Our Exotic Beach Getaway

We took a big trip last weekend. We went from LA County to Orange County. It was a torturous hour drive. We were all a little jetlagged but somehow managed to stay awake the first day there.

We really lucked out and had the most gorgeous weather imaginable. Mid-70's all weekend, sunny, but never hot, which worked out for the us because for about 20 hours each day, the kids wanted to play in the pool. From the moment they woke up until the sun went down and it was so cold that Sam's lips turned blue, the kids demanded pool time. We had to beg them to consider going to the beach which is something they would do daily if they could. Once we had to bribe them with ice cream to get them out of the pool. I don't have any pictures of us in the pool since I had to be in the pool too, but I did manage to get pictures of our single beach outing.

This is at Crystal Cove State Park. If you can see to the left, there are rocks all along the beach which allowed tide pools to form.

Here is Joey exploring the tide pools with me. She was so fascinated with the sea anemone, hermit crabs, mussels, and abalone shells. And thanks to Sesame Street, we already learned about habitats!

Elysha just wanted to build sand castles. The girl loves playing in the sand and can do it all day.

This is why going to the beach with three kids is a tremendous feat! They all go in different directions at the same time.

Sam loves the beach and squishing sand under his toes or running into the water.

This picture speaks for itself...

Snow Trip

We went up the Palm Springs Aerial Tram a couple weekends ago to enjoy the snow. I love going up the tram because it saves us from having to do mountain driving. Plus, it is such a beautiful ride and the kids have a lot of fun.

The kids enjoyed sledding and luckily all four of them fit on the sled.

Of course, Elysha and Sam wanted to be pulled back up the hill, much to Chang's annoyance.


The little snowball in Joey's hand eventually became the head to this snowman...


It was a group effort but Joey really put in a lot of work to get the snowball to this size.



The snowman was bigger than Sam. When I say "group effort," I mean that we had to work against Sam. It might look like he's trying to put in the snowman's arm, but he actually kept pulling everything out.

Our cutie pie Elysha...and Sam, behind her, pulling out the snowman's hair.

Ta-da! Okay, Sam is blocking the snowman and Elysha's face is covered by her snowball but I tried to take a nice group shot and after 30 takes, this is the best one...

Day Two: I Only Had One Drink...

The girls are out of school so it's me plus 3 kids. Alright, so it ain't 8, but still, I consider it a great achievement that no one has run of out the house with their hands waving in the air like a mad man screaming, "she's really lost it this time!" Of course, the biggest potential culprit of such lunatic behavior would be me, but I have remained sane and sober--actually, that is the great achievement of the day.

In fact, not to toot my own horn, but yesterday, the girls and I made this together:


The hardest part of this project was keeping Sam from eating all the candy. I had to keep giving him other candy or white trash sugary snacks to keep him at bay (ehem...not that I actually have Twinkies or Ding-dongs in my pantry...)

Today, we spent the day at Giggles N Hugs. My friend chose a booth and she situated herself and her kid in a way that I had to have my kids sit in a row on one side and me on the other. My darling little angels were all sitting quietly and eating. My friend with her one kid was extremely impressed. "They're so good!" I smiled smugly and replied, "They ARE good. What can I say? I've trained them well." I couldn't help but feel like just maybe, I have it all figured out.

As we left the kiddie play area, Sam's didn't want to go. So I was trying to carry him in one arm, and three jackets and my purse in the other. I can only carry a screaming, squirming Sam for about 50 feet before he breaks free from under my arm (I usually carry him under my arm like I hold an evening clutch, though considerably less elegantly). After he breaks free, then I usually have to drag him by his arm. If people are around, I pretend to get him to stand up so it doesn't look too abusive. We got to the valet area and I just dropped him and let him roll around on the asphalt. I usually wait for the inevitable raised eyebrow from a nearby adult who could potentially call child protection services on me before I pretend to care.

Tonight, I wanted to go to Lawry's. Last year, we went and it was a wonderful experience. The kids were all so well behaved so the thought crossed my mind to make it a family tradition for Christmas. More logical parents would think twice about such an occasion considering the meltdown that I had just experienced at the other restaurant. But nope, the chance the eat at the happiest place on earth was just too enticing for me. I thought I would tempt fate.

