Sensory play - Mixed colored rice

A bucket of colored rice gave Haley and Chester a whole lot of fun.  They were so excited about this new activity and loved using mommy's kitchen tools to pour rice from one container to another. 

Hunting for alphabets.

Blackhawk Plaza

 Spent couple hours feeding the ducklings and playing at the playground made their day.

VBS - Amazing Wonders

We learned about our Awesome God with Amazing Power.  One of the best thing we learned from this week's VBS is to write a prayer journal.  We wrote down what we want to talk to God about.  On the first day, I asked Haley what worries or scares her about that she wants God to help.  She replied she wants God to help her not to be afraid of the loud noise from the fireworks.  I asked her what she wanted to thank God or talk to God about on the second day, and she told me she thanks God for giving her fun time with her friends and she wants protection to be safe the next time she go ice skating.  It is amazing that she actually put her daily life events into prayers.  I really want to continue doing the prayer journal with her everyday.  I hope I can keep it up.   

Haley's first ice skating experience

We went to Iceland in Dublin with couple of Haley's friends to ice skate.  I told Haley ahead of time that we are going to wear special boots with a blade on the bottom and slide on ice.  She was excited about meeting up with her friends, yet without knowing exactly what it will be like to skate on ice.  Haley hesitated and backed out at the entrance of the ice rink.  She refused to go in and kept saying she wanted to go home.  Owen stayed with Chester and Haley on the side while I went practiced a couple rounds.  I was a bit nervous myself because it has been ages since the last time I skated.  After I got familiar with the ice rink, I went back to Haley and encouraged her to at least try to get in the rink.  Under my encouragement and appropriate force, she had to step in with me.  She was so nervous and scared.  She held onto the slidewall and started to move inch by inch.  I held her tight and she was able to let go one hand from the slidewall after the first round.  Mommy gave her a little treat every time she completed a round.  In our last ground, she was able to trust mommy and let me lead her way in the rink.  We are proud of Haley having courage and being brave to try new things and stepped out of her comfort zone.  All the girls had fun and they all did great in their first time of ice skating. 

Attending a friend's wedding...

Three of my junior high friends and myself used to call ourselves the Four Golden Flowers.  The last flower Michelle is finally willing to get married.  We are all excited for her.  Haley and Chester were all dressed up for the event.  Haley had a great time with all her girlfriends too.  They ran around, chased each other, picked up rose patels, danced and rolled across the dance floor.  Chester also walked and ran around watching the girls played.  It was a great party!  

 It is so cute that all the girls laid down on the floor and watched the bride and father of bride dancing. 

Japanese Garden with grandparents

 

 

 

Weather girl

Haley records a weather report everyday.  She completes the report with recording the inside & outside temperature of the date.

Alameda County Fair

We had fun visiting the Alameda County Fair with the Wong's and the newly wed Christina and Mark this year. There are a couple highlights during our visit this year.  We got to see how the pumping machine milk a goat.  The farmer said the goat can produce two gallons each time they milk her.  We also saw one of the best fireworks we have ever seen, actually it was the closest one.  

The fireworks was like falling on our face.  Haley and Chester got scared when the first fireworks exploded.  Owen held Haley and covered her ears tightly, and I had Chester in my arms.  They might got frightened by the fireworks, but it was a great view of it.  They talked about how big and how sparkle the fireworks is, even Chester said "花" & "閃".

VBS - Western Park

Our first vacation bible school in the theme of Western park was from June 18-22 at East Bay Fellowship in Danville.  There were 601 children from preschool to 5th grade, and over 200 volunteers.  We began and ended each day at the auditorium with songs and dance, we even practice dancing and singing the songs at home.  Give thanks to God for the people from the church who organized VBS.  He bought children and families to His good news.  It's our honor and privilege to be part of this.

Haley was in the group of Kind Buckaroos.  I helped out in the preschool craft station and there were 167 preschool children came in to our craft station.  Haley traveled with her leaders and group-mates from town to town (Bible Study, Recreation, Playground, Snacks and Crafting).  

 

Haley's new friend, Ryan.

Chester stayed in the nursery while mommy and Haley was away.

The nursery staff decided to bring the little ones out for a short ride.  This day happens to meet a pony.

Swimming achievement

Haley received her first ribbon of excellence for passing preschool level 1.  Yeah!  Yeah!  Yeah!  I'm so proud of her.

Summer home crafting - Rice rainbow

Haley helped to use Koolaid to color some rice.  We decided to make a rice rainbow out of it before we mix them for the sensory play.

Sandbox...

We finally decided to fill up the sandbox that grandpa built for Haley and Chester.  They helped daddy to push 200lbs of playsand to the cash register.  

Lindsay Wildlife Museum

We saw many wildlife animals (alive and specimen) at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum.  The most amazing thing I found out is that the owls that stand close to the ceiling are live owls.  There are no cages for them at all.  The museum staffs says they spend many hours in a day to just stand there and look around.  Their eyes are so big that they have to turn their whole head if they want to see the things on their side.

Kiddie pool...water fun

It's the first over 100 degree day for this summer in San Ramon today.  Good that we bought a kiddie pool for the kids the day before.  They love playing with water in this super hot day.  I made a few ice boats to float on the water, but it melted as soon as they got in the water.