies club meeting. Whether it's the fun puppets, the exciting games or all their "Cubbies friends," they simply love it. At Story Time each week, preschoolers learn about God – the greatness of His love and His Word – and about His Son, Jesus Christ, the promised Savior. Non-competitive games build excitement and reinforce Story Time lesson themes.  Cubbies helps you lead your child to God early so she will respect and trust Him for life.

Tonight is the last meeting for the school year round awana club.  We are proud of Haley to finish her Jumper Celebrations book throughout the year.  She learned 30 bible verses and earned all the book awards this year.  We are exciting to bring her back in the coming September again.  Haley and other Cubbies went up on the stage and showed all the parents of what they had learned.  

-Sang the Cubbies Song

-Read the Cubbie Motto:  Jesus loves me.

-Read the key verse:  God loves us, and sent His son.  1John4:10

-Read the A verse:  All have sinned.  Romans 3:23

-Read the C verse:  While we were sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

-Sang "Go Go Joshua" with movements.

CH silly act

Aquarium of the Bay - SF

 

 

 

Alphabet sign language

Thanks to Ms. Gloria at S2S.  Haley came home and taught me sign language alphabet.  I had to download the information and learn from her too.

Haley's drawings

Haley drew the pictures and I helped her write down what's on her picture.  The last picture sure melts daddy's heart.

Renovation of S2S

New flooring and new paint at Haley's preschool.  Love the fact that the director puts money in to improve the environment for the kids.

Mother's Day 2012

It wasn't a very happy Mother's Day for me this year.  Somehow I was very emotional and sensitive the whole day since we woke up.  Every little thing annoyed me.  The whole family came to our home for BBQ.  The kids had a great time playing together.  However, once again, I think I ruined everyone's day because of my bad attitude and lack of interest.  I felt sorry but I could not up my spirit to be cheerful.  I finally broke down after Haley told me, 我唔要你!  She said that all the time to everyone else, except ME.  I don't recall she ever said that to me.  I know she didn't mean it when she said that, she was just trying to escape from taking picture with me so she can play with Sky.  I was heartbroken at that moment, and it hurts.  I couldn't stop crying.  I didn't give a chance to make up with Haley.  She must wonder why mommy didn't cuddle with her before bed.  Instead, I chose to go to bed in tears.  ; (  

Mother's Day Party @ S2S

One of the things I especially like about S2S is that the director is so involved in daily school activities.  She treats her students and the families just like her own family.  She even opens her home to welcome us all for a special party to celebrate Mother's Day.  The children beautifully performed for all the moms.

BIG girl bike

Can't Imagine Haley is ready for the BIG girl bike already!

Moon watch

According to the astrologist, tonight's moon is the biggest of the year.  We roasted marshmallows while watching the moon in our backyard.  Haley and Chester carried a flashlight and explored the backyard in the dark.  It was an adventurous night for them.

 

 

Chester's 18-month wellcheck

I took Chester to his 18-month wellcheck yesterday.  I was pretty disappointed at his growth.  He gained only 1 lb in the last six months.  I expected that babies will gain less weight after they become more active, but even Dr. Feng so surprised that Chester is not chubby like how he used to be.  He is only at 15 percentile in weight, and 50 percentile in height.  Dr. Feng mentioned that it is a normal problem for toddler at this age becomes a picky eater.  She said there is nothing major to worry about because Chester has grown taller.  We just have to keep offering different varieties of food for him to try.  We have to cut down all the snacks, but focus on nutritional food only.  My biggest concern is that he doesn't drink milk as much as needed.  Chester...Chester...EAT EAT EAT!!!  Starting from today, we are going to boost his calories intake by offering high calorie foods that are high in protein with lots of nutrients.

In fact, he ate 3/4 banana, 1/2 slice of American cheese, 1/2 stick of string cheese, and 2oz whole milk.

To my surprise, he loves playing with these dinosaurs.

Chester - using his 4 teeth...

Checking out grandma's garden

They are so excited to find the apricots on the tree, Haley keep telling Chester not to pick them yet.

 Strawberries are almost ready.

Haley is tiptoeing...

Tiptoeing so we won't wake Chester up.