Luckily we got seated right away but when we got to our table, I realized that it could not accommodate a high chair (i.e. Sam would not be strapped down). Again, I should have known better but the thought of waiting for a better table was unfathomable. Now, I wasn't just tempting fate, I was playing chicken on fate's high speed freeway.

A five inch smear of mashed potatoes on my dry clean only dress, and a dinner (for Sam) that consisted only of chips and hot fudge sundae later, we made it out alive. The girls were so well behaved. They were trying to choose between "O Holy Night" and the Chipmunk Christmas song for the carolers to sing, but decided to choose the former after finding out it was my favorite song.

Multiply that chip that Sam's holding by 20 and throw in some hot fudge sundae and there you will have Sam's dinner tonight at a prime rib restaurant.

Despite all the chaos (and a mischievous caroler putting his hat on my head), I was happy--prime rib, wine, and Christmas cheer. And, I got to wear my boots! What more can a girl ask for?

Merry Christmas!

Monica Geller to the Rescue!

Wow! I didn't realize it has already been a week! I am in the east coast right now. Just me. Helping out my sister in law with her new baby. She and baby boy are doing great. So aside from cooking, I am helping her organize. She moved in with her hubby about two years ago and their first floor looks like they just moved in. Boxes and no furniture. The Monica Geller in me got excited at helping her get organized. We've finished the clean up, purchased furniture courtesy of my PB discount, and I am hanging up mirrors and pictures. I even got to use power tools which I haven't used in forever since Chang takes care of all those sorts of things. Let's just hope that everything doesn't fall off the walls when someone closes a door.

The in-laws have no tv and no junk food in the house. I had to buy my own chips and chocolate. I finished reading Jane Eyre last night and I am planning on reading the first two Twilight books again in anticipation of the movie. I thought I would be going through tv withdrawal but since I don't have my kids to wear me out each day, I don't need vegging time in the evenings.

I really do miss my babies though. Sam is so adorable these days and the girls have been pretty cute and less irritating ever since I implemented the 1-2-3 magic system. I'm enjoying my time off but I can't wait to get back home.

Same Place, Different Times

We went up to the bay area a couple weekends ago for a wedding. My old youth student whom I taught from the time she was 12 until 18, got married. It was a beautiful wedding. It was a short trip but we wanted to do some sightseeing for the girls. They really wanted to see the Golden Gate bridge. But of course, it was windy and cold at the viewing point. So after a few pictures of them with the bridge behind them, they just wanted to go back into the car.

While we were driving up, we had snacks strewn all around the car. Chips, cookies, remnants from our McDonald's lunch--I looked at our car and realized it looked like that Foster's Farm commercial with the chickens and the junk food filled car.

We also stopped in Sausalito for ice cream before heading up to Napa Valley for the wedding. I wanted to take a picture at the same place that we took a picture with just Joey when she was one month old. My how time flies!

Oh how clueless we were back then...

Now the family is complete! I know, I haven't aged at all, right? RIGHT???

Putting on a brave face in the freezing temps...

The girls loved all the flowers at the wedding, and my pashmina. I think they also took these pictures of each other.

Sam trying to get in on the action...

A Whole New World: Part 2

Everyone seems to think we are brave (or crazy) for taking three kids on a 5 1/2 hour flight to Disneyworld...especially considering we live about 30 minutes away from Disneyland. It was a good trip and I would say it was worth the trouble and expense. But by the last day, we were all ready to go home. Seven straight days of Disney magic was exhausting, even for the girls.

And now, I see a HUGE difference in boys vs. girls. I am sure it has something to do with Sam's age too, but at the same time, the girls were never this hyperactive. The girls were able to sit quietly on the plane and work on coloring books, artsy activities, and stickers. They only got out of their seats once to go to the bathroom--both ways. Sam, on the other hand, could not stay still for five seconds, let alone five hours. We should have gotten the extra seat and strapped him in. He was also suffering from a head cold so there was a lot of crying and screaming on the descent into Orlando.

We used a credit card privilege to get into the VIP airport lounge for free. It was awesome. There was a kiddie room with computers, a TV and snacks. While I was getting the free coffee, muffins and fruit in the lounge area, I sneezed and Smokey Robinson blessed me!

We used all the complimentary shuttle services that Disneyworld provides, including the Magical Express airport shuttle. They are supposed to pick up your bags from baggage claim for you and deliver it to your room within a few hours. We didn't get our bags until the next morning. Luckily I was prepared for worst case scenario with our carry-on so it wasn't too much of a hassle. When we finally got our bags the next morning, it had these priority tags on them which was amusing.

The Finding Nemo show at Animal Kingdom was amazing. The costumes were done by the same designer as the Broadway Lion King show. We managed to get reserved seating so we didn't wait in line at all and were able to get the best seats in the house. We also utilized the fast pass system extensively so we never waited more than 20 minutes for any ride.

Our little monkeys...
Sam understands what a camera is now and will smile when I take his photo. Cutie patootie, huh?
After Magic Kingdom closed, we bought the kids a souvenir each and let them run around for an hour while we let the crowd die down. Sam is getting to the age where he can interact with them more. It's very sweet to see all three of them play together.

Chang and I celebrated our seventh year anniversary while there. What a romantic way to spend the day, huh? Love you babe. I can honestly say I love you more than ever.


Our resort was right on the water. The cool thing was we could take a 10 minute boat ride to Downtown Disney.

I have no idea where they learned to pose for pictures. Look at how they both cock their heads to the side!

Sam looks more and more like "da-da" everyday. He was also super clingy to Chang during the whole trip.

We treated the girls to a Bibbity-Bobbity Boutique trip. Hair, make-up, nails, tiara and "fairy dust" sprinkled all over for the cost of a king's ransom. Yes we are suckers but it was cute and the girls loved it. Plus, we held it over their heads the whole trip in order to extract good behavior.

The Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood Studios was a lot of fun too. The amphitheater is a mini Hollywood Bowl.
In front of the famous "Spaceship Earth" Epcot icon.


By the end of the trip, everyone was tired. Yes, that is Elysha inside the Ergo carrier.


The weather was perfect the whole time we were there. All in all, a wonderful trip. But eight days of family vacation was enough for all of us. We were all ready to get back home and out of each other's hair.

A Whole New World

We got back last night from Disneyworld and happy to be back. It wasn't as painful as our Seattle vacation but we all breathed a sigh of relief upon entering our home...especially Sam. He ran into the play room and grabbed his guitar and played for a while.

I'll share more of our trip soon. Just wanted to say that there really is no place like home (and the luxury of preschool).

More Activity Ideas

Day Two: The natives are getting restless but so is their fearless (and highly caffeinated) leader. Fortunately, my SOS was answered and reinforcements came in the form of my aunt. Looks like we will survive one more day.

In between the last minute errands before the holidays, doing stuff for my mom, and general housekeeping, I want to figure out some activities for the girls. The weather outside makes it an indoor day, but the girls can only stay inside for some time without bouncing off the walls and making me feel like I was in a padded cell.

I looked through the family fun website and just thought it was so-so. I just discovered that one of my many employers has a great activities website--Savvy Source activities.

Joey and Elysha are really into math right now so the M&M math seems like a great idea. And the crayon resist painting would be a good activity while Sam is napping.

Yesterday, we made New Year's chains. I had the girls cut out strips of paper. I showed Joey a December calendar and told her to write the remaining days on each strip of paper (i.e. 23 on one strip, 24 on the next, and so on). Joey made dots on Elysha's paper strips so that Elysha could practice writing her numbers too. Then I folded each paper strip into an interlocking ring, letting the girls staple each ring together. I also saved the empty wrapping paper tubes so that the girls could make magic wands.

These activities lasted about two seconds, so the other 43,198 seconds of the day, I was hurting. I was relieved when I spoke to two other moms who were also suffering as much as I was. Not that I want other moms to suffer, but it just helped me to feel like I wasn't alone. Though I'm sure they didn't pound on the locked doors of their preschool, wailing, "Why, God, why?" The saga to continue tomorrow...

The Happiest Place on Earth (for me at least)

I really wanted to go to Lawry's this Christmas. It has been a while since we have seen the carolers (a quartet of singers dressed up in Dickensian costumes that go from table to table and sing Christmas songs by request). We haven't taken the kids with us to Lawry's since Elysha was born. I guess out of fear that the kids would misbehave, and not being sure if they would like the food.

Well, they definitely are my kids...all three of them gobbled up the prime rib, creamed corn, yorkshire pudding and baked potato. I am alone, however, in my love for the creamed spinach and baked potato with all the fixings and extra sour cream. Yum, yum! Either the kids ate a lot of my meat, or I was really hungry because I finished my entire Lawry's cut and sides (minus the baked potato which I like to take home and eat later). We then feasted on the C.C. Hot Fudge Sundae for dessert.

It is a good thing I was treated to my favorite meal last weekend. The warm memories of the happiest place on earth will have to carry me through these next two weeks of having all three kids home with me. So far, they have been behaving well. I have also brought out some arts and crafts stuff to get me through this time. A friend told me about Family Fun Magazine website. I'm going to try to be a good mom and figure out some craft ideas for the girls and just pray that Sam doesn't eat too many glue sticks.

Mrs. Michael Phelps

While we were on fun-filled family vacation, every night we would watch the Olympics. As I am married to a sports nut, we watched every event they broadcast--even the boring ones like women's beach volleyball and the women's marathon (sorry if I have offended anyone out there). I am sure you men are thinking that Chang was watching it because it was four scantily clad women jumping around in the sand. But he swears he watches it for the sport. And don't even get me started on the women's barely there uniforms (seriously???).

But the adorable thing was how much Joey got into swimming and Michael Phelps amazing run for eight gold medals. When he was racing, she would chant, "Go Michael Phelps! Go Michael Phelps!" And whenever she saw a picture of him on a newspaper or on TV, she would get excited and scream, "That's Michael Phelps!" She was so inspired by him that she started swimming without floaties during our vacation. She wants to learn all the strokes and swim just like him. Who knows? Maybe we have the next Janet Evans or Natalie Coughlin here in our household.

Too late to retract previous post??? :)

My editor found my previous post to be slightly harsh in tone. He also took offensive to me likening our children to Tiananmen Square. I just wanted to clarify this comparison, in case he is not the only one to misunderstand. I was not comparing our lovely daughters to the place where human souls were crushed. I was only saying that the words "family vacation" have now taken on a whole new meaning to me. Hello...not the same thing, right?

And as much as I complained in my previous post, I did bring the girls home in one piece did I not? When people ask me how our vacation was, I fake a smile and say it was delightful. And in all honesty, now that my battle scars are starting to heal, the pain is starting to wear off. I swear. I even suggested we go to Disneyworld sometime before the kids go to college.

So my official statement is that our family vacation was wonderful, all the kids were perfect angels. Thank you for asking.

Survivor: Seattle/Vancouver

Your challenge: to go on "vacation" with two young girls and a baby boy for 11 days without losing your mind.

We just got back from what Chang and I envisioned to be a relaxing family vacation while we showed the girls the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Let me just say that the word vacation has a whole new meaning to it. It is like Tiananmen Square--the "gate of heavenly peace" was the site of a gruesome massacre. Now when you mention the area, people immediately think of the blood shed, not the monuments or the massive buildings--we think of how the Chinese army tried to take down the demonstration with brute force. Okay, my example may not be the best comparison, but if you say the words "family vacation" to me, I will run away screaming from you like a madwoman; I will shudder with the horrible memories of how my girls did their best to chip away at my sanity with their constant whining, complaining, and fighting.

We did what any good parent would do when we had had enough of their whining--we tried reason, extortion, beatings, bribery--we even tried the whole Korean guilt trip mind games that worked so well on our generation. But to our kids, our words fell on deaf ears. We saw Orca whales swimming and jumping in the Pacific Ocean; we saw Bison, Elk, Caribou eating, sleeping, and walking through their woodland habitat; we gave the girls princess makeovers in Vancouver. There was no appreciation for any of these things. Instead we just heard, "my nail polish is already coming off!" or "how much longer until we get off this boat?" or the beloved phrase that I thought was just an urban legend, "are we there yet?"

We got to another amazing destination and as Chang turned off the engine he muttered, "yet another thing these girls don't deserve."

Well, we are back. I never thought I would be so happy to get back home and back into the normal routine of things like sending the girls off to school everyday.

I don't know if we will be going on another torture trip anytime soon. I think the trick is to not do anything but lounge at the pool or at the beach. You know, things you could do here in LA without spending thousands of dollars for airfare, hotels and rental car fees.

What about Sam? I was only complaining about the girls. He was the perfect baby, as usual. Slept in the car, slept at the hotel, slept on the airplane, and didn't fuss if he was hungry...just perfect